How exactly does one define success as a DJ/producer? Is it when you have your first record pressed? Your second? Your third? Is it the first time you fill a dancefloor? The first time you’re asked for an autograph? The first time you’re flown overseas to play? The first time one of your musical heroes rings you up and asks if you’d like to remix a favourite track from your youth? Maybe it’s the first time a top tier international DJ plays your track, or when the biggest names in the industry ask to include your tracks on their CDs. Or maybe, if you’re Melbourne-based progressive trance producer Steve May, it might be when you’ve had all of these things – and more – happen to you before you’ve even celebrated your 23rd birthday.
In the eleven short months since ITM last caught up with him, Steve’s life has been a whirlwind of activity. On the production front, his progressive trance anthem “Blend Forty-3” has been a smashing success, garnering significant critical praise and featuring on an impressive number of CD compilations including Ferry Corsten’s Creamfields, Paul Van Dyk’s Mixmag May 2005 cover CD, and the fourth installment of Dutch superstar DJ Tiesto’s industry-shaping In Search of Sunrise. His third release, Sublimate, has proven popular for many DJs worldwide, featuring prominently in trance veteran Matt Darey’s Top 10 listings and on progressive star and Coldharbour label boss Markus Schulz’ Miami 2005 compilation. Steve’s remixes and bootlegs have also been very well received, with multiple plays on two of the industry’s most influential internationally broadcast radio shows: Armin Van Buuren’s A State of Trance and Markus Schulz’ Global DJ Broadcast.
On the DJing front, Steve has been covering just as much ground. A series of international appearances in a number of countries – including most recently Tokyo in November – has further cemented Steve’s position as one of Melbourne’s most talked-about musical exports, while locally Steve has had a string of impressive gigs, including playing alongside progressive house legend John Digweed and landing a residency with Melbourne’s best-known progressive night, Private Function.
What is it that makes Steve’s productions and DJ sets so special? “I’ve been listening to all kinds of different music from a very early age – everything from punk, alternative, rock and more, and all of these have had an influence on what I’m doing now”, says Steve. With a diverse musical background that combines formal education in school and real-world experience in a wide variety of genres – including seven years playing as a drummer in and out of bands – Steve’s sound is hard to describe. At once emotive and melodic, complex yet accessible, Steve’s DJ sets betray his love for complex rhythms and delicate melodies – or, as Steve describes it, “progressive house that’s been inspired by trance.” As an active participant in the global dance music production community, Steve often works exclusive unreleased remixes and productions from his peers into his sets, making each live appearance a truly unique experience. “I get sent all sorts of stuff from different labels and am close with a number of producers around the world, which gives me the opportunity to play a lot of things before their general release – which I’d like to think makes my sets a bit different from the average DJ’s sets around town”, he says.
Amazingly, Steve has managed to achieve all of this musically despite having spent half of the past year pursuing his other great passion, living in a remote Canadian ski village and working as a ski instructor. “There are two things that I really love – music and snow sports. I love spending the day in the half pipe or up o n a remote corner of a mountain by myself”, says Steve wryly, noting that even in such an unusual location he was able to keep one foot in his musical waters. “I didn’t get much written since I didn’t have a computer, but I kept on top of my record collection and managed to line up a couple of really successful gigs across western Canada, including Saskatoon and Victoria.” Steve’s recent string of successes with his music meant plans to spend another season in the snow this northern winter had to be changed. “I’m at the point where I really need to focus on my music for now – I’m not sure when I’ll make it back to the snow, but it’s certainly on my to-do list!”
Despite having accomplished so much, Steve remains both humble about his achievements and optimistic about the future. “I’ve been really fortunate that all of my hard work so far has paid off” he says. “I’m looking forward to getting my sound out there more, reaching more listeners and exploring my music.” If the past is anything to go by, rest assured we’ll be seeing and hearing plenty more from Steve May.
Steve May is appearing at Interview this Saturday January 14 at Tilt. Check ITM whatson for more info. His latest release, Sublimate, is out now on 12” on Coldharbour/Armada.
