Article Date : 10/09/2009
Win a 10 CD & Digital Promo Membership in this months Trance International!
Interview below.
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In the hot-seat for '5 Minutes With.' this month, Alan Nimmo. 50% of the Signalrunners and the boss man in the big leather swivel chair at Fraction Records!
T.I. Thanks for joining us Alan. Let's start at the beginning. What motivated you to start Fraction?
AN: The original idea behind the label was really the same as it is today. To try to provide a close knit community of producer friends and up-coming guys with a platform to shine, and one which doesn't have specific guidelines on how their music should sound.
T.I. What's been the most satisfying moment to date with the label?
AN: There's been a lot of really satisfying moments - it's hard to pinpoint just one. What I really enjoy is when one of our newer artists really explodes, and knowing you've helped them along the way. Paul Webster, for example, was fairly new when we signed him. He's really on top of his game now.
T.I. Who do you regard as the backbone producers of Fraction?
AN: Neal Scarborough, Paul Webster, David Forbes and Tritonal are all consistently producing the goods for us. There are so many great producers involved here, but I would say those would be considered as 'in the family'!
T.I.: What personally is your favourite Fraction release thus far?
AN: I don't really have an out-and-out favorite, but I do have a soft spot for Akesson's 'Sunchaser'. I remember dropping that at Turnmills the same day we signed it and it literally hammering the dancefloor.
T.I.: Do you curse the day that the mp3 was invented, or are you a 'never look back' man!?
AN: I could give you a different answer for each day of the week on this, but today I'm going to go down the 'never look back' line! Ok, nobody I know likes the idea that trance vinyl is all but a collector's item now. I'd be contradicting myself by moaning though as I haven't spun vinyl myself outside the studio for about 3 or 4 years! Technology dictates across the board though. When you think about it, as a producer, if the technology wasn't available for formats post vinyl then most likely I wouldn't have the luxury of things like Abelton, VST's (including software sampling), project recalling, automation and so on.
T.I.: Among the many different aspects that a producer needs to be successful, what would say was the single most important?
AN: Originality is definitely the key! I think if you dare to be different, then you will stand out if you are good enough. There's nothing wrong with being influenced by tracks you hear, but copying your favorite producer will only take you so far. Try to do something differently in each new track you do, but hold on to some key elements and techniques from the previous one.
T.I. Finally, any chance of a competition and prize for the readership to get their teeth into?
AN: Ok, why not! Complete the following:
'The best type of trance is ___ bpm, because __________'.
The best/funniest/wittiest entry wins a 10 release CD & Digital Promo Fraction Records Membership.
T.I.: Thanks Alan. Get your thinking caps on people and mail your answers to:
competition@tranceinternational.com !