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 We managed to catch a few words with Lange as the release of his second artist album imminently awaits its release. 'Harmonic Motion' will get trance fans ear drums buzzing with activity...
The wait for Lange's second artist album has not been as long as his first. I guess his first he just forgot to get round to but finally after eight years of being one of the biggest trance musicians on the scene he brought us the superb 'Better Late Than Never', quite a fitting title in all respects. It's been only two years since that debut release but it sure does go fast. It's a new decade and a good time for a brand new artist album from Lange who has been popping out some top draw singles over the past few months with a few of those on his latest album. His very latest release 'Live Forever' is the first single to be taken from the album which features thirteen all new Lange productions. The new album is already out oniTunes with a very special ‘Soundscape’ mix exclusive to digital buyers. The album proper is out on the 5th July and you can get a signed copy from Lange by visiting here. As ever here on i:Vibes, we went to the man himself for a word, and here are his answers.
i:Vibes: It’s been a very busy year for Lange so far and with summer now here in regions across the world how has the first part of 2010 been for Lange?
Lange: When I started the year I still had a mountain to climb with much of the album needing to be finished. That together with a hectic tour schedule, made it a very intense start to the year! It’s been a very exciting 6 months though, great trips to Hawaii, ASOT450 in New York, playing Cream Amnesia in Ibiza for the first time etc. Also on the music front, while writing the album i managed to squeeze out 3 singles in the first half of the year! The intercity show and it’s 2nd compilation album which came out in April also kept me very busy!
i:Vibes: Before we get onto your new artists album, it’s a timely reminded that it wont be your first album release of the year. Intercity Spring saw the light of day earlier this year. First off, why Spring and not a winter edition?
Lange: A compilation album every 6 months is a little too frequent.
i:Vibes: ‘Spring’ had a different feeling to it than the inaugural ‘Summer’ release, was that just due to how the flow of new music goes or a defining edge you wanted to put on the new compilation?
Lange: ‘Spring’ was a lot darker, that wasn’t the original intention, more a case of me selecting the best music available at the time and much of it being quite dark edged.
i:Vibes: Now, this summer looks to be the biggest yet for Lange, especially with the release of your second artist LP ‘Harmonic Motion’. Thankfully it’s not taken as long as the first, when did the idea for the new album come about?
Lange: Yes, thing’s are hotting up! I decided last Summer that i wanted a new album ready for Summer 2010 and set a production deadline for March. Most of the album was actually written within a 7 month period.
i:Vibes: Why the name ‘Harmonic Motion’?
Lange: I guess the album title is a reflection of my current musical style. My music is usually very melodic but I also aim to put as much groove and dance ability into tracks.
i:Vibes: When starting the new album, did you have a pre-conception of what you wanted it to sound like when finished or just go with what the musical creativity and inspiration took you?
Lange: No, not really. I found the experience of writing my first album ‘Better Late Than Never’ very rewarding as it allowed more freedom to experiment with new ideas and different styles. It was the same situation with
Harmonic Motion, I went with the flow and only towards the end did i try and pinpoint what i might need to balance it all out. I decided early on that I’d aim to include 50% vocal and 50% instrumental tracks and my plan, as before with BLTN, was to create an album worth listening to at home as a whole.
i:Vibes: Do you think it’s important with an artist album to have a continual flow with the tracks, in a way as a DJ set has to be a thought out journey from start to finish?
Lange: Yes definitely. I wanted to ensure there were plenty of club tracks on there. In fact there are much more club tracks on this album compared to ‘Better Late Than Never’, and most are fully extended versions. But, equally important to me was to make it interesting and not predictable. I think it flows well, and for buyers of the digital version of the album there’s a bonus ‘Soundscape Mix’ I put together which features all the tracks in a non-stop mix. To make it work the track order was totally changed, so it’s a good alternative way to hear the album!
i:Vibes: The Lange sound has a distinctive edge to it, what tracks from the new album do you think people may be surprised with from what they usually expect from a Lange track?
Lange: I think a lot of my supporters will be quite used to me throwing in the odd ‘curveball’ track! I always try to make sure my next single is very different to the previous one. There are a couple of down tempo/non-dance tracks on the album which are intended to create a diversion, but I’m not sure if my supporters will be surprised I produced them.
i:Vibes: The first single from the album is already out and it’s a cracker! The bass line that’s tears through it is exceptional and the vocal is incredible strong from Emma Hewitt. To my records this is the first time you have worked with Emma, what was that like?
Lange: Thanks! I was really pleased with the reactions and the track managed to hold the beatport trance chart no1 for 2 weeks! It’s a great vocal from Emma and it was a pleasure to work with her. I have to confess we are still yet to meet. We actually got close to hooking up around the time Emma was due to record the vocal as i was going to be touring Australia...but it was just typical that the one week I was down under, Emma was visiting Europe!
i:Vibes: The new single yet again featured the hugely talented Steve Brian, who we had on the site a few weeks ago. You’ve put your faith in him on many Lange Recordings releases in the past and again with the new single to great success. How highly do you rate Steve as a producer?
Lange: Steve is superb and is carving out his place in the scene with his own incredible sound. I really love his basslines and the way he manages to squeeze in a piece of summer into every mix!
Talking of which, we’ll be releasing a new EP from him later this summer on Lange Recordings! It’s a really nice follow up to ‘La Gomera’, so keep your ears out for it.
i:Vibes: Sarah Howells is a vocalist that is no stranger to Lange tracks having put her talents to the likes of ‘Out Of The Sky’ and ‘Let It All Out’. She appears twice on the new album and is she one vocalist you would say suits the Lange sound better than most?
Lange: It’s not that Sarah necessary suits my sound, it’s more the case that i have much respect for her vocal style and song writing talent. She’s a pleasure to work with and always inspires something new when I produce the Songs.
i:Vibes: When it comes to a vocal track, what comes first, the vocal, or the track?
Lange: For me, it’s nearly always the vocal first. I find producing music around a vocal unites the whole track much better. A good song to work around is very inspiring too.
i:Vibes: Betsie Larkin is another new vocalist who features on the new album and the eagle eared will know her from Ferry Corsten’s ‘Made of Love’. How did you opportunity to work with her on the tracks come about?
Lange: We met several times last year when we were both performing together with Ferry Corsten. I asked if she’d like to be part of the album and we took it from there.
i:Vibes: Is it sometimes a bit difficult to work with a new vocalist on records than one you have worked with on tracks before?
Lange: No, not really. It’s great to work with new vocalists.
i:Vibes: ‘Wie Komme Ich Am Besten Zum Bannhof Bitte’ is the most oddly names track on the album. How did the name for that come about?
Lange: It’s the only phrase I recall from the year I studied German at school! I thought the title suited the track, especially with that epic ‘horn’ effect . For those who don’t know, it translates to ‘Please can you tell me the best way to get to the Train station?’
i:Vibes: Unlike a few other artist albums the production side is all Lange; did you not have any thoughts about collaborating with other artists for the new LP?
Lange: Not on this occasion. I had a lot of my own ideas i wanted to complete.
i:Vibes: With the sound of Trance always developing and incorporating new styles within its own genre base, what new sounds have you injected into the tracks on the new album?
Lange: The album tracks include influences from electro/techno/80s/downtempo/indie rock/classical genres, but trance is always at it’s heart.
i:Vibes: What track on the album are you most proud of?
Lange: Strong Believer is probably my favourite.
i:Vibes: What will be the next single to come from the new album?
Lange: Strong Believer is the next single. Promo is just starting now and it’s out in August.
i:Vibes: You will be on tour over the next few months pushing the album sound into clubs all over the globe. What dates coming up are you most looking forward to?
Lange: One event I’m really looking forward to coming up in the next couple of weeks is the Balaton Sound festival in Hungary. I played it’s sister festival Sziget last year with Armin which was incredible. This year I’m playing alongside Paul Van Dyk and my set will include live vocals from Sarah Howells.
i:Vibes: Have you been road testing any of the new tracks from the album in the clubs already and what has the reaction been to them?
Lange: Yes, I’ve tested most of them out and reactions have been great!
i:Vibes: In total, how long has it taken you to put the finishing touches to what will be an essential new Lange album?
Lange: Most of the album was produced in a 7 month period.
Finally here on i:Vibes we like to round it off with the Quick five:
i:Vibes: What’s your favourite holiday destination?
Lange: Iceland
i:Vibes: Where did you last DJ?
Lange: Cream Amnesia, Ibiza
i:Vibes: What’s you most treasured piece of studio equipment?
Lange: Strictly speaking, my PC as I don’t use any hardware anymore, but I still treasure my old JD800.
i:Vibes: One of your favourite tracks at the moment?
Lange: Stoneface & terminal - Moment
i:Vibes: Where are you right now?
Lange: Home
i:Vibes: Many thanks for taking the time to answer a few question from the team here on i:Vibes. We eagerly await the new album with immense excitement! Have a great summer!
Lange: Thanks for your support and have a great Summer!
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