Trent Anthony is a Sydney progressive stalwart. He has the talent and versatility that has seen him support DJs such as Sasha, Danny Howells, Steve Lawler and Dave Seaman to name but a few. Yet Trent has been somewhat quiet on the DJ front of late. Trent has been residing at clubs such as Sweetchilli and Sounds On Sunday and supporting DJs such as James Zabiela at Renaissance but if you haven’t had a chance to catch Trent out in clubs of late you may not have noticed his progression in sound. Trent has recently completed a new promo CD, showcasing his current sound and development in his DJing. Having recently grabbed a copy of the mix, ITMs marcus had a chat with Trent to ask a few questions about his new direction in sound.
Trent Anthony understands the power of music speaking for itself. Explains Trent, “the idea behind a promo CD like this latest mix is to just make people, promoters and punters alike, aware of what you’re up to as a DJ, what I am currently into, where my sound is going and how it is evolving”. This is not the first promo CD Trent has made available for people, something many DJs hand out at a club or transfer over the internet. The idea behind this latest mix was an attempt to capture the sort of set that he played when warming up for James Zabiela at last months Renaissance party in Sydney. It also demonstrates the direction that his mixing style and sound is going, something people who may not have had the chance to see him play out in a while would be unaware of. “If I had to describe the direction of my sound of late it would have to be something along the lines of electro/tech groove incorporating melodic overtones & moving basslines.”
In regards to Trent’s development in style, versatility and change is something that has always been an integral part of Trent’s sets. Whilst labelled as a progressive DJ, Trent has always thrown different genres and sounds into his sets; as long as it fit together and created a coherent musical progression, Trent would use it. “Most of my sets have usually always contained elements of deep house, tech house, prog, funky tribal house, breaks or whatever; but at the end of the day a good, fresh quality track is just that, and for me, that’s what it comes down to.”
DJs such as Lee Burridge have always been an influence in Trent’s sound, including the recent visit by the widely acclaimed Zabiela. “Recently supporting James Zabiela, watching the way that he moved between styles so proficiently was both influential and inspirational” says Trent, “music styles change and progress on a global scale throughout the World, it’s all about keeping it fresh and being on top of these changes”.
Musically, artists such as M.A.N.D.Y, Cosmic Groove, Tiefschwarz, Guy Gerber, Dave Robertson, Tony Thomas, Phil Weeks, Silicon Soul, Audio Soul Project and Ewan Pearson are an example of the music influencing Trent’s sound. “Locally, artists such as Pocket, Infusion, Vance Musgrove, Jono Fernandez are equally as inspiring”.
Trent Anthony is known in Sydney as a progressive DJ, though many people these days seem to be debating what ‘progressive’ really means. Trent’s take on being a progressive house DJ is very understanding. “People categorize DJs into genres, and mine is definitely that of the progressive tip. Basically this came about due to the fact that all the big support gigs I have played at have been with DJs such as Sasha, Lawler, Danny Howells, Nick Warren, Dave Seaman etc,etc; so eventually people labelled me accordingly.” So is this a completely accurate label? “Right through my DJ career I have been always open to all styles.”
In recent years, many people thought of Trent and Ben Korbel as a double act. Even though they rarely really played as a duo, many saw them as partners in crime as far as pushing quality progressive music in Sydney. I ask Trent if he considered this perception a fair assumption. “I guess this is a fair assumption. What Ben and I both stand for is pushing fresh, quality sounds. A couple of years ago progressive house in our eyes was that sound. We still totally stand by what we both have and continue to push, but like any DJs we both continually seek to improve and evolve our styles in new and interesting ways. We still have very similar tastes in music and it is rare that there is a track that we both dislike.”
An opportunity that probably comes around once in a lifetime, Trent was recently featured in the Ministry Of Sound Annual DVD and cable television show Mix Of Nations, which is currently airing on Fox8. Trent was approached to be filmed to provide a story which would contrast to other DJ and clubbing experiences world wide. As a keen surfer of Sydney’s northern beaches, Trent and his mates showed the parallel lifestyles of relaxation and expression that both music and surfing provide. It also showed what lucky bastards they are to live in Sydney and have the opportunity to do both. “The fact that I’m a DJ who surfs and I have surfing mates who club provided an interesting story about the differences of what a group of friends might do for recreation and relaxation in Australia compared to friends from other parts of the World. I don’t think you’d find many DJs or clubbers in the UK or Europe going for a wave to relax after partying?!” But it’s not all glamorous attention being the focus of a Worldwide clubbing doco; “The shooting was fun but I did find it to be quite hectic having cameras in your face for a whole weekend.”
Being an avid musician, music has always been Trent’s passion. Before DJing, Trent played the guitar and other instruments, through to playing in bands, composing and writing music. This stemmed through to electronic music and then to DJing. But Trent’s love of making music is progressing into making original tracks, “For a long time now I have been pushing the DJ side of things, but for a long time have been determined to start producing.” Late 2002, Ben Korbel and Trent built a studio. In 2003, Trent has made a conscious effort to put aside well needed time to start utilising that studio. Combining this with the fact Trent holds down a full time job has meant cutting a few DJ hours back in order to do so. But thanks to accomplished electronic artist Pocket, Trent has been gaining valuable studio experience, “thanks also to lessons from Sameer (Pocket)... he is a Logic freak!”
You can catch Trent Anthony at clubs such as Sweetchilli @ The Dendy, Sounds On Sunday @ Greenwood Hotel and Saturdays @ The Fluid Lounge. The next big events will possibly be a Renaissance party later this year and Danny Howells @ Sounds in September.
To listen to Trent’s latest promo mix click HERE.
