Download The Bhangra Remix EP: (Right Click/Save As)
-MGMN Remix (Sacramento, California)
-Sam B Remix (Los Angeles, California)
-Sleazy Stereo Remix (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
-Todd iGo Original Mix (Woodland, California)
1. What inspires you to sit down in the studio and make music?
Most of the time it is simply a matter of ideas for tracks and tunes that pop up in my head. A lot of things can start this process, like watching an impressive movie, listening to music on the road, stuff like that. My passion for electronic music makes me want to sit down almost every day and work on a track one way or another.
2. I heard your latest remix with R3hab and not to long ago you remixed a Dada Life track, both were insane, What’s next on your schedule?
I really enjoy working with R3hab and we always have great chemistry when producing in the studio together. There is a lot more coming up that is for sure. The next thing you can expect is a new R3hab & Ferruccio Salvo original, which we hope to finish soon. Pretty sick stuff!
3. If you were to go outside of your comfort zone and make a record of a genre you have never done, what genre would you do?
Then I would love to work on really big productions, like Lady Gaga or Katy Perry for instance. What I love about this type of music is that it is mainly electronic, so this suits me very well of course.
4. Who is your favorite artist in the world today?
I really cannot answer this question. There is not one artist that stands out as no.1 for me, but there are several artists / groups that I really love and admire and all in very different genres. Some of my favorites are Deadmau5, Dr Dre, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Smash Mouth, Skrillex, Phoenix, Daft Punk and Aicia Keys. You can see how it would be hard to choose just one from this list!
5. What got you started in EDM music, where did it all begin?
I started out playing keyboard and piano when I was about six. My interest in EDM and making my own productions started when I was around fourteen years old. I was still taking lessons for the piano and played records frequently as well. Once I bought my first computer that had MIDI and added an analog synthesizer to my set-up, I was sold and could only focus on making my own music and DJing.
6. What is the most frustrating part of the music business to you?
It is not really in my nature to complain about things. Even if something bad happens to you, I think it is really important to make the best of things and look for solutions rather than complain. So far I love being in the music business and I would not trade my profession for anything else! So basically, I very rarely get frustrated and if I do, it will not be about something music related!
7. What is your personal greatest accomplishment that you have achieved so far musically?
That all my tracks are supported by the biggest names in the scene. It feels great to know my music is recognized and appreciated both by audiences and international artists and DJs as well. So far a lot of my music has seen support from artists like Laidback Luke, Dada Life, Afrojack, David Guetta and so on.
8. What artists did you listen to growing up? Have they influenced your music at all today?
In my case only very little I would have to say. I am always looking out for new music to explore so there is not much that I used to listen to 10 years ago that I still listen to a lot today. Of course parts of that old music will always have some influence, but I like to think that expanding your horizon and keeping an eye out for new trends and musical genres is way more important.
9. Got any shows coming up? Ever plan to come to the United States?
I will be playing at several festivals here in The Netherlands this summer and I have some international gigs coming up as well, including a trip to Morocco together with R3hab. Also I plan on going to the next WMC in Miami, but that is still al long way into the future. Without a doubt a lot is happening for me now and I also have a very busy schedule in the studio, working on new productions and remixes.
10. Anything you would to say to the readers of Speaker Leak?
Aside from the new R3hab & Ferruccio Salvo original I mentioned earlier, I was in the studio with R3hab last week and we finished another super crazy banger. It will be released on Afrojack’s ‘Wall Recordings’ soon. Both tracks are something to look out for, so be sure to stay updated!
1. How long ago did you start producing music?
R3hab: Around when I was eighteen, but I was fooling around with editing and stuff a while before that already.
2. Were you always into Electro House / Dance (etc.) music?
R3hab: Yes, though my taste in music is very broad I found out very early on that I had a special love for electronic music. What got me excited even more is the power of electronic music that really rocks the dance floor.
3. Plan on dropping an Album or EP anytime soon?
R3hab: My latest track will be released very soon on Afrojack’s label ‘Wall Recordings’. This is one I’ve worked on for a long time and I’m really happy it has gained such enthusiastic support from Afrojack already. Also a new collaboration with Ferruccio Salvo is coming up soon. We are fine-tuning the last parts of the track and I can tell you now it’s going to be massive!
4. I saw on Twitter the other day you were in the studio with Afrojack, Can you let us in on that? What are you working on together? When it will be released?
R3hab: We just made a new track together which I’m very excited about. You can check out a preview on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EYGv0EbUU&feature=channel_video_title
It has got a lot of people talking already and luckily it will be released soon on Afrojack’s ‘Wall Recordings’.
5. What artists did you look up to in the music industry growing up?
R3hab: A lot of electronic dance artists like Switch, Deadmau5, etc.
6. You have an amazing and different sound, how did you come about engineering / forming your unique style?
R3hab: It’s all about the music that I like and the styles that influence me. Also it’s very important not to restrict yourself in what you are doing when working on a track. For example, if I feel like putting in a sort of hip-hop type beat then I will do just that. If I would like to mix this up with some trancy stuff I will also just do that. I know many other producers force themselves towards a certain direction a lot, but I always like to keep an open mind and experiment.
7. Going on tour? Have any shows / events coming up that you’ll be playing at?
R3hab: Right now I am about to leave for Las Vegas and there’s also some great festivals in The Netherlands coming up this summer. Also I’ll be visiting Geneve, Marrakech, Azerbedjan, Belgium and Germany frequently during the coming time.
8. If you could make a track with any 3 people, who would they be?
R3hab: Axwell, Deadmau5 and of course Dr. Dre.
9. Where do you want to take your music, in the long run of everything what are you trying to do?
R3hab: I would like to make tracks that bring energy and madness to the dance floor. Stuff that people will remember because when it dropped they went completely bananas that night. Also I would like to expand my horizon a little and work together with pop and hip-hop artists. I think there’s a lot that can be achieved if talented people from different genres of music put their minds and creativeness together.
10. Anything you would like to say to the readers of Speaker Leak?
R3hab: Follow me on twitter to get updates on the latest gigs and music I’m working on: http://www.twitter.com/djr3hab
Also, add me on Facebook and drop a line some time: http://www.facebook.com/pages/R3hab/115545381802707
R3hab Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/djr3hab
R3hab Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/R3hab/115545381802707
Allan Guevara: Hey! Just about ready to party for this new year! It will be beyond epic.
1. What made you decide to get into music?
Allan Guevara: It wasn’t a decision of mine. It just became a part of me. I believe it chose me. This is because music has surrounded me since before I was born. My mother is a great singer and my dad is a great pianist/musician. They had a band called “The Counterpoint Band” and they would (before and after I was born) tour California and other countries like Japan playing music by legends such as Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, The Village People, etc. Mainly oldies. So all that influence coupled with the curiosity of how each of the band’s instruments worked just invited me into the world of music production/playing. I’d always fiddle with the instruments whenever they were offstage lol.
2. Were you always interested in electronic / house / trance music?
Allan Guevara: Nope. I really thought it was too much for me when I was a teen. I didn’t like it. The intensity, loudness, and repetitiveness was just noise to me. I was just glued to the radio like many and maybe Daft Punk, Eiffel 65, and Modjo would play every now and then, but I guess I just regarded that as just plain radio music mixed with everything else. I liked that stuff though. I just didn’t know what genre it was yet. I was mostly into hip-hop, RnB, and Classical. By then I was producing hip-hop songs for fun. I didn’t really get into dance music until EDC 2009. It was my first music festival so it really changed my mind about music. There were so many different genres and sub-genres of that music. But Trance is the stuff that got me. I noticed how this music moves people not only physically but the way it moves people emotionally was beyond anything I knew. It literally took me to a different world. That moment I realized that I also wanted to do that to people. I used to always think that music was about how much you can impress people with your skills. I found that “moving” people (emotionally) with your music is much greater than any skill. Trance music helped me realize that.
3. Who are some artists that you look up to?
Allan Guevara: Pharrell, Coldplay, Usher, The Dream, Enya, Eric Clapton, Armin Van Buuren, and the musical genius Nobuo Uematsu.
4. What is your game plan for 2011?
Allan Guevara: Drop my EP Matrix of Life soon! Become a full-fledged DJ! Get more fans! Play more shows! And just keep making music!
5. I know you have songs on soundcloud, are you planning to distribute your music through iTunes sometime?
Allan Guevara: Yes of course! In a couple of months or sooner!
6. You’ve played at Risque before, do you plan to do more events anytime soon?
Allan Guevara: YES! I have no big events planned yet. But I’m definitely going to!
7. What is your ultimate goal in music?
Allan Guevara: To be moderately proficient in every musical instrument in the world (got a long way to go, but I got piano, guitar, bass, drums, trombone down so far). To finally be living off of producing/DJing/writing music.
8. What is your favorite memory you have involving music?
Allan Guevara: My favorite memories lie in jamming with good friends. It’s just the togetherness and sharing one great thing in common. The music. One particular jam session me, David, DJ, and REX got together and played “Seven Days” by Craig David. It was fun because it was like teaching an orchestra. They didn’t know the song, so I picked all 4 guitars out by ear by listening to the song. And instead of looking for tabs, I tought each of them how to play each guitar I heard. Then one after another, we’d introduce each guitar until all of us were playing, just like the song! Then the whole “orchestra” was playing! I’ll never forget that.
9. If you could collaborate with any 3 artists on a album who would they be?
Allan Guevara: Pharrell of course, Coldplay, and Wolfgang Gartner.
10. Anything you’d like to say to the readers of Speaker Leak?
Allan Guevara: I’d like to say thank you for reading and hope you like my music too! Follow me on twitter @Allan_Guevara . Add me on facebook.com/pages/Allan-Guevara/136477226384153 . And be prepared for Allan Guevara to start pumpin out some crazy stuff in 2011!!!!!!
Allan Guevara Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allan-Guevara/136477226384153
Allan Guevara Twitter: http://twitter.com/Allan_Guevara
Allan Guevara YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/allanguevara87
Allan Guevara Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/allan-guevara
1. I know your company began in 2008 and has been a huge hit since. How do you think Pink Dolphin has progressed / changed since then?
Pink Dolphin: We’ve definitely came a long way within the last 2 years. At first we were just printing dope t-shirts and sweaters and for all our fans that have followed every season, we’ve progressed with a larger selection of gear.
2. How have some the design styles changed since the company was started?
Pink Dolphin: Everything that we are doing is going to be a progression with all the creators lifestyles and as we get older, designs are going to be maturing. We’re not going to speak much on what we have planned for the next 5 years, but you will be seeing it slowly evolving and designs will be maturing. None of this will ever be in a sell-out way because our mission statement is to create clothing that is unique, but we will be introducing new items every season as we have in the past and watching us do this will be like a kid going from middle school to high school to college to graduation and on.
3. Why the name “Pink Dolphin”?
Pink Dolphin: It was honestly a random name we chose because it was unique and helped us stand out. It doesn’t really have to do with anything its just really based.
4. For anyone who doesn’t know, who were the people who started Pink Dolphin?
Pink Dolphin: Pink Dolphin was created in early 2008 by 3 young entrepreneurs; Young L, Cena and EZ.
5. Whats next for the company? New lines?
Pink Dolphin: You will definitely be seeing a new line every season as have been doing since our Fall 2008 line. 2011 is the year we will be hitting selected boutiques across the country as well so more people who don’t shop online can buy our stuff in their local streetwear boutiques.
6. Who are some of the major artists who have worn Pink Dolphin clothing?
Pink Dolphin: We’ve been blessed to have a lot of dope artists showing us love all across the country. Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Lil B, Dev, The Cataracs, Ya Boy, Boogz Boogetz, Curren$y just to name a few.
7. What has been some of the most rewarding things from being a part of Pink Dolphin?
Pink Dolphin: Honestly, when we see people wearing our clothes around, it just shows how big our fanbase is getting and how loyally people represent out brand. Its all about the consumers and its really the reason we do it. Making and wearing our own clothes is also really rewarding; to see a design go from paper to digital to actually seeing and wearing the finished product.
8. What should everyone look out for in 2011 from you guys?
Pink Dolphin: We’re introducing our new logo early 2011 – shhhh! But we are of course going to be using our signature plus sign and japanese letter logo forever. Other than that, stay tuned for more accessories that other clothing lines aren’t doing. Make sure you keep an eye open for all the retailers we will be hitting in 2011 as well.
9. If you were to open up a single store anywhere in the world where would you want it to be?
Pink Dolphin: We want to open our flagship store really soon either in SF or LA, But our dream flagship store would be in Tokyo. We have a lot of love for the Japanese streetwear market because they are so ahead in fashion and technology, and most of the new trends out here in the US have already been done in Japan couple years ago. Not to go into too much detail about it yet, but our flagship store is going to be a lot different than all the other brand’s stores. From the theme to the store layout, its going to be ridiculously crazy.
10. Anything you would like to say to the readers of Speaker Leak?
Pink Dolphin: Make sure you follow us on twitter @PinkDolphinCo for all the latest updates from new gear to new retailers and everything else in between. God Bless and be a Legend At Your Craft. Always.
Pink Dolphin (website): http://www.pinkdolphinonline.com
Pink Dolphin (Twitter): http://twitter.com/PINKDOLPHINCO
