Fade hails from the Ukraine and his work so far has culminated in the dazzling debut album Song Of The Stars. It’s like taking a ride through the clustered and varied backstreets of some stellar new city, and will be up there with many choice picks of 2013. Let’s see how the year has treated him thus far…
Interview: Damian B
“I think 2013 is huge year for me,” he says. “A lot of things have happened. First of all I finally finished my debut album and it’s out on my own imprint Faded Music. Also, there is lot of great music coming in near future, some interesting collabs and solo works. Generally I am happy how things are going.”
The title of your album is very interesting and beautiful… could those words be used to describe the tunes?
Thanks! Yes I think album title can describe the whole album. It displays the album’s conception. I been a huge fan of science fiction and documentaries about space so probably that was the main inspiration behind what you see.
In general, an album can be just a collection of tunes… or it can be something else, a longer journey and statement. How did you approach it?
Yes definitely. It’s long journey between the stars. From warmest O-class stars to deep frozen empty spaces. I am sure when you will listen to the whole album you’ll understand about what I’m talking about. This album is the result of two years of hard work and experiments. I’m proud of the result.
You got a fave?
Actually it’s hard to choose one track, I love all of them and all of them are so different. So just listen to the album and choose your favourite.
Tell us about some of the collabs on here.
There are two really interesting collabs. Firstly there’s PVM, the result of work with my Ukrainian mates Detail and Abiotic. There is lot of fun when we worked on it: lots of beers, strange and weird ideas which are all there.
The second one is a collab with my Russian mates Andy Pain & Z Connection. A strong glitch roller which perfectly fits the album conception.
You mention the Russian crew: does the place where you live affect how you write?
Yes for sure. And I get a lot of influences from my own life experience. Sometimes it’s bad, sometimes good, it doesn’t matter. For example lately I’m feeling some growth in my life and as a result I am working on some more melodic stuff: not so dark. Summer vibes.
And similar: are you producing now the same as before or are you sensing change in how you approach things?
I think that musicians who are doing the same stuff all the time without evolving have no future. I am trying to do every one of my tracks different.
It sounds that way.
I don’t like similarity. Creativity is the best way to move forward. If we’re talking about the technical side I am learning all time, in order to do every tune better-sounding than the previous.
Who or what influences you?
Funk, techno, house, hip hop, classical music that what where I getting the influences all the time.
Tell us about the cover art for Song Of The Stars.
The cover art is result of huge work by my lovely wife Julia. She is such a talented graphic designer and she is really caught the vibe of album. I think this artwork is 100 per cent fit. It depicts the space travel that you can feel when listening to the album.
Album art is important. I feel that it has been compromised in a digital age. Do you agree?
All arts have power if it’s from the soul. Nowadays photography and video is on one level with so much established arts like music and painting. Also I am really into street art. Modern culture is so interesting lately.
Speaking of culture, what’s something about what you’re into that you’ve never said in an interview before?
I like Game of Thrones.
Song Of The Stars is out now on Faded Music.
Listen and download.