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Meet your Generation: Trance Generation is back!
Reported by Frani Heyns
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Submitted 20-02-08 21:34
With club doors closing and major nights shutting down, it comes as a refreshing change to see a much loved party returning to the London scene. Trance Generation enthralled many a clubber during its stint at The Soundshaft before closing the doors 18 months ago. Now they're back bigger than ever and with a massive line up to match! We sent Frani Heynes to play the Generation game and find out why, where and how you can too.
I found one of London’s best-kept secrets in 2004. It was on a Friday the 13th, but when I arrived at the entrance to The Soundshaft and joined the queue of beautiful people, ghost stories were the last thing on my mind. I stepped inside and my world was transformed.
The Trance Generation nights were synonymous with phenomenal lasers, the best in uplifting music and a deep connection on the dance floor that resulted in long-lasting friendships. Every event held the promise of an intense euphoric experience that no other night could match and they soon attracted a passionate following. In November 2005, after pushing out a series of thumping nights, the Trance Generation team sadly decided to take a break.
And now 18 months later they are back and have evolved. On Saturday, the 1st of March, they are hosting the party of the year at Hidden in Vauxhall. With a massive line-up, three dance floors and a very special guest, they plan to deliver a night that will live on in the memories of everyone who is a part of it.
I caught up with Ehren Stowers, Simon Bostock and Ercole Lugari – three of the guys behind this legendary night – to find out what exactly is in store for this Generation.
Right, I’m going to jump straight in. What can people expect from your first party in 18 months?
A full-on visual and audio feast! We are doing every single thing possible to ensure you will recognise aspects from the old parties at The Soundshaft (from lasers and music to stunning live visuals), whilst adding to it and pushing things that bit further. We believe strongly that a club night should do it’s best to make people feel they are somewhere else.
Why did you decide to take a break?
It was a mixture of reasons really, but the primary reason was the loss of The Soundshaft at Heaven. In one way or another, we had been running nights for several years by November 2005 and also longed to have a rest. It can take its toll. By the end of 2007, we had rejuvenated, grown our team (welcome to Simon, Phil, Dan, Ercole and Jon) and decided the time was right.
We’ve seen a lot of club closures lately and other well-known trance nights have stopped running. You guys are re-launching your legendary night in the midst of it all. How do you feel about that?
When (under DPressure) we started Trance Generation at the start of 2004, there really wasn’t anyone else doing what we wanted. With this in mind, we just did our own thing, irrelevant of what was deemed ‘cool’ or the ‘in’ thing at the time. We really just wanted to have fun and throw good parties. The same applies now in 2008. Clubs and nights close for many reasons - but people still want to go out and have fun.
Why did you decide on Hidden for your next party?
It was actually a decision we took a lot of time over. We shall miss the intimacy of The Soundshaft, but we chose Hidden because it allows us to retain a part of that original feeling whilst opening the night to different flavours of sounds and show-case a bigger selection of artists.
Ehren Stowers
What would you say is the most important element of a successful club night?
Ehren: There are many - and that is an article in itself. But for me it has to be atmosphere. This is driven by the music, the visuals and most importantly the crowd.
Simon: Don’t leave home without your smile. For me, a great atmosphere and friendly happy clubbers are vital for a great night. There have been too many nights in the past where clubbers and DJs have been screwed over by badly organised parties and broken promises. We’re aiming for everyone to leave with a big smile on their faces and the desire to carry on at an after party.
What distinguishes you from other club nights?
Spending a lot of money on the clubber. We pull out all the stops – from visuals to lasers to DJs. We aren’t afraid to spend money – even if it means we know we won’t get it back. This really is a night that economically shouldn’t happen.
Tell us more about the history of Trance Generation. Where did you guys meet and what was the inspiration behind your party?
Ehren: I was a regular DJ at DPressure, a night that in 2002 was run by Nigel Lewis, Gary Ramsden and Boris Bosnyack. In late 2003 they asked me to join their promotion team. Naturally I said yes. It was at a brainstorming meeting, that we decided to change things around to reflect my coming on board. At the time DPressure was about two styles of music: house at the start and trance at the end of the night. I had noticed that generally the house people would leave when the trance came on, whilst the trance people would ask ‘when is the trance coming on?’
So we decided to try one night with one style and see how it would work. Trance Generation as a name was decided upon as a means to say exactly what the night was about on the tin – no confusion. We then decided we wanted to do something different. We got DJs who would normally only play big venues like Godskitchen, Gatecrasher, and Turnmills into our little venue – The Soundshaft. This created an unparalleled sense of intimacy between the DJ and Crowd. We wanted to put a party on that we ourselves wanted to attend.
Simon: I used to go to Trance Generation at the Soundshaft back in 2004 / 2005 with Ercole and our other mates and we loved it. The atmosphere and friendliness of Nigel, Gary, Ehren and the clubbers together really did make it a personal intimate party. It was the sort of party that you would talk about days after which these days doesn’t happen often and it was a craze to collect the high quality Sampler CDs which I still have and play today. I always wanted to be a part of Trance Generation as a DJ / Promoter and when I hooked up with Ehren, all we talked about was the old TG parties and next thing we were organising it. Seeing Above and Beyond playing a few weeks after the broadcast of their highly successful Radio 1 Essential Mix to a TG crowd of 500 people in a small but packed venue was an amazing experience that I know I’ll never forget. And I know we miss that Trance Generation light box, RIP.
Ercole: Same for me, I used to be a TG clubber. Between 2004 / 2005 I went to so many TG parties, I’ll always remember the great atmosphere. It was like a big family with get-togethers every month. What can I say - I met most of my good mates in those days. When they asked me to join TG crew, I didn’t have to think twice, I was sure that I was joining a great group of people, very dedicated to re-create the same quality night.
Simon Bostock
You guys also spend a lot of time in studio. Tell us more about recent releases.
Ehren: We have been very busy! I recently had two releases on Monster Tunes, Panspermia and Way Of Life (with The Viceroy). I also completed a remix for AB project – Misconceptions which received good support on Mondo Records. I have an EP scheduled for release on Monster in the next few months entitled Cold Chaos (with a backing track called The First Sun). I have two other tracks signed to Perceptive Recordings (Twisted Symmetry and Icarus), with another two tracks signed to Real Music (a deep track called Terra Incognito and a collaboration with Simon Bostock called Sudden Impact). I’ve also just finished a new track called Morphine with Mystery Islands which has been signed to Alter Ego records that I am really excited about.
Simon: Label wise, Ehren, Andy Young and myself have formed a label called Insight Recordings. The first two releases have had huge support from Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond (the only two to have a copy!) with remixes so far by Gareth Emery and Octagen.
Personally, 2008 for me has already been a busy period on the production side with my track Vertical signed up to DJSA Records with an AB Project remix coming out soon (which I’m really excited about). I also won the Perspective Recordings remix competition for Redstar’s Rush which has been supported by Armin van Buuren on his radio show A State Of Trance (episode 337) as well as support from Aly and Fila, Manuel le Saux and Showdown DJs.
My other two tracks, Twisted Edge and Razorsharp will hopefully be picked up by a label as an EP release soon. The feeling of dropping Twisted Edge at Thirsty Thursday for its first outing and seeing everyone dancing to it was a big defining moment for me so I’m very happy with that. And on top of that, I have some projects on the go including a remix of Will B’s Upgrade coming out on Perspective Recordings and hopefully a track on our label Insight Recordings before the summer.
Give us a run-down of the events you’ve played at and highlight a favourite moment behind the decks.
Ehren: I have played at various nights ranging from the main rooms at Serious and The Gallery (taking over the decks from Armin Van Buuren is a hard act to follow) to playing for Peach, Heat (Brixton), Nu Religion, Wildchild, Vaccine and as far a field as New Zealand. I think the highlight for me personally though, was the opening night of Trance Generation – a night that I will never forget for many reasons.
Simon: I’ve played at Vaccine at Turnmills (the venue will be very missed), Electronic Sessions boat party, Wildchild, Thirsty Thursdays and Trance Generation. I’m also playing on the 14th March at Qudos at Mango in Reading. This is hosted by Tina Martin with John Askew (Discover) headlining which I’m very excited about.
Ercole: I’ve played at Menthol, Wildchild, Thirsty Thursdays and also at Factory, Hidden, and SEone. But my favourite moment will be my debut at Trance Generation for sure! It will be something special.
Ercole Lugari
What are your top three tracks at the moment?
Ehren:
1. Simon Bostock – Twisted Edge;
2. The Doppler Effect – Beauty Hides In The Deep (John O’ Callaghan remix;
3. Tiesto pres. Allure featuring Julie Thompson – Somewhere Inside (Andy Duguid remix)
Simon:
1. Greg Downey – Stadium (Vandit);
2. Ehren Stowers – Surface Of The Sun (the breakdown is so emotional);
3. Andre Visior - SFYM (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)
Ercole:
1. Aly and Fila – Lost Language Armada/Offshore;
2. RE-Fuge featuring Nicole Tyler – So Real (4_Strings_Remix);
3. Johan Ekman - Timeless (Original Mix)
Apart from the massive line-up for your next party, you’re also giving up-and-coming DJs a chance to play in the Next Generation room. Anyone in particular we should look out for?
Apart from our residents, pay particular attention to Dan Cooper, Andy Dunford and Adam Symbiosis.
How would you describe the evolution of dance music in recent years and how have you adapted to it?
Ehren: Like all things it will continue to change and evolve. I feel the sound has matured loads recently, it sounds fuller - and great trance now hits you on all levels possible. For me, I just continue to play emotional, uplifting party music; if it takes me to that other place, I’ll play it.
Simon: For me, trance has broadened out to so many sub-genres that you can take the clubbers on a journey from one end of the scope to another. I just play what I like, whether it’s progressive, tech, euphoric or kicking.
Ercole: Trance is definitely a wide genre and my tastes are still under development. I love it because with a bit of imagination, you can always imagine a scenario playing along to a trance track. To me, Tiesto's Flight 643 really does feel like the soundtrack to a flight, Armin's Zocalo feels like either an eye-opening experience or a farewell, and so on.
Your flyer states that you’ve gone a little mad. You’re not hosting this party to make money. Would you say that money has influenced the dance industry in a big way?
Completely. Money drives all things in our society. I think if headline trance DJs generally reduced their fees across the board - particularly in the UK – we would see many more trance events. I have seen an increase in some DJ fees, when in fact they should be lower. Promoters just cannot generally afford to put the events on. This combined with venue hire and promotion costs, drive the expenses of an event to an un-economical level.
Tell us more about your plans for the future. Will we see regular Trance Generation parties from now on?
Watch this space!
Matt Darey has been replaced by a special guest. You guys haven’t revealed his/her identity yet. Can you let us in on the secret?
Ehren: We are very excited to have this guest - and will announce his/her name at 3am on the night of the party – make sure you are there!
Simon: It’s… Ah, maybe you will just have to wait.
Ercole: The best things in life are coming… with a good wait.
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive and Trance Generation. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Generation
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On:
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Saturday 1st March 2008
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£11 early birds / £14 advanced or before 11 on door / £17 after
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Website:
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www.clubgeneration.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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Via Ticketweb.
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Over two years ago, we threw our last official party at the now legendary Soundshaft in London. We always said we would be back - but I don’t think anyone could imagine how quickly two years would shoot by.
We have not spent that time sleeping however. We have evolved. Dance music (in all of it’s forms) has undergone a dramatic evolution too. As such we have bought with us the good bits that made our events so special from the past, enhanced and expanded them, added new twists and turns to make something that is extremely unique in the capital.
As with the past, we have gone a little mad. We have thrown away the golden rule of promoting. We have built this event on one premise- to pull out all the stops and have one hell of a party. We are not interested in making money nor turning profit. Our line-ups are a testament to our intentions, and they need no introductions. We want to give you the best music, the best talent, and the best night out that you’ve had in a hell of a long time.
We have selected the cream of home-grown talent, from the tried and tested through to the next big names.
Remember- this is your generation, and you are a part of it.
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Other Features By Frani Heyns:
Finding the passion with Ben Alonzi
Put your hands in the air for Glyn Waters
Shifting gears with Corderoy
Perfectly Adam White
Getting Crafty with Sly One: Part 2
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Jurrane on 21st Feb 2008 11:13.22
First class interview with three guys who genuinely love their trance music. It's great to see the return of Trance Generation and I can't wait to see what this party brings. Congratulations guys: the London trance scene needs you right now. 
From: Andy Dunford on 21st Feb 2008 18:30.25
Just seeing those pictures remind me of how good a party it was and what great times I had! My first TG was also that Friday 13th August, I remember Steve from the Thrillseekers was on excellent form that night!
This is going to be an amazing party run by people who are clearly very passionate about what they do. Good luck guys and for me personally - I'm starting to get quite excited about this now!
From: Adam Symbiosis on 22nd Feb 2008 13:39.44
Thanks for your comments guys! Looking forward to next week.
From: Menthol Taz on 23rd Feb 2008 20:51.15
Nice one guys.... can't make this first one, but sure they'll be many more. Good luck!! xxx
From: Eve Kapeeve on 26th Feb 2008 19:52.35
Oh wow I just can't wait!! I went to a Thirsty Thursday and was introduced to some of the Generation crew and I really had the best time ever. I managed to get hold of a Generation demo CD and I am completely addicted to it. I've got itchy dancing feet just even writing this. Bring on Saturday!
From: Ian Edwards on 27th Feb 2008 19:57.56
Great to have Trance Gen back.. Great interview.
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