MJ-Project (Fifteen Questions with...) Exclusive interview
Michael John Smallman aka MJ-Project is an English producer and vocalist of Trance music. Founder of the rapidly developing Future Force Recordings label. He is a member of Hide & Seek. Michael shared his thoughts on Trance music with us. I invite you to an interview conducted exclusively for Visions Of Trance.
1. What is trance music to you?
To me trance is memories and nostalgia.. Anyone could rhyme off a list of trance tracks from the past to present day and I can instantly link that to a memory.
A point in time, the people I spent it with and the emotions I felt be that good or bad. Its a moment in time, its the happiness I felt, A soundtrack to life really..
2. How do you perceive the current state of the trance music scene?
I often get lambasted for my views on the scene in its current form and I have been quite out spoken about it in the past. I think we are in a period of transition ,The popularity of the genre I feel is again on the rise, with a host of exciting new talent emerging. I do feel however that the old Guard need to pass the torch if this new wave is to reach its full potential. I think major labels need to stop trying to pigeon hole artist by funnelling them into "The labels sound" and instead need to encourage and nurture a more eclectic genre that blends different sounds and artistic visions. The Talent is there we need to work with them ,not tell them how to do it.
3. You are a music producer and also a vocalist. In which of these roles do you feel more fulfilled?
I enjoy both roles equally but ask anyone I'm close to in the scene and they will tell you I'm a vocalist and songwriter first. I love production but I'm a vocalist right down to my bones.
I do wish there were more opportunities for male vocalist in the genre.
4. What are your goals in producing trance music?
My Goals are to keep on improving and to learn as much as I can, I'm essentially still learning my craft as a producer. As far as the label is concerned I want to continue to grow and
to provide a platform for lesser known artist. I'm Not one for target labels or collaborations.. As long as I'm free to make the music I feel like making, that's the only goal that matters
5. Who inspired you to start producing trance music?
Artists like Signum, Vincent De Moor and Paul Van Dyk are huge inspirations form a production stand point with Richard Bedford and Jan Johnston being the two vocalist I look up to most as singers in the genre.
6. Which song are you most proud of and why?
HIDE & SEEK - Waiting on heavens call is a track I hold dear, Simon Kaye and myself wrote the track not long after Simons grandad sadly past away. I think you can feel the sadness and angst in the production, lyrics and in my performance on the track... Its a track that I hope makes people remember those they have lost but reminds them that they will meet them again one day.
7. Will your future releases be collaborations with other artists? Are you more interested in solo productions?
My future release will be a mixture of both, I have a number of vocal collabs in the works with the likes of State72,Miditekk, conductor & cowboy and inoblivion. Ill be back working on new Hide & seek Material in 2025 after a slow year last year as well as solo productions... I'm open to anything.
8. What inspires you to create trance music?
Life inspires me, its situations, moments and emotions.
9. Do you plan to create a full album in the future? Or are you more focused on single releases?
I'd love to release a full album and do intend to do so.. It will be a blend of instrumentals and vocal track spanning all of trance music's sub genres
10. You are one of the founders of the thriving Future Force Recordings label. Can you tell us a bit about how it works? What was the reason for starting the record label?
We decided to start the label so we could offer a platform to artist with there own unique sound and style, artists that may not fit into the "Label sound" and want to be themselves.
We wanted to create a community of like minded creatives that felt like they didn't belong ,hadn't been given the opportunities or were just lacking in confidence. We wanted to nurture and empower exciting new artist, I think in our brief spell in operation we have achieved this.
11. Which trance music producer would you like to work with as a vocalist?
Above & Beyond would be a dream collab for me.
12. Trance music vinyl releases are coming back into favor with fans. There is a renewed demand for this type of physical media. Do you see this as a chance for a major revival in this area? Maybe such releases will see the light of day from your record label one day?
Physical media is something I champion and would love to see it become the main stay in music again. Its better for the artists and the Fans.. Owning something is just so much better.
Vinyl and CD releases is something I'm definitely open to at Future Force and I have looked into it recently. Its something I would love to do in the future.
13. What equipment and software do you use to create trance music?
Daw wise I bounce between Ableton and FL studio, Running an AKAI professional MPK midi keyboard on a Behringer UMC202HD audio interface, for vocal recording I use a Behringer C3 condenser Mic. I also have a Korg X3 for melody writing and a Fender FA-125CE Dreadnaught.. A lot of my projects start outside the DAW.
14. How do you see the impact of social media on the development of a trance artist's career?
Its sad but true... Social media has become a huge part of what we do and need to do as artists, and I think this is mirrored across all genres. I do feel however it can work both ways, positively and negatively however. It needs to be mastered don't let it master you.
15. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?
Yes I just like to say a massive thank you to anyone that has taken the time to support and listen to any music I've created, been part of creating or released across all my projects and ventures. Take sometime to dig a little deeper when sourcing your music, give the little guys a chance and support upcoming talent. The genre is what we make Kiddos
