Interviu cu Stephen Fasano aka The Magician

Stephen Fasano aka The Magician este numele unuia dintre artistii disidenti pe care Belgia ii are de oferit scenei muzicale electronice mondiale alaturi de care am dansat intr-o dimineata din vara anului 2009 la Arenele Romane, un an mai tarziu el anuntand vestea conform careia a luat decizia sa se focuseze pe o cariera solo. In 2011 reprezinta povestea de succes atat in productie cat si in spatele pupitrului, iar Nights.ro a stat de vorba cu The Magician in avanpremiera evenimentului de vineri, 23 septembrie, pentru a afla ce se intampla cu primul single al artistului, care este secretul succesului sau de dupa cel cu Aeroplane, la ce sa ne asteptam maine seara si multe alte lucruri interesante din cariera lui.

Hi Stephen! What have you been up to recently?

Hi!

Lots of shows in Europe & America. Also been in the studio to work on future music for 2012.

It seems to me a lot thinking about 15 years of musical experience, speaking of it because you have the matter covered and i'm wondering how did it all started?

DJing started in 1988 when my uncle gave me his disco records collection + 2 turntables and a mixer. It was the New Beat/Acid-house clash in Belgium and I was buying some records from that movement. I've started my first mixtapes mixing Italo Disco and New Beat.

From there I've been into Techno, House, Trip-Hop, Electro and even Drum and Bass during the 90's..

2000's have been the meeting of these genres with Pop music.

Before 1988, I was already a big fan of Michael Jackson, Supertramp or Abba.

Your first romanian concert as "Aeroplane" has certainly created a lot of buzz among existing fans and others hearing of you for the first time. What was your impression of the success of your first concert in Romania as a member of "Aeroplane"?

I remember playing after Basement Jaxx. Remember also the death of Michael Jackson. We even played a selfmade edit of 'Billie Jean' to start our djset.

That place, 'Arnele Romane', something like that? was amazing, with that sunrise and a really good crowd... Good memories!

Tell me about your first single launched recently, I D’ont Know What To Do...what was your further thought when you were working on producing it?

It's not released yet but It's in streaming through my soundcloud. It coming out on October 3rd on Kitsuné.

I wrote this track last year in November at the same time as The Lykke Li remix, so the piano was full on in the studio! Then I was looking for a singer with a perfect 80's voice & feeling. I knew Jeppe for his HIT with Classixx "I'll

Get You". So, I've sent him the instrumental and he sent it back a vocal line. Then the mix process took a bit of time because I've changed studio. So I've been only able to mix it with Yuksek in June.

Expect to catch as well as the first remix, Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers, that specialized media highlighted in 2010 as a hit of the years appearance?

It was totally unexpected and it is even more unexpected now as it become very popular!

The vocal line is just fantastic. I'm really lucky to have been remixing Lykke Li as first remix. The thing is, it never been released! I gave it for free through my soundcloud but people knows it more from the blogs and especially Youtube.

Now that you've had some time to sit with it, how do you feel about playing solo all over the world?

It's easier, less stressful. You make your own set story, it's better built. But sometimes it's less fun, you don't have a partner to tell a joke..

About traveling, It doesn't bother me, I like that. It leaves me thinking, reading or watching movies.

Do you believe that the fame of Aeroplane has been a decisive factor in rising your solo career under the moniker The Magician?

For sure at the beginning, when I've started Magic Tapes.. Then I've got the trust of many people when I made the Lykke Li remix.

Aeroplane got lots of new fans with the album, probably 4 times the fans when I left. So I think that since the split, 90% of the new fans don't know very much about me.

Why do you choose the moniker The Magician after the Aeroplane musical project?

I was looking for a name, my girlfriend has suggested The Magician. First I laughed because it seemed rather pretentious to be called The Magician right after a split up.

After reflexion, some ideas came out.. Making a character, playing with a costume, making magic wand for people, etc...But without falling into the cliché!

Also with a Magician, you expect something but you never know.. it's not an evidence.

Your’re restless when it comes to genres, combining disco-influenced house, balearic and funk. So combining all of this, how would you describe your overall set?

It's a mix of love, melodies, melancholy, smiles, energy,...

Considering that you have the opportunity to bill one act to play after The Magician set, who would it be?

After? I'll be in my bed. I don't like to stay longer after my set, I loose the freshness of my ears.

I would prefer before, a live act for example.. Perhaps Metronomy!

How many mixtapes are you going to release on your soundcloud account? :)

Until The Magician exists. I would even say, until I die.

So what should be expect at the Friday night concert in Berlin Club, Bucharest?

A guy with a beard, a white costume, playing records, trying to make people happy and dancing. But don't expect to see bunnies!

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