Check out our interview with rising Trance talent 'Pulstate' who has been lighting up the trance scene with his latest collaboration with 'Juventa' for 'Somnia'. He's another Ireland born and bread and one we think has a promising future…
Pulstate (born 1992 in Ireland) is a multi-genre music producer, song writer composer and DJ currently living in Cork, Ireland. In year 2003 (at eleven years of age), his father introduced him to Garageband (a music production program by apple)and music production became one of Pulstates main occupations. In 2005, he started using Reason 3, which he still uses to this day. At aged 13, Pulstate (called DJ DeZ at that time) signed a small record deal which would enable him to release a track on iTunes. This is the youngest age a person from Ireland has ever released a dance track.
In 2006, he signed a contract with Infrasonic Recordings (a trance and progressive music label in the United Kingdom). No sooner had the ink dried on the contract, he went and released a single entitled “Fuel The Passion”. It received remixes by Heatbeat, Supuer, Andrelli & Blue and Phase Transition. The original mix was played on radioshows hosted by Agnelli & Nelson and Phillip Alpha. The remix made by Heatbeat was featured by Armin Van Buuren on his radio show called “A State of Trance”. Another milestone for the youngster was when it was picked up by Judge Jules for his BBC Radio 1 show, listened to by over a million people in the UK. It received 4 plays by Judge Jules over a 2 month period, most noticeably with former number 1 DJ in the world, Paul Van Dyk in attendance.
Having had quite good success from the debut release, Infrasonic were quick to get a 2nd track by the youngster released. He was put on a remix of Andy Tau, “The Path.” Pulstate’s remix was picked up by Judge Jules again shortly after it was released, making it his fifth play on BBC Radio 1.
On September 24th 2008, it was revealed that Pulstate had agreed a deal with Infrasonic for another single with remixes. The track has yet to be released, and is entitled, “Lost Forever”.
On the 5th of February, the DJ Eco remix of Lost Forever made it onto, ’ A State Of Trance, ’ with Armin Van Buuren. It will be fully released on the 23rd of February.
So far in 2010, Pulstate has released yet another single on Infrasonic recordings entitled, ’ Somnia, ’ meaning to dream in Latin. It is co-produced with Juventa, a 15 year old producer currently living in Holland. It has remixes from Jorn Van Deynhoven and Yuri Kane. Somnia has gotten support from the likes of Armin Van Buuren (ASOT), Tiesto (Clublife), Above & Beyond (TATW), Andy Moor, Gareth Emery, Agnelli & Nelson, Super8 & Tab, and Daniel Kandi, plus hundreds more.
i:Vibes: Thanks for taking some time to talk to i:Vibes. How is your summer going? Are you controlled by the World Cup action or are you able to get work done in the studio?
Pulstate: Hey Miles, the Summer is going well so far. Had the chance to go to Roland Garros recently which was amazing to experience the very evident atmosphere in Paris. In terms of the World Cup, I've only missed 3 or 4 games but as a massive fan of the sport and with the event only occurring every four years, it's definitely a firm part of my days lately. I'm still getting some positive work done in the studio lately which I hope to finish soon.
i:Vibes: You had your first interview as an artist two years ago at the age of 16. You had already produced music at the age of 16. How were you able to already be able to produce such inspiring music at such an early age?
Pulstate: Hours and hours learning and trying to invent a style. While most 16 year olds were out in the streets and messing around, I was at home doing all I could to get somewhere with music production. I have no regrets today but I believe if your good enough, your young enough, and most importantly, if you want it, you'll get it.
i:Vibes: How has your sound progressed in the last 16 months?
Pulstate: I've started to understand music structure and instrument placement a lot better I think. It's frustrating when you spend hours in a day trying to create a sound but nothing happens, but I realize now that it's many of these days over a period of time that eventually make you the producer you are. This has been key to my sound developing I think.
Also, I've changed from Reason to Ableton and got a brand new studio so there is some positive times ahead I feel.
i:Vibes: If you look back on your track Lost Forever, what makes the track so unique?
Pulstate: It was a simple track, with a simple theme, and a simple piano riff that was really addicting. The track expressed what I was feeling and did it in the simplest way. People prefer to interpret music in the simplest way so it was no surprise it did well.
i:Vibes: At the beginning of this year, you were unable to produce music for some months. How were you able to be stay active with music without producing?
Pulstate: It was really frustrating obviously. Limited by a hardware fault with my Mac, (the first fault in 7 years I might add), I couldn't produce anything above 4 channels, which obviously ruled out any completed works. However, I kept writing melodies and exporting them in MIDI format so that they could be produced on the new studio which I anticipated eagerly.
i:Vibes: What is your biggest strength in the studio now that you have gained in the last two years?
Pulstate: The ability to express myself the way I want, and in the way the listeners want.
i:Vibes: You claimed to be, ' in production ' on a track with and upcoming Irish Vocalist who you labelled, '' Extremely talented. '' some months ago. What ever happened to this collaboration?
Pulstate: Her name was Janna Foley, a student in my school. She was an amazing singer and had a great personality, the type that could have taken her quite far I think. We were going to write some electronic pop type stuff which would showcase her talent. I had melodies written and was ready to go but unfortunately some family issues required her to move a significant distance away, thus ending our time working together. It was a real pity.
i:Vibes: You have some new tracks coming out like Somnia which is due to feature on Andy Moors Ministry of Sound compilation. What was the most difficult thing you had to get right in the studio so this track would be perfect?
Pulstate: I produced this one with a 15 year old Dutch child prodigy. Juventa is his artist name, and all I can say is that he has a fantastic future ahead of him, a real trance soul in his armour. We wanted to create a trance track that had a completely new type of style to it and had a main melody which was catchy. We went through about 100 melodies before we came up with the right one. I wouldn't call the track perfect but it is definitely one of the better trance releases of late, in my opinion.
i:Vibes: Do you jump for joy when you find out one of your tracks gets picked up for a famous compilation or do you take it with ease as an 18 year old?
Pulstate: You obviously feel proud of your achievement, but I think by now I am beginning to accept that it is part of the job. You make a good track, and you get something back, but it is definitely something which brings a smile to my face.
i:Vibes: Being 18, do you ever look up to Mat Zo? He has achieved so much and has essentially followed the same route as you. Is he a person you'd like to meet with someday?
Pulstate: Mat is a unbelievable talent, and is further into the scene than I am, and has achieved more than I have so far, so he is definitely an influence. I think coming from a musical family helps a little too, but what he's done already is stunning. I would love to meet him someday, would love to chat production with him.
i:Vibes: You have been producing music since age 11, and signed your first record deal at 13. How did your family react to your achievement?
Pulstate: They gave me encouragement and congratulations. Nobody in my family listens or listened to trance music so they didn't understand my situation totally, but these days they know what it means.
i:Vibes: Trance is a genre that seems to attract and unearth a lot of child prodigies as of late, do you agree? Have you met any? Do you think this pattern will continue?
Pulstate: I've been saying this for the last year. It's just unbelievable the standard that some of these kids produce. Jonathan Martin being the most known, at just 15 working for Coldharbour, AVA Records, and Armada. Then you have Juventa, a guy who I brought to Infrasonic's attention and has worked wonders so far, also just 15. I am friends with both of these guys so it's understandable why I mention them first but there are many more, who are even younger. It's just up to the labels to spot them. I think this pattern will definitely continue, with technology advancing, and music production being a more attractable hobby, it will continue. These days it's a lot easier to create a track than it was 10 years ago, and it will get easier.
i:Vibes: Being 18, you are obviously surrounded by teenagers, many of whom are friends of yours. How do they react when they hear you're signed etc? Do you enjoy their reactions of amazement?
Pulstate: Many of them didn't believe it a couple of years ago. Many thought I was just after some attention but I am the kind of guy who keeps it to myself. Lately its spread and many people come to me, and I may not even know them! They ask questions and want to make sure the rumours around are true. They just can't believe that someone who seems like a normal everyday teenager has support from the likes of Tiesto etc. I wouldn't say I enjoy their reactions but they are definitely something you can't get used to!
i:Vibes: Your remix for Six Senses Cosmic belt is very nice. How difficult is it to get your productions so tight. Are there any tricks that you use in the studio?
Pulstate: My last ever track in Reason. I think the trick is understanding equalization as well as you can. Equalizing is the difference between a hit and a miss you'll find. I do use certain tricks to get a fatter sound both internally and externally in my software, but nothing I'd reveal here. ;)
i:Vibes: Your Empathy remix will be featured on the new M.I.K.E compilation for Armada called New York City Lights. Your atmosphere is really really brilliant. the build up reminds a bit like a Breakfast build up. Was this remix difficult to produce?
Pulstate: I have to thank Infrasonic for giving me the chance to remix it. The original had a melody which stuck in my head for days, so it was quite easy to finish. Somnia had just been signed and it was suggested that I do the remix with Juventa, so we worked together again, and it is a massive achievement for me to get something released by Armada, but chosen by such a legend in the scene. i:Vibes: You've probably been asked this before, but how EXACTLY does it feel to have a track you work so hard on, get played by the likes of Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, and so on? These are the men who you looked up to for so many years surely?
Pulstate: It's breathtaking at first. After two or three plays you start to get used to it, but sometimes I pinch myself to make sure it is reality. They are definitely guys who I looked up to, and for them to support me is obviously incredible.
i:Vibes: Somnia will also be featured on the forthcoming new compilation for Discover Records mixed by Gary Maguire, another Irishman to enter the scene. Do you have any special relationships with upcoming Irish producers or do you keep to yourself?
Pulstate: These days it is difficult to keep in touch with popular producers through any medium. I have spoken with Gary a few times and have nothing but the utmost respect for him as a guy and as a producer. I've also spoken with John O Callaghan a few times but as I say, it is difficult for a guy as famous as him to keep in touch. Reuben Keeney is a good friend of mine also, and we can connect since we are both the same age and trying to breakthrough in different sub genres. I would like to get to know more Irish producers in the future so we'll see what happens.
i:Vibes: How has your relationship to Andy Tau grown in the last two years? what tips has he given you in the studio?
Pulstate: It's only gotten stronger. Andy and I understand each other, as producers and as people. We send each other tracks back and forth in complete trust, which is nice since this type of trust is practically non existent in music right now, even between friends. Tips? He gives me good feedback on my stuff and if I ever get over confident about something, can bring me down to earth very rapidly!
i:Vibes: Maybe a silly question but how would a John O Callaghan / Pulstate track sound like?
Pulstate: Ummm. Thats a tough one. Depends on what style we'd go after, but I guess it'd be driven, passionate trance with a catchy theme.
i:Vibes: You are currently being managed by your father, a rarity. Do you think this plays to your advantage? How is your relationship with him?
Pulstate: He is the best manager you could ask for. Any artist would probably love to have a family member as their manager. It provides a level of trust and understanding that you couldn't get with a stranger. He introduced me to music production, and is a huge reason why I am here today.
Our relationship is very strong, and we have a lot of laughs when we are together. He has taught me a lot in different areas of life, and has helped me with record contracts, and other paperwork which I would have struggled on alone.
i:Vibes: Outside of music, you also play for a semi professional soccer with a team named Cork City FC. Is a professional soccer career something that you might pursue? How do you find time for music, soccer and school?
Pulstate: Yes it is definitely something I want to pursue. I just finished my first season with them and it was brilliant. I learned a lot, became a better player and a more mature footballer I think. Being a professional is extremely difficult but where I am currently is a stepping stone. We'll see if I can go anywhere from here.
In terms of making time for them, it is difficult. Obviously one takes centre stage and the others take a backseat for a while. School is priority and gets most time, soccer comes next, and music after. Right now its all music since I have a break from the others.
i:Vibes: Finally, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Pulstate: Producing music, playing soccer and in a foreign country.
i:Vibes: Who will win the World Cup in South Africa?
Pulstate: Brazil.
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