Interview with Above&Beyond

[~Tr@N(E_L@TiON~]

Exclusive interview with Above & Beyond

Paavo Sijamäki, Tony McGuinness and Jono Grant, aka Above & Beyond, Oceanlab and Tranquility Base have enjoyed the kind of success in the last eighteen months that would make a struggling producer weep into their keyboard. Their tracks romp to the top of trance charts, their DJ performances drive crowds into sublime frenzies, and their label Anjunabeats quietly and consistently turns out quality prog and euphoric trance. They might be big fans of the moody, unsmiling press shot, but they're actually three lovely lads, all too happy to have a chat with the Notion reader.



MD: What's your big news?


A&B: The first Above & Beyond album! It's been a really long process. We started work on it about a year and a half ago, and we were supposed to finish it for June but these things take forever! This autumn we decided that we really had to get our asses in gear and finish it, but at the same time the DJing schedules were getting more and more hectic, so we've been writing tracks in hotel lobbies. It'll be finished by the beginning of January, and we're going to release it in March. It's called Tri-State.



MD: Anything new from my favorite alter-ego, Tranquility Base?


A&B: Actually no, but the album is going to surprise a few people. There's very 'filmic' stuff in there and Tranquility Base has always been at the 'filmic' end of what we do.



MD: How about Volume IV in the Anjunabeats series?


A&B: We'll be doing Volume IV at the end of the summer. Obviously when the Above & Beyond album comes out we'll be touring, so once we land from circling the planet I dont know how many times we'll get on it.



MD: What's been your track of 2005?


A&B: Hmm what have we been absolutely caning this year... Super8 vs DJ Tab - 'Helsinki Scorchin'.



MD: How was the summer of 2005 for Above & Beyond?


A&B: Great, but it's been hectic. Good parties everywhere, but we now cherish the moments we spend at home watching telly!



MD: Any superstar DJ behavior?


A&B: We've had a lot of fun, but I'm probably not allowed to disclose any further information!



MD: Any new producers you've got your eye on?


A&B: There's this guy called Dan Stone who sent us a demo. He's done a track called 'Made in Bahrain', and it's really good. He's really a brand new talent who's going to be producing a lot of cool stuff.



MD: Who is there left that you'd still like to work with?


A&B: Our dream collaborations would always be with someone outside the genre. We'd like to work with Depeche Mode, for example, and their producer really likes our stuff!



MD: Above & Beyond are on Jim'll Fix It... what would he fix?


A&B: 56 hours in the day please Jim! That would be the best thing that he could give us!


The first single from the Above & Beyond album is called 'Alone Tonight' and will be released in February. The boys will be holding a glam launch party for the album in London in early March. Dan Stone's single 'Made in Bahrain' will be released on Anjunabeats in January.

Related Links
http://www.mattdarey.com

[bat]

Great interview indeed ~Tr@N(E_L@TiON~

If I may add:

Above & Beyond are one of the most exciting talents in the global dance music scene today. Their genre-defining productions - often released on their own Anjunabeats label - have become an essential tool for the world's leading DJ's and have set the benchmark for the new generation of dance music producers.

In the last 12 months, Above & Beyond have scooped Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the Year - prompting Pete Tong to describe them as the ‘UK’s new dance superstars’ - and were shortlisted in 3 categories at the Miami Winter Music Awards, including in the category of best dance group alongside the Chemical Brothers, Scissor Sisters & Basement Jaxx.

Currently they are putting the finishing touches to their debut artist album, titled ‘Tri-State’, that will be released in March 2006.



"Above & Beyond would like to thank everyone who voted for them in DJ Magazine's Top 100 DJ's Poll. The guys finished up in 19th place - up 20 places from last year - and celebrated by performing the closing set at the Top 100 results party at a packed Ministry of Sound on Thursday night"

“I can’t remember my last set that didn’t have an Above & Beyond production in it. They sound great on the radio and rock any dancefloor. I think all the Anjunabeats tunes are in my box at the moment.â€

[Johnny]

[Roland]

[Johnny]

[~Tr@N(E_L@TiON~]

[3aly]

[Proof]

^ i was gonna say that he also produced the incredible tune Tauro, which SamEr reviewed (if i'm not mistakened). Made In Bahrain...i thought that was his set :s ... i came across that one time, didn't quite pay attention, but not i'm guessing it was his single. Sweet