Steve Strangis is one of Australia’s best trance DJs. He’s also one of the most popular, as has been proven over the last two years, when he ranked #19 in 2007 and #17 in last year’s Sony inthemix50. So, what’s been keeping the man busy so far in 2009? Well, everything really. With an impressive tour schedule and residencies to his name, Steve has also been busy delving into the production side of things. On top of producing the second instalment of the Australian In Trance We Trust alongside the UK’s Lange, Steve has a debut single ready to go, and is on the line-up for Cream in September as well as the Godskitchen ‘Boombox’ tour in October. The man chats to ITM about his latest projects, the state of the Australian trance nation, as well as his hopes for tomorrow night’s Sony inthemix50 awards night.

We’re already into the second half of 2009 right now. How has the first half of the year been for you?

The first half of ’09 has been fantastic. I have been touring and performing at the events that I have been wanting to perform at around the country, production in the studio has been a lot of fun, along with releases now happening, and interstate and local residencies. It’s a very exciting time.

It’s almost six years since you first performed with Godskitchen in 2003. Looking back, is it hard to believe how far you’ve come in this time? What are you most proud of since then?

Looking back from then ’til now, it’s actually still quite surreal. What’s also best about this achievement is that I have been the only Australian DJ to support the internationals in the main arena at these events, which I’m really proud of. I consider Godskitchen my signature gig of the year. There are not that many other DJs who have had that privilege and that makes it all the more special to me. Having represented Godskitchen Australia since 2003 has been amazing for my profile and has presented a lot of other opportunities all over the country, and I’d like to think that this is still the beginning. There’s a few other things to be proud of, doing the new Australian In Trance We Trust CD, playing after Armin Van Buuren at the White Party in 2007 and probably one of my most memorable sets, playing back-to-back with Eddie Halliwell at Summadayze 2006. All these achievements have helped me earn a spot in the Sony inthemix50. The support has been great!

How would you describe your sound and direction in 2009?

I’ve been going for a more big room progressive trance sound. That’s what I normally would play at the opening sets at Godskitchen or Winter Sound System. I still love my driving big room sound so I’d like to think there is some versatility there, too.

What do you make of ID&T’s recent announcement that there’ll be no Trance Energy for Australia in 2010? A lot of ITM’ers weren’t happy about negativity towards the Melbourne scene.

I think it’s very sad, for many reasons. ID&T doing their events in Australia is a positive step to making the scene healthy, but we do have a problem; the drug scene unfortunately is drawing a lot negative attention to our major events, so I guess it’s sometimes better to take a step back to deal with this situation before moving forward. It’s also upsetting because I noticed at Trance Energy this year a lot of new local DJs had a chance to perform at a major event and it might be some time before they get that chance again, but I suppose when one door closes another will open.

You’ve been on the scene for more than a decade now. For better or worse, can you say you’ve witnessed a change in atmosphere over the years?

I’d like to think it’s a lot better. People now, especially the younger crowd, are a lot more educated and they know what they like. I think mainly because of the internet, broadcasting radio shows from superstar DJs etc; a lot of kids would enjoy hearing what the world’s best would be playing so, once they come of age, they would be overwhelmed by seeing their favourite DJs they’ve been longing to see perform.

You were busy upgrading your studio late last year. How’s the producing side of things been going since then?

Production has been great! I now have a single being released on Australian dance label 405 Recordings later this year. The new track is called Dradis and is already getting a great response on my MySpace as well as my recent sets around the country. I also did a remix for Matt Darey’s Urban Astronauts project, which is more on the progressive trance tip. I’m now working on another track along with some remix and collaboration projects which will also be ready by later this year. Dradis features on the In Trance We Trust compilation.

You were voted seventeenth in last year’s Sony inthemix50 and are in the running again this year. What does it mean for you?

Well, considering first time I got in 19th place in 2007 and last year came in at 17th, I would be extremely happy if I got a lot higher this year. I think it’s essential for any DJ who has been consistent to be rewarded for their efforts and hard work, not only find themselves within the Sony inthemix50 poll, but to build a solid reputation as a leading person within their genre, so hopefully that translates to success in the form of a higher place on this year’s poll. We’ll just have to wait and see!

What have been the best aspects of your DJing career over the past decade? What’s kept you going the most, and what is it that really motivates you week after week?

Well, obviously the opportunity to play at the major events. I have had the time of my life at some of those events. The bigger events always bring a great vibe from the crowd and I guess that is what I live for. I still love DJing as if it’s fresh, new and exciting to me. But the main motivator is the people who have supported me and genuinely want to see me do well.

You put your remixing skills to In Trance We Trust Australia alongside UK heavyweight Lange. How was it working on the CD, and are you enjoying the launch tour?

Yeah the CD was a lot of fun! The guys at the label were extremely happy with the final mixes by Lange and myself. This CD compared to the Godskitchen Australia compilation I did years ago with Above & Beyond would have a slight more set progression rather than just straight out banging trance. I made it as if I were playing a two-hour set at an event. Dradis features in the first few tracks and fits in really well. Release date was August 8 and that was also when the national tour kicks off. I’m enjoying seeing how people react to it.

You’ll also be at Cream with Ferry Corsten in September and at Godskitchen Boombox in October. A successful year, you might say!

Yes, definitely a successful year so far. I set some achievements and it’s all happening now; all the boxes are being ticked off. But everything in the scheme of things is still at the beginning … everyone’s support has been fantastic. In trance we trust!

In Trance We Trust Australia 002, mixed by Lange & Steve Strangis, is out through 405 Recordings on Saturday August 8th. Check the launch tour details below…

Fri 21st Aug – Room 680, Melbourne (Lange, Bart Claessen & Steve Strangis)
Sat 28th Aug – Rise Nightclub, Perth (Lange & Steve Strangis)
Sat 29th Aug – St Pauls, Adelaide (Martin Roth & Steve Strangis)