noel sanger,interview

[kana_oksid]

Chad: Why do you feel that US DJs are not getting the kind of attention that UK DJs get?
Noel: Well, the UK is like ground zero for progressive dance. The perception over here is that anything English is bigger and better and for an American DJ to get real respect on these shores, he (or she) first has to get it over there. Most often. But it is set up better over there, I mean the clubs, the labels, the scene is more mature, the mainstream has a much better understanding of it and DJ culture in general is accepted widely. Chris Fortier is a good example. He is just now getting the props he deserves after years of relentlessly promoting the progressive sound in the states, and he is mixing bedrock volume three. He goes to Europe every month at least once or twice, and if there is any justice in the universe should be huge by this time next year. But quite frankly he has paid a lot of dues, and in some ways is still paying them.

Chad: You chose Hybrid's remix of NGCBD on your Ritual cd, why that mix?
Noel: It has just enough of the vocal without cheesing it out. With that mix I really liked the big bassline that came in after the breakdown. To be honest, I also needed some bigger names on the cd, since my name isnt that big, to help sell the cd. That was something the label asked me for, and I felt like this was a track that had two big names (Hybrid and BT), and didn't compromise my mix at all since I had played it out a bit from a cd-r prior to it's release.

Noel SangerChad: Was it ATB's success with your sample from No greater Love that tempted you for a 2000 styled remix?
Noel: No, I honestly don't know how much success they got from that. Actually, my remix was on board before they requested use of the sample.

Chad: You have modernized No Greater Love, have you considered giving the same remix treatment to 'All We Are' or other of your past hits?
Noel: Yes, a song is timeless and can be remixed in many different styles.

Chad: I understand that you and Hamel have remixed a track by Delerium - Innocente (Hamel V Sanger Mix) can you shed some more light on that?
Noel: It went down like this. I am managed by Nettwerk. My manager thought that I should remix Delerium's next single in light of the huge success Silence received. I was to remix it on spec and since I didn't have my studio set up at my current location, I gave Billy a call. He and I had been talking about working together for some time, so we got on it, and we loved it. The track went through various phases of the label squashing it and unsquashing it and it is again squashed despite a lot of praise from top DJs. I am afraid it wont see the light of day.

in April will be the release of my next mix CD but i'm not supposed to talk about it yet, but I can say, it'll be a double CD on a great label.Chad: what's next for original tunes on your release schedule?
Noel: Well, you already have heard "Breathe" and graciously reviewed it- thank you- and that should come out toward the end of november on Musicnow. Musicnow just picked up new UK distribution through Prime and this will be the first release. All sorts of Dj's are playing it- I heard that Oakenfold got a huge reaction at Renaissance with it a week ago. It's top ten on all the major buzz charts. After that will be "Dissident" which appeared on "Ritual", but that mix won't be released, I did a new mix for the vinyl and so did Greg "Stryke" Chin. The next two releases arent scheduled yet but they will be "Toward the One" and "My Prayer" the latter of which features an amazing vocal by my wife, soulmate and all around musical genius, Dauby. She also does the vocals on "Breathe". Also in April will be the release of my next mix CD but i'm not supposed to talk about it yet, but I can say, it'll be a double CD on a great label. And we'll have promos for WMC.

Chad: Any other collaborations or a wish list that we should know about?
Noel: Hmm, lets see...Dave Ralph, Memnon of Music Now, Steve Porter, Deepsky. A lot of those are great potentials, being really only held back by logistics. I love collaborating with other artists. When I worked with Bill (Hamel), I felt like I was in school. I mean, I have been producing music for most of my life, but you get into your own way of doing things. It's awesome to work with other guys and get out of my groove and get into someone else's head. I gain a whole different way of thinking about production and learn a lot from their energy.

Chad: What about future remixes?
Noel: Another collaboration in the works is with DJ Stryke. He is mostly known for his techno productions, but he is one of the most amazing musicians. My next release is a remix of his new single "All That Remains" on Substance. Next, Orlando's Prophecy has a new song called "Daydream" which i just mixed. Following that, I am doing the new Mezz (Bill Hamel and Simon Noble) for Sunkissed.

Chad: What can you tell me about the Guardians of the Earth - Star Children (Noel Sanger remix)?
Noel: This is a cool vocal track. Ryan from Dream Music handed me a copy during my set at the giant hotel rooftop at the last WMC. It's a big 144 bpm euro trance anthem that I would never play, but it had a real beautiful spirit to it and a great bjork-esque vocal. I called him up and asked for an accapella and a shot at a mix. They sent it to me and I did it and I guess we all like it a lot. Dave Ralph, Chris Fortier, Medway and a bunch of other big guys are on it, and Paul Van Dyk has his own remix (a re-edit mostly) on his forthcoming Ministry CD.

Chad: Sander Klienenberg describes progressive as an attitude, and it is defined as moving forward, what does progressive mean to you?
Noel: I concur with Sander, it's an intangible thing. Taking chances, moving forward, being subtle rather than obvious. This is progressive.

Chad:What would you say are your three all time favorite lps?
Noel: I'll avoid the obvious electronic stuff : these are three all time favorites, maybe not THE three...
# Toy Matinee - "Toy Matinee." This comes to mind instantly, like a good old friend. Kevin Gilbert was a true genius.
# Queensryche - "Rage For Order" There are great production things going on here. This come out in 1986 and it still sounds fresh.
# Kansas - "Leftoverture" this one might make me sound a bit crusty, but the music this band made managed to be technical and progressive and still emotional. Unlike a lot of other progrockers who came across as intellectual and sterile. There are several songs on this album that reduce me to rubble, I mean just make me sob with their urgency and timeless beauty. Up to "Drastic Measures" everything they did was ace, but this is the one I've listened to most recently.

It's funny because the 3 cd's I gave you are all considered progressive, 70's progressive rock, 80's progressive metal, and 90's progressive pop. I guess the music that has always been closest to me has always been progressive, in one way or another!

[letitia]

noel sanger ,pentuuiingg