It seems all my favourite trance records have “Ferry Costen/Moonman/System F remix” on the cover. Indeed all my favourite tracks, it seems; Mr. Corsten, under one of his 16 different monikers, has had a hand in. From the brilliant “Galaxia” to 1999s System of Blue.
Producing full-time since 1991; churning out up to two tracks a week for several labels at one stage. Winning “Producer of the Year” during the 1999 Erricson Muzik Awards; Ferry’s sounds has moved from gabba and hardcore, through euro-rance to his present ‘Its Time,’ fusing techno, 80s pop and electro synth sounds and trance. Whatever the sound – Corsten has been always known as a purveyor of fine quality tunes.
ITM: The first question I had to ask was, why write under so many names?
Corsten: It just came out of producing and release under a lot of labels. For one label, there were too many styles and I needed to have them under different names. Also when I created my label I need to create different artists for my different styles.
ITM: Why are you now releasing solely under your own name now?
Corsten: It was just the obvious thing to do, and I was just waiting for the right moment to do it. It came with Punk. I’ve been since playing with electro, rock, various synth sounds alongside trance. Hence “Rock your Body Rock” and “Its Time.”
What also bring Ferry to the forefront of his culture is his talent as a DJ; sending him around the world and providing him opportunities to be involved in amazing releases. Most notable being the Ministry of Sound Trance Nation; “I was asked to be involved just as the trance sound blew up whilst I was working with Vincent de Moore and it reached is peak in 1999. It sold 400,000 copies and sent me around the world.”
ITM: Are you a producer or DJ first?
Corsten: I love both in different ways. Its hard to choose, but I’m probably 51/49 producer to a DJ. As a producer its just you alone in a room, but you get to create something. As a DJ its about interacting with people through music.”
ITM: Has this rise been easy?
Corsten: It’s got here gradually. I never expected to get here. If you told me I was going to be DJing around the world ten years ago, I’d you, you were crazy. But I reached a moment towards 1999 and when System F – Out of the Blue came out it was a major turning point for me.
Moving away from the classic sound, his first album Right of Way, continues of his new fusion of techno, electro and trance. Filled with anthems, and technically brilliant tracks such as “Rock Your Body, Rock,” “Kyoto”, and “Star Traveller.” And whilst most have the forumalic “hands in the air approach,” all are amazing tracks which have engaged listeners from a wide range of styles.
ITM: You’ve been producing for so long, why the wait to create an album?
Corsten: I was looking for the right o way to approach a total and pure album that people can see themselves in. I’d never created something like this for me before. It was just about being alone in the studio and doing it.
Ferry continues on his latest world tour in Australia and New Zealand this month; covering Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Brisbane, and it seems that Corsten is as excited as the clubbers regarding his impending tour, “The people [in Australia] just have so much fun and get excited about the event. That’s what makes it so good for me.”
Ferry Corsten’s new album ‘Right of Way’ is out now through Hussle/EMI. Be sure to catch Corsten on his first tour down under in over 2 years this November and December:
Sat Nov 20 – Mel, QBH (BUY TICKETS)
Thu Nov 25 – Ade, Heaven
Fri Nov 26 – Syd, Sublime
Sat Nov 27 – Perth, Belmont Raceway
Sun Nov 28 – Gold Coast, Platinum Dance Club
Fri Dec 03 – Bri, Family
