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I have had very humble beginnings and even through the years it has been a very good journey into the world of electronic music. I have come a long way from the days of teaching myself to beat match in a small flat with a set of entry level turntables and borrowed vinyl from a friend. These days I enjoy the digital format of playing music, it has opened many more opportunities as far as tools you can use to make your djíng more creative. After being in the industry for about 15 years now I recently got asked to join the MAGMA Records team which is a big leap into the world of Psytrance for me. To have a label recognize my abilities is a true blessing and one that i foresee taking my visibility in the scene to new levels. I am busy with a few things lately, between co-founding and managing the Psychedelic Saturdays page on Facebook, having a residency on Tribalismoradio every Friday night and doing self promotion. Recently I had a dream of mine come true by means of me having the golden opportunity to play at Vortex Phoenix in June on my birthday weekend, which was the highlight of the year for me. Just before that I played at Summer Camp and that was a magical experience, only to be told that I will be there for every Summer Camp to follow. So lots going on lately and I am very grateful for all of it, the future will be one of much love and light i believe.
Your life-story and relationship with your work
Tell us a little about you and your work:I don’t consider this to be work at all, it is passion and love for Psytrance and what it should stand for. I love all sub genre’s of Psytrance but find myself most at home with Psygressive and Full-On sounds.
Currently what projects are you working on? And what future plans have you chalked out for yourself?:
At the moment i am working on growing my brand (Gryphon-X) as well as my Psychedelic Saturdays Project and my residency at Tribalismo Radio.
What influenced you to get into your field?:
Music was the influence really,
As an artist, what role do you think you play in society?:
Our role is to ensure that the heart of the scene remains, the intentions should always be good and we have a responsibility to the new people in the scene. Our responsibility is to ensure they learn what the scene should be about and not what it could land being about.
You obviously love what you do…but what do you love the most about your work?:
Being able to make people happy is the goal, that is what i love to do in everything I do and music is no different really.
Creating on a regular basis can be a bloody tough job, so what motivates you to press yourself into the workstation every single day?:
If i was a producer, I would be more equipped to answer this question since that really is a very time consuming venture (one which i would very much like to learn someday).
Everybody has to start somewhere, usually at the bottom of the ladder, either as the bus-boy or the shoe-shiner. What was the very first job you had?:
My very first job was as a till operator in a supermarket,
What is your second love? What’s the alternative career path you would have travelled if you were not on the one you are right now?:
I would most certainly have done more to evolve my life in the music industry more so than as than an outside of work thing.
Share your experiences and your characteristics/personality
No man is an island’- they say, in this light, what quality do you admire the most in others?:My ability to listen to people,
When have you been most satisfied in your life? Care to share one of your happiest memories?:
Right now!
Habits die hard. Which one word always creeps in your speech?:
Amazing is a word i use often
There’s a book on the shelf. It’s your autobiography. What does the title say?:
Pave your way to your dream…..
Flash-forward in time. You are now really old. What would you tell your children/loved ones?:
Do everything with love, no matter what it is, do it with love
Into the time machine again. What do you miss about being a kid?:
Not having to go to work 🙂
Your hobbies and other fun questions
Excessive chopping dulls the axe. Time-outs are a must. What do you do when you take time off from creating? Got any hobbies?:Chilling with my wife
What’s the last movie/T.V show you saw or book/magazine you read?:
Geralds Game
The genie comes out of the lamp and grants you one wish that will change the world. What would you wish for?:
Remove the love of power from all humans
Your opinions and viewpoints
Got any theories on how the universe blossomed into existence or on the rationale of life? Are we in the matrix? Did god knit a hologram?:Well there are many theory’s, I am not a religious man but do believe that reality is created by us all, so we need to be very mindful of our thoughts and desires.
In an era where most people bear a close resemblance to sandpaper, it’s easy to snap. What are your dislikes/pet peeves/frustrations?:
People need to learn to chill out and accept those around them, this could lead to a far more appreciative and collaborative society.
How do you connect to the spiritual side of yourself?:
Through music.
Your relationship with psychedelics
Creativity and psychedelics work together. Do you agree? Why/Why not?:I agree
Any work/pieces that were inspired by entheogens?:
All my music inspiration has some form of guidance from such journey through the land of Psychedelics at one point or another
Are you pro-weed culture? Why do you think the majority of the population goes against the green?:
I am pro-weed and people are only against it for a few reasons and one is historical programming and shaming. The other is lack of knowledge really.
Any ideas to rectify this mindset?:
Time will only change this, constant education and if we slowly eradicate alcohol and in turn grow awareness of weed instead of trying to grow the alcohol industry, this will change over time.
Advice for the readers and fans
At the end of the ride, everyone’s looking for some form of success (tangible or not), what does success mean to you?:Success to me would mean, not having to do the corporate thing to survive. Being able to live in music daily and share my love for it with all those beautiful people on the dance floors of the world – That to me would mean ultimate success.
