James Pound (Ten Questions with...) Exclusive Interview
1. What is trance music to you?
Trance is a journey of emotion. Being transported away from daily worries, feeling a sense of freedom, connecting with a story told by the composer, these are amazing things to enjoy.
2. How do you perceive the state of the current trance music scene?
Divided! But this is not necessarily a bad thing. We are all looking for our tribe in a saturated landscape. For me, I have always been about creating the scene I want to be a part of. As a relatively new artist I see no benefit in chasing an already established scene of people that have been doing this 20 years+. I remain grateful daily for the connections I make at any perceived level. I am divided from Armin, PVD etc, but integrated with artists like Grant Trowbridge, Balearic Bob, Aerium, Blacklisted & Scott Ramsay, I have found my Tribe in so many.
3. What are your goals in producing trance music?
My only goal is that my next project be better than my last, the only person I am in competition with is myself. If the end result is something that brings a listener joy then my job is done.
4. Who was your inspiration to start producing trance music?
This is Tough!! My love of trance started in 1999, my obsession took hold in 2003 and has stayed strong ever since. No one artist was my direct inspiration; it was more a specific sound. From 2003 – 2008 Anjunabeats were releasing beautiful music from so many artists, as were In Trance We Trust and so many other amazing labels. This era of orchestral, emotional uplifting trance inspired me more that anything when my production journey eventually began is 2020.
5. Which song are you most proud of and why?
“Where It Started” with Revati, On Before The Noise. This track was actually the 1st one we worked on for the new label and brand, the aim was to capture an era of Trance that both inspired and excited us. This track features a breakbeat opening moving into a very dark stripped back intro, featuring a moody vocal adlib, subtle acids and textures & minimal percussion but plenty of drive. The breakdown is driven by swirling pads, more vocal adlibs, and carefully crafted leads. This immediately felt very special.
6. Will your future releases be collaborations with other artists? Are you more into solo productions?
A mix, I have a collab with Revati to come, A collab with Balearic Bob in January. A super collab with Aerium, Balearic Bob and Revati, and also 2 solo tracks nearing completion. Collaborations have been such a huge part of the last 2 years, next year I’m going to get in to my own head more and see what falls out.
7. What inspires you to create trance music?
Everything, it can be a sound, a smell, something I see, something I feel. My track Inspired literally formed around a single pluck sound that I found in Spire and came together in 2 hours.
8. What hardware and software do you use to create trance music?
I use Abelton 12 with a mix of VST Synths, JUP8000v, Spire, Sylenth1 & ANA2, as far as plugins go though for effects, Ableton is a beast for stock resources. I have a Keylab 49 to bash keys but am not musically trained.
9. How do you perceive the influence of social media on the career development of a trance artist?
Social media is a necessary evil. Personally, I hate spamming. I try to maximise posts by using peak times. I try to have a bit of fun with it, good or bad I don’t know haha.
10. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans?
If you are listening too and connecting to anything that I am putting out there, there is a good chance we are similar, which instantly makes you a legend. A massive thanks to every one of you.
