RS: It's been a couple of years since your last CD. I was
wondering if you might retire after getting married.
ATB: Me, no. This kind of music making is what I'm living for and
the moment when I get tired of making music is when I should stop.
It's the same for the DJ thing, when I sometimes recognize that I
maybe lose contact to the crowd with what I'm playing for or when I
notice that I'm getting tired of the music then I will stop it. I
never could imagine that I could stop doing music - this is my life.
RS: I see you've got a big US schedule right ahead of you.
ATB: We are right in the middle of the tour now. This time we are
again on a tour bus without all the flights, and it's always fun since
it gives us the opportunity to see so much of the cities, from the
landscapes and all these things. It allows for private time because
you always have your little home with you.
RS: How are the US crowds reacting to your new music when you play it out?
ATB: Great. This is one of the reasons why I really love to play
here, because they always understand my music and appreciate the
energy I give them. I'm always happy to be here because the US crowds
are some of the best crowds, and I'm always happy to come back to the
US.
RS: Time for some techy questions. What software do you use to
make music.?
ATB: I've worked with Logic Audio since nearly the beginning of
Logic and I always say never change a winning team, I really love it.
Theres a lot of equipment in my studio - lots of analog and digital
things and of course plug-ins, I love to use everything a little bit.
RS: When you're DJing, are you using vinyl, CD, or laptop?
ATB: In earlier times I used vinyl. I really love to play vinyl but
I noticed when I was on tour worldwide I had so many problems with the
decks so often with feedback and bad sounds, so I decided to play CDs.
I'm not into the computer thing because I don't trust computers in
the club and then there is always the need to change plugs and
everything. In the end, I like to have my CDs with me and I can play
nearly everywhere without having lots of trouble.
RS: I read that Michael Cretu of Enigma was one of your earlier
influences.
ATB: Yes, that's true. I love his older work. I worked with him on
an album and it was great working with him in his studio and it's
always nice to work with an idol. His music was some of the first I
heard and after ten years, I got to work with him which was really
great.
RS: Who are some of the people who influence you today?
ATB: I think I get more influence from all the traveling I do. When
you are on the road, you meet different people, different cultures,
and this really influences my music. I don't want to get too much
influenced by other music because I want to do my own style of music.
RS: On the tour bus what's in the CD player or what's in your iPod?
ATB: On the tour bus there's nothing in the CD player because we are
watching TV all day. I nearly have all of my music in my iPod, lots
of everything. I have lots of rock and a lot of Indian music, which
is a great soundtrack for watching out of the window when on the tour
bus.
RS: What would you like to say to all of your fans out there?
ATB: I want to say thank you and that I'm really happy that they
give me the opportunity to come every year back to the US and play for
them at parties. I really hope that we can grow up the US trance
scene and would like to invite everybody to enjoy the music so we will
have good times in the future.
Special thanks to Wes May for his assistance.
Posted - May 29, 2007
