This week I interviewed Aaren Reale, a name that has been featured on Metalectro a few times with his tracks and one of my favorite producers. Aaren Reale is from France and he recently had his remix of Hack The System’s “End Game” released by Jet Set Trash. He is currently in the studio working on a few new tracks and releases, so let’s find out what is going on with Aaren Reale and what he’s been cooking lately…
01. Hi Remy! Would you mind introducing yourself?
I am Rémy Bourgeois, a 20 years old guy living in Lyon and very fond of music (stunning isn’t it?). I’m also a student in the 3rd year of a Communication Bachelor. I think you will know me better after reading the other questions/answers, so keep reading…
02. How long have you been doing Aaren Reale and how would you describe your music?
I’ve started composing music on a computer at the age of 14. At the beginning, my style was very focused on the melodies, rather like Trance. But I also enjoyed sometimes changing my style completely, trying tracks that sounded massive and more violent. For several years, I was kind of “music schizophrenic”, never mixing those two styles together. I made my Progressive/Trance tracks under another nickname, and my first Electro EP as “Aaren Reale” in 2009. Until one day I decided to create my own style and to mix 2 different styles of music which were completely different and distinct. “Black” and “Black part.2” were born. Ever since, I’ve been trying to create through my music a cocktail of emotions and sensations that can be felt in every bass and melody.
03. You’ve been keeping us busy here o Metalectro for a while with your tracks, starting with “Black”, a two-part masterpiece and one of the best releases and tracks I’ve heard all year! What was the feedback you got for that?
I think that my “Black” EP helped me build a name for myself in the Electro music universe. The contest remix I organized has been transmitted by a lot of blogs and the EP has been played in a lot of mixtapes and shows by some great producers such as Cyberpunkers. Then there was Chewy Chocolate Cookies that insisted to sign the EP on his label, although I had already shared it for free on the Internet.
04. In regard to “Black” again and I have to be honest here. We’ve been listening to quite a few remixes of both parts, some pretty good ones too, how come we haven’t yet seen/heard a remixes EP?
This is because “Black” has been signed on Chewy Chocolate Cookies’s label and he only accepted the two original mixes. But it’s true, I’ve received some excellent remixes from a lot of artists, with my favorite being the one by my friends Dead CAT Bounce, and once again I thank them for this.
05. Your recent remix of “End Game”, released on Hack The System’s “End Game” EP was a really great remix. What was the feedback you got for it and are you happy with how it turned out?
I’ve had some good feedback about this remix. Being a real fan of the original track, I think that this EP is mostly a great discovery and a great beginning for Hack The System.
06. You are currently working on a couple of new EPs and one of them is in collaboration with Hack The System if I’m not mistaken? How did that happen and when should we expect to listen to a preview of it? Would you mind giving us some more info about it, title, release date, remixers, etc?
Indeed you are right! We’ve decided to collaborate on an EP, composed of 2 original tracks. The first is already done and now we are finishing the second. We don’t want to give a preview for now (selfish are we?) neither titles until we are done. Once finished, we will refine it and look for a label. Just know one thing: this EP is a perfect fusion between our 2 styles, a mix of high melodies and powerful bass. I’m sure you will enjoy it!
07. What is the second EP you are working on? Anything you can tell the readers about it, something to look forward to? What should we expect to listen on this EP?
My second EP is already finished and sent to some labels. I’ll announce the title in exclusivity for Metalectro, it’ll be called “Universe”! “Universe” EP will contain 3 tracks, all quite different from each other. I’ve worked a lot on innovation, trying to give a new style to it, quite electro, sometimes a bit techno and keeping some little dark melodies as well.
There won’t be any previews, the 3 full length tracks will be uploaded on my Soundcloud. It can be anytime, so be vigilant!
08. You’ve been coming up with a few remixes as well as original tracks. Would you say you prefer working on one more than the other and if yes why?
These are 2 very different things really. An original track is the musical representation of a person’s mind, depending on the one that makes it. When you remix, you face some creative barriers put by the original creator and you have to give the music a new color, to give it your personal touch.
That’s why I have no preference really. They are both very interesting challenges for me. You just have to vary between remixing and composing.
09. What other plans do you have for 2011? (shows, releases, remixes. etc)
2011 is soon over and I hope the “Universe” EP will be out in time. As usual, I have a lot of projects to realize and some ideas to shape up. No shows are planned for the time being. However what I’m certain about and I can promise from now is that 2012 will be rich and full of good news!
10. Are you happy with how the virus of Aaren Reale has been spreading so far? What would you say is your biggest highlight/achievement and what the worst/most embarrassing moment so far? (in regard to your music always…)
Today, at my level, I’m still trying to understand and wonder how everything evolves and grows so fast. I couldn’t even have dreamt how things have turned out and they couldn’t have turned out any better really!
I think the moment I am most proud about, was the day I was congratulated for my work! I mainly make music for myself, so learning it was appreciated was just amazing!
Except an attempt to make a Hardstyle track one evening, I’ve not had any very embarrassing moments so far… hope I can say the same next time you ask me again!
11. Whom would you dream about working/collaborating with? Except Hack The System that you’re already collaborating with…
My dream…? A chance to work in the studio with Jean Michel Jarre would be certainly great! As for someone more accessible, collaborating with Danger, Madeon and/or Redial would be pretty awesome. As some say, hope keeps us alive (ahah)!
12. Do you work only with computers/sequencers or do you get your hands dirty playing and recording instruments? Do you use samples and what’s your opinion on sampling and copyright?
I simply work in my bedroom with:
– A computer that will soon die – with FL Studio
– Monitoring speakers
– An external sound card
– A mouse…?
Unfortunately, I’ve never had any music theory lectures or music related studies that would have taught me how to play an instrument…
Like most I guess, I use some samples of rythmics and FX. As for the instruments, I use a lot of VST and I spend a lot of time configuring them to get the sound I want.
As for sampling and copyright, I just want to say one thing: Any creation is the property of its author!!!
13. So, what is music for you and what do you think about the way the music industry is changing?
Some see music as a way of expression and some others as a source of income. I respect both and anyone can make this choice for himself really. I personally made mine a long time ago!
14. Any comments about today’s mainstream music? Do you agree with Haezer’s “Commercial Music Is Dead”?
I keep listening to more and more music without any melodies, without life, filled with over saturated bass and a mastering compressed to the maximum. At the end you have an “aquarium effect”, which is completely awful imo. But well, some do like this and each of us is free to enjoy it. I just find it’s a pity…
“Commercial Music Is Dead”? Never heard about that one before…
15. Do you believe that an electronic music artist can earn his/her living from music nowadays?
I do think so, yes! You just need the will, some talent and of course to know how to stand out with your music and during your performances. That’s where an artist makes the difference.
To make a living just by selling music: No.
To make a living by selling music and playing shows regularly: Yes.
16. You have been playing a few shows, any interesting on stage or backstage experiences/stories to share with us? Do you have any more shows coming up and how can someone book you for one?
An experience that occurs at every single one of my performances: When I play my remix of Justice’s “We are your friends” and everybody raise their arms and sing together! It’s just magic!!!
Or when I played at NeuKlub in Bari… There were more than ten bottles of alcohol waiting for me backstage… none of them made it out of there alive!
As for the shows, nothing concrete for now. For anyone interested in booking me for a show, here is the address of my manager and friend theo@beyeah.net so get in touch!
17. Whom would you dream of sharing the stage with?
Hmm… Daft Punk? That would be the dream of pretty much everyone in this music I think!
18. What are you listening to lately? Any tracks/artists you recommend?
Adele! Her voice is just beautiful! She does not even need any instruments behind her to make us high.
19. What do you like doing when not in the studio producing music?
I don’t know anything else… No, I’m just joking… I do spend a lot of time with my studies but I also like to practice sports, to see friends and to travel when I have the time and money to do that of course.
20. Anything else you’d like to mention and we forgot to ask?
If you’re a good looking woman, my phone number is: 06 74 70 ** ** =)
Besides that, a lot of news are coming soon… without warning! So be prepared!
XX,