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 The man with a million guises and a million productions under his belt on the massive Bonzai Records label talks briefly to i:Vibes about what he's been up to lately, and what's like working with Armin van Buuren.
Hi there Laurent, i:Vibes: Thank you very much for your time in doing this interview with i:Vibes and I am sure the readers will appreciate it much!
Laurent: Anytime!
i:Vibes: Anyway, I'm sure most people need no introduction about yourself, but for those who have not a clue as to who you are, why not give them a synopsis of your background and how the music all began?
Laurent: I'm Laurent Veronnez, I'm 24 and I live in Belgium. I have been experiencing with synthesizers and computers since I was 14. When I turned 18, I had tons of tracks in the dance genre, and decided to visit some record labels. At this time Bonzai was already my favourite. My visit turned into a multi-record deal, just like a dream-come-true for many of us. Even now I feel lucky for that!!! I now have about 15 different project names, among others Airwave, Fire & Ice, Velvet Girl, L-Vee, Cape Town, Planisphere, DJ Fire...
i:Vibes: You've been producing for much of the past decade under almost 30 different production guises, with nearly all your releases under the Bonzai Label. How has this journey been for you and what have you learnt through your production experiences?
Laurent: Well, I won't complain about my career at Bonzai, sure not! I learnt so much here; not only technically but also musically. It's like I opened my mind and my ears to something else!! The most important thing I have learnt is that making money of music is a nightmare!!! Don't expect to be a star with your first record!
i:Vibes: We have seen so many various production guises, but what are the significances of each guise? is there a style of production you aim to put forth with let's say an Airwave production, as opposed to a Blue Velvet Remix? And what would you consider as the one which fits you best?
Laurent: Well, let's have a listen to the records, they all sound quite different. I mean the atmosphere in Airwave is dramatically different from the one you can find in Velvet Girl. Let's look at it a different way: Airwave is energetic trance-progressive oriented, Fire & Ice can be considered as ‘anthemic’ trance, Velvet Girl is more clubby, and Planisphere is really progressive and floating...
i:Vibes: Your productions under Airwave, L-Vee, and Fire & Ice with Jurgen Leyers have been noted to be when your best comes out. Out of the many tracks you have produced and remixed, has there been a favourite of yours?
Laurent: Honestly I love all of my records, like my children. But if I have to pick up only one from them, it will be the next airwave. It's called Lady Blue, and it's the kind of music you still would play in 10 years you know!
i:Vibes: Hot topics at the moment are the Japanese singers being remixed; namely Ayumi Hamasaki, and Every Little Thing. How was that like for you and what has your experiences in the Far East been like in terms of ideals and culture? There have also been some rumours that there are more remixes coming for the next Cyber Trance album from yourself, what can you say about that?
Laurent: A big moment of pleasure, coz I really appreciated working on some Japanese stuff. And both tracks I had to remix were good in their styles, well produced, so remixing them wasn't that difficult. And I was really pleased to hear from the people at the record label in Japan they loved my work on their tracks!! For the next releases, you seem to know much more than I do LOL!!! We'll see...
i:Vibes: Speaking of upcoming tracks, you seem to have quite a few in the works to be released, including your collaboration with Armin van Buuren for "Sunspot", and also material from your upcoming album. What is there to tell the readers about your album release later this year and how was working with Armin like?
Laurent: The album will contain 12 tracks full of emotion, and many of them are new ones or brand new unreleased mixes of the first ones. I am really proud of my debut album, it's a perfect introduction. Working with Armin was a big moment of fun. I consider him as a friend now. He has the skills and I've never seen anyone more humble than he is! I'm a big fan of Armin's, I've always been, and working with him was like a dream-come-true (again!!!)...
i:Vibes: I guess you're pretty busy in the studio these days, but can you give us an idea of what's in the pipeline for you in terms of productions and remixes? and what plans are there for further collaborations with artists?
Laurent: I just finished the new DJ Fire with Jurgen Leyers, and I loooooove it! The new The Lounge is also finished. You can expect a new Velvet Girl next month as well as a new Fire & Ice single. I also made a remix for Judge Jules' track "the Oboe song", as well as other ones for various artists. And believe me or not, I'm already working on the new album, and 2 tracks are finished already!
i:Vibes: As a DJ and Producer yourself, are there any other DJs and producers you feel has delivered time and time again?
Laurent: Tiesto and Armin are big guys! I love both of their work. Timo Maas made an outstanding album, which I listen to it all the time! But the one who has really been a real source of inspiration and guidance, it's BT. This guy is awesome! Orbital once said "BT's God and God is good". That's how I feel about him now!
i:Vibes: Finally, how do you see the trance sound changing this year with summer coming up soon, and big names popping up everywhere delivering their latest releases.
Laurent: Well, everything changes, and I think now it's time for coming back to the roots. Trance for example will get back to the sound of 93-94 with of course a more up-to-date sound. Actually that's the direction I follow!
i:Vibes: Well, we look forward to hearing more productions from you Laurent, but is there anything else you want to add to this interview?
Laurent: Album released in September 2002! Check it out!
i:Vibes: Thanks, and hope you like the site!
Laurent: Yes I looooooove it!!
http://www.bonzai.be
http://www.lightningrecords.be
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