Learn music production with one of our artists
Learn music production with one of our experienced Nano Records artists.
The following Nano Records artists are offering music production lessons:
5 Minutes with Menog [Interview]
Menog has completed his 5th studio album, Party Animal Farm, and it is his most mature offering to date.
The Portuguese maestro who boasts one of the best studios to date has found time between moving to a new house (and studio), getting married, starting a family and completing a full-length album of absolute blasters that will satisfy both night and daytime lovers of psychedelic trance.
We sat him down for five minutes to take a breather…
Where did you grow up (city/town)?
Coimbra [Portugal].
Favourite city visited so far…
Tokyo.
First festival you ever attended…
First trance festival was Boom Festival ’98.
Favourite food when at home?
At home, I love to cook all sorts of fish and lately I’ve been cooking a lot of Japanese Udon (veggie).
If I’m ordering from home, then either Indian or Sushi.
Do you have any pets?
We have 2 cats, 2 dogs and 2 horses…. (still wondering about the name of the album?) 😊
One album you grew up with that you still listen to today…
V Empire or Dark Fairy tales in Phallustein by Cradle of Filth.
An artist you wish you’d seen play live before they died.
Prince.
Favourite music genre outside of psytrance…
It was Metal/rock until a few years back, but lately electronic music in general.
Some of them don’t even have a genre I guess….
I also love electronic fusion with classic music.
The track you are proudest of composing…
I will go with Kikkarapyllyt from the new album…
Your go-to hardware or software synth in the studio…
Hardware I’ve been having lots of fun lately with Modular, Eurorack has been my hours of fun, software I will have to go with Serum.
Being on Nano records means…
Having a family that we get to work with and truly help you when needed.
Your latest full-length album, ‘Party Animal Farm’ dropped this week. First off, tell us about the album name…
Well, as I mentioned in one of the previous questions, we do have lots of animals, and we are animal lovers, and we do like to party too!
We just bought a house with land that looks like a small farm in the mountains. In fact, our wedding party was at the new house… and what a party it was…
So, after that, this name fitted perfectly on the album since I produced 80% of it there…
Which track was the toughest to complete?
My Remix from Tristan and Mandala, although at the same time I loved the challenge of making three people happy.
I have to say I love the result, so did they! and it really works well on the dance floor.
And which track surprised you the most when you first played it out to a dancefloor?
Drunk on Milk.
One sentence to describe the sound of MENOG in 2019…
I will have to quote from the Nano promo text from the album since its exactly what I feel ;
“Balance between uplifting and powerful to pounding and edgy, as much covering peak daytime moments as peak night-time moments, creating a pure example of perfect balance both energetically and sonically.”
5 Minutes with Earthspace [Interview]
Matheus Nogueira aka Earthspace has fast become a stalwart artist on Nano Records with a string of solid releases since joining, including his debut album, As Above So Below, in 2017.
We caught up with the Brazilian maestro to get inside his head…
Favourite country to tour…
I had a chance to travel around so many countries that it´s so hard to choose only one.
But Japan has a special place in my heart. Hope to go back soon.
Favourite food when traveling?
Vietnamese food.
Wow, and you know…one of the things that makes me sad is that I can’t find Vietnamese food here in Brazil.
Maybe it’s a chance to open a restaurant, He-he.
Favourite piece of clothing that you know you wear too often…
I am not that type of guy who is interested in fashion, that’s why I’m always wearing the same black t-shirt.
And that’s a fun fact.
In Berlin, there is a market called Edeka Center and over there, they sell a package of 2 black t shirts for 6 euros.
I used to have like 20 packs of these t shirts at home here in Brazil, so, when I need to travel for a gig, I don’t have to worry about packing my clothes, I just put 2 packs of these shirts in my luggage and when I need a new one after the party, I just open the pack.
I call those shirts as Emergency T-shirts. He-he.
Most inspiring musical moment on tour…
The hangover in the airplane when you are seated in the window and start to think “I should start to drink less and make more music´´
That’s inspiring and motivational. 😊
Favourite musician/artists of all time…
Belchior (Brazilian composer & Singer)
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Jethro Tull
Black Sabbath
If you were not a music producer what do you think you’d be doing?
Probably working in the cinema industry as a screenplay writer (and I really love that).
My favourite movies…
Pulp Fiction.
One track you’d love to remix (but know it could never happen) …
21st Century Schizoid Man – King Crimson
Ever learn to play an instrument?
I used to play in rock bands back in the days, so this made me learn how to play guitars, keyboards and bass, but then, psy trance music entered my life and I stopped playing them all.
But I would love to get an acoustic guitar just to spend the time before and after the studio sessions.
Worst gig experience ever?
Maybe better not to mention that, who knows if I’m gonna get booked for the same party here in Brazil someday.
I still have bills to pay. He-he.
Being on Nano Bookings means…
Means being part of a real family and to know that we are not only artists in one label, but we are friends with no ego and no competition.
That’s what makes everything special.
Your latest NANO release was Vision Illusion, with Spinal Fusion. How did this collaboration come about and did you guys have a clear idea of what type of track you wanted to create or did the creative process unfold organically?
Bilas is a big friend of mine and very special person.
Years ago, we did a collaboration, but we realized that was the moment for a new one, especially because during the years we got our production skills improved.
So, basically, I’ve started the idea, and everything happened very organically and was really good to work with him once again.
Your forthcoming release is a collaboration with Technology called ‘Let’s Get Weird.’ Tell us a bit about the track and the collab…
Fernando aka Technology is an amazing and brilliant producer from Brazil and we always wanted to make a track together.
And after years, now that I’m living in a city nearby his city, I’ve decided to invite him to come over to my place for 3 days and was an amazing experience to work with him.
About the title of this track; we wanted to create a track that celebrate all the differences, we all are weirdos in front of the society, we are a kind of outsiders and the most important, we are so happy about this and I want to keep being a weirdo with a giant smile in my face.
5 Minutes with Avalon [Interview]
It hardly gets any bigger than a brand-new album by one of Nano Records’ busiest artists, Avalon.
It’s been 10 years since his last full-length release and despite several singles, many collaborations, remixes as well as a Killerwatts album (with Tristan) and a Future Frequency album (with Sonic Species), RISE is what we’ve all been waiting for.
Favourite country to tour…
Not easy, in no particular Brazil, South Africa, Europe. Of course, I love lots more, too hard to call! I could name my worst, but that’s another question ha-ha.
Favourite food when traveling?
Asian food, now you mentioned it I got gyoza on my mind!
Favourite piece of clothing that you know you wear too often…
I love my Diesel leather biker jacket.
Most inspiring musical moment on tour…
My laptop and DAW!
Favourite musician/artists of all time?
Nirvana.
If you were not a music producer what do you think you’d be doing?
I was a record company A&R executive before this, so I guess I would have continued doing that. Hard to say, to be honest, this is my passion, my life, I cannot imagine doing anything else now.
Favourite movie…
Oooooh tough one, I’m a series guy. Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Games Of Thrones.
One track you’d love to remix (but know it could never happen)…
I don’t know I believe anything is possible 😉
One album you grew up listening to that you still listen to today…
Nirvana albums.
Strangest gig experience ever?
There has been so many, getting my trousers pulled down and dragged wrestled on to the floor whilst DJing by this crazy girl who would not take no for an answer!
You would have to hear the whole story, but it’s not one to write here that’s for sure!
When not touring or in the studio (which is not often) what do you do to relax?
I like to hang out in nature with friends, love good food, eating out. Travelling, seeing this beautiful world!
Being on Nano Bookings means…
You are in good hands!
Your new album RISE has just been released. It’s MASSIVE, congratulations. Does the album title have a significant meaning to you?
Thank you, Rise is my journey from the last 10 years to this moment, right now!
9 banging tracks; 5 of which are solo compositions. Anyone of them a personal favourite?
I would have to say my favourite is Another Dimension and Rise!
Which track from RISE has surprised you the most when playing out in your sets, in terms of crowd response?
The track with Dickster is a BLASTER, it’s a dark horse, it went from good to GREAT when I saw it being played out for the first few times.
The crowd response was insane! So funky, so psychedelic! Love it now more than ever!
How are you feeling now that RISE is out? Relief, excitement…what’s your overall sense of it all now?
Definitely relief and excitement.
A lot of emotions, it’s such a milestone in my life.
Years of work, my biggest journey musically yet! I put my heart and soul into the album!
Avalon 'Rise' Merch / Bundles
[products columns=”2″ orderby=”title” order=”ASC” ids=”10415, 10435, 10397, 10417″]5 Minutes with James Monro [Interview]
James Monro is one of the most respected DJs and individuals in the global psytrance scene with a unique style and taste for music that sets him apart from the norm.
He has just curated the James Monro Collection, a fantastic bunch of tracks that truly presents his unique taste in trance.
Favourite country to tour…
Impossible to answer…!
Moments of total dance floor bliss and magic happen at different junctures in different places and have their own reasons why…so much so it’s impossible to know what those reasons are and where they happen best. When it happens wherever it happens, is best. Perfect moments in time.
So, in answer to that …our beautiful little blue planet.
Favourite food when traveling?
Acai where possible is an absolute winner and I always carry a bag of nuts and seeds.
Favourite piece of clothing that you know you wear too often…
My watermelon nickers.
Most inspiring musical moment on tour…
The Boom has delivered a couple of those…allowing spontaneity, diversity and development to happen.
Magic…
Favourite musician/artists of all time…
Another tricky one!
Again, so much of that depends on time and place… there’s been so many!!!
I’d say Trent Moller with regards to dance music.
If you were not a music producer what do you think you’d be doing?
Carpenter
My favourite movies…
True Romance and Trading Places.
One track you’d love to remix (but know it could never happen) …
Jean Michelle Jarre’s Oxygen Part4.
Ever learn to play an instrument?
Piano and Clarinet.
Worst gig experience ever?
Being kidnapped by a rival promoter in Greece.
Being on Nano Bookings means…
Safe hands, happy families and magic moments.
Nano Records have just released the ‘James Monro Collection.’ Tell us a thing or two about the mix of tracks you chose…
Well it’s a massive moment for me really.
Having slowly re-emerged into the trance scene again after many years away, this is a little culmination and expression of where I’m at with trance music.
Blending all the tastes and textures of the various styles of music I love to play and collect.
I’ve tried to allow those influences to be present in this collection; from my early Goa years 1989/90 to today’s techno and house music.
There’s also a couple of collaborations with two of my favourite producers – Dick Trevor and Grant Collins who are both always up for pushing the envelope a bit.
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Nano fam, for trusting and encouraging me!! XX
5 Minutes with Braincell [Interview]
Ralph K. Freund aka Braincell has a long and illustrious psytrance career that dates back to his days as one half of the duo, RASTALIENS, which he formed with friend, Jay, back in 1994.
He launched his solo project as BRAINCELL in 2003 and boasts an impressive discography of releases on various compilations and major labels.
To date Ralph has played on every major continent and continues to smash out quality psychedelic music on a regular basis.
He has now teamed up with long-time friend, Angus Young aka Mandala, to form a new and truly exciting project. Their first EP, called Mission Possible, is fresh off the press and the result is a trippy combination of two seasoned NANO artists.
We sat Ralph down for a 5-minute chat…
Growing up in Germany was interesting because…
Braincell: In that area where I grew up there was no electronic scene at all, and it still sucked me in.
My favourite movies/book of all time is
Braincell: Into the wild
If I was a cartoon character I’d be…
Braincell: Snufkin from the Moomins 🙂
My weirdest gig experience ever was when…
Braincell: vvDavid Tingsgard (Battle of the Future Buddhas) and I woke up in a caravan with holes shot into it and we realised we had been put into an illegal hunting place to sleep.
So, we escaped from there by foot (dogs and hunters behind us), and managed to get a ride to the airport before it got worse 😉
Best gig I’ve ever played was…
Braincell: Ozora 2016 closing set (I still get goose bumps).
The first time I heard psytrance was…
Braincell: At a castle party in south Germany. I was expecting a rock show, but then they played that Bum Bum music (Monkey music as my friend called it) and I couldn’t escape it and haven’t been able to ever since.
Best way to keep occupied on flights and in airports is to…
Braincell: Produce [music].
Favourite psytrance track and/or artist of all time is…
Braincell: Technossomy – Pyramid
Completing a full album was…
Braincell: A big challenge as I had to transform all the ideas, inputs and recordings from a year of traveling into music, but also big fun and it opened up new ways of creativity [for me].
One other genre besides psytrance I would consider making…
Braincell: Rock music.
Being part of the NANO artist roster is…
Braincell: Fabulous (heaven on earth) and an extended family experience.
You’ve just released ‘Mission Possible’, the first track from your brand-new collaboration with Mandala. Tell us a bit about the new release and, of course, about your new production duo, with Angus.
Braincell: We aimed to create something different in the genre, combining natural and synthetic/modular sounds and then tweaking them into new territories.
I met Angus several years ago in Goa in his Mandala paradise and ever since then we’ve become very close friends… and I helped him a bit to push his own music career.
Also, every studio session we’ve had has been pure inspiration and we have a timeless flow together, so it was clear that we would do some music together somewhere in the future, and here we are. 🙂
5 Minutes with Laughing Buddha [Interview]
Laughing Buddha is something of an institution in psychedelic trance circles.
As one half of the Cosmosis duo that produced the seminal ‘Cosmology’ album on Transient Records and 20 years of releases on iconic labels such as Flying Rhino, T.I.P. Records, Dragonfly (as Drum Druids), it felt like a homecoming when “Jez “Buddha” joined the Nano Family.
He reckons his latest dancefloor banger, ‘Ultra Space,’ is his best work yet and so do we 🙂
Where did you grow up (city/town)?
I grew up in the sleepy suburbs of London… probably why I couldn’t wait to get out and explore the world!
Favourite city visited so far…
There are so many!
I love discovering the cultures and traditions (and food!) of all the different places around the world, whilst at the same time seeing that we all have so much in common, especially on the dance floor!!
First festival you ever attended
Wow, that’s going way back!
It must have been Glastonbury after my first trip to India selling chillums from a blanket on the grass 😀
Favourite food when at home?
I love making a traditional Italian risotto, because you can’t just throw it in the oven… you have to give it real love!
Do you have any pets?
I am currently at war with my wife’s ginger tom cat, but I have hopes for a peaceful resolution!
One album you grew up with that you still listen to today…
Just about anything by Pink Floyd.
An artist you wish you’d seen play live before they died?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… the Boss.
Favourite music genre outside of psytrance…
I like to listen to as many different genres as possible… you never know where the next flash of genius might come from.
The track you are proudest of composing…
I have to say my last single ‘Ultra Space’ as each new track brings me one step closer to creating the ultimate tune I hear in my head!
Your go-to hardware or software synth in the studio…
Most of my sounds are not synth based, rather manipulations of organic sounds twisted into something totally synthetic.
But when I do need a synth I love Xfer Records Serum, Sonic Academy Ana 2 or the Access Virus TI Snow for example.
Being on Nano Records means….
Nano represents everything that I have always loved about psychedelic trance culture.
I feel so fortunate to be part of this wonderful, crazy, colourful, inspiring, creative family.
Tell us a bit about your latest release, Ultra Space; What inspired the track, how long it took to complete once you had the idea down and where do you get all that funky groove???
‘Ultra Space’ was one of those tracks that almost wrote itself. Once I had the trippy loop rolling everything else just fell into place very quickly.
I have made some real leaps recently on the production side of things and this has given me tonnes of inspiration to experiment and play with lots of different sounds.
5 Minutes with Zephirus Kane [Interview]
After numerous slamming collaborations with Tristan, Ajja, Dickster, Laughing Buddha, Hujaboy, Sonic Species, Hypnocoustics, Groove Addict, Martian Arts and Audioform, Zephirus Kane has just dropped his debut solo EP, Rise & Amplify and it’s a blockbuster.
An accomplished front of house sound engineer, psytrance forms a special passion for one of our newer Nano artists.
Here’s what he had to say…
Where did you grow up (city/town)?
I started out in Auckland, New Zealand and then on to London to broaden my education.
Favourite city visited so far…
New York for its energy and pulse.
First festival you ever attended…
I’m not sure which year it was. I was drunk in a pub late one night in London and my mate suddenly announces, “we’re going to Glastonbury now”.
I didn’t know what or where that was. Four hours later he then told me in a field in the dark that I had to try and climb over this huge fence to get into this party. I took his advice and it was wicked !!!!
Favourite food when at home?
I like making smoothies.
Do you have any pets?
We just recently adopted a wild crippled cat that arrived at the house in urgent need of food and love.
One album you grew up with that you still listen to today…
Back in Black is still solid today!!!
An artist you wish you’d seen play live before they died?
Hendrix for sure.
Favourite music genre outside of psytrance…
The FUNK…
The track you are proudest of composing…
PURE from the new EP that we put out on Dec 10th.
Your go-to hardware or software synth in the studio…
Korg MS20, Sequential Pro One, Roland JP8000, Nord 2 – Omnisphere, Sylenth.
Being on Nano records means….
It means being part of a musical family of like-minded artists who share a common concept of rocking dance-floors worldwide. And the pride of releasing my music with psy trance’s number one label.
You have a new EP out this week; Rise & Amplify, two scorching 145 bpm slammers. It’s also your debut solo EP. Tell us about the EP name, the two tracks and how does it feel to fly solo?
Rise & Amplify invites you to let your spirit soar at maximum volume.
PURE is a squelching, pulsing ride that samples the words of Nick Sand (legendary underground chemist) who I met at Ozora.
VIBRANT is a driving, positive, psychedelic trip to entertain your consciousness. It’s been a long journey to get my pilots license, so flying solo feels amazing!
5 Minutes with TRISTAN [Interview]
5 Minutes with TRISTAN [Interview]
The word ‘psytrance legend’ is often bandied about but when it comes to TRISTAN, these words could not be truer.
One of the ‘wise men’ of the global psytrance scene, TRISTAN has just released a blasting new track called Summer Solstice, which he opened with for his mammoth four hour set at BOOM Festival 2018 on the last day.
Favourite country to tour…
Australia in a campervan!!
Favourite food when traveling?
Local delicacies (sushi in Japan high up there)
Favourite piece of clothing that you know you wear too often…
My green Nano T with a fluoro Psychedelic rainbow unicorn patch on the back by Deep Wear
Most inspiring musical moment that may have changed your life…
Neil Young at Glastonbury festival
Best way to keep occupied on flights and in airports is to…
Sleep
If you were not a music producer what do you think you’d be doing?
Pro surfer / weed grower
My favourite movies/book of all time is… (and why)
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins (its a fantastically cosmic book and I first read it at a very formative time in my life).
One track you’d love to remix (but know it could never happen) …
Don’t really enjoy doing remixes all that much.
Ever learn to play an instrument?
Drums as a teenager; guitar slightly later. Piano in my wish-list.
Funniest gig experience ever?
When the entire setup fell off the stage at a gig (obviously no one was hurt) but we lifted the equipment back up, my laptop dented; turned up the faders…. and it was still playing!!! We all went WILD!! Hilarious!
Being part of the NANO artist roster is….
Being part of an amazing creative supportive family.
Tell us about the inspiration for your latest track, Summer Solstice, just released…
I’ll let the music do the talking!!
5 Minutes with ALLABY [Interview]
5 Minutes with ALLABY [Interview]
Allaby has just released the third instalment of increasingly popular his S.W.I.M Series. Good psychedelic techno is not always easy to find; luckily, we have our own inhouse techno maestro who knows more than just a thing or two about psychedelics…
Matt Allaby gives us the lowdown…
Growing up in the UK was interesting because…
I got to see dance music explode as an underground phenomenon in the 90’s. It was a wild ride.
My favourite movie of all time is…
Probably ‘Jaws’. It’s almost a perfect film. It set up the formula for how to make an interesting and exciting adult thriller with great characters.
If I was a cartoon character, I’d be…
Pink Panther , cat was a dude.
My weirdest gig experience ever was when…
I have so many.
Here’s one that happened a long time ago; most gigs these days happen without ‘weirdness’ as you call it : I was over tired and a bit worse for wear after a performance at a festival in Brazil. I woke up with some poor guy trying to communicate with me in an animated fashion very close to my face. I tried to tell him I didn’t speak Portuguese and I’d just like to sleep some more. Next thing I know he’s pulling me out of the tent by my ankles.
Apparently, I’d gone to sleep in his tent. I was nowhere near the artist camp, so it was quite a disorientating experience.
Best gig I’ve ever played was…
Probably one of the Glade festival sets.
Maybe the one where it rained for 3 days and the entire site was underwater. People looked like they’d been through a war. I played the last set of the party on the Origin stage and the sun came out. That was a joy.
Ever learn to play an instrument?
I was a drummer in Jazz and rock bands from age 11. Haven’t played for years at this point though. I’m also a dab hand at the Mongolian bassoon.
Best way to keep occupied on flights and in airports is to…
Listen to comedy podcasts and sleep.
Favourite musician/artists of all time…
Beatles.
If you were not a music producer what do you think you’d be doing?
I probably would have tried acting more seriously, got bored of that and become a carpenter. Built a house in the hills and lived there with my wife Hilga and our three dogs (only some of that is true).
Your go-to hardware or software synth in the studio…
SH101 hardware and software. I’m loving the ARP Odyssey as well at the minute (that features quite heavily on ‘Black Sands’).
Being part of the NANO artist roster is….
‘Lekker hey!’ Love those guys
Having released the third instalment in your S.W.I.M series, which track to date has surprised you the most by the response its been getting?
‘Hiding to Nothing’ as it got almost no response and I think it’s one of my best and most original tracks. My new one ‘Black Sands’ looks like it’s doing quite well though.