Earlier this week, we had a chance to chat with Ferry Corsten before he went off on touring through parts of the east coast of US and Europe. Ferry is known in the world as one of the forefronts of Trance genre during the 90s.
LAD: Who were some of your influences in the music business in the 90s and 2000s while you were a major producer/DJ?
FC: I’m a huge fan of Timbaland. His production ideas were mind blowing during that period and his style was cutting edge. I really think Calvin Harris is very clever with what he does. Every track is spot on.
LAD: What brought you to do your weekly show – ‘Corsten’s Countdown’ in 2007?
FC: During those days there were a lot of requests for me to do a radio show. I definitely loved listening to the radio in the Netherlands when I was younger and attribute my love for dance music from that time. Realizing that I could give other people the same opportunity, I jumped at the chance.
LAD: What was your most challenging but most rewarding collaboration during your career?
FC: Many years ago I made a project together with Tijs called Gouryella. It was definitely one of the projects that propelled the trance movement into what it is today. I’ve recently released a new Gouryella single called “Anahera” and the response has been amazing. It’s great to see what a legacy this name has made for itself and the ripples that it still carries today.
LAD: Any single and/or album that you are most proud of (past or present work)?
FC: I am most proud of my album “Twice in Blue Moon Album.” That was the album that I made when my wife was pregnant with my first child, my daughter Gabby. Listening to that album brings back a lot of memories.
LAD: Can you recall when you had your first realization that – yes, I’m going to become a producer/DJ and bring music in my own unique way.
FC: I think I had that realization when I started producing music and realized that all my tracks were being signed by various record labels. I was getting more offers for remixes at that time and started earning good money from it all. That was the moment that I realized that the music I was making was unique as it was getting picked up by labels and all being released.
LAD: Any singer(s)/producer(s)/DJ(s) that you’d like to collab with in the future that you’ve never worked with before?
FC: I’m always interested to work with other artists. There is no 1 artist in particular. It’s just important to have a click.
LAD: Some call you ‘Uncle Ferry’ – how did that come about?
FC: I have no idea… I didn’t even know people did that hahaha.
LAD: You’ve recently released a new track “Anahera” – what brought you back into finally releasing a new tune that stayed true to the vision of Gouryella?
FC: I haven’t really been too excited about dance music in general also including trance in recent years. I really started missing the emotion and the memorable melodies that work with it…and certainly the goosebump factor. A new Gouryella single has been on my mind for the last 5 years or so. But artistically I wasn’t able to find the right click until now.
LAD: Any current work/collabs that you’re currently on? Any new releases/albums that we should expect in 2015?
FC: I’m currently about to release my 2nd EP – “Hello World EP Part 2.” I’m really excited to share this EP. It’s a blend of trance and house music that I hope you will enjoy.