Interview with Mr Sam about his new amazing compilation Opus Tertio [Appia Music/Black Hole recordings]

After the first interview we did together,  its about the time to catch up again with Mr Sam as the next installment of that very top compilation series is just out named Opus Tertio on Black Hole recordings. He is currently in the process of recording  his new album after the critically and commercially successful debut album “Lyteo”.  Inside the interview, that follows Mr Sam talks about these new exciting developments in his carrier and the most important he takes us on a tour in his Opus Tertio compilation by commenting on each track that is selected to be part of another unforgettable mix cd that stays ahead of its competitors because of the high quality of the tracks and the mixing skills of Mr Sam.

Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias “Flux Bpm on the Move”

Dimitri: First of all, it would be great to tell us how you felt when your superb track 'Cygnes with Cloud 9' reached the number 1 position for many weeks in many download portals. Did you expect that  particular track would be so successfull?

Mr Sam: Hello ! Well “Cygnes” is my biggest surprise ever in Music. I never expected anything with this one at all. So its great to see how this record achieved actually. It has been done as an exclusive track for my OPUS SECUNDO Mix Album. Nothing more. No plans at all.
The week of the release, someone sent me a video of Tijs (Tiesto) playing the track in the USA on Tour. Well I wasn’t surprised as Tiesto has been harmering many of my tunes by the past but this one was really specia but he played it from a cut from the CD cos nobody got the tune in the extended version ! Simply means he couldn’t wait. So I sent him the extended one the day after I saw this.
But I’ve to say that Armin played a Major role in the success of the track. Not flattering or because of his recent status of Nr1 etc.. but Armin made a massive promotion job by playing “Cygnes” in all his sets for nearly a year ! it was also in the top 20 ASOT tunes of the year (without any spamming campaigns like many are doing btw&hellip. I can surely say that “Cygnes” is my biggest tune ever without a shadow of a doubt. Thanks for all of you who have supported it so far. Sometimes Life reserves some nice surprises like that.. Who knows which one of my track will be the successor of “Cygnes”… Wont be long I think, Believe me…

Dimitri: For some of your latest releases, you collaborated with T4L from Italy. How was your co-operation with them, and are you going to follow up with some further singles?

Mr Sam: T4L is Alessandro and Manuel. I do consider them as part of my family. I have been to Rome I think something like 13 times in 3 years. That’s my favorite city in the world for sure. I feel like home there. To tell you, I think I now know the city better than them… aha ! We did “Menkayo” but also “Rydem Koba” and “Carved” with Tiff Lacey. I like recording music on tour with the flow. Im never planning anything. I like to record music outside from my homebase. Its giving me more inspiration and pressure as well. I love it. By the way, T4L are finishing their first solo album and it’s a cracker…

Dimitri: Your debut album 'Lyteo' got much praise and positive feedback on the EDM scene. Now that this album has passed the test of time' do you still feel 100% satisfied with it, or are there some tracks that you would wish you had produced differently? Would you change anything?

Mr Sam: I'm still extremely happy with the result of Lyteo and very happy to way it turned to still sounds good after a few years now. Lyteo was a global introspection work I did on me and I wanted to put all my influences on this album. From my early days as a DJ and also as a composer. I did listen to it a couple months ago and was surprised to enjoy it so much to be honest. There is so many various styles or genres of music on it that its hard to get bored to be honest. I’m always saying that the music you’re recording is staying in the people mind for a long time rather than dj sets in clubs where people easily forget.

Dimitri: It’s now time for you to release another installment of your Opus mixed compilations on Black Hole recordings.  Would you like to give us a comment about the previous 2 parts of this series, and in what ways is this new compilation 'Opus Tertio' different from the previous ones?

Mr Sam: OPUS started with the idea that all the mix compilation were based on the same concept. Mixing the best tunes of the moment together and add the Dj photo on the cover. For OPUS I thougth different and wanted it to be between an artist album and a new mix album genre. What I did is getting in touch with the producers I like the most and also brand new talents and asking them to compose an exclusive tune especially and only for OPUS. Surprised I was when most of them were really up for it. I told each of them the concept and philosophy of OPUS and they were thrilled I recall.
I am also happy to see that my OPUS concept, which I created completely independently several years ago, has inspired many others to do the same in the field of electronic music. Many famous Djs have been inspired by OPUS to create their own mix album. I am at the same time flattered and happy to see that finally my basic and adventurous idea has now become the norm in the field of mix albums.
Many of them have complimented me on this revolutionary and innovative concept using exclusively titles composed especially for OPUS. This approval was not won quickly and I had, at the time, to convince people of the relevance of my artistic approach as well as the viability of the project itself.
I take no personal glory from this but simply the feeling of having, in my own time, been able to analyse the evolution of tastes in music, thought deeply about it and set my project in motion in a sustainable way.
I have lately had the impression that getting your work known is more important than having know how. Communication has become the essential thing nowadays. It is undeniable. Nevertheless, we should at least be aware that communication is not enough. We must in any case be certain that behind all this is an artistic work of quality. Something that has been severely lacking in recent years.

Dimitri: Was it an easy or a difficult process to choose the tracks that finally make it to the compilation? Did you pass through many releases, and are there any tracks that you have liked to include, but for some reason were unable to?

Mr Sam: I got around 1500 submissions. Yes 1500 ! and I did listen to all and andwered (nearly) everyone. Its very hard to do it. First you need to like the track, then need to know if the artist have a record deal with an established label etc.. as we’re licensing all tracks exclusively so we need ot have all rights on all tracks to let us do what we want with them without asking any permissions to any one after that.  I’m very very very picky in terms of Music. People working with me know that. I also did participate on the arrangement of many tracks of the album as well. Just in order to make them even better. Somes tracks have 6 versions.. Can you believe this ? I want to be 100% happy with all the tracks… Yes I know what you’re thinking… “Sam is a Control Freak !” … and yes You’re right !
I’m a perfectionist and needs to feel comfortable and happy with the final result.

Dimitri: Did you change the final tracklisting many times? Did you mix the CD in your studio or live in a club? If you mixed it in a studio did it happen in one go, or you did you make any additional editings?

Mr Sam: I took me a year to finish it. The biggest part of the job was collecting, searching and re-arranging the tracks. The mix was the easiest part of the job to be honest. Took me a bit of time to find the best way to mix all the tracks together but as soon as I found it, it was nothing else than fun to mix it. I did mix it live at home. Changed some stuff, edited some tunes to fit the mix album and mixed it in the studio for a better sound. I don’t like mix album with 16-17 tracks because its way too much edited and loosing a bit of ‘story” in the final mix…

Dimitri: It would be great to go through each track and offer us a small comment about each one of that fantastic imaginative compilation For instance, why you chose the particular track, reactions from the public on them etc :

1. V-Sag featuring Alexandra McKay - Feather (DJ Tarkan’s Tertio Intro Mix)
V-Sag and Tarkan are part of my favorite producers. It’s a mix which was done for OPUS and I’m extremely happy of it. Its nothing than a perfect opening track. Isnt it ?

2. Ganga - Sweet Morning (Morten Yde Remix)
I received this track when I was on Tour in Australia in May. Ganga didn’t know I was compiling but remember I asked him some tracks for my dj sets. Its actually a remix from an ambient tune as Ganga isn’t producing Dance tracks. Its has been reworked to fit OPUS Tertio. Its one of my favorite on the album.

3. Spiritus & Asper - Shanghai Story
I contacted those talented guys and they send me this beauty… Signed straight away. What else ?

4. Julius Beat - A Break In The Clouds (Original mix)
Very talented producer from Columbia I discovered on myspace. This tune has a very special atmosphere… Close your eyes and you’re in Medelin

5. Slava Flash - A State Of Global (NU Version)
This is the only track of the CD which was released a year before the release. I loved this tune so so much that I couldn’t make the cd without it. I was sure that nobody noticed this great tune and wanted to give it a second life and apparently it’s the case

6. Slava Flash - Love Is People
As I love Slava’s music so much, I asked him to compose an extra second track for the CD.
This track really gave me a kick at the first listen and signed it the same day.

7. Moonbeam featuring Avis Vox - Way Of Homily.
I told the Moobeam guys in Amsterdam “ How can I do a new OPUS without a Moonbeam track guys ?” they laughed. What else I can say ?

8. Manuel T - Tungusta
Manuel is 50% of T4L. We were working in studio together on “Rydem Koba” and during lunch time he told me…. Ive some demos for you to listen. I did and felt in Love with this one. It has been reworked to fit OPUS Tertio. First Manuel T solo release ! Nice one !

9. Zoltan Kontes featuring Tania Zygar - Take Hold Of Me
I found Zoltan on Myspace. He’s from Canada and do speak French like me. We discovered it a few times after we talked. As we started in English, it was strange to switch to French after that. So we now do a mix between French and English.. Frenchglish ?  Great tune !!!

10. Vosk featuring Esmaye - Connected (Arty Remix)
I received a demo from Vosk and I made the link between him and Esmaye to make a song together. Result is great. Loving this tune. Esmaye is very talented songwriter doing more alternative songs and less Dance Music, but she did a great job on this one.

 11. Arctic Degrees & Chantola featuring Janely – Farewell
Another track from the boys who did “Shangai Story” on a more trancy journey…. Great track to finish a CD….

12. Andy Duguid - Signals (Andy's Tertio Rework)
Here is the surprise of the first CD. This track from Andy has been release a few months before the release of OPUS but I was disappointed that not so many DJ's played it etc…
I wanted to the track a second life as well. I asked Andy a Tertio vocal rework on it.
Funny now to see the massive comments on it from many big Djs. A Discovering for them !

Disc 2
1. Prayag & Rishab - Ashna (Opus Tertio Intro Mix)
Without a shadow of a doubt, the most beautiful track of the album. I gave the guys the idea for the Bollywood trance track and they came up with this beauty. I was on the plane when I first heard and I wanted to share it with the rest of the plane… aha. How excited I was !!

2. Ben Preston - The Last Train
Superb release from Ben Preston. Such a lovely tune and fited perfectly my album.

3. OneWorld - Green Bay
Sander Van Diern aka First State’s new alias. Such a beautiful and soulfull track. Did rework it with Sander to have it perfect on OPUS. A master piece for me.

4. Yuan – Chun
Yuan is very talented producer from China ! I discovered him and ask him a track. After long reworks and changes, here is the result. Simply beautiful. Used it for the trailer.

5. Mr Sam & T4L featuring Tiff Lacey - Carved (V-Sag Remix)
Another tune done while I was In Rome.. .Superb Vocals from Tiff Lacey and V-Sag on the remix duties.. Original and T4L remixes will be released later on… a bit more patience

6. Madstring & Molly - Feel Like
One of the most soulfull record of the album. Simply loving it. Making you travelling without moving.. captivating record in my opinion.

7. Mr Sam & Andy Duguid - Tra Zomas
Another great collaboration with my partner in Crime to deliver a sensational record. I did test it on the road and reactions are massive till now. Expecting a lot from this one.

8. Lost Stories - Gone But Not Forgotten
When India meets Trance. This is the result. Great tune. Remember of the old good tunes on Oakenfold mix album. A bit psyche and trippy … Loving it.

9. First State featuring Sarah Howells – Brave
Massive new single from First State with Sarah Howells. Got it months before the release. Tested it and took it for OPUS. Easy as this.

10. Vosk - Nothing Changes (Lietzenmayer Remix)
Very special tune from Vosk again. I liked the dark atmosphere on it and its proggy sounds too. Lietzenmayer did a great job on the remix. Someone’s to keep an eye on.

11. Mr Sam - Mixi
Another exclusive track I did especially for OPUS Tertio. No pressure on this one. Mixi is between MaxiMAL and MiniMal .. so its Mixi. The start of the record is pseudo minimal and turned a bit more Trancy in the break. Sounds strange at the first listen but trust me, it’s a cracker in the clubs…. One of my most efficient tunes of the moments… nuff said.

12. Mr Sam & T4L - Rydem Koba
Another record composed in Rome. Having massive response from the clubs. It’s a hit for Markus Schulz I saw lately… and many others. Sounds good to me.

Dimitri: Your label, Appia Music, continues its journey through time, and I wonder if you accept demos for it. If you have any advice for wannabe producers, who would like to see their tracks released on your label, or maybe included in the next installment of your Opus series?

Mr Sam : Appia Music is going very well. Im very happy of it. I’m only releasing Mr Sam Records on Appia Music. We did Dominator, Anasthasia, Cygnes, Tantra, Menkayo, Rydem Koba, now Mixi, Tra Zomas etc. Im focusing on my own things and not yet signing any artist. I want to the people to know that Mr Sam records are always released on my own label. In the future, it will be maybe change but not now. I also have a new solo Artist Album to be release early next year called “POP MODEL” with 18 tracks… so a few more singles will come out on Appia Music.
Only advice I can give to young producers. Produce music with BALLS on it … and don’t copy the trend of the moment. I am getting sick when I am listening all this promos I’m getting every week. A nightmare. They all sound the same… pfff . Machines don’t do music. Ideas does !

Dimitri: You play in various clubs and countries every week. What style of EDM do you believe is the most prominent at the moment, and what kind of elements usually win the shouts and admiration from the clubbers?

Mr Sam : Music has changed for a while for me. Its becoming harder to say that a track is house, trance or techno. For me its more like a melting pot of sounds we’re having for a moment. It’s a thing. I like very strange record with a real soul. There is for sure a lack of creativity in terms of composing and producing. Many are trying to get the sound of the moment.. I like producers like Steve Angello and such who can do a track with a very strange sound sample and build up a track around it. Im also actually working like that. Done that with Mojado as well a lot…
I think Techno will do a smashing return very soon.. Get Ready.. 
 

Dimitri: Another DJ mag Top 100 list is just out, and I would be interested to know what your opinion is about the latest trend where the majority of the top DJ's are producers as well. Do you think that a DJ who is not producer, but with perfect mixing skills, has any hope to make it to the top?

Mr Sam : Its not my thing at all. I even put a banner on my facebook, myspace etc… “ PLEASE DON’T VOTE FOR ME.. IM NOT A NUMBER”. This DJ MAG TOP 100 is giving spots everywhere only by thinking about it. Its pretty funny to see how naïve some djs/producers are with it. They’re doing  spam campaigns to get votes from people they don’t even know and  after that they’re really believing that they’re NR …. In the world. To be honest, its extremely pathetic. Its near to mythomania you know.
After that they’re using this argument to get gigs and such… In which world are we living seriously??
I'm of course not talking for the TOP 10- TOP 20 'cos they nearly all deserve it, especially Guetta, Tiesto, Armin, Paul & such. I'm more talking for the others who are doing spam campaigns and being arrogant after that..
Imagine you’re NR 80 (nothing against the one who is NR 80 this year.. its just an example&hellip, the booker of the DJ is using this argument to profile himself. Good. Ok. How can he explain that there is 79 djs in front of him…? Isn’t that funny ?
Its also a big joke to see that Djs are climbing this pool without having releasing any album, any big single (real ones.. not the invented one.. cos if you look at promotion letter from Management… all new singles are bombs ) any music video, no real achievements based on figures etc..
We’ve to face that there are big problems of credibility in our industry cos of that. I think its time that we’re “cleaning” this a little bit. There is so much good producers and dj who are not listed and some ones who are there and don’t deserve it at all. Its not only my opinion but the opinion of many many people !!!
I know that the pool is a DJ Pool and not a Producers pool but why is there some Djs on the pool who only did a few small gigs during the year. Its easily demonstrable…
By the way, who is now a big DJ without being a great producer ?? Apart from Carl Cox and Sven Vath who are living legends ?
IF you refers to Tennis. Who can say who is NR 80 in ATP Tennis Ranking ? nobody ? I was sure .. 
I mean only the TOP 10 counts in my eyes.
DJ MAG should start a TOP 1000… they’ll sale for magazine in my opinion.
Another example ? A quote I wrote on my twitter and got many answers and comments :
“DJ MAG TOP 100 is like the TOUR DE FRANCE of Music. Nobody remembers who arrived in the 4th position and after the TOP 10 for the DJ MAG…”
Finally, I think that the time of the OMERTA (law of the silence) should stop and lets say things exactly the way they’re …It will be a good cure, believe me !! I'm never doing it but Id like to paste an answer I did on the same question in 2006 !!

I'm torn between several opinions. First it's a good thing because it democratic that everyone can vote for his favorite djs. In the other hand, when I do see many Djs on this famous TOP 100 who are doing nothing as records artists or even as DJ I'm wondering why they're on it.
It is exactly like you're asking people to vote for you in Politics (without talking about the huge spam campaigns made especially for this DJ MAG!! No need to say more, everyone understands what I talking about) and when you're elected you've no program at all…where is the interest to do that? I don't know! That's the trap of that kind of Poll of course. You can't even how much emails I got this year for the DJ MAG. If you think twice, you can't be part of the top 100 if you're not spamming. This is as simple as this. Imagine you're a U2 fan and MTV is doing the same kind of Pool, you must be aware that the poll has been organized first to be able to cast your vote and you need to know also where and how to vote… So if they aren't being spammed, how can the U2 fans can know about it?
I think DJ MAG had a good idea in the past to do it. Top 100 in the past were for my part close to reality the last few years. Now with MSN, MySpace and all Forums community, it is becoming more a challenge to who's going to get the more vote (don't care if he isn't release record or djing ..) I do think it's a shame. It will be glad to see someone very good in spamming getting voted nr 1, really. This will prove that the system is perfect at all. Of course, I'm not denying the top 10 or top 50 but if you look to it well, many people shouldn't have been there. Most of the DJs on this top 10 or 50 really deserve where they are. They're for sure the best dj or producers (sometimes both) of the actual Dance Scene and I've the biggest respect for them because without them we weren't there now if they weren't before us.
I can't suggest DJ MAG anything but maybe they could think of doing an Artist TOP 100 instead of DJ TOP 100. I know this is their magazine name but.. I need to say also that I love this Magazine a lot, buying every month and that the reporters are doing a great job. This is for you're the World Fist Dance Magazine.
Last but not least, we've in France Star Academy who is a kid of POP IDOLS. Last year, the winner, a "fat" girl won. She won because the people votes massively for her compare to her competitors who were all like models etc.. She wasn't having a huge voice or charisma but only got the votes.
Universal France, the record company which is releasing the album from the winner have been trapped into their own game because the album was a terrible Flop with only 20.000 copies sold while the previous winners were at least selling around 500.000 copies !! So maybe the question they were asking themselves was 'where are the hundreds of thousands of people who votes for her? Why don't they buy the album?" The Answer is easy. They voted for the wrong reason! This is what it is happening for the DJ MAG TOP 100 sometimes. I don't want to blame them at all because they're doing a great job. But I guess they should think a bit more about this thing in the future, especially when most of the unknown producers and djs are having their names mentioned in the TOP 100, and then using it for self promotion only.
I've respect for Music and people working in the Music business as well as the music Lovers & clubbers all around the world and I'm pretty sure that most of them are quite clever enough to see where the truth is. Rankings do not count, only the music and the people doing the Music are. Don't simply put a Nr on an artist please ! Its much more than this.

Dimitri: You worked for so many years with Black Hole recordings. Did you manage to figure out the secret behind of their success?

Mr Sam: Shortest answer of the interview : CAPTIVATE, COMMUNICATE, CELEBRATE

Dimitri: Music technology is rapidly changing and moving. What are the major changes that you have done in your studio to improve your sound? Is there any equipment or software that you aspire to add in the near future?

Mr Sam: Im not a studio freak to be honest. I don’t like to get blinded by the technical side of the music. Machines don’t make the music, ideas do. Ive done my biggest tracks with nearly nothing to be honest. I prefer to look at the music on a spiritual side. All I can say is that computers are making our life easier. To finish, I got one day asked the question. “Mr Sam… what the instrument you’re playing the better?” I answered “surely the computer”.

Dimitri: There is so much discussion about the future of music in the digital age. There are various ideas put forward, like people paying a subscription and getting unlimited access to tracks or by buying a mobile phone or any other device to get some tracks. Do you have any ideas of how the public will buy or consume music in the near future?

Mr Sam: Only God knows it actually ! Im not stressing about this while people are too much…
10 Years ago if you wanted to buy music.. It was the Records Shop for specialized Djs and other shops for the mainstream customers. NOW… you can music everywhere and all the time. Isnt that ace seriously ? I bought a track on beaport in a restaurant just before a gig and burn it on my MAC Laptop during the dessert for playing at the gig.. Isnt that enough said ??

Dimitri: Finally, what productions or remixes can we expect to get from you in the next months and when do you plan to release your next album, and are you already working on it?

Mr Sam: A new Mr Sam solo Artist Album called “POP MODEL3 will be released early next year with massive surprises.. .you’ll see. And working very soon on a ew OPUS 4 for next year.. taking time to do that… .so better taking your time.. so … if you have any massive tunes.. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Easy as this…

Dimitri: Your message to our listeners and web visitors?

Mr Sam: I love you, thanks for your support and wishing to see you all somewhere on this planet and lets party together as party animals !!!!!!!!!

Thanks very much to Niels from Capitan for his amazing support to organize this interview, Mark from Black Hole for his continous support in my shows and of course Mr Sam who replied in a very personal and enjoyable way.

Additional info:

www.myspace.com/mrsam_tv | www.mrsam.tv | www.blackholerecordings.com