Ad Brown exclusive Interview on Mixing.DJ

1) Ad, it’s a pleasure to speak to you. We’ve followed your career closely the last few few years, and you are a truly prolific producer, with dozens of acclaimed releases in a relatively short period. Tell us about your latest offerings and upcoming projects?

Obviously I am very excited about my new single on Silk “Why Do We Try?” Which is a nice uplifting summer number. It also brought together two of my favourite artists of the moment “Nigel Good” and “Sunn Jellie” who have both delivered stunning, entirely different remixes. Aside from that I have a number of releases and remixes dropping on Enhanced, Monster Deep and Proton this summer. I have just finished a track which I am looking for a good female vocalist for, aside from the ones I have already worked with they are proving hard to come by thats for sure.

2) We’ve also seen you name at DJ events worldwide, including a recent tour in India. How did that go? Also, what was the most memorable international gig you’ve played so far, and why?

I have played a few times in India now and every time it gets better and better. The crowd are always up for it and they really know their stuff music wise. I played for an extra hour after the club Blue Frog shut last visit so I was exhausted! I’d have to say playing in Bali and Singapore is pretty special too. Gigs like that don’t come around every day so I have good memories.

3) You’ve been a co-host of Silk Royal Showcase radio for a few years now. Tell us about your the history of your involvement with Silk Royal Records and the style of the show (and your mixes) specifically?

I have been involved with Silk for a few years now. It all started with a remix I did on one of Jacobs tracks and it all really just grew from there. For the radio show I tend to play a bit deeper that my live sets. It also works quite well so I don’t upstage the guest mixer by banging out a peak time set! The radio show has gone from strength to strength and we now have over 12,000 download a month. For a progressive based show that is pretty awesome!

4) Many producers have aliases for different styles that they also enjoy, and we’ve learned that you also have an alias called Maxi Valvona. What’s the style of this alias in comparison to your main artist name?

Maxi is much deeper and darker that my Ad Brown stuff. Anything from Deep techno to deep house. I am also working on some disco stuff at the moment so its a great excuse for putting out more music without people getting bored.

5) We commented before on your productivity in the studio. What’s the secret behind being able to find such constant “inspiration” to write new music?

Technically I am not the best producer in the world but I love writing music and I find ideas come quite easily. I tend to put together tracks quite quickly. I also don’t over complicate or spend too long on a track. I know producers who spend 6 months on a production. You can really hear every detail and the sound quality is exceptional, but I couldn’t write that way, I would just get bored and the track would get lost on my hard drive.

6) Any other specific production/studio tips you’d be willing to share?

Sure! – use drum samples and don’t make your own as it takes too long also don’t over compress your mix as it sucks the life out of it. Most of my tracks have a drop at 2 minutes and then again at 3.00 – 3.30 which seems to work well on the dance floor. Also be careful with your low end. If the track has too much bass everything else will disappear.

7) Tell us about your dream collaboration and/or remix project.

I have been lucky enough to collaborate with guys like PROFF, Embliss, James Hockley (Chicanes Engineer) but I would say someone like Jody Wisternoff. His melodies and energy in every production is just mind blowing!

8) What are your current DJ bombs, as well as any other current tracks that you just enjoy listening to outside of the clubs?

I have been playing Zack Roth “Wils Lives” for ages. Its simple but works so well. Outside the box I would say someone like “Perseus” He takes well know vocals and makes a brand new track. Check out “Seychelles” Its awesome.

9) And, finally, your name is closely associated with the genre of progressive (both progressive house and progressive trance). With lots of other sub-genres of EDM making huge leaps recently, do you feel that progressive can still survive / compete in the years to come?

I think the production quality in the Progressive House scene surpasses many genres which are much much bigger so I hope so! There is definitely a shift of people who are getting bored with trance and finding an interest to a slightly more progressive sound which is a positive thing. When progressive house / trance explodes I hope to be leading from the front.