Moniqa Adams (Ten Questions with...) Exclusive interview
1. What is trance music to you?
For me, trance music is about memories. I first discovered the songs with my sister, so these are memories from my youth, when I still shared a room with her. :) We always recorded CDs in the car and listened to them on the road. Great time :)
Apart from that, trance songs have always stirred up a lot of emotions in me – sometimes great joy and a surge of energy, and sometimes deep emotion. And that's the beautiful thing about trance music: regardless of the mood, you can find these emotions in the song.
It's wonderful that music, especially as emotional as trance, can be a timeless companion at different stages of life.
2. How do you perceive the state of the current trance music scene?
I think that despite the beautiful new sounds, people still miss those classic early tracks. The genre is becoming more diverse, offering something for everyone, and it gives artists the freedom to explore like never before. While artists are pushing boundaries, they are still maintaining the deep emotional connection that has always made trance music so special.
3. What are your goals in producing trance music?
My goal with creating trance music is definitely to connect people and create a community. I think it's a genre with room for experimentation. I'd like to combine traditional trance elements with new and unexpected sounds, creating something fresh.
4. Who was your inspiration to start producing trance music?
My inspiration to start producing trance music came from Kyau and Albert, as well as Davey Asprey. I loved how they create emotions and make their tracks so energetic. However, it wasn’t like I heard their music for the first time and immediately decided to start producing. It was more of a gradual process — I first started DJing, and then I felt the urge to create my own tracks. After some time, I decided to take classes to improve my skills, and now I’m continuing to grow and develop as a producer.
5. Which song are you most proud of and why?
"Confusion" – I'm incredibly proud of this song. Even after two years, it's amazing to see how it's still growing on Spotify. Every time I perform it on a stage and hear the crowd singing the lyrics, it brings me to tears. It's such an emotional moment for me, and I never expected it to be such a huge success.
"Lift Me Up" – This track is special to me because it was the first one where I incorporated a psy bassline, which I absolutely love. It felt like a new direction, and I'm so proud of how it turned out.
"Transnatural" – I’m proud of this one because I introduced a triplet bassline, which adds a powerful and unexpected element. It’s one of those moments that really surprises listeners and gives the track a unique twist.
6. Will your future releases be collaborations with other artists? Are you more into solo productions?
Definitely, in the coming year, I would like to focus on my own tracks and collaborations with Arsen. In fact, we’re currently waiting for our first release, so stay tuned :)
7. What inspires you to create trance music?
Most of the time, when I start a new project, I don’t have a clear idea of where it will go. For me, it’s more about going with the flow and letting the creative process unfold naturally. Sometimes, I find inspiration on Splice, where I can explore new vocals, sounds, and samples. But I’m not the type of person who hears a melody in my head and immediately starts working on it in the software. Instead, I like to experiment and see where the music takes me as I go along.
8. What hardware and software do you use to create trance music?
I use Ableton now, but my first steps were in FL Studio. When I started taking classes from Matt Bukovski, he introduced me to Ableton, and I've stuck with it ever since. Now, I find it more producer-friendly and much easier to work with.
9. How do you perceive the influence of social media on the career development of a trance artist?
Nowadays, with everything on social media, I think it’s crucial to be present and show yourself to people. But in the end, I believe it’s the tracks or mixes that truly matter. Social media has become essential for any artist looking to develop their career. It’s a great way to gain exposure, allows for personal connections with fans, and offers new ways to share and promote music.
10. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?
First of all, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support. It truly means the world to me, and I can't thank you enough. You are the heart and soul of everything I do, and none of this would be possible without you.
