Feature: Antrim [Interview]

Antrim has grown into one of the progressive scenes most beloved artists. A perpetual favourite of Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, the Cordoba resident finds himself as one of his country’s premiere electronic music talents. Now on the cusp of a new EP for EDGE, we had the chance to catch up with him and dig a little deeper into his background, production process and more. Enjoy!

Hi Guille, thanks for joining us, how are you today and what are you up to? What are your plans for the week?

Hi, thank you very much for the invitation. I am very well, working at home, preparing a concert that I will give in Rosario for the first time.

Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you discover electronic music and what led you down the path of wanting to be a DJ and producer?

I discovered electronic music around the age of 14. Actually, because of my brothers. I was the youngest, and like every youngest brother, I did everything they did. So it was because of them that I knew this world.

Name five tracks that were most important in your musical development and why are these pieces so significant for you.

Difficult question, the first ones that come to mind are these:

Paul Van Dyk - For An Angel
Dash Berlin - Till The Sky Falls Down
Deadmau5 - Clockwork
Tiësto - Adagio For Strings
Robert Miles - Children

I remember, they were tracks that I listened to all the time, they made me a fan of this music, that's why they are important to me, and to this day I listen to them.

Progressive music is well known for being hugely popular in Argentina, do different regions have different sounds within the genre? For example is there a Cordoba sound?

I do not think that each region has its own sound within the genre. But if each region has different energy on the dance floor. What changes too is the sound of each artist.

Who are some up and coming Argentinean artists to look out for?

Artfaq, Sebastian Sellares, Julian Nates, Mauro Augugliaro, are talented youths who promise a lot, I'm sure they will go far!

What are your favourites venues to play in Argentina and why?

There are many places where it is special to play, like Tucuman, Mendoza, La Rioja, whenever I come back I am happy, with lots of energy, they are very passionate about my sound there.

Where would like to play that you haven't yet?

I would like to travel more countries through Latin America, like Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, there are good parties there and good audience.

You have a new EP ‘Requital’ out this week on Belgian imprint EDGE, tell us a bit about how these four tracks came together for the release.

If so, I am very happy with this release. The 4 tracks were not made thought for the same EP, but they came together, and make it a very versatile release. That can be used in many moments.

Walk us through the production process on the lead track ‘Requital’.

The melody did all the work hahaha. Everything was developed through it. I just started playing with my keyboard, and the main melody was emerging, then it was easy to add the environment. Very happy for the result.

Is that a typical process for you or is every track a different journey in terms of the creative process? Do you have a studio routine? One where over time you’ve refined the production process into something that you know works or is every track a different journey in terms of the creative process?

Each track is always a different process, I do not believe in a single way of working, in having templates already made. I think that would limit us. I never know how a new track will emerge, I just sit in my studio and let everything flow. Sometimes I start with a melody (as in Requital), sometimes with a rhythmic base, sometimes with a bass line.

Why did EDGE seem like the right home for these tracks?

EDGE is a great new label, has had few releases, but all have been great. They work very professionally, they take things seriously. They are passionate about the progressive, from the first moment they were interested in my music. So it made everything easier. It's a pleasure to be part of it.

How do you achieve such a warm, redolent quality in your music, what’s in the Antrim studio?

My studio is very simple, my KRK monitors, my precious Korg Taktile keyboard, my Focusrite Scarlett sound board, some acoustic panels and nothing else. Ahh and my bed hahaha

Tell us about your label Or Two Strangers, it’s been running for a few years and has firmly established itself as one of progressive music’s premiere imprints. What was your initial vision for it when it began and how has it changed and evolved to where you are today?

I wanted to have something of my own, something that marked my vision of music. Added to that there was no label dedicated to our sound that would work seriously in my country. Every release I work as if it were mine, I'm very fussy about the music I select, so each release is good music, everyone has something that stands out.

Today we are well positioned. The way of working made several renowned artists accept to be part of it. What makes the label grow more and more.

What advice would have for an artist hoping to sign their music to Or Two Strangers? Both in terms of presentation and stylistically, what are you looking for from a new artist?

It is best to present the complete track in the best possible quality, and always on Soundcloud private link. And please a presentation to know about you if you are a new artist.
What I look for in a new artist is that it really is something different. That inside a track I was surprised with something maybe crazy.

Do you have a label manager and/or someone who assists with A&R? Or are you able to fit all this into your daily schedule?

For now I handle everything by myself. My label is very dear to me, it is hard for me to let someone in to make decisions too. I have time to do it, I know that later I will not have it, and I will need help. But I will try to do what I can.

When you finish new original tracks how do you decide whether or not to shop them to other labels or releases them on Or Two Strangers?

When I finish a new track I sometimes think it has a sound similar to "x" label. Then I decide to send it to that label. Or sometimes I prepare something exclusive for OTS.

Outside of all things music, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Lately I do not have free time hahaha, but when I have it I try to clear my head without music, get together with friends, or I am also a lover of the series.

What five tracks are you loving right now?

Sebastian Sellares - Epiphany In The Woods (el proximo lanzamiento de OTS)
Active Child + Pablo Bolivar - Johnny Belinda (Ezequiel Arias Edit)
Kamilo Sanclemente & Dabeat - Implant (Kasper Koman Remix)
Gadi Mitrani - Mirror Room
Cid Inc. - Via Karelia

What are the biggest challenges you face as an artist in the industry right now?

The biggest challenge is to stay present in the scene and continue to grow every day. Today is difficult, there are many DJs, a lot of talent everywhere. You have to show something new and different to make a difference and at the same time stay true to the sound you like.

Tell us what we can expect in 2019 with for yourself and Or Two Strangers, anything you can share with us?

About me, this year will be a lot of new music on big labels. Some collaborations with great artists and friends. I will be traveling much more than last year, playing in new places.
About OTS, we will try to position the label more and more, there will be participation of tops progressive artist. There will also be a some showcases where label artists will play in different places in Argentina.

'Requital' is out now on EDGE, you can purchase the release here: https://bit.ly/2HowbYa