Since the late 90’s, Steven Helstrip AKA The Thrillseekers has been producing some of the most recognisable and influential trance tracks to ever grace a nightclub’s system. From working with Ferry Corsten and Pulser, to doing remixes for Timo Maas, Seb Fontaine, Sonique & Blank & Jones, Steve’s been pretty busy over the years. About to embark on an Australian tour, ITM caught up with the man to pick his brain on his music & the industry.

ITM: You’ve had your name associated with some of trance’s most loved releases over the years, however you seem to keep a lower profile than most of the big names in the game, is that on purpose or is quiet achieving more your sort of thing?

Steve: If I seem to have a lower profile I’d better have words with my press agent! This isn’t intentional, though I do like to keep a balance between my work and family life. It’s so easy in this game to spend all your in the studio and gigging, that you can forget to have some kind of ‘normal’ life.

ITM: How much time in an average week will you spend in the studio?

Steve: Well, my studio is at home so I nip in and out all the time. I try to keep some structure to my working hours, but that often goes out of the window. Generally, though, I try to start at 10am and work through til 6 on week days.

ITM: Were you surprised at just how widely loved Synaesthesia was, and still is?

Steve: Yes it amazes me. I still get emails almost everyday from someone, somewhere, telling me what that track means to them. I had a feeling I’d written a half-decent tune, but had no idea the impact it would have.

ITM: What direction are you looking to take with your new label Adjusted?

Steve: I’m just focusing on quality, emotive, trance records. It’s my aim to remix everything on my label, so if a great tune comes my way that I fancy having a go at, it I’ll sign it.

ITM: Have there been any nasty surprises involved with running your own label?

Steve: Well for a start it’s a lot more time consuming then I ever dreamed of. I’d hoped to split my time 50/50 between the label and studio, but when I have to work a track it takes all my time. The 2nd nasty surprise was how quickly your releases are available on the net for [illegal] download after you’ve sent out a handful of promos. Luckily there are still enough people buying vinyl and compilation to make this a worthwhile exercise.

ITM: How much of an influence do you think digital downloads will have on the industry as they become more popular as a legitimate form of releasing music for artists?

Steve: I think digital downloads will account for the majority of the music we buy within the next few years. I have my doubts whether this is a good thing. From a label perspective, there are virtually no overheads in releasing a ‘digital download’ only release. Subsequently this removes a lot of the risk in signing tracks so we should see more music being made available. However, sales from digital downloads alone haven’t yet reached a level that is profitable for both the artist and label. I’m certain sales will improve as awareness increases, but whether or not this will be in large enough numbers to keep labels afloat remains to be seen.

ITM: Is you studio setup more software or hardware? Any reason for leaning either way?

Steve: I used to be a real gear junkie and collected loads of hardware over the years. Increasingly, though, I’m now using more and more software but still rely on certain bits of hardware. For example, I have yet to hear a software-based reverb that sounds anywhere near as good as my Lexicon PCM81. Some of the software synths are starting to sound really good now (z3ta, for example) and when it comes to sample-based plug-ins, software is far more flexible and powerful.

ITM: If you could collaborate with anyone to make a track, and pick someone to remix it, who would they be and why?

Steve: I’d love to get Mozart into the studio just to hear what he’d come up with given some of the technology available today. I’m sure I could learn a thing or two from him at the same time. Otherwise I’d like to make a track with Massive Attack. I’ve got a lot of respect for the music they write and the emotions they stir up with their production. In terms of a remixer, I think I’d have to choose BT for the same reasons.

ITM: What do you enjoy when you’re not in music-mode?

Steve: I have a 20 month old son, William, so most of my time away from music is spent with him. So I’m quite into ‘Bob the Builder’ and ‘Thomas The Tank Engine’. Also love going to our local indoor pleasure park – Creepy Crawlies!!!

ITM: Is production mentally tough to keep on top of?

Steve: There’s nothing better than when things are going well in the studio and you’re felling inspired. But you can’t always turn the creativity on. I get ‘writers block’ from time to time and that can be so frustrating.

ITM: Finish this sentence: The worst thing about music is:

Steve: When it becomes a job.

ITM: What are some of your all time favourite piece of music?

Steve: The Verve ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, Massive Attack ‘What Your Soul Sings’, The Stone Roses ‘The Stone Roses’ and Vangelis ‘Oceanic’.

ITM: What are some new productions from you we should keep our ears peeled for?

Steve: The Thrillseekers pres Hydra ‘Affinity’ is the next release on my Adjusted label. This has some killer remixes, including Menno de Jong and CompleXz. I’ve just finished remixing Sublime, a track I wrote with Ferry Corsten for his ‘Right of Way’ Album. This will be coming out by summer. Also there’s a new Rapid Eye record, called Centro-Fly, which I’ll be debuting on my Australian tour.

You can catch Steve Helstrip at A Night of Trance in Sydney, this Friday March 18th (BUY TICKETS). For remaining dates check local guides or ITM Whatson.