Ferry Corsten Brings “What the F” to Los Angeles [Event Review & Interview]

Legendary trance producer/DJ Ferry Corsten not too long ago introduced his “What the F” present to Exchange in Los Angeles for a particular open-to-close set. Fans have been handled to a beautiful journey by way of greater than 20 years of trance as Ferry dropped his kitchen sink of productions that he’s been behind over the years.

Ferry began out with some System F after which weaved out and in of different iconic productions together with his newer tracks on his personal label Flashover and a few basic Armada tracks too. Not solely was the night an epic journey by way of Ferry’s profession, it was additionally an interesting take a look at how dance music (particularly trance) has modified over the years.

We acquired the likelihood to have a quick chat with Ferry prior to the present. We talked about what Ferry has been up to over the previous couple of years, his ideas on music and the business and a preview of what’s to come

Hey Ferry! Thanks for chatting with us. So much has occurred since the final time we talked. Tell us what you’ve been up to, how music manufacturing goes, and what’s stored you going and impressed?

“I assume the very first thing that got here out proper after the pandemic hit was my ambient album, FERR. So, I acquired quite a lot of questions like are you a time reader, was that on objective? Since there’s a pandemic, folks would hear to extra chill stuff? But, that was only a coincidence, I used to be already engaged on that stuff. On the highway, mainly, getting away from the 4 x 4 stuff. When I used to be on the airplane, simply placing some mellow stuff collectively. And earlier than I knew it, I had an album price of tracks. So, that got here out, after that I’ve been engaged on…effectively, mainly for 2020, the What the F’ tour I’m doing now. That was already deliberate for 2020, so I used to be already engaged on that a bit of as effectively. And, after all, that fell by way of, so I put it apart for some time. Hoping for 2021, however that didn’t occur both.

So, in the meantime, yeah, what did I do? I’ve simply been releasing tracks, but it surely’s bizarre to be in the studio. Everyone works in another way, proper? But, for me, it was totally different to be engaged on dance music or attempting to work on banging tracks when there’s no objective. There’s no dance flooring, no festivals. So, I actually loved doing a few of the extra mellow stuff, as a result of, I actually felt for me personally, that was what my vibe was all through the two years, I assume. So, I launched a bunch of extra mellow tracks, I’d say, after which, rapidly, the flood gates are open once more and it’s full steam forward. So, earlier than I knew it, I had like, oh yeah, however Ferry, you even have your promised What the F dates developing once more, and you continue to have to put the present collectively. So, it’s like, ah, okay.

So, I went into the studio, simply labored on that, as a result of to undergo 20 years of tracks, you understand, that was fairly a mission. There was a lot music to undergo; which is playable, which is one thing I need to play, what’s a monitor that I need to play however doesn’t sound good anymore, it wants an replace. Did quite a lot of that, as effectively. Some of the older tracks which might be cool while you hear to them solo, however, when you hear to them in a set subsequent to very up to date tracks, very new tracks; they simply sound, sonically, they sound previous. So, I’ve been updating them, reproducing them, to make it match with right this moment’s punch if you’ll.

So, yeah, that was two-and-a-half months of manufacturing and placing it collectively. Also, you will have to inform a narrative, you will have to keep fascinating for about six hours. And, I didn’t need to do a chronological factor. It’s not like, oh yeah, the previous tracks come at the finish. But, yeah, it was fairly a mission to get it began. But, yeah, in a nutshell, that’s my two years.”

Last time we talked, you have been about to embark upon a What the F Tour. That’s lastly going to occur now. Tell us what followers can count on from you on the highway this summer time and fall.

“There’s four more dates coming up, I’ve got San Francisco and LA, and I’ve got Washington DC and Chicago. But, then there’s Norway, there’s Ibiza, there’s some Asian stuff we’re working on.”

How’s it been again out at festivals? Does it really feel regular once more to you?

“It’s almost like slipping back into autopilot in a way, in terms of doing the festivals. But, playing the music, for me, to be honest is quite a bit of a new thing, a different thing. Because so much has happened, music has changed a lot. A lot of stuff has become, and what I feel connected to has become a lot deeper. But, yeah, it’s interesting to see the new sounds that are big right now versus three years ago. Obviously, main stage is still EDM, it’s still the same thing, but the rest, there’s a lot of changes going on. Techno is huge right now, of course, but, also, I don’t even know what to call it. In my book, it’s noted as trance, but very progressive, and slow, but the stuff like Artbat, that sound is just something that I feel attracted to, and inspired and interested by. So, yeah, it’s interesting to see where this year is taking me personally with my sound.”

What tendencies have you ever been noticing in dance music and in music typically? It seems like persons are craving for the previous days sort of.

“Yeah, there’s definitely a little nostalgia thing going on. I really think that is something that developed through the pandemic, through lock down. You know, there’s nothing to look forward to, so you look back, right? I think for example, Dave Dresden, with his whole, every night or every week he had his stream where he was playing old stuff. So, that’s a good example of what was going on, and you really hear that now as well. A lot of the stuff that’s coming out right now, it has this sort of like early-2000s, maybe even late 90s type of vibe to it, which is very interesting as well. That’s another sort of new thing that I’ve been hearing a lot lately. Where, before the pandemic you would say, ‘Oh, man, that sounds dated and old school.’ You know, too old. Now, it’s the cool thing!”

At this stage of your profession, what else would you want to accomplish? How do you keep related and up to the mark after 20 years?

“I don’t know, that’s a tricky one, I don’t actually assume I can simply put my finger on it. And, in equity, that might be very easy as effectively. I imply, the place would I need to go? I did my final album Blueprint again in 2016-2017. It was the one with the narration and the entire story. I sort of need to revisit that idea once more. Not that I’m going to Blueprint Vol. 2, I don’t actually assume you could…If you do one thing, the follow-up is all the time…it has to be actually good for it to be higher than the first. So, as an alternative of doing a follow-up, it’s one thing fully totally different. But, the precise idea of doing a narrative once more, I actually, actually loved doing that album due to all of its aspects. That was the album, you understand? The art work, the story, simply the entire factor, I felt like I used to be making a film with out image. So, yeah, going again there once more could be superior. That’s undoubtedly one thing I might need to do once more.

I’ve performed a rating for a film referred to as ‘Don’t Go.’ I’d love to try this once more. Making music is one factor, however making music or composing to an precise image, it’s an entire totally different ball sport. And simply the course of itself was actually cool too. Obviously, the footage that you just’re watching and understanding what the storyline is, that already brings an emotion in its personal proper. Then, you add the music to it, and it’s like, wow, it’s wonderful.”

As the world is getting again to regular, have you ever began reaching out to different trance producers attempting to determine some collabs or bangers going ahead?

“Yeah, I really feel like doing collabs is a good way to get yourself, sort of switched on again. All the guys you work with, they bring ideas to the table, and so do you, for them, so you feed off of each other really well. I’ve just been in the studio with Markus Schulz, there’s something cool coming up with him. I’ve been talking to Ilan again and a few other guys, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now.”

Thanks Ferry, admire taking the time to chat with us. Any recommendation or messages for the followers?

“Yeah, well, I hope to see you all at the ‘What the F’ shows, especially for the people who have been following me for a while, you will be served your favorite meal.”

Check out the newest from Ferry Corsten, “You Can’t Stop Me” out now on Flashover/Armada. If you missed out on What the F, try his 3-hour What the F! Special Ferry did a pair months again.