With a very dynamic approach to his new album challenging producers all over the globe to work alongside him we caught up for a word with Richard Durand to answer a few questions…
What does Richard Durand do every night? If you read a little more into his new album project and link it with a mildly popular cartoon series you might think he tries to take over the world. It’s something a little different from the usual artist concept of putting together tracks for the electronic fan to enjoy. He wants you to help him produce it and is looking in the four corners of the globe for creative producers to step up to the challenge. They have already as he’s already released the first part by scouring Australia and Asia with a three track EP collaborating with tyDi and The Progressive Brothers. He’s currently accepting entries for the second part of this intriguing new project from Europe and Russia. We caught a word with him on the release of part one.
i:Vibes: Richard thanks for taking some time to talk to i:Vibes.nu. You had a very strong 2011. what is your main goal for 2012?
Richard: 2011 was great! Busy, but great. Because I’m working on a new album (RD vs The World) and a new ISOS compilation, I doubt that 2012 will be less hectic haha. I aim to play as many gigs in new places as I possibly can this year and hopefully a lot of festivals too!
i:Vibes: How did you come up with the idea of Richard Durand vs the rest of the world?
Richard: I thought it would be fun to change things around a bit seeing as I already released two albums. And as I know how important social media is, I wanted to use it for my new album. Of course there will be productions on the album that are my own and collaborations with some well-known producers, but I thought it would be a fun idea to get some new and enthusiastic producers out there revved up and excited about working with me.
i:Vibes: The art work on the cover is very fancy. How much were you involved with the making of yourself as a super hero?
Richard: I don’t only work with a lot of people around me all the time but also a record label like Black Hole Recordings. We came up with the vs. the World concept together and thought it would add to the idea if we created a character, like a super hero, to go with it. So as Richard Durand versus te World is pretty over the top, we had to alter my body too haha. But no… I’m afraid I am never going to wear the suit again ;)
i:Vibes: How important is it in 2012 to always reinvent yourself as an artist by being innovative and releasing new interesting projects to the public?
Richard: I always look for a way to create something that hasn’t been done before, which obviously doesn’t always work but just trying makes you choose different routes rather than the easiest way with the least resistance. I also try to keep a recognizable element in each release, which can be an awesome vocal, melody or beat. I want to keep an element of surprise in my music.
i:Vibes: What was most enticing about the Progressive brothers mix for Veda?
Richard: It was the First time I had tried something like this and the best part was that their mix inspired me to give the track a different vibe. I gave it more of a trance-like spin so bit by bit, constantly looking at it from a different angle, I was able to finish it off and I’ve got to say it is really awesome!
i:Vibes: Was Chopstick a difficult track to produce. What was most important in getting the track perfect?
Richard: Chopsticks was one of those tracks that I made in a day. Everything makes sense about the track, it is high energy… a real Richard Durand original if you ask me! I thought it was about time to make something like that again, seeing as we’re being bombarded with House at the moment. Hous&House etc haha
i:Vibes: You produced Loose unit with TyDi. What was it like making a record with him?
Richard: Yeah, that was a lot of fun. I had a 12 day tour going on that took up two weekends so I knew that I wouldn’t have much going on during the week. I pretty much came up with the idea to call Tydi immediately to ask if he could spend a couple of days in the studio with me. He was psyched about it too. We had a good laugh in the studio, but we also learned a lot from each other which is also important. Everyone has their own way of working and that can be really inspiring!
i:Vibes: What can we expect from the Europe/Russia competition? Will the music differ in style to the previous competition?
Richard: Well, I don’t know who the winner is yet, so I can’t tell you which track either! I did secretly test the track I made with Bobina and yes… it was a hit! Other than that I made a wicked trancer with an awesome theme (all together this is the project I am working on now and is great!)
i:Vibes: What is your main goal with this project besides showcasing the world with new talent?
Richard: My goal was just to show that there are more than one way to make music and to release it… especially if you use social media to it’s fullest!
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