Nostic (Ten Questions with...) Exclusive interview
1. What is Trance music to you?
To me, Trance music—especially Hard Trance—is much more than just a genre. It’s a reflection of who I am and what I stand for. The experience of journeying through songs with their emotional depth, mysterious vibes, hard-hitting kicks and basslines, and squelching acid lines elevates me to another level of consciousness.
Trance is all about the journey—the way the elements build and evolve, drawing you in with beauty and leaving you in awe. It creates an otherworldly connection, forming an unbreakable bond between the artist and the listener.
Although I love many genres of music, Hard Trance holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just something I listen to; it’s embedded in my DNA, my passion, and my daily life. Trance represents love, connection, and a piece of who I am.
2. How do you perceive the state of the current Hard Trance music scene?
The Hard Trance scene today is vibrant and evolving, showcasing incredible talent. I think it will always remain somewhat underground and may never return to the peak popularity of the 2000s, but there’s definitely a shift happening.
When I started my own label, Nostic Records, back in 2011, the Hard Trance scene was almost dead. Only a few labels were supporting it, catering to a small group of dedicated ravers. During that time, I also explored uplifting trance and focused on remixes, but my passion for Hard Trance never faded. Around 2014, I connected with a fan, and we spent countless nights brainstorming about reviving the classic German trance sound. That fan, Marcel Klauß, became my label partner (till 2016) in founding Hyper Reality Records—a platform for ourselves and like-minded artists to release Hard Trance in the style of the 2000s.
We launched our collaborative project, Acid Scorpions (both being a Scorpio and the love for 303), and shortly after, began plans for the label. Our mission was to revive the classic sound and bridge the gap between Trance and Hardstyle. The response was incredible—the label grew quickly, and we saw Hard Trance regaining popularity. Other labels followed suit, and even some well-known artists from the past returned to the scene.
Now years later, interestingly, the new Techno movement has brought back sounds from the past, blending classic Hard Trance tracks in mixes and using rave influences from the late '90s.
At first, I questioned why this was being called "techno," as much of it felt like slower Hard Trance. But I’ve come to appreciate how seamlessly styles are blending now. I especially enjoy Hard Techno and Acid Techno for their dark, mysterious vibes, high BPM pounding beats and lots of acid.
Artists are embracing fresh and old sounds and pushing creative boundaries, breathing new life into the genre. It’s exciting to see this shift is happening. Trance and Techno are fusing with other genres and inspiring a younger generation of artists, creating a fascinating and diverse landscape. There’s something for everyone.
Lesser-known artists break through and find their niche. There's also a growing trend of artists experimenting, self-releasing on Bandcamp or SoundCloud, or working with smaller independent labels—or even starting their own. This DIY approach is fostering innovation and ensuring that new and unique forms of trance and techno continue to emerge, pushing the genre into an exciting future. Of course, there is also a commercial aspect or trend-following phenomenon, where many people join the bandwagon or get booked simply because promoters prioritize the number of likes and followers they have instead of the talent or quality of music.
It's funny how back in the day, people used to call Trance "Techno," and now so many different styles are labeled as Techno. For me, Techno is all about percussion and drive, like Schranz or Hard Techno. But even Hard Techno today isn't quite what it used to be—it’s incorporating a lot of early Hardstyle elements. Honestly, it feels harder than ever to think in strict genre terms since everything is blending and fusing together so much.
To explore a wider range of styles, I launched Altered Reality Records in 2018. Initially, the focus was on Acid Techno, ’90s Hard Trance, Tech Trance, Psytrance, and uplifting Trance. Over the last few years, I’ve shifted my focus to ’90s rave styles: Hardtrance, Acid Trance, and Acid Techno.
3. What are your goals in producing Hard Trance music?
For me, making music is driven by passion and self-expression, not by the pursuit of success or money. While recognition and fan feedback are always appreciated, knowing it brings joy to others—that’s just an incredible bonus. Music is part of who I am—something I can’t imagine not listening to or producing. The creative process itself is my reward, similar to how I approach graphic artwork. It’s about the journey of creating, not just the end result.
I began producing music at 14 (I’m 41 now). Starting on a Commodore 64 with Fasttracker, I later moved to tools like Magix Music Maker, Sony Acid, Music 2000 (PlayStation), Reason, FruityLoops, and Cubase. Eventually, I settled on FL Studio, which remains my go-to DAW. While I’ve dabbled with Ableton and considered Studio One, I find comfort and efficiency in FL Studio’s interface.
I initially produced Hardcore and Hardstyle as I was a proper gabber 😄—half-shaved head, wearing Australian tracksuits, a gold necklace, earrings, and Nike Air Max sneakers. I attended countless raves like Thunderdome, Mysteryland, Qlimax and more. I was also a big fan of Gary D’s D.Trance compilations, which slowly shifted my focus to '90s Hard Trance and early '00s Hardstyle. From there I started producing more Hard Trance and had my first release in 2006.
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Recently, I celebrated my 100th release by compiling my full discography onto a USB drive (with label permissions). I've also added extra stuff like artwork, photos, unreleased songs, videoclips and more. A few copies are still available: https://artofkairos.nl/products/nostic-usb-stick-100-releases-celebration
For 2025, I’ve decided to dedicate more time to creating music and artwork instead of being so busy running both labels. I’m eager to dive deeper into Acid Trance, Hard Techno, and Acid Techno while improving my workflow, finishing projects and discovering new sounds.
When it comes to DJing, I’ve never performed live as a DJ, but I have experimented with mixing using software like DJ.Studio and Mixmeister, and I’ve tried mixing with vinyl at friends’ places. While producing has always been my preference, I’ve recently started to enjoy creating mixes. Who knows—since I’ve been receiving more guest mix requests, I might explore live performances in the future, perhaps incorporating MIDI keyboards or even starting with Twitch streaming.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to create and share music that resonates with others, while staying true to my love of Hard Trance. Whether it’s for a small community or just for myself, the act of making music is what truly makes me happy.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU6p6-F9Bm-qaw_EcgWSZHhT-shzRmAYP&si=lNg5Y5lWSNyg8J5i
Album 💿 🛒🛒🛒
4. Who was your inspiration to start producing Hard Trance music?
In the late '90s and early '00s, I listened to a lot of compilation CDs from Tracid Traxxx, D.Trance, Bitte Ein Beat!, Trance Base, and releases featuring artists like Ace Da Brain, Hennes & Cold, A*S*Y*S, DJ the Crow, Überdruck, Warmduscher, Derb, Nomad, Wragg & Log: One, Sam Punk, FJ Project, Luca Antolini, DJ Wag, DJ Hellraiser, Fausto, Cosmic Gate, Gary D, Nostrum, DJ Arne L2, Iain Cross, JK Walker, Scot Project, Andrea Montorsi, JTB & Chuck-E, Marcos, Ultraform, S.H.O.K.K, Flutlicht, Kai Tracid, Cores, DJ Slideout, Mario Piu, Mauro Picotto, DJ Darkzone, Tommy Pulse, Aponaut, Schwarze Puppen/Russenmafia, Bas & Ram, and many others.
5. Which song are you most proud of and why?
My track Shadow Chaser is the one I’m most proud of because it perfectly captures the vision and style of that era. It was released on FJ Project’s label, Acid Records, in 2009 alongside my track Acid Pulse. However, I originally produced Shadow Chaser in 2005. Recently, I discovered an unreleased version of it, so I’m planning to re-release both tracks remastered in early 2025 to celebrate the 16th anniversary of my second release.
Other tracks I consider among my best—and the ones I’m most proud of—include The Force, Inner Emotions, Return of the Acid, Infinity, Gate 303, Escape!, Popul Vuh, Exploring Space, Lost Contact, Mind Travellers and Saga of Aether.
6. Will your future releases be collaborations with other artists? Are you more into solo productions?
I’m definitely more into solo productions, but I do collaborate with other artists from time to time. There are some upcoming releases and projects where I’m collaborating with Mycorave, Pawel C., and KORHAL.
In the past, I’ve worked on collaborations with artists like Mark EG, DJ T.H., Dizmaster, Remnis, and Mynax, resulting in amazing releases.
7. What inspires you to create Hard Trance music?
I draw a lot of inspiration from the memories of legendary nights and the music I loved from the late '90s and early '00s, including those iconic compilation CDs and productions. I listen a lot to older releases and discover many '90s Hardtrance and Acid Trance releases on YouTube.
Inspiration can come from anywhere—the people I love, the beauty of nature, events, other music, films, books, or even TV series or documentaries. I don’t overthink the process; I let it flow naturally, allowing my emotions and ideas to shape the music in the moment. Every track I create is unique—I don’t follow a set template because I believe each piece should stand on its own.
For me, music is more than just a passion—it’s a way to channel my emotions and experiences into something meaningful for myself and others to enjoy. Nothing compares to the joy of turning inspiration into music and creating something truly original.
8. What hardware and software do you use to create Hard Trance music?
I use FL Studio as my DAW along with my favorite VST plugins, including Phosycon 2, Dune 3, Spire, Sylenth1, Omnisphere, and, most recently, VPS Avenger 2. For my earlier productions, I primarily used AudioRealism Bassline, V-Station, Synth1, Z3ta, Vanguard, and Nexus.
In terms of hardware, I own an Access Virus TI Snow, Behringer TD-3, Behringer BCF2000 MIDI controller, Novation FLkey37 MIDI controller keyboard, Evolution MK-249C MIDI keyboard, KRK Rokit6 monitor speakers (which I’ve been using for 16 years), and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones.
9. How do you perceive the influence of social media on the career development of an artist?
Social media is both a necessary tool and a double-edged sword in today’s music industry. On one hand, it’s essential for building a loyal fan base, promoting music, and creating opportunities for collaboration and networking. Platforms offer innovative ways to engage audiences, from live streams and behind-the-scenes content to viral challenges that can help tracks gain traction. Without a presence on these platforms, it’s much harder to make yourself known in an increasingly crowded industry.
However, the landscape has become increasingly complex and frustrating. Social media often feels like a battleground between those who see it as a shortcut to fame and those who use it to share their genuine craft and experiences. Algorithms change constantly, favoring those with the resources to master them—or the money to pay for visibility. Ultimately, the platforms seem to benefit the most.
While social media is undeniably important, it can often feel like a race where everyone is doing the same thing, making it difficult to stand out.
For many, including myself, social media is a necessary evil—vital for promotion for me as an artist and a label owner, but it can also be draining and uninspiring. Despite its challenges, it remains one of the most effective ways to share music with the masses and connect with fans, even if it comes with its fair share of frustrations.
10. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?
A big thank you for all your support over the years! You’ve given me the motivation to keep going and creating.
Always follow your heart and passion, stay true to yourself, and respect others!
Be sure to watch for the 100th release on my label, Hyper Reality Records! I'll be unveiling a brand-new Nostic release along with something special to celebrate this milestone and our 10th anniversary.
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