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Laying down future sounds:
Perfecto Presents Adam White.
By Frani Heyns
Like a phoenix rising from the flames, Adam White’s latest addition to the Perfecto Presents series is designed to shake the foundations of dance music as we know it. With his masterful blend of different genres, Adam takes the listener on a unique journey, never failing to push creative boundaries and share bold, experiential sounds. Kicking off with his latest remix of Nat Monday’s unforgettable Break & Fall, he then sets the tone for the first half of the album with deep, progressive beats, spine-tingling breakdowns and haunting melodies. After a powerful build up, the album reaches a new dimension in the second half with beautiful piano riffs and classic hands-in-the-air moments – while never losing its unmistakable driving edge.
In short, Perfecto Presents Adam White challenges the present with memories of the past and a glimpse of the future. It is a work of art, a masterpiece that defines him as one of today’s most forward-thinking producers. With the release date set for the 2nd of February, I dug a little deeper – interviewing Adam first and concluded with a few questions for Paul Oakenfold.
Q:There have been a multitude of defining moments in your career, but one of the biggest is without doubt the call from Paul Oakenfold asking you to become part of Perfecto. Describe that golden moment and your role at one of the world’s leading dance labels.
A:I was actually on tour in China at the time. It was June 2007 and I sat in my hotel room in Shanghai after playing Godskitchen over there. Dan (Paul’s PA) called up to say that Perfecto were re-launching and Paul was sourcing a team of producers and DJs to work under the Perfecto umbrella as it were. Paul had always been a massive supporter of my music and we’d previously worked together on label projects in London in the late 90s whilst I worked as A&R for Inferno Records. I used to head up to Cream or Home with acetates for him so we became friends through that. I’ve always been an Oakenfold fan and like so many DJs was educated through trance by the early Perfecto releases. I never dreamt in my wildest dreams I’d be getting my music released by them.
Q:What was the first thing that went through your mind when you were asked to do new Perfecto Presents album?
A:I’d always been a fan of the Perfecto Presents series. Like the label itself, the series were always a look into the future, what would be happening and where the sound would be going. I saw this as an opportunity to let people out there know about my sound, what ticks the boxes when it comes to the records and produce and play. This was also a chance to really cement myself as part of the Perfecto family.
Q:Did you have a master plan in mind before starting the work, or did the album gradually develop its own personality and followed a direction that you were happy with?
A:I’ve had a lot of experience when it comes to putting together albums so getting the chance to put together my own was a natural progression. I was taken on board by Euphoria in 2000 because of my knowledge as a DJ and my ability to put sets together both dynamically and musically. I didn’t just want to put together a collection of my own original material. I wanted to produce and DJ a mixed album with a mix of my own material and my favourite artists who’ve inspired me through my time working for Perfecto. Like any artistic project, where you start and where you end are usually totally different from what you set out to achieve. But in this case I think I’ve hit the nail on the head. I guess it’ll be for the fans to decide?
Q:How would you personally describe the musical journey from start to finish?
A:I wanted an album you could listen to in the car, at home, on your way out or on your way home from a club. I also wanted an album that you could play in a club environment and it would work as a set.
Q:Over the years Perfecto Presents has delivered a number of impressive albums. Some were produced by Paul Oakenfold himself, while others came from the likes of Timo Maas, Seb Fontaine and Hernan Cattaneo to name a few. Each album carries its own story, its own personality. What gives your album the exclusive Adam White stamp?
A:Obviously there is my sound, which is best described as ‘melodic’. Melody plays such an important part in what I play and produce. Being a classically trained musician, harmony and key play a very important part through the whole mix. My sound has always had a very rocky element to it and some tracks on the album show that. There are sounds that are typical of my productions. It’s hard to describe myself, but people always tell me they know when it’s an ‘Adam White Remix’.
Q:You’ve chosen your brand-new remix of Nat Monday’s Break & Fall as track 1. Not only is this a powerful start that sets the tone right away, but it’s also an album exclusive. What did you want to achieve musically with your 2010 remix?
A:‘Break & Fall’ was my first project when Paul brought me on board with Perfecto, so it seemed like the obvious choice for a couple of reasons. It’s always been a special track to me as I remember Paul once telling me, “You’ve set the bar high with your first project”. I did this track back in 2007 and it is one of the most requested tracks when I am touring. So I wanted to give it a fresh sound for 2010, kind of where I see things going. I’ve slowed it down from 135 bpm to 130 bpm and given it more of a groove. I’ve done away with the big lead line and made the overall production a lot subtler. There are no long breakdowns and the whole arrangement has more pace. This is the kind of direction I see my sound going this year.
Q:After track 1 comes the deep, yet progressively driving Transformer from Musetta. What was it about this track that caught your ear?
A:It a track with a lot of energy, but loads of breathing space. It kind of levels out really quickly which is important when putting together a mix that is only 70 minutes long. You need to get people’s attention from the word ‘Go’, but not let them have it all in one hit (if you get my meaning). It’s a perfect transition record really, a great tool when you find them.
Q:The sound of Adam White has always been bold and defining. And with 5 remixes and 2 of your very own tracks, this album makes a big statement. Do you have a personal favourite, a track that you’re particularly proud of?
A:I am proud of them all for different reasons, but if I had to choose one record that is special to me from the album then it would be ‘Chimera’ because my wife inspired me to make it.
Q:You are currently one of only two official Perfecto artists in the UK – the other being Nat Monday. Tell us more about your collaboration, Another Dominant Force?
A:I’ve been a fan of Nat’s work long before I started working for Perfecto. The original mix of ‘Break & Fall’ went onto one my ‘Rush’ albums I made for Australia in 2004 – long before it was signed to Perfecto. Nat sent me the vocal for ‘Another Dominant Force’ just after I’d mixed ‘Break & Fall’ and I instantly loved it. He did a more understated trance mix of the single and I wanted to give it a new edge. I immediately heard it taking on a rock-trance sound so I dusted off the guitar and did the mix in about 2 days. Oakey instantly loved it and wanted to sign it. The rest as they say is history.
Q:For me personally, your Perfecto Big Room Mix of Barry Jay’s Infused takes the album to the next level – something that you’ve been working towards in the first half. Track 5 then follows with the beautiful piano riffs and underlying beats of Fallen Angel’s Symphony by Robert Vadney. What were the specific elements you wanted to be present in the second half of the journey?
A:Like I mentioned before I wanted the album to appeal to different listening situations and I really wanted it to play like a DJ set. ‘Fallen Angel’s Symphony’ has the most amazing breakdown and then this riff comes out of nowhere and knocks the shit out of you. It’s almost like letting the listener know “Right… we’re done with getting you warmed up. Now we’re really gonna get going”.
Q:One of my all-time favourite tracks is the original mix of Chimera. Tell us more about the production of this track – from the initial spark of inspiration to the final product.
A:The track has a lot of special memories for me. It was inspired by a piece of music from the movies Mission Impossible 2 and made for my now wife, Emma. It took literally a day to make and half a day to master. Sometimes when a record is meant to be it happens like that. I had no intention to release it as a single, it’s nice that way when a record means a lot to you. When Paul said he wanted to put it out on Perfecto it was kind of a double-edged sword. The record made for Emma was being released on a label I’d always dreamt of being involved with. ‘Chimera’ really is one of those amazing records – I don’t think I’ll ever beat it, but I’ll keep trying.
Q:The creative process is different for every artist. Some are inspired by something they see, others by an aural experience or another track. How does it work for you?
A:That’s a really hard question to answer, to be honest. I try and take inspiration from everything around me. The energy I find myself in at the time is the most important thing though. Sometimes I’ll work for weeks in the studio and nothing seems to gel. Then all of a sudden within an hour of a new day everything comes together. One thing is true though – the term ‘writers block’ is a definite reality.
Q:Tell us more about the studio where the Perfecto Presents Adam White album was brought to life.
A:Everything is produced in my own studio. It’s a very simple, yet hugely powerful set up. I run Logic Studio on an Apple Mac G5 with an array of different plug-ins and soft-synths. My favourite pieces of kit have to be my Mackie monitors, Powercore and UAD cards (I can’t live without those).
Q:Your rise to success has been phenomenal. Not only have you played around the world, but you also have a number of massive tracks behind your name and you’re running your own label, Emalodic. What does the future hold for Adam White?
A:Emalodic has an amazing new release line-up for 2010. It took a back seat whilst I developed my sound with Perfecto, so Emalodic will allow me to try new ideas and styles. 2010 will be a lot more about writing than remixing. I am also working more on the ‘live’ side of things to develop my production with musicians, something I’ve be dabbling in already for some time now. As long as I love what I am doing and people keep loving what I am making, I am happy. There are no rules to making music. If you have confidence in a sound that’s all that matters. Write it, produce it and play it well.
I reserved the final five questions for Paul Oakenfold:
Q:When was the first time you came across the name Adam White and what differentiated him from the sea of up-and-coming producers at the time?
A:I met Adam through a mutual friend and I was really interested in what he had to say about music. He’s classically trained in piano and has a tight grasp on the melodic sound that I’ve come to identify with over the years.
Q:Adam has been an artist and DJ for Perfecto for the last two years. What was your vision for him when he joined your team?
A:I really wanted to see Adam develop as a producer and take on projects that challenge him. I believe he’s done that and you can hear the maturity and growth he shows in each of his productions.
Q:What in your opinion is the most inspiring piece of music Adam has delivered to date?
A:I like a lot of his remixes that he does for the label, but with regard to his own tracks, ‘Chimera’ has always been one of my favourites. I think it really showcases the different sounds and directions that he can go in.
Q:In the latest DJ Mag Top 100 Poll, you named Adam White as your favourite DJ and Producer for 2009. Why?
A:We put quite a few tracks out on Perfecto Digital this past year and Adam contributed numerous top-notch remixes that really helped give the originals exposure. He also had a great year with his own productions.
Q:What do you think of Perfecto Presents Adam White?
A:Great track selection and seamless mixing.- Reply
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RE: Laying down future sounds: Perfecto Presents Adam White. Interview by Frani Heyns
Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 7:38 AM by Ihor Diamondbackwas fan of perfecto, now you're part of it)
dreams became true!!!)
RE: Laying down future sounds: Perfecto Presents Adam White. Interview by Frani Heyns
Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM by Adam WhiteIt just goes to show that if you set your sights on something and work hard enough then yes - dreams can come true