After having the opportunity to interview Darren Tate as part of Interviews With Successful People, I later got back in touch with his colleague Dale Corderoy. And as Darren was due to release his new album Horizons 3; I thought it would be the perfect time to do another interview. Horizons 2 came out in 2009 and this was an album that I enjoyed immensely.
This album consisted of twelve tracks, and these ranged from numerous songs that were ideal for the clubbing environment, to a song that had been remixed form a score that Darren had produced and even a classical song that had been created with The Czech Symphony Orchestra.
Horizons 03 features 14 different tracks, with a running time of eighty minutes; From cutting edge progressive house, to hands in the air club classics. The vocal performances are from Nicolai Prowse, David Patrick Carter, Fregoli’s Daughter, Ally Hammond and Pippa Fulton.
So with over four years having passed since the last album came out, let’s find out about the new album and what else Darren has been working on.
Horizons 03
Q: When Did You First Start Working On Horizons 03?
A: Several years ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Q: How Did You Go About Finding Right The Vocalists?
A: Usually it's a case of either developing a relationship with an existing artist whose voice you know will suit a given track or finding a new vocalist. Obviously over the years I've built up a history with many so I have an advantage in that respect.
Q: It Has Been A Number Of Years Since The Last Album, Is The Style Of The Album Different To Horizons 02?
A: The main difference is this album journeys more through progressive house and trance to more up-tempo trance whereas the others were a bit more "foot to the floor" from start to end. I've been recording house under different names for many years so some of that influence is clearly more present here than in previous albums.
Q: Now That Horizon’s 03 Has Been Completed, How Do You Feel?
A: I wanted to do this album really for the fans; I've been very busy with film scoring which means that I've not had the time to produce as many records as I would like. I'm really pleased I was able to get this album made and out there.
Film scores
Q - In The Last Interview We Spoke About Your Recent Venture Into Film Scores, What Films Are You Currently Working On?
A: I'm currently working on two short films and four feature films with several others in the pipeline (I work alongside Kenneth Lampl as Brainstorm Music). Current feature films include one called "Snapshot", one called "Awakened", one called "Scavenger Killers" and a very interesting film called "Frontera" directed by Michael Berry which stars Ed Harris, Eva Longoria and Michael Pena. It's great to be back recording with various ensemble groups/ / live musicians / orchestras and so on.
Aliases
Q: Your Latest Alias Is 8Ball And This Covers House Music, How Did This Alias Come About?
A: I needed a new name for house. Bottom line; my name was too synonymous with trance to be taken seriously by certain house DJ's. It's ridiculous but it's the business we work in. I've been doing 8 Ball singles for over five years so it's been a long burner.
Q: What Songs Have You Released Under The 8Ball House Alias?
A: Singles include "Let Us Be", "Sweet 16", "Electric City", "Dark Matters" / "Utopia" / "Shunt" (Pink Ball EP), "Tribalesque", "The Searching" and a cover of Jam and Spoons classic "Odyssey To Anyoona". With Marc Vedo releases include "Saxy Thang" on P P Records, "Body Rock" on New State and "Sunshine" on Zulu Records (both of which are due out later this summer), plus "My Cruel Heart" on Substream is also due out shortly. Plus there's other releases due out on Mondolicious later this year and some great remixes including George Michaels "Every Other Lover".
Q: Funkysober Is A New Collaboration With Boy George, What Was The Catalyst Behind This?
A: Actually this came about a few yeas ago; Marc who managed George played me a track with the Sunshine vocals in and I thought we can make this into a big record. I've very recently done a new deep house version and we're going to release it under all our names on Zulu Records (which My Digital Enemy owns and also features a mix by them).
House Label
Q: Mondolicious, The Mondo Records House Music Sub Label, Has A Number Of Planned 8Ball Releases Scheduled, What Will These Be?
A: We'll we're releasing "The Wave" and "Sympathy" right now as its part of the Horizons album. "Kiss My Trombone" is the next release which is a great fun funky summer record.
Collaborations
Q: Do You Have Any Collaboration’s Planned For The Future?
A: If only I had the time… I did start working on a new single with Jono Grant but I don't think either of us will ever find the time to get round to finishing it..! Also I've been producing some track ideas for a few producers who I've worked with in the past such as Mike Koglin. Other than that all the collaborations really relate to film recording.
This album consisted of twelve tracks, and these ranged from numerous songs that were ideal for the clubbing environment, to a song that had been remixed form a score that Darren had produced and even a classical song that had been created with The Czech Symphony Orchestra.
Horizons 03 features 14 different tracks, with a running time of eighty minutes; From cutting edge progressive house, to hands in the air club classics. The vocal performances are from Nicolai Prowse, David Patrick Carter, Fregoli’s Daughter, Ally Hammond and Pippa Fulton.
So with over four years having passed since the last album came out, let’s find out about the new album and what else Darren has been working on.
Horizons 03
Q: When Did You First Start Working On Horizons 03?
A: Several years ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Q: How Did You Go About Finding Right The Vocalists?
A: Usually it's a case of either developing a relationship with an existing artist whose voice you know will suit a given track or finding a new vocalist. Obviously over the years I've built up a history with many so I have an advantage in that respect.
Q: It Has Been A Number Of Years Since The Last Album, Is The Style Of The Album Different To Horizons 02?
A: The main difference is this album journeys more through progressive house and trance to more up-tempo trance whereas the others were a bit more "foot to the floor" from start to end. I've been recording house under different names for many years so some of that influence is clearly more present here than in previous albums.
Q: Now That Horizon’s 03 Has Been Completed, How Do You Feel?
A: I wanted to do this album really for the fans; I've been very busy with film scoring which means that I've not had the time to produce as many records as I would like. I'm really pleased I was able to get this album made and out there.
Film scores
Q - In The Last Interview We Spoke About Your Recent Venture Into Film Scores, What Films Are You Currently Working On?
A: I'm currently working on two short films and four feature films with several others in the pipeline (I work alongside Kenneth Lampl as Brainstorm Music). Current feature films include one called "Snapshot", one called "Awakened", one called "Scavenger Killers" and a very interesting film called "Frontera" directed by Michael Berry which stars Ed Harris, Eva Longoria and Michael Pena. It's great to be back recording with various ensemble groups/ / live musicians / orchestras and so on.
Aliases
Q: Your Latest Alias Is 8Ball And This Covers House Music, How Did This Alias Come About?
A: I needed a new name for house. Bottom line; my name was too synonymous with trance to be taken seriously by certain house DJ's. It's ridiculous but it's the business we work in. I've been doing 8 Ball singles for over five years so it's been a long burner.
Q: What Songs Have You Released Under The 8Ball House Alias?
A: Singles include "Let Us Be", "Sweet 16", "Electric City", "Dark Matters" / "Utopia" / "Shunt" (Pink Ball EP), "Tribalesque", "The Searching" and a cover of Jam and Spoons classic "Odyssey To Anyoona". With Marc Vedo releases include "Saxy Thang" on P P Records, "Body Rock" on New State and "Sunshine" on Zulu Records (both of which are due out later this summer), plus "My Cruel Heart" on Substream is also due out shortly. Plus there's other releases due out on Mondolicious later this year and some great remixes including George Michaels "Every Other Lover".
Q: Funkysober Is A New Collaboration With Boy George, What Was The Catalyst Behind This?
A: Actually this came about a few yeas ago; Marc who managed George played me a track with the Sunshine vocals in and I thought we can make this into a big record. I've very recently done a new deep house version and we're going to release it under all our names on Zulu Records (which My Digital Enemy owns and also features a mix by them).
House Label
Q: Mondolicious, The Mondo Records House Music Sub Label, Has A Number Of Planned 8Ball Releases Scheduled, What Will These Be?
A: We'll we're releasing "The Wave" and "Sympathy" right now as its part of the Horizons album. "Kiss My Trombone" is the next release which is a great fun funky summer record.
Collaborations
Q: Do You Have Any Collaboration’s Planned For The Future?
A: If only I had the time… I did start working on a new single with Jono Grant but I don't think either of us will ever find the time to get round to finishing it..! Also I've been producing some track ideas for a few producers who I've worked with in the past such as Mike Koglin. Other than that all the collaborations really relate to film recording.
| Interview by Oliver J R Cooper To find out more about Horizons 03 and to listen to each of the 14 different tracks go to - http://www.mondorecords.com/horizons03/. Contact Details Darren Tate Website - https://www.darrentate.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/darrentatemusic Twitter - https://twitter.com/darrentate Oliver J R Cooper Website – www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OliverJRCooper Twitter - https://twitter.com/oliverjrcooper |
