Interview with DJ Kristoff

Check out this weeks interview with Canadian Trance Master DJ Kristoff.

Born and raised in Canada, Kris has progressively built a reputation as one of Canada's leading electronic artists. At just 28 years his 7 years of promoting, producing, and mixing have touched international audiences all over world. Delivering a unique Hard Edged Tech Trance flavor with each performance, Kristoff's delicious selections blend diversity, originality and high-nrg sounds all into one show.

Kris was introduced to music and theory at an early age with several years training on brass and percussion. With over 8 years of education, unique and original electronic sounds always caught his attention. After studying for his degree in sciences at the University of Alberta he started dabbling with mixing equipment and attended large events to get his fix of unique and fresh material.

Determined to create his own sounds and expose his creativity he forwarded his materials to the staff at Digitally Imported (www.DI.fm) for consideration. Almost as soon as they were received, his materials were aired and immediate recognition followed.

After spending just over 6 years mixing and performing he decided to step back to his roots and begin producing his own sounds. In just 6 months his first release was signed to Audio Jelly Recordings and released to the public where it hit their Top-10 Chart immediately. His next release, "Digital Degenerate" was signed by De Novo Records UK and hit 8 in Mix Mag's charts with additional support from from Johan Gielen, John Askew, Alex Calver, John the Baptist and more! His hard-edged flavor didn't stop there! Kris' 2 remixes for Flux Delux UK and Fundamental Recordings Holland were picked up in no time and supported by Graham Gold, Dumonde, Chris Hampshire, Thomas Datt, Aly and Fila, Giorgio Ponticelli, Martin Roth, and numerous other international players. Kris' latest remix LostTribe - Gamemaster (Kristoff Remix) under DP recordings was featured on several successful compilations, and is a consistent crowd pleaser at his live shows. (from his myspace)

We had a chat about music, life and his studio.

1. You have been involved in the music industry for the last NINE years, but how did you first get involved in the industry?

For as long as I can remember I was always attracted to melodic and electronic sounds. It started with the Crystal Method and Prodigy before I even knew what the word “Trance” meant. When I moved to Edmonton to study at the U of A, my entire library of music was focused around Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto and Paul Oakenfold. After attending a few parties I was fascinated with the ability these DJ’s and Producers had to literally send CHILLS down your spine. Being that I was a student and obviously did not have too much cash, some very close friends found me used gear that got me started. This was followed by playing at hundreds of amazing shows and eventually I dove into producing.

2. What were you early musical inspirations and when and how did you decide Trance was going to be the way forward for you?

I don’t think I made that decision actually! The dark side pulled me in well before I even knew what it was. I’ve always had an attraction to melodic and uplifting sounds. Fortunately i’m not all about whipping out the bottle of Chardonnay to match a big chunk of CHEESEY Tracks. I truly appreciate and play tracks that are a wide variety of Trance flavours. Everything from progressive to techno influenced. As I get older the attraction to harder and wild trance has been moving more into mature sounds. Sounds that are definitely influenced by the quality of production and creativity of the producer. My early inspirations would have to be the big 3. Paul Van Dyke, Tiesto and Paul Oakenfold.

3.As we discussed with Filo and Peri in their interview, trance has taken somewhat of a upturn in popularity over recent years. Tell a bit about the scene in Alberta/Canada and where you fit in to it and your opinion on the global scene?

I definitely agree with F & P. For the last 5 years it would appear the overplayed “Electro” flavours are starting to die; I would love to hammer on them but realistically that sound was a “Gateway Genre” for millions of people into the Electronic Flavours. Trance itself has matured in recent years making it easy to listen to and appealing to everyone. The focus is no longer fast, hard and aggressive. I’m very lucky to play at some of the best locations in Alberta. Overall the mainstream masses are starting to really appreciate the Electronic sounds and I’m seeing new faces at every show. I’m excited to see what’s in store for the coming years! As for my involvement, I have always been pushing Trance in all forms. At every show regardless of the regular music played there, I’m getting typical responses like “What kind of music is this and where can I get it?”, “I never hear trance in this club!! When will you be back?” to “It’s awesome to hear something that isn’t electro”. So I suppose my role is to keep educating people with my sound to make sure they get the opportunity to enjoy it as much as I have!

4.It says on your myspace you have worked as a promoter. Tell us a bit about the events you have worked on and any events you have planned for the future?

I’ve worked with most of the local promotional groups, thrown my own shows and now I’m partnered with a group of amazing young and energetic individuals who are truly passionate about the scene. Our company, “Liquid Underground” hosts events with international headliners like Above & Beyond, Infected Mushroom, Marcel Woods, Darude, Marco V, Jaytech, Cosmic Gate, Robbie Rivera, etc. Right now we’re planning more shows for back-to-school.

5. Do you have any trips to the UK planned for any events or festivals?

I have nothing planned presently for out of country. I’m looking to get back into my studio after the Wedding in July when more time is available. Once I’ve released a few more tracks I’ll set my targets overseas again. As for festivals, i’m out playing at Motion Notion www.motionnotion.com in 3 weeks.

6. Having been in the game for some time, you must have played at some awesome parties. Where is your favourite for sheer size, atmosphere and your own personal enjoyment?

Actually the size of the party for me isn’t really a huge factor in personal enjoyment. If I had a choice however, I would rather be rammed into a room of 500 up-close and personal vs. a sea of 5000 where people where it just seems like blades of grass waving in the wind.

If I had to pick one of the most amazing shows, I would look at recent times at Y Afterhours (probably the most amazing sound system in North America) or some of the events out in Vancouver (their outdoor festivals are outstanding).

7. Over the last few years you have been more into your producing. Out of all the tracks you have released which ones have been your favourite?

My favourite release would be “Push On”. Unfortunately the release itself was botched by some uncontrollable issues with lazy online stores and staff. It was truly a sad situation considering the responses from those who actually heard it.

8. You have been hosting your radio show Canadian Culture for 4 years now. How is that going? What have been your best moments over the years and who have been your favourite guests?

One of my favourite moments was a fundraiser organized for the radio show with approximately 30 international producers for the hurricane relief efforts down south. I took over quite a few radio stations for approximately 24 hours with guest mixes from producers like Astral Projection, Airbase, Duderstadt, Dumonde, Sean Tyas, Thomas Datt, Andy Moor, etc ...It was a great effort from everyone and really got the shows name launched internationally.

9. You are now being represented by Crown Productions. How are you finding being on their roster?

I have a massive amount of respect for their entire crew. It’s rare these days to find an honest and completely reliable (and fun!) group of individuals who have everything pointed in the right direction.

10. Could you describe your current studio set up and tell us how it has changed since you returned to making your own music?

The new studio is supported by Concrete walls, R26 insulation and Acoustical Drywall equivalent to 7 sheets of regular drywall, 42” LCD, 4 Monitors, Quad-Core PC and a full wet-bar with cherry finish J. I can literally stand up and grab a beer from the fridge a few feet away. I think I may have spoiled myself a bit!

What’s changed for me in the recent years is the desire to really clean up the quality of my sound. When you compare producers like Filo & Peri, Infected Mushroom, Daniel Portman, Gareth Emery, Andy Duguid, Myon & Shane 54, or Jaytech with a chunk of other producers, the raw quality of production is much higher. I’m pushing to try and reach this level.

11. With so many good tracks out at the moment it's hard to pick a favourite so we won't ask you to do that. Instead, could you give us your current top ten?

DJ Observer, Daniel Heatcliff – Fake Call feat. Daniel Heatcliff
Myon & Shane 54 feat. Aruna - Helpless (Monster Mix)
Lange vs. Andy Moor - Stadium Four AVA
Dash Berlin with Cerf and Mitiska and Jaren – Man On The Run (Andy Duguid Remix)
John OC – Find Yourself feat Sarah Howells
Leventina – Naked
Filo and Peri – Drops Of Jupiter
Daniel Portman – Dark Is The Night For All
Digital Nature, ADE – Mirage (Cressida Remix)
Classic: Perry O’Neil – Wave Force

12. Producing or DJing and why?

Mixing your owned produced tracks live. Nothing better than seeing a full dancefloor screaming to your own work!

13. Your house is burning down and you can only save one track. What do you save?

I have the original For An Angel released by Paul Van Dyk on Vinyl. That would be it!