This Saturday marks the return of the Technoclub to its familiar surrounds of Frankfurt with Talla 2XLC inviting Steve Brian for his debut at this legendary club night. We went for a word with the rising German star...
Steve Brian is musician, DJ & one of the fastest rising stars from Germany! His music is supported by top DJs and musicians around the world like Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten, Above & Beyond, ATB and many more. In recent months he had many gigs in countries like Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Russia and many more.
You may be surprised with a name like Steve that he is actually from Germany. Having played around all over Europe he returns to his home country this weekend on the 4th May for a very special debut at Technoclub with Talla 2XlC. Lange will also be there behind the decks who has been a big supporter of Steve in recent years.; We went to have a word with Steve, firstly to find out, why he chose the name Steve?
i:Vibes: How quickly were you able to create your artist name Steve Brian?
Steve Brian: That took a long time. I decided just to create an English name. My real name is Stefan Brunig and it isn’t that easy to pronounce my name like it is Steve Brian.
i:Vibes: You are making your debut in the Technoclub. How excited are you about playing in this legendary location?
Steve Brian: I have heard very much good things about the Technoclub and am always following the scene. It is amazing that the Technoclub still exists. It is a small honour for me to finally play in the Technoclub since Talla 2XLC really influenced me in the scene.
i:Vibes: When was the first time that you heard the name of Talla 2XLC and heard his music?
Steve Brian: That was around 2000 where I started to listen to trance. At that time I was buying many compilations especially the old Technoclub compilations that have absolute cult status.
i:Vibes: What is your favorite Talla 2XLC track?
Steve Brian: Talla vs. Taucher - Together
i:Vibes: Would trance already be totally dead in Germany if Talla 2XLC had retired?
Steve Brian: I think it would be in the Frankfurt area. However in all the other areas in Germany there are other people keeping trance alive.
i:Vibes: How would you describe the Steve Brian sound today?
Steve Brian: Today like yesterday; still very melodic with a touch and mix of progressive and trance.
i:Vibes: One of your early musical inspirations was ATB. What did you like so much on his music?
Steve Brian: I love the sun and am always looking for sounds that sound like summer. Andre Tannenberger, Torsten Stenzel and Nick Bracegirdle are the producers that carried me and inspired me with that sound. I really like the sound of guitar in trance and like to use it myself.
i:Vibes: If you walk around Hildesheim do you get recognized? How does a boy from here get infected with trance?
Steve Brian: That happens seldom, but sometimes, but that is ok. I would like to always being stared at and people talking to me but I don’t want to be in the skin of a superstar. That would be too much stress for me. My old friend Markus aka Marksun brought be too trance in Hildesheim. Thank god.
i:Vibes: How thankful are you today to Kyau & Albert for helping start your career?
Steve Brian: More than just thankful. They supported me form the start and have remained on the ground and despite their success, you can still talk to them. They take time for their artists even though they don’t have the time. I respect that very much and hope to be able to work with them in the future.
i:Vibes: What memories do you have of the making of Gran Rey?
Steve Brian: I remember that track when I visited the island Gran Canaria and the valley Gran Rey. For me this is still a place where I am able to relax at each year, get energy and inspirations. For me personally, this is a great and unique place that helped me get my first vinyl
i:Vibes: How tough was it producing music in the shadow of the more well known Euphonic artists?
Steve Brian: Euphonic stands for high quality and creativity. Every artist has brought that and one has to always be prepared for not getting a demo signed. That still happens today. They have very good taste in music. It is not always easy to produce the way they want to.
i:Vibes: Why did Marksun & Brian only last a short time?
Steve Brian: Markus got away from trance. He just didn’t have any more interest in it. That is why I started my solo career in 2009. House remains very interesting for me and I will continue to explore and create some projects this summer. The foundation and ideas are all there.
i:Vibes: How has your sound developed as a solo artist in last seven years?
Steve Brian: My sound is slower. I have gotten away from uplifting from the 138bpm. I don’t have any more interest in uplifting. I have more chances and more broad spectrum between 128-132bpm to combine more styles.
i:Vibes: I loved your remix for Temple One and Sahara Nights. What was the most difficult thing when making that remix?
Steve Brian: There was nothing difficult about this remix. Some take longer, because I don’t move forward with creativity. Then there are remixes that function quicker. The sound design with Yaya worked well. I am happy that you liked that remix.
i:Vibes: Why was La Gomera such a unique track that so many people loved?
Steve Brian: I think the reason is because of the nice acoustic guitar, the vocoder vocals and the goose bump melody in the Cressida remix. I am thinking about making a new mix with the melody combination in the Cressida remix.
i:Vibes: How has Mirco de Govia inspired you in the last years? You remixed Evolution 2 and he remixed you also?
Steve Brian: He really inspired me with his Epic Monolith and Asarja tracks. I was very happy to have been able to remix one of his tracks. After a long phase of being inactive, he is back again. His remix for our George Square is very nice and a pretty chill out track.
i:Vibes: What kind of experience was it making music with York?
Steve Brian: It was something very special to be able to work with York and he inspired me very much and I have my first record from him. We will make new productions in the future and there will be a follow up to Salida del sol.
i:Vibes: You made the Casablnca EP with Cressida. Cressida is one of those artists that has been making exciting and solid music for years. It seems like his breakthrough is more than overdo!
Steve Brian: Yes that is right. I love working together with him because he has the same style taste as I have and we compliment each other well. We also haven’t produced the last record with the Casablanca EP, so stay tuned for more.
i:Vibes: How has the feedback been on Cosplay?
Steve Brian: Cosplay was unexpectedly received very well by the audiences which I never expected. The track really has done well. Above & Beyond and other acts have supported it well. The video also was received very nicely which made me happy.
i:Vibes: What releases can we expect from you in the next months?
Steve Brian: There are some nice things coming. A new single released on Euphonic, a new track with David Berkeley on Enhanced, a new track with York on Planet Love and a double single on a label I can’t name yet. A new label is coming from a former house legend.
i:Vibes: With what artist would you like to be locked in the studio in 2013?
Steve Brian: I don’t want to name just one, but Taucher will visit me in my studio in the next days and finally Marksun will visit my studio again this summer.
i:Vibes: What dreams does Steve Brian still have as a musician?
Steve Brian: I have achieved everything that I have wanted to in the music scene. I don’t have bigger goals in music. I produce when I have time and want to and if I have success than that’s that. I would like to DJ in some more countries. It is always very interesting to play in other countries.
THE TECHNOCLUB RETURNS SATURDAY THE 4th MAY
:: Full event details and ticket information can be found right here!
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