RAM Talks The Evolution of Dance Music In New Interview With RMR

RAM Talks The Evolution of Dance Music In New Interview

It was an incredibly special night last weekend to witness the Seattle debut of a legend at The Underground. Opening sets from Derrick G and Digital Ascension had the crowd eager for more, plus, the number of uplifting tracks from RAM himself were phenomenal!

We sat down with RAM after his set to see what his reaction was to our lively crowd. He discusses the evolution of dance music through his long career and shared some info on his background as a DJ.

RAM Talks The Evolution of Dance Music In New Interview

RMR: So we gotta know, how was your first time in Seattle?

RAM: I loved it! I’ve heard great things about Seattle from my colleagues and friends, so I had a nice expectation coming here, and you were here, it was rocking! I loved it, I had a great time, I hope to be back soon.

RMR: You started professionally DJing in 1995. How does it feel to know that there are people in the crowd who were born after you started mixing, what is it like to inspire and pass on the torch to the next generation?

RAM: It seems like there is a big difference in development today, in that time the only thing you had to be was a good DJ, not a producer, not a social media expert, not a label owner, not a mountain of…other things, you know? You just had to be a good DJ, so for me, it was a different time. And to see the development of producing was a parade, then social media came, labels…you know, it was piling up. So its been a big change to see that all happening, but I come from the early ages of being a DJ. For me, it’s only about the passion for playing, that’s my number one passion.

 

RMR: You’ve seen a lot of rises and falls of dance music, when was your favorite era of trance and why?

RAM: 1998-2000. It was always about the music for me. For me, it’s a passion, it’s a way of expression, it’s not just a job, you know? For me, I live it, I breathe it, I eat it, I shit it. It’s what music is available and what I can play that’s my ultimate expression, why I can lose my feelings and put my expressions in. I am a little bit of quiet guy normally, so when I play I can let it all out. That’s my way of letting myself go. At that time there were such amazing tracks, such a great era of trance music, so that definitely for me was the best age of trance.

RMR: Can you tell us about your new track A Billion Stars Above? What was the inspiration behind it, and what is it like to work with rising stars?

RAM: I’ve worked with Stine Grove already a few times. I made the chord progression, I made the breakdown, and I sent it to Stine Grove, said, ‘want to work with me again?’ She said, ‘I love the idea’, so after she put the lyrics on it, I sent it to Arctic Moon, and I said, ‘let’s do a collab, let’s finish it together’, and he said he loved it, so he finished it. And it turned out to be a great collab, but the funny thing is, to me it’s already an old track because I’ve played it already for eight months. To finally see it come out and do so good…in like two days, to number three, I was like, whoa! What’s happening?! And it’s so nice to see, because I think RAMelia is the only track that hit the charts so quick and high, so it’s just amazing to see, and the reactions of the public, that’s what you live for.

RMR: Do you have any more works coming out soon?

RAM: Oh….piles! Mountains! I am working on a new album, wonderful collabs…Next one is a collab with ReOrder, a collab with Roger Shah, working with Emma Hewitt, working with Richard Durand…there’s too many things, I can’t say everything yet because it’s in progress, but there’s a lot coming. A lot. Really, a lot.

RMR: One last question, what kind of advice can you give to new producers and DJs?

RAM: I think the best advice: Don’t copy. What I get personally, because I own three labels also, and I get a lot of sets of demos, and it’s 99% always sounding the same. All these people think they should sound like that track that’s out there that’s good, but that’s not the way to go, you know? If you want to be successful, or if you want to stick out to the main public, try something different. Don’t copy, follow your feelings, do what you wanna do yourself and don’t copy. Be original, follow your heart, that’s the main thing to do.

The Underground is hosting another legend of trance, Jordan Suckley, later this month! Get your tickets now because this one has a good chance of selling out. There are many more opportunities to visit this amazing venue before the year is over so stay tuned with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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