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| Steve Anderson Interview |
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It’s all over the place - the exciting news about the first mixed compilation from one of the most upcoming Radio Shows, SAME Radio. The double Trance extravaganza CD is called 'SAME Radio show', and is out now as physical product (the good old CD format that is), and digital download from all the well known digital download stores. Some months earlier we had a really nice interview with Steve, and now is the time to catch up with him again, to find out all the details behind this new compilation, which has already received a lot of praise in the press, and on-line trance communities.
Read carefully, and don’t forget that at the end of the interview, there is a question that you can answer via email, and you can win yourself a copy of that fantastic CD!
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias “Flux BPM on the Move”
Dimitri: First of all Steve, many thanks for accepting my invitation to have an interview with you. That is always a big pleasure.
Steve: My pleasure Dimitri, it's always great catching up with you and I hope you are well
 Dimitri: When did you have the idea to set up your own radio show, and why? Is this because a number of other DJs have done this, or perhaps because you love radio as a medium? Also - which radio shows have you listened to over the years, and which you try to keep up with on a regular basis?
Steve: Well firstly my love for radio goes back a number of years, initially because growing up in the eighties meant that radio was a major source of music for everyone. When I later started working as a DJ, one of my club residencies in Scotland led to an offer from Glasgow station Beat 106 to play for them live on air. I performed live from the club to thousands of listeners across the country as a result, and was instantly hooked from that point onwards. I used to listen to a number of shows regularly, though my schedule these days doesn't allow that unfortunately. I still tune in to Armin's ASOT show whenever I can, but otherwise I love a range of radio shows and stations - and fully appreciate the people that spend their time running the stations that put out Trance & Progressive, they do a fantastic job. I set up the show after the podcast took off hugely at iTunes, as I firmly believe that I push a fantastic sound - and that the show is high quality in every area. I simply love doing it each week.
Steve: As you mentioned, there are a lot of people doing radio shows now around Trance & Progressive music. I wanted to make the SAME Radio Show stand out in a few areas, by doing things that most people don't do (i.e. the phone guest and showcase features) - and also by constantly raising the bar on the standards I set myself. I believe that the show should cover great music, new music, and a presenter that people can relate to and also interact with. Everyone who emails me in the studio receives a reply, no matter how busy I get. I mix the music up with a number of new upfront tracks and promos, first plays of my own productions and the forthcoming releases on SAME Recordings - as well as pushing other people’s upcoming tracks that hit the spot for me. As a result of all of that, everything I play on the show is something that I have connected with personally - and so is a direct representation of my sound, both in the studio and in the clubs. I was initially concerned that my Scottish accent would be something that people wouldn't like, but in fact it has turned out to be the opposite - I get some great messages from people all over the world saying they love it! Breame regularly takes the Mickey out of me for having a "radio voice" too... haha
Dimitri: Do you take extra care to prepare the radio jingles which feature on the show, and how much value do you feel that good radio jingles help the show to really take off?
Steve: The jingles that I use on the SAME Radio Show were actually made by a couple of friends of mine, when they were here visiting SAME Studios. The male ident is in fact my very good buddy Mark Sinclair, who you will know better as Terry Ferminal - and the female is Pippa Fulton who sang the vocals on my next single "Always More". The intro piece I compiled myself, with a number of soundscape effects I shaped - and also some clips of audio from a film which I won't name! The intro definitely kicks the show off with intent and the jingles/idents throughout can provide a cool lift if placed correctly - so yep, if they are done right I think they can sound great on radio shows.
Steve: I can only speak for The SAME Radio Show here of course, as I don't know how other people operate theirs - but of course I understand your question around bias. For me personally, my show is 100% about the music - with absolutely no other agenda. I now get sent a huge number of promos on a daily basis, and I still ensure that I listen to everything that comes in - as I hate to miss something, and I wouldn't be doing people justice if I didn't. I don't favour any labels, big or small - and I don't favour artists or friends either. I play and support what I consider to be the best tracks that come in every week, whether they are produced by a Top 10 rated guy or a complete unknown. Anyone who goes through the last 18 months SAME Radio Show Tracklists will see this backed up in full. The way I see it is if you start playing just your own labels material, or friends label material - things are going to go stale pretty damn quickly. I think people love The SAME Radio Show partly for this reason of impartiality, and I will absolutely never compromise the quality of output on the show - not for anything.
Dimitri: 5. Lets now talk about your first mix compilation on SAME Recordings. How long did it take you to complete?
Steve: The idea of doing the compilation first came into my head almost a year ago, with the plan being to release it late 2009 - in line with SAME Radio Show 050. Thankfully, that all came together and this was exactly what happened. Chris Breame hosts the show every 10 episodes, and so it felt better for me to release the album with us both mixing the compilation - rather than two CDs both mixed by myself. In regards to how long it took, from start to finish I would say three months. This of course includes everything from having the artwork made, to getting all of the track licensing in place - then us mixing and mastering the audio, and finally pressing. I wanted to do everything right, and for the final product to be top quality - which is what we ended up with. I also didn't want it to be just another compilation with the same tracks as everyone else on there, and this is something that a lot of people have picked up on - which is great. The 26 tracks are varied, and not the obvious choices - but they stamp the sound and feel of The SAME Radio Show each week, and also what Chris and I love in terms of the tracks we included.
Dimitri: Was it a difficult process to pull together all the tracks? Did you have particular tracks in mind that you wanted to include, but for some reason it was not possible to use them?
Steve: Once we had roughly prepared and decided upon the music we wanted to use, I initially thought to myself that the licensing process may be sticky - particularly since we were looking for some music from the bigger labels. I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised though, as every label we requested tracks from worked with us from the word go. I think we were very lucky in that respect, but I firmly believe we delivered a compilation that all of those labels and artists can be proud of.
Dimitri: Did you mix the album live in a club environment, or is it a studio mixed album? Did you try different running orders of the tracks, and did the process include trying to mix it differently - or was your vision clear from the very start?
Steve: I did the album very similarly to how I mix the radio show each week, in terms of style, pace, the way I mix, everything. Naturally, when compiling a studio album it must be absolutely spot-on in terms of a number of things - mixing, EQ, flow, flavour, mastering, I could go on all day. The running order took care of itself once we knew the tracks we were using, and the flow comes naturally I think if you have experience as a DJ - but the detail was meticulous when we were finalising and mastering the two mixes. This comes across in the final results, and the album is exactly what we wanted to achieve.
CD1 mixed by Steve Anderson:
Steve: 1. Steve Anderson - All Too Late (Album Intro)
This is my forthcoming follow up single to "Always More", and was written in memory of a young kid I knew - who died extremely tragically last year. The lyrics tell the story.
2. Noah Neiman feat. Catherine - Magic Feeling (Original Mix)
I moulded this track with my intro, and it starts CD1 with the intention of the quality that follows throughout. Superbly seductive vocals, from Catherine.
3. Alpha 9 - Bliss (Original Mix)
An alias of newcomer Arty, a great shift in feel here - and the track builds the journey beautifully.
4. Ron Hagen & Pascal M - Riddles In The Sand (Omnia Remix)
This bassline lifts me out of my seat on every listen. The best track that the Signum guys have ever produced, if you ask me. Perfect.
5. Arty - Gentle Touch (Original Mix)
A match made in heaven when paired up with Riddles In The Sand. A gorgeous melody and real crossover feel too.
6. Aurum Beats - Euphory (Original Mix)
The first time I heard this I was hooked to the melody. The track was a well kept secret it turned out, and this simply had to be showcased on my mix.
7. Mark Sinclair - Pictures Of You (Terry Ferminal)
The new single from my very good friend Mark aka Terry Ferminal, and possibly his best yet. Wicked vocal and production.
8. Audien - Rise And Shine (Original Mix)
Another newcomer here, and a track that I just love personally. Uplifting, big synths, unusual chords, and a simple idea put together very well indeed.
9. Steve Anderson feat. Pippa - Always More (Original Mix)
My next single on High Contrast, with vocals from UK singer Pippa Fulton. I went for some real crossover appeal here, both in terms of genre and audience appeal.
10. Tritonal - Driftoff (Air Up There Mix)
Dave and Chad are favourites of mine, and this is another unreleased Air Up There Mix that complimented the journey of CD1 perfectly.
11. Steve Anderson - Closer (Dave Walker Remix)
Scottish talent Dave Walker brings a cracking alternative to my Original here, it carries a lovely warm bassline and made perfect sense in the flow of the mix.
12. A/B Project - Templation (Album Mix)
The next A/B Project single from Chris and I, a mid-tempo driving up lifter with a bassline that I'm delighted with.
13. Steve Anderson - Before Long (A/B Project)
Our alternative remix of my summer 2009 single release on High Contrast, and I believe it closed off my mix perfectly...
Chris: 1. Passenger 10 - Mikado (DJ Tatana Intro Dub)
What better way to start the mix that with this gentle up-lifter? I just love those soft chord plucks!
2. Russell G - Whiplash (Original Mix)
Although it's quite light in flavour, the chunky bassline and the plinky synths really do it for me. I love the weird rhythms that are employed on the synth lines and the sheer amount of delay.
3. Tasadi - Jupiter (Original Mix)
I hadn't heard of Tasadi until Jupiter, but I had to pick this track for the compilation simply due to its fun melody and the funkiness of the bassline.
4. Adiva ft. Vicky Fee - How Does It Feel (Myon & Shane 54 Dub Mix)
This sums up the current progressive house style perfectly; a Duderstadt-esque bassline, Dinka-like percussion, and Deadmau5-style chorded plucks - I had to put it in.
5. A/B Project - Everything Ends (Album Mix)
Basically a rework and tweak on the original with everything tightened up, this fits perfectly with the last track as we come towards the middle of the mix.
6. BRM - Always Summer (Original Mix)
Caught between down-tempo and up-tempo, it was an experiment into the more stripped down side of my productions.
7. The Flyers & Mike Sonar - Sunny Groove (Original Mix)
This one really sums up SAME Radio shows - literally 'a sunny groove'
. Storming production and a hugely enjoyable melody.8. Heatbeat - Push Over (Original Mix)
Humungous strings, enormous kicks, and a twisted beat-repeat bassline section that would make a sailor blush.
9. Robert Nickson ft. Elsa Hill - Never Again (Nitrous Oxide Remix)
I'm a sucker for good basslines and chopped vocals; and this remix stands head and shoulders above most other tracks in the genre.
10. BRM - Superficial (Original Mix)
The funky bassline really leads this track. Also listen out for the ear splitting piano at bottom of the breakdown.
11. Adam Szabo - Altra (Original Mix)
I love the over-the-top chiptune/demoscene style lead - it brought me right back to Assembly '93 and reminded me how fun trance really is. Just try whistling the lead.
12. BRM - Forever Remember (Original Mix)
It's always hard to pick between your own tunes, but ultimately this one fits this part of the mix the best and leads us nicely into the crescendo.
13. 7 Skies & Static Blue - Central Park (Nitrous Oxide Remix)
How big can a lead get? After finally being released it became one of the finisher tracks in my sets, so what better way to complete the mix than with some pure unadulterated uplifting trance!
Dimitri: The compilation includes your exclusive new single. Please give us some details on how the idea for this track came about, also when it will be Steve: My mix on CD1 actually includes three exclusive forthcoming tracks of mine, one under A/B Project with Chris titled "Templation" - and the two new Steve Anderson tracks "All Too Late" and "Always More". The next one to be released is "Always More" and this includes vocals from UK singer/actress Pippa Fulton. I was approached by Pippa a year or so back when she asked to write and produce a track for her, so I put together "Always More" with Pippa in mind from the start. I wanted to achieve a track that was quality Trance, yet would also cross over and appeal to a more commercial audience - I believe this was achieved with this track. I also created a Radio Edit of "Always More", and in September 2009 Pippa and I shot the official video to the track in England. As for the remix, I have recently been passed a cool remix from my High Contrast label mates Ernesto vs Bastian - which I aired as an exclusive on SAME Radio Show 061. I don't have an exact date for this release at present, but it will be very soon so keep an eye out for it.
Dimitri: Finally, when can we expect the next instalment of this compilation - and will you be inviting any other DJs to mix it?
Steve: SAME Radio Show Volume Two will be mixed by myself, Ferry Corsten and Armin. Haha I'm kidding of course, and in truth I haven't yet thought about it. I do have a few people in mind to come on board with the compilation series in the future yes, but I will decide on that nearer the time and let you know. I may do Volume Two around SAME Radio Show 100 time, or perhaps 150 - we'll see how things go I suppose. The one thing I can guarantee though, is that this will be one compilation series worth collecting, as they will be standing the test of time...
 Thanks so much Steve for your time, and good luck with your compilation..
READ AND WIN: Would you fancy getting yourself a copy of the SAME Radio Show volume 1? If your answer is yes do not hesitate via email to send your answer on the following very hard question:
Which major trance label in Holland is Steve Anderson a signed recording artist?
Please send your answer at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with subject name in your email: For the competition. The closing date for the competition is 14th of March 2010
There is also a chance the winners to feature on a forthcoming episode of SAME Radio Show
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Interview with Steve Anderson and Chris Breame aka A/B Project about the brand new compilation SAME Radio show volume 1
Dimitri: Do you think that as a DJ, your radio show is about the selection of the tracks and exclusive music, - or about the personality of the presenter?
Dimitri: Do you believe that the big trance radio shows are 100% objective, and that the DJ really gives an opportunity for the best tunes to get exposure - or are there other considerations going on behind the scenes, that the fans of the music don’t know about?
Dimitri: Would yourself and Chris please give us a small comment on each track, and also why you chose them?
CD2 mixed by Chris Breame
released - and with which remixer?
