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We had the chance to talk with Shogun about his music, his upcoming first artist album and his plans for 2014! Enjoy reading! 😉
 
TranceAttack: With “Erhu” you delivered one of the first hits in 2014. Now you’ve released “Zanarkand.” What is the main idea behind?
Shogun:
The main idea behind Zanarkand was to create a trance tune out of one of my most favorite video games. I wanted to bring nostalgia to everyone who experienced playing it. To me, it’s like listening to Zelda or Mario – it just holds a special place in a gamer’s heart.
 
TranceAttack: 2014 stands in the focus of your first artist album. Can you explain to us the actual status of your album? What can the listener expect?
Shogun:
The album is 98% done. It’s my baby so I want to make sure every song on there is as big as possible. The release date should be around end of the summer.
 
TranceAttack: Let’s stay at your album. Are there some spoilers you want to tell us? May be some collaborations? 😉
Shogun:
I featured a lot of new vocalists on my album. One song I’m really excited about is ‘Say Something’ which I did a huge trance cover of.
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TranceAttack: Which side do you prefer? Behind the decks in the clubs or behind your equipment in the studio?
Shogun:
I love both. Behind the studio I feel like I can create the music I want to in my own personal space, but when I’m DJing, it’s a more instant satisfaction. I’m there to start the party and it’s an amazing feeling.
 
TranceAttack: There are a lot movements in the music scene which focus back on the roots of the trance scene – like Solarstone’s “Pure Trance” or Armin van Buuren’s “Who’s afraid of 138!?”. How changed your style you prefer to play as deejay over all these years and what do think about these movements?
Shogun:
I think it’s great, it’s how I started out and my heart will always hold a special place for trance. BPM wise, everything is a lot slower now and I see electro and progressive house having a big influence on current trance, which I feel is a good thing. Music always needs to evolve and that’s how trance will grow, but it’s always good to see people still producing and pushing the classic trance sound.
 
TranceAttack: You are traveling all around the world. Is there a place for you with the most inspiration (country / city)? Where could you deejaying and producing connect in its best way? And why exactly?
Shogun:
I love playing at home in SoCal or in Asia like Tokyo. The connection is always there back at my home turf because my close friends are there. It always gets massive in Asia too, they see an Asian DJ so there is an even deeper connection there.
 
TranceAttack: You have a classical college graduation as audio engineer and you are playing a lot of musical instruments. What do you think about the technical development of music production which makes it possible to everyone, to produce music (without being able to read a single note or play an instrument)?
Shogun:
Just because the technology is there doesn’t mean anyone can know how to use it. I think it’s great that technology gives people easier access to start making tracks and producing, but it’s still down to the person behind it to make the music and get creative.
 
TranceAttack: Thanks for the interview and we wish you all the best for the future!
 
Connect with Shogun:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJShogunmusic
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shogunmusic
 
Take a listen to Shogun’s latest track Zanarkand here:
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