
INTERVIEWS
Hi TLUXX, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I have been very busy finishing a music production program in Los Angeles at ICON Music Production School and starting my 3rd year at Berklee College of Music, plus establishing a new record label. In between class, homework and business meetings, I have been producing and releasing singles for the past 3 months as well as performing at a few shows. Life is very busy right now, but it has been amazing.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single "Round and Round"?
"Round and Round" is my 4th Progressive House release of 2017. I am a Progressive House EDM producer/artist and have been told that Progressive House is dead in the US. I refuse to accept this and continue to produce Progressive House, patiently waiting for its re-emergence. Everyone is telling me that my career will suffer if I keep producing Progressive House and I should produce what is mainstream. I have to produce what I love. I won’t change my style just because it’s not what is considered Mainstream at the moment. “Round and Round “ is a Progressive House tune that will get you dancing while tugging at your emotions.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Usually, nothing in particular inspires my songs. I just sit down and start writing. Most of the time the songs take on a life of their own.
How was the film experience?
Filming the music video for “Round and Round” was amazing. At first I was nervous, but the production crew from Hustle Cake Productions were very welcoming and friendly. I’m only in the video for a few shots, but I did not want to be the focus of the video. We filmed the music video at the famous Merry-Go-Round at Griffith Park. We were told that the Merry-Go-Round was haunted and we kept looking the presence of a ghost; none showed up for the shoot. Paige Lorentzen was the model on the video and she was also very nice and did an amazing job. She was on the spinning Merry-Go-Round for 30 minutes plus, and never got sick. The video producer, on the other hand did not fair as well as Paige, but both were able to get successfully though the shoot.
How was the recording and writing process?
Usually, I start a song by trying to find a melody. Once that is locked in, the rest just seams to fall into place. It’s always exciting to start with a blank slate and see what comes out the other side. Sometimes there are many revisions to get to the destination I can be proud of. Sometimes I can write a song in a few hours and be happy with the results. Round and Round was somewhere in the middle. I was collaborating with Alina Reane, a gifted songwriter, vocalist and a sound engineer so it was easy to collaborate with her. She is located in Florida and I am in Los Angeles. Once I had the composition done, I sent it to Alina. She worked out the lyrics and recorded her vocals. She is a professional Audio Engineer, so I recall only having to do one revision.
What was it like to work with Alina Reane and what did she bring up to the table?
Working with Alina was an honor. I heard Alina sing with some of my favorite Armada Music EDM artists, and I had to track her down. Alina has been heard on MTV, FUSE, XM, Music Choice and more. Alina has songs released through SONY Music, Armada Music, Firepower Records, & more. She recently was featured on Armin van Buuren’s "A State of Trance," and has been supported by many other well known DJ/ Producers like Tiesto, Hardwell, DATSIK, & Ferry Corsten. She is a very kind, talented and professional vocalist and song writer songwriter.
After the success from your previous track, were you nervous while working on this newest single?
My last release “I Need to Know” has received a great amount of support. While writing my music I’m never nervous. It is what I was born to do. However, when getting ready to release a new song I’m always a little nervous. I always hope people like my new release. I appreciate any love and support I get with any of my releases. If I can make one person dance or be happy, I have done my job.
Does your new single mean we can expect a new album - how's that coming along?
I have a library of music almost ready for release. There is a possibility of an EP in the near future, but for now I enjoy focusing on one release at a time. That way I can give each song the attention, I believe, it deserves.
Any tentative release date or title in mind?
Some of my other songs almost ready for release are Twinkle, Creatures, and 7th Angel. All titles, of course are subject to change. My goal is to release one song a month in 2017.
Any plans to hit the road?
I am currently looking at a possible Tour in 2018, but nothing has been set in stone yet. In the mean time I will continue to perform at shows in Los Angeles and throughout the Southwest.
What else is happening next in DJ TLUXX's world?
Your guess is as good as mine, but I do have some goals including, performing at some of the largest music festivals including Ultra Music festival, Wonderland and many more.