'SOMETHING SPECIAL' - The full interview by Graham Walker from The Canberra Times 'Fly' with Ashley Feraude. 1. Something New has a very strong vocal, is there a particular approach you take when incorporating a vocal - ie. do you write the song around it or vice versa? I write melodies first and I usually envisage that melody line will be a vocal. Sometimes when the melody lines are too complicated or do not lend themselves well to a human voice I’ll then use an instrument to execute the melody. I find the vocals in tracks bring the songs ‘to life’ unlike any instrument and, therefore, I champion them strongly in my compositions. Perhaps this has a lot to do with my exposure rather early in life to singers like Sade, Carlos Jobim or Tracey Thorn? Whatever it may be the human voice is an incredible instrument capable of amazing variations in sound and the even more amazing thing is that all of us carry this instrument around.
2. The arrangements, horns, keys, percussion, etc on Something New are lush - do you use samples, real instruments … how is it all put together? I don’t really use samples apart from some drum loops. In that respect my productions are a bit more old fashioned in that I write and arrange every instrument myself. Using samples seems like cheating to me and then it isn’t really mine ... I mush prefer to put in the creative effort and come up with something that’s really come from me. Most instruments on my tracks are generated via the sounds in my synthetiser or my keyboard (such as the piano, strings, brass sections, bass etc) and then certain elements like guitars and trumpets are recorded organically into the computer. Mostly because no synthetiser can really emulate a realistic sounding mute trumpet or jazz guitar. I sequence everything and master it using Cubase. To be honest, if I really could have it my way I would use real instruments for practically everything apart from the drums and true synthetiser sounds in my dance orientated productions.
3. Compared to a lot of house, your sound is very rich musically … does your classical/jazz background help here? In my compositions I’m always drawn to a rich sound, not necessarily busy, but rich in terms of the chord structure, melody line and general atmosphere. My classical and jazz influence definitely helps here in that it has taught me to appreciate that ‘rich’ sound. A lot of people will confuse rich to mean complicated but that’s really not the case. To give an example think of ‘Quiet Nights’ by Carlos Jobim and how only a few ‘quiet’ but ‘right’ chords create a very warm bossa nova track without being complicated or busy. The same goes for classical music where artist like Gorecki’s ‘Symphony No 3’ or Zbigniew Praisner’s soundtrack of the ‘Three Colour Trilogy’ use the very essence of melody to create a very simple yet powerful musical feeling. I follow these principles in my compositions.
4. Your productions span a few different genres - from more laidback funky beats to house, etc - but what would you say is the common thread that runs through them? The common thread that runs though all my compositions is ‘soul’. As a matter of fact my first question when judging a new piece of music I haven’t heard before is ‘does it have soul?’. Is it just a collection of sounds and patterns or is there something deeper within the song ... something with meaning and substance. How is the song trying to communicate with me and what is it that it’s communicating? I don’t mind looking for it and having to work to understand it, as long as it is there. I try to turn to focus this type of critical analysis on my songs too to make sure that other listeners can get an substantial experience from my tracks and that it is something that in turn adds to their souls. There you go … there’s a nice philosophical answer for you!
5. If the Ferude DJ/live set had a manifesto what would it be? To perform soulfully, smoothly and with passion.
Ashley Feraude is an accomplished producer/DJ with musical training, which he gained during his earlier years in Europe. Following his arrival to Australia, Ashley set up a studio and began composing and recording original pieces for his personal as well as corporate projects. At the time, his productions were strongly influenced by cinematic classical music, bossa nova and synth pop bands.
In his early 20’s, Ashley entered the DJing profession as a direct result of his growing appreciation of the evolving electronic music scene and quickly secured residencies at many clubs and events. He focused predominantly on house music and built a reputation for having perfectly programmed and seamlessly mixed sets with a trademark soulful touch. Fans and critics often summed up Ashley Feraude as all class … a true gentleman DJ.
Over the last few years, Ashley has proven his worth as a main stage performer by playing along side various international and national acts including Sasha, Axwell, Deadmau5, Empire of the Sun, Deep Dish, Stanton Warriors, Danny Howells, Nick Warren, Fedde Le Grand, Switch, Anthony Pappa, Miguel Migs, Kaskade, Jay J, LTJ Bukem, The Presets, Pnau, Sneaky Sound System, Midnight Juggernauts, Cut Copy, Muscles, The Aston Shuffle, Shazam and the Hed Kandi, One Love and Ministry of Sound tours. All this activity, including his performances at the Foreshore and Warehouse Music Festivals, has lead to Ashley being voted as the top 3rd ACT DJ in the InTheMix Top 50 poll of 2008 and 2009.
During his current sets, Ashley shares his passion for the sounds of house, disco and soul and he currently holds many residencies and regular spots in Canberra’s premier lounges and nightclubs including Academy Nightclub, Hippo, Trinity, Kennedy Room, B Bar, Knightsbridge Penthouse, Parlour, Sub-Urban, Julep Lounge, Binara One, Lot 33 as well as Chinese Laundry in Sydney.
Ashley’s involvement in dance music extends beyond DJing as he is also a contributor to the Australian Recording Industry’s Association Club Chart and a producer of a top selling compilation CD of original Canberra artists titled Schmooze Deluxe. He is also the owner of Sound Technique, a marketing consultancy, graphic and sound design business, which boasts 23 clients in Canberra and Sydney.
Ashley has also been spending more time in the studio producing mixed compilations and corporate soundtracks for his clients as well as working on the recording of his musical projects, some of which have been composed over 15 years ago. His songs exemplify his preference for combining melodic, vocal and jazz influenced pop sounds with electronic elements. His tracks have been used for Channel Nine’s Snow Show, TV commercials, featured on a Melbourne Magazine and BMA Magazine compilations, featured on Triple J’s The Club show and have made Ashley a top 8 finalist of the 2006 Nokia Be Heard national competition.
We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser?
Rumour has it that u will b playin this Sat night at Academy. Should b sik! Big fan of your beats, they r very original, and different! What time u playin to and from?
Just thought I'd send you some MySpace salutaions... just because...
surprisingly not to apologise for any drunken antics.. for once.. hehe
Hope all is peachy with Feraude?!
..
![TEAM DALE [..Academy..]](http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/s_ab4118a7e323b415c07e44cd6780ed89.jpg)
