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Skylab
Skylab is the first in a new series of mix albums from John Askew - available as
double CD / digital download. Featuring a blend of John's current favourite releases
from across the spectrum of trance and tech. Album is released 15th November on Enhanced Recordings
Click to buy this More info
 
DJ Jack Interviews John Askew Nov08
01 – Hi John! First of all thanks for your great job with trance music in the world. Now, tell me a little about you: your real name, age, where do you live...
My real name is John Askew, I’m 33 this weekend and I live I the countryside just outside London.
02 – When you decided become a DJ? Which are your influences?
I started djing in 1993 and my influences back then were DJ Dag, Sven Vath, Billy Nasty, Mario de Bellis, Hardfloor, CJ Bolland and Jeff Mills. Today I am influences by Paul van Dyk, Activa, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Simon Patterson, Greg Downey, Bryan Kearney, Stoneface & Terminal
03 – And like a producer, how long time have you been producing? What do you like to use to make that like hardware, software, etc?
I have been making electronic music since around 1998. I now mostly use software (logic) with just a few bits of hardware - valve compressors, preamps and fx – stuff like that.
04 – How do you describe John Askew’s style producer?
I guess the stuff I make is varied between tough banging trance and techno through to some progressive, some breaks and some house.
05 – I believe that one of the greatest track made by you was the remix for “Introspection” from Terry Bones and Fred Baker, released in 2004. Do you believe that you career was obtained more recognition after this remix?
It was certainly a popular release for me and the big support Paul van Dyk gave it really did help me build my fan base.
06 – Recently you release a second album in your career titled “Z List Uber Star” that shows your great mixture of trance and techno style. So, tell me a little bit about the process of creation for this album.
Well there was no great secrets for the process – it was just simply about spending a lot of long hours and late nights in the studio over 18 months until it was finished.
07 – You’re owner of the one of the greatest trance label in the world, Discover, how and when it was born? And tell me a little bit about the sub-labesl. And what we can expect of the future of these labels?
That is very kind of you to say this about Discover. The label was started in 2000 by myself, Pablo Gargano and Steven lo Presti. Then in 2003 they left and Chris Hampshire joined me. Chris owns the Recoverworld label group which has about 9 labels and my Discover labels are 4 of them. So we now have Discover – which has nearly had 50 releases – then there is Discover Dark which is more techno and harder music, Discover Digital which is the sister label of Discover designed to get more music out quickly when we have a backlog of releases and finally we have just started Discover White – which is a label based on noe off tracks and rare unheard remixes of old material. There are loads of cool things coming up on all these labels – with singles form Activa, Sean Tyas, Tom Colontonio, Greg Downey, Sly One vs Jurrane and Gary Maguire.
08 – Actually the trance music is passing for big transformations, mainly by the mixtures of styles. Do you believe that the style is in a good phase or it’s losing your characteristics and is still without personality?
I don’t know how to answer this question. I can’t speak for other people I just know what kind of music I like and this is what I sign to my labels and play at my dj sets.
09 - Do you think that the current trance style have the same concept that the trance made in the 90’s?
In a way all dance music is similar – regardless of genre – but for me the music now is better than it has ever been.
10 – And between producers of the new generation, which you detach?
There are 5 names to look out for this year – Activa, Gary Maguire, Sly One vs Jurrane, Peetu S and David Newsum.
11 – Besides eletronic music what do you like to listen in your free time?
At the moment in my car I have the new Metallica album and the new Slipknot album. I really like Metal and hard rock so I listen to lots of this, but I also like some more softer stuff – like U2, The Killers, Pink etc.
12 – A place to visit and a place to play?
My favourite places to visit and play at the moment are Lebanon, Argentina and Australia. The gigs there are always amazing. Lebanon is definitely my favourite overseas destination.
13 – And what your plans for the future?
Make more music.
14 – Do you know something about brazilian music? And about our electronic producers?
Sure – I am a big fan of Fabio Stein and Dj Marky and there is another guy called DJ Jack – maybe you’ve heard of him?? ;0)
15 – A current top 5:
1. Kompressor “Untitled” (Discover Dark)
2. Activa vs Chris and Matt Kidd “US” (Stoneface & Terminal Mix) (Discover)
3. John Askew “Bored of You, Bored of Me” (Discover White)
4. Rob de Lacy “Starlight” (Sonic Element mix)
5. Simon Patterson “We’ll See” (Spinnin)
16 - A top 5 for all times:
1. Gat Décor “Passion”
2. CJ Bolland “Camargue”
3. Leftfield “Song For Life”
4. Berock “For What you Dream of”
5. Guns n’ Roses “Mr Brownstone”
17 – Thanks for your interview John! Leave here a message for Energy BR crew and all of your fans in Brazil:
My please and thanks for supporting the album. I have never played in Brazil but I did spend NYE 1999 in Rio on Ipanema Beach – so I know how crazy the parties are there!! I really hope to come and play for you all soon. Ciao. x
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