DJ187 (Ten Questions with...) Exclusive interview

Robert James Fletcher better known as DJ187 is an English Trance and Hard Trance DJ and producer whose extensive catalog of tracks can be found on Altered Reality Records and his two record labels: 187 Records and Kappin Off Suckas. Be sure to check out his Trance Alliance project with tracks released on Dean Beatz. It's also worth checking out his other aliases: Sigmund Fraud, DJ Droid, and Mr Wong. His output includes over 300 tracks over the years. I invite you to an interview conducted exclusively for Visions Of Trance.

1. What is Trance music to you?

Trance music means a lot to me. Since the early 90s I have been a huge follower of Trance music in general. I feel a connection with trance music that I dont get from any other type of music. It is the most important thing in my life that isnt a living thing put it that way.

2. How do you perceive the state of the current Hard Trance music scene?

The scene is definitely different from the early 90s and different from when I was Djing in the mid to late 90s and early 2000s but that being said there is a lot of awesome new artists at present making a LOT of great new trance and hard trance and also some stuff that is sounding like that old classic style we all love. The scene is thriving at present and there is so much good stuff out there which is awesome

DJ187 Visions Of Trance Vinyl Series 1-9

https://elasticstage.com/187records

3. What are your goals in producing Hard Trance music?

I would love my releases to get some more recognition this year and will be working hard to achieve this whilst also creating new tracks. I would like to add more artists to my “Kappin Off Suckas” label which started last year. To have an established name in the scene through maximum effort and hard work and to make people happy with my music is my goal. Anything else would be a bonus.

4. Who was your inspiration to start producing Hard Trance music?

Artists like Baby Ford, Jean Michele Jarre, Enigma and FSOL were my early inspirations along with my cousin Steven who was a sound engineer and my source to a huge collection of old skool music and knowledge and also my music teacher at school Peter Misevic who in secret, used to let me take the Atari 1040STFM, Korg M1 and Akai soundbanks home with me during the 6 week Summer holidays to create music at home. Right then and there I was hooked. Within the scene a lot of artists inspire me such as M Zone who just amazes me with what hes achieved and also the likes of Steve Baltes, Malik Boudari, Martin Roth, Marino Stephano, Nostrum, Pablo Gargano. I could go on there for hours there are so many. The 90s was an immense time with some absolute legends producing gold

Full Album 🔊

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mmKR5n0kO5tmGVPs0RiqOSIGsgJ_14u1Y&si=yYuvN0Hw4qGfMD3o

5. Which song are you most proud of and why?

I have written over 300 tracks but I would say my favourite is Silicone which is on Altered Reality Records. It is a fast paced and vibrant track which would get anyone up to dance at an event. I love both the remixes too by Reece Project and DJ Blizzard

6. Will your future releases be collaborations with other artists? Are you more into solo productions?

I would love to collab with as many artists as possible this year. I always enjoy remixing other peoples work and I enjoy hearing peoples remixes of my own music too. I would love to release some music on M Zones Underground Sounds labels and there are a few artists on his labels I would love to do a collab with. There maybe something in the pipeline with Tha Bomber in the coming months too which is exciting news.

7. What inspires you to create Hard Trance music?

Writing Trance music to me is many things. It is a temporary release from lifes many problems, it is that awesome feeling when you create something that “just works” and build from it, its the sense of achievement at finishing a great track. I enjoy mastering my tracks after finishing them also as the ironing out of all the issues is something I enjoy. I want to leave a legacy in the scene when I finish M Zone and Mark Egs massive achievements in the scene inspire me a lot.

Full Album 🔊

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m3B-6So4MtRzbLVPGszeU_2ufQwE-WfDc&si=R173V_EGiNiEhyVh

8. What hardware and software do you use to create Hard Trance music?

I Use Fruity Loops 20 Producer Edition to create my music, within this I use VSTs such as Sylenth, Hive, Massive, Lush, Nexus 2, Spire, Rave Generator2, TB303, Phosycon2. I collect old sample CDs and sound banks from the 90s from places like Internet Archive to try and add that 90s feeling to my tracks. I use Ozone 5 for part of the mastering process.

9. How do you perceive the influence of social media on the career development of a Hard Trance artist?

I think now social media is as big as it is its a massive opportunity for smaller known artists like myself to really get their sound out there and express themselves. Sites like Bandcamp and Elastic-Stage can only be good for the scene in general as it gives the fans so much choice in new Trance and Hard Trance music. I also think Social Media as played an important role in the revival of vinyl sales in recent years which, as a collector myself, is great news apart from the rising costs of the classic tracks which hurts the pocket!

10. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?

I would like to thank anyone who has bought a copy of my music digital or vinyl, Shared my music online or even liked a track I wrote and tell them that there is plenty more where that came from, also to anyone who hasnt yet had chance to check out my releases, go and check them out and see what you think. huge respect to you all see you all soon!!!