Psypilot

Interview

Author: PsyGirl
Date: May 19, 2005
Views: 3617



Date: May 19, 2005
Text: PsyGirl for www.mrspencer.co.za

PsyPilot (a.k.a Roberto) is a French artist from Switzerland and signed up with top French label, Turbo Trance Records. His style is a blend of Psychedelic Techno and/or Neo Full On Trance. He released several tracks on various labels and played at psy parties all over Switzerland alongside artists such as Hux Flux, Laureth, Rastaliens, Feuerhake, X-Dream, etc. Many thanks & huge respect to PsyPilot for answering the couple of questions for us…

1. Firstly, for those unfamiliar with the Swiss act, Psypilot, give us a brief resume of your career so far?

I started Dj’ing in 1984 (from R&B to Funk over House to Acid and Techno) in the meantime I was beginning to produce my own sound with an Atari Computer, Samplers, Synths and a 8-track recorder. In 1990 I started working as Sound Engineer for Swiss Tv broadcast and later in post-production. At that time I build a 24-track recording studio with a friend where we used to promote Rock and Pop Bands. Travelling the techno club scene I was hijacked to my first open-air trance party in ’96. That was the sound I was looking for… In the year 2000 I build a new studio where I do sound design, scoring and surround mix for Tv and Film.

2. PsyPilot is arguably the best Swiss act & during last year released an album “Destination Future” on Turbo Trance Records, which you are also signed up with. …How do you manage to stay focussed and committed?

With my label manager L’elf I have the right person who is looking for my needs. He is releasing and licensing my tracks, looking for my bookings and coordinate them. With his professionalism I’m able to concentrate on my job and on my music.

3. If you could hit the studio with any artist, who would it be and why?

A special singer like Björk, Roisin Murphy (Moloko) or Janis Joplin (unfortunately dead) to produce extraordinary songs never heard before.

4. What non-trance music do you listen to and does it influence your production?

I listen to all kinds of styles. For every mood the appropriate soundtrack. Of course it’s influencing the production. Music is emotion… and emotion can be transported through music.


5. What are your favourite productions tools and why?

Well, there are a lot. I compose my songs mostly on my Apple Powerbook with Logic Pro 7. I got the new version a couple of days ago – wow, it’s amazing, it handles every need. Then I have a bunch of softsynths and a huge sound library. There are some hardware syths like Roland, Emu, Ensoniq, Nord Lead and Alesis to, which I don’t use that often. With the Powerbook you are able to go to each spot of the world and lay down your musical ideas. All you need is a midi controller, a powerplug and a headphone… for the mixing and mastering process I use Logic with Pro Tools hardware on a G5 Macintosh at my studio. To hear the sound loud and clearly I mix on a big Genelec 5.1 Surround System.

6. How is the psychedelic scene in Switzerland?

The Swiss scene is very big, we have a lot of parties every weekend here. The scene is mostly divided into a progressive and on a full-on part. A lot of people here is not enough open to accept the other part. Because of this overflow of parties, people are forgetting the main idea behind this all: to enjoy the magic of this music and to raise the common state of joy thru trance happenings. I think this negative behaviour comes from the abuse of certain substances… There is also a big pool of composers here in Switzerland who is producing very good stuff. And we are growing more and more. Be aware of the Swiss psychedelic forces…

7. Which labels are your current favourites?

Of course my main label Turbo Trance Records. I don’t have any preferences, there are good stuff coming out on different labels. But I have to say that in the meantime there is a lot of music who is sounding the same, it doesn\'t matter which label it is. It seems that producers are running out of ideas these days…

8. When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I can’t remember what was first. Inventor, musician or superman…

9. Lastly, for Mr Spencer’s arb question…How many ducks does it take to change a lightbulb?

None. Light is always shining out of the darkness… and, if you are looking to the light, you leave your shadow behind you.

Well, we hope to see PsyPilot on South Africa’s shores in the near future.


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