Alphaverb interviewtje, verder weinig bijzonders maar toch leuk door te lezen
1. Your first solo album is called Substream. How did you come up with this name? Is there a meaning behind it? A commonly used word within any commercial industry is "Mainstream" which usually stands for what the mass likes, buy, do or make. My album title is a parody on that; Substream, whatever lies next to mainstream... I came up with it because that's how I see the music I make. It's different from the usual tracks you hear.
2. How did you experience making this album? Next to extremely stressful in the end (because I had to say "done" too many new tracks that nobody else had heard before)... It really was amazing to be able to make something that really shows what I stand for as a producer of the harder styles and I am very happy with the result.
3. How would you describe your album Substream? What can the people expect from it?
As said before, it's different from the usual hard dance music but I also think it is pretty 'diverse'. It starts off with a few euphoric/melodic tracks on the first half for the CD building towards the more rough tracks in the end of it. Because of this I don't expect many people to like ALL of the tracks, but I hope there is something interesting on it for everybody. If you do like them all, you simply have a very good taste of music
4. How does your album Substream reflect your personal character and your values as an artist?
Thats a very good question actually! While producing this album, I learned quite some things about myself as a producer. I was trying to make tracks with a different type of feeling than I usually do (energetic/euphoric), but it appeared that I really have difficulties doing that! Because I am a very positive/energetic person, it is difficult for me to make music with an evil atmosphere. That experience actually woke me up and told me to just do what I always do; produce whatever I feel good with. Its important to listen to your fans, but in the end I have to feel connected to my own music or I am not happy with the result. Some tracks are a bit darker than others of course, but in the end they all have this "energy" I carry with me all the time.
5. We know that you are a very authentic producer and you have your own distinct style. Could you tell us something about the way your style has evolved to what it is right now? What things have been determining in the development of the Alphaverb style?
To be honest, style is not something I think about consciously. I recently started working with a different sequencer (Cubase 5 instead of Jeskola Buzz), which also forced me to use different effects and instruments. At first I expected that to have a great impact on the sound of my tracks, but it feels like I'm ending up with the same type of sound/style! I cannot explain it differently than a personal preference. There is a 'type' of sound and mixdown that I really enjoy. I always seem to work towards that mix of sounds (style) even if I make a different type of music. Before that I used to think the sequencer I worked with before had a great influence on my sound and style, but it appeared its an image of perfection that I carry in my head. Of course this image evolves throughout the years, but whatever triggers that..? I dont know
6. What are your favourite plugins and hardware for creating your music? What plugins and hardware have you used the most throughout the creation of your album?
I am not ashamed and I will say it over and over again... I prefer the Roland JP8080 over my Acces Virus C & TI (hardware)

It's sounds are probably in 75% of my album tracks! Questions about my kicks (bassdrums) are asked pretty much on a daily bases; I always say that whenever a synthesizer (software or hardware) has and editable a pitch envelope you can get bassdrums from it! Combine it with some distortion and you're off!
7. Every artist has his sources of inspiration. Can you tell us something about the things that inspired you in the creation of your album?
The album is a collection of many tracks that got inspired by many different things. I am actually updating my facebook fan page with this exact information about all tracks one by one, so if you're interested check that out!
http://www.facebook.com/alphaverb?v=app_2373072738 8. On your album there are some collaborations with Bass Modulators and The Machine. Why did you choose to do a collaboration specifically with these producers?
Bass Modulators asked me to do a remix for one of their tracks a few months ago and I did. Due to some communication problems it looked like it would not be released, but I managed to get things sorted out with all who were involved and we agreed to release it on my album instead of as a remix! So basically it's a Bass Modulators track in an Alphaverb jacket

The Machine is a producer who I really respect because he doesn't follow the mainstream... well than it's not hard to link that up right?

We actually are in contact since 2006 when I did a remix for his track "Raw" on DJs United Red and we mainly use each other as a "response-box" and help each other out ever since. No need to think, I wanted him to be part of my album! Next to those guys the album also contains collaborations with Intractable One, but that doesn't need much explanation I guess
9. As we all know you are the owner of AVIO Records. How does it feel to have your own label, and what does it take to run it?
To answer this question, I think I should tell you why I started AVIO Records back in 2008. I have had a few bad deals with labels which contracted me exclusively for a certain period without giving any support whatsoever. I decided not to sign with another label again if I did not see an interesting, creative future with them. At that time there was no label that I found to be interesting, interested in releasing my music. As I am a very headstrong person (bad characteristic I know) I was convinced about my own music and decided to start a label of my own; AVIO Records. So what does it take? Well to start, you need to invest into it! Mainly time, loads of time, but money as well as it is mainly a promotional feature for my music. How does it feel now? Can't describe it, but there is no price for freedom and that's what I have right now. Freedom to release whatever I want, whenever I want without other people telling me it 'should' be different. It should NOT be different

(headstrong!) So would I sign with another label now? That would depend very much on the conditions of course, but probably not. Would I have signed with another label 2 years ago? Depending on whether I saw a future at that label I would have done that for sure! So I can definitely say I am happy to be where I am and do what I do right now even though I know things could go faster when I would follow the masses.
10. The last track of your album is called stimulate your curiosity. Are you a curious person yourself? And if you are: in what way does this influence your music?
How this name developed itself I will explain later on my facebook page as I talked about before. But I am definitely a curious person. I am mainly positive minded and always like to look for a solution when I have a problem. I believe every problem can be solved as long as you go for it... as long as you're 'curious' enough about the answer/solution!nThis interview is getting quite philosophic...
11. One of the tracks on your album is called Realization Of A Dream. What are the dreams you want to realize in the future?
My dream is to be able to work with creative things (preferably music) full time, as I still work 24 hours next to my musical activities. Of course there are certain steps to be able to get there and realize that dream, but that's the big picture in my mind. I don't really care if it would mean; performing every weekend for 100 people that come to see me and hear my music or if that would mean to perform at big 10.000+ events where people
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I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it
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