Dresden based-artists Steven Cock is back again with a fantastic release on Ray Okpara’s AMA recordings. Well known and firmly established as an outlet for high-quality house and techno, the label proudly presents the 39th release on the label. Steven Cock releases “Modulation”, a 4 track EP of which one is a remix by AND.ID.
We sat down with Steven Cock to talk about his career and this great release.
Hello Steven,
How are you these days?
I am fine, thank you.
For fans who don’t know much about you, could you tell us a bit about your music background in a nutshell?
My dad had a Band and they played Clapton, Pink Floyd, Stones and many more. Seeing him made me want to play an instrument as well. I discovered electronic music in the nineties and with that, I also found my instrument, it was the turntable. Ever since, 19 years already, I have been playing vinyl and still doing it today. With DJing also came producing as I wanted to do more and produce my own music. In 2009 my first release came out on Vinyl.
I have two great passions. Mainly, I am producing house and deep house under my name Steven Cock. Besides this, I have a second project called Linearis. This is de moniker I use to produce ambient, dub techno and Techno. But today it’s all about Steven Cock. 😉
You already go back at least a decade. Tell us about how you ended up with playing and producing electronic music to make people dance. Did you see this all coming?
I carefully tested my first productions on the dancefloor and did what I do best. Play good music for a long time. I did not see it coming, I just let it happen.
Do you feel there was a “breakthrough” point after which suddenly things changed for the better and brought you to where you are now? If so, what was it and why do you think it happened?
I think it was back in 2009 when my life as a producer started. If you make your own music, more people will focus on you. More requests come automatically and everything happens on a different Level.
What were the first types of music you tried to make and how did it evolve over the years?
I produced Drum&Bass in the beginning because I like that a lot, but then quickly focused on house and deep house music. Over the years work and music became more and more professional to me. Some tracks from the early days I would have designed differently today. But that’s ok. That’s how it goes in life.
With the year ending in sight, busy days ahead? Any new music or collaborations we should know about?
This will be the last release for me this year. Of course, I am working hard on new things. Next year I start with a release under my other project on the label “made by CONCRETE“. I hope that my projects will work again in 2019 and that I can play in great clubs again and work with interesting people.
You have an upcoming release on Ray Okpara’s Ama Recordings. How did this come together?
Ray wrote me an email some time ago with the message that he finds my sound good and I should send him something for AMA Records. I thought … “Yeah Ray Okpara, nice Dude!” Of course, I wrote him back and after a short time came the first release. I have published several times on AMA up until today.
Tell us a bit about the release? The creative process, things you’ve changed compared to other work, …
The process is relatively the same and many things are important when you go to the studio:
1. Good wine or good beer.
2. Lots of time.
3. No friends if you work in the studio because then you need more wine and beer. 🙂
The machines are your best friends and one day new music is born. A beautiful process! It does not change much. Sometimes a new machine or something else comes in. It is important that you are always inspired.
Big thanks to AND.ID for the cooperation.
What do you want the audience to feel when listening to this release?
That people enjoy it and can enjoy it even after years. It should stay timeless for them!
Where do you draw your creative influences from?
Good parties and the beautiful things that happen there. My family. Concerts and listening to good music every Day.
Have you ever hit roadblocks with making music? If so, what have you found to be the best ways to overcome this?
Yes, of course. You think that was all you can do. Terrible for a creative person! But if you love what you do, inspiration always comes back! Give things time.
If you could talk to your younger self of 10 years ago, what would you tell him?
You are on the right way, keep up the good work!
Thank you!