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My Interview with Mr Sam
365MAG INTERVIEW: MR SAM
http://www.365mag.com/index.php?pg=...+Music+Magazine
Mr Sam also known as Samuel Joel Paquet is a Techno and Trance DJ/Producer originating from Tourcoing, France. He started remixing tracks back in 1999 and emerged with some collaboartive productions on DJ Tiësto's Magik Muzik label in 2003. He joined with Dimitri Andreas in 2004 forming a new duo entitled Mojado releasing a few productions including the hit Naranja while still working on his Mr Sam guise. In 2007 he began his Opus compilation series on Black Hole Recordings releasing his third edition of the series entitled Opus Tertio in October of 2009. Additionally he began his own label Appia Music under the Black Hole Recordings umbrella in order to feature his releases.
As we have just began the beginning of a new year as well as a new decade we decided to check in with Mr Sam to find out what exciting projects he will be working on in the current year.
Mr Sam: First of all, let me wish everyone a happy new year 2010 and all the usual wishes of the beginning of the year. I hope this year will bring everyone joy and happiness in all senses of the terms.
Happy New Year to you, and to the readers of 365Mag as well.
What are your feelings towards the evolution of trance music?
Regarding the evolution of Trance Music, I do see it becoming more & more Housy in terms of productions etc. The golden age of Hard Trance is gone. Now Trance is becoming softer & softer which is a good point and evolution for me, even if this kind of Trance does exist for years but wasn't played that much from the big Djs. Now that they are, its becoming more & more popular and appreciated as well. I never was a full on Trance DJ. Never played cliché 138 bpm records which all sound the same so I'm pretty happy to see the biggest dj's adopting this sound more & more. I've always been more attracted by the emotional records with a touch of house in it, as slower in terms of BPM. It's not because it's faster and apparently stronger it's that it's gonna move the floor more. I learned it and experienced it a lot of times. That's no secret for anybody as well. House and Trance are made to have a nice relation together… Combining both music quality grooves for House and Melody and arrangement for Trance makes it the perfect combination. Sometimes with a touch of Electro, mostly for the bass lines, the sound mixture is going very well in my opinion. I'm still surprised we're putting music in boxes. This is House, this is Trance, etc.. It's becoming extremely difficult, even for us the DJ's categorize tracks we're getting or buying. For me if it's good or not, whatever that it is. I still like to play from time to time a hard full on Trance record but it really needs to be a killer! I do generally keep them for the end of the set! Trance I still love you… but in a different way!
What is the first electronic music track you heard that inspired you to take an interest in the genre?
Surely the early New Wave records in the 80's like Depeche Mode etc. That's my favorite band for ages. They're doing EDM without knowing it at the time. It's pretty much the only POP BAND still doing it at the moment. I do respect them for that. Everything they're doing it close to perfection. I remember listening to all their songs in loop … all the time. I knew all chords changes etc. A total freak. I don't think that we copy someone, we're just being too much inspired and then we translate this love into Music. It's a sort of tribute I guess. Lets hope one day I compose something as well as they do.
Will the track “Seven 7 Seven” ever be released as a full single?
Well, that's not the first time I got asked this question. It's a track I did for Opus Secundo only. It has the feeling I wanted for the compilation. This is a very special track for me. I recall I finished it, mixing etc. and I got a phone call of a friend who told me that his father passed away a few hours ago. It was the 07 July 2007, so “Seven 7 Seven”. I remember Moonbeam did a remix we never released. For the rest, no plans for it but it will be on my new “POP MODEL” solo album… so everyone will be able to download it etc. so it's a kind of a release, yes.
Are you going to resume working under any of your previous aliases such as Mojado with Dimitri Andreas or as you going to focus on your Mr. Sam guise going forward?
Another good question. I'm thinking about it at the moment. I do have a strong project in my hands, and I'm still wondering how to make it. But 2010 is a 100% Mr Sam year with the release of my new solo Artist Album “Pop Model”. After that, we'll see what I'll do. I'll be touring a lot this year as well as recording many new tracks as well. I'm dying to come back into studio ASAP…I'm hungry for beats.
When it comes to the business aspect of your career do you play a major role in decisions?
Well, I don't know if you got private info before asking me the question but let me answer. I'm a Control Freak. I want to decide on every aspect of my creation. From composing, to mixing, mastering, artwork, press pix, videos, promos etc… I did work as an A&R for a big record company for years so I know things on this side of the business. I think it's not about to wanting to be a control freak but it's more of being cautious about my music, image, communication etc. I want to have a look on everything to simply be happy with the result. I'm a perfectionist and I want to have everything as perfect as possible. It's not an easy task for the people working for me but they do understand it, and they're pushing their limits as well as surpassing themselves. Thanks for that boys and girls.
What were some of the reasons behind starting your own label Appia Music?
I simply wanted to have my own label to release my own Music. As simple as that, no philosophy etc. I can release what I what in every style of music and whenever I want to which is very important for an artist. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for ages to see a record being released! I already released 6 singles on it: Dominator, Anasthasia, Cygnes, Tantra, Menkayo & Rydem Koba. All of them have been bombs on the floor and “Cygnes” reached the Number 1 on Beatport for weeks, and weeks and it's Black Hole's biggest track of 2009!!!
Do you have any intentions on signing any other artists to the label in the future?
I wanted to in the very beginning but not anymore. May be if I'm getting my ass kicked by a track I get, why not. For the moment I'm focusing on releasing my own singles on my own label. First it's makes my life easier in terms of planning but also to profile my label more, and more. I've got to improve myself and build up the success of my label on my own record before doing it with others. I've got to prove myself I can make it happen and then we'll see. It's a why not then!
Are you discussing the possibility of joining the Appia Music label with any artists currently?
As I said in the previous answer, I'm focusing on my own singles and music at the moment and will see how things evolve. If I sign any artists on Appia, it must be something extremely solid and good, otherwise I wont sign anything.
Will you continue to release music on the Black Hole label as well?
By now and since Dominator, all my tracks are getting released on Appia Music only. If someone if looking for Mr Sam track, it's only on Appia Music that he or she will find it. That's a fact. Now, my album “Pop Model” or “Opus” mix album series are still getting released on Black Hole // Appia Music.
Are you currently working on any new releases that you can tell us about?
I've started a very exciting project for which I'm extremely excited and motivated. It will take me quite a long time to achieve it, but when it's complete it will be a monster. I'm very honestly super excited about it. It will be like a musical playground for me. No Stress etc. It will be all over joy, and party time!
What advice would you give an aspiring producer or DJ?
Strangely, to able to sleep for 4 hours a day and recovering fast when you're touring and travelling. This is what we do when we're travelling. Sleeping bears are not allowed on tours. On the musical side, do have an original way of production music; make the people move and get wild on your music. On the DJ side, be different, try things, don't be a copycat and be mad on stage. For the rest, everybody is different, so do your thing and never give up. Never surrender!
Do you have any closing comments for the readers of 365Mag?
Have fun in your life, don't listen people telling you “its not possible”. Respect people and listen to others as well. Don't believe all that your read in magazines, most of those things are built up by management and PR. Have your own opinion based on facts. Music is so subjective. Follow your instinct and not the mass. Just be careful you don't get pigeon-holed by all these DJ Rankings etc. It's all about spam as every knows. I'm not talking for the top 10 and legend DJ's… Well, lets say you know what I mean!! Free your mind! Lots of Love, Mr Sam
PS : If you still not a member, come on www.facebook.com/mrsamtv for info etc. and in a more funny & private way, my private profile for gossips, crazy party pictures and feelings of the day. www.facebook.com/mrsamprivate
365Mag would like to thank Mr Sam for his time and answers!
http://www.myspace.com/appiamusic
http://www.myspace.com/mrsam_tv
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Electronic Night Life
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