theActualAltair

1. I was delighted to hear you finally employ what appeared to be 3D binaural sound in “Ω” (the bits that seemed to swirl around the head). What did you use to achieve this, and would you suggest any tools for this in particular?
2. Are hardware VA synths ever worth it compared to real analogue?
3. In the light of the comments you’ve made about the state of the industry in the digital age: Do you think labels still have any great relevance, and if so how should creators approach them? I’m personally very wary of doing so, as nearly everything I’ve read about the industry describes exploitative business models that hoard the lion’s share of profits at the expense of creators (and some have argued that this may be at the root of the streaming revenue problem). So from one with a quarter-century of experience working with them, what say you?
4. What are your thoughts on sampling? Count me among those who managed to pick out the Blade Runner excerpt in “Satellite”, so I know you’ve gone there ;) I think it’s a vital outlet of human creativity that shouldn’t be ignored or made inaccessible (but then again, I’ll never be able to pay the approx. $30,000 necessary to clear the four year-old pop hook I’m using for my latest trance tune, which I don’t intend to profit from). What say you?
5. How do I come to the place of musical freedom you so beautifully occupy? Probably the most inspiring thing about you for me is how you can do just about anything with music, while still staying true to a sound and personality that’s distinctly yours. Everything from trance to dubstep to chillout to indie rock to breaks to classical to film score to microrhythmic ambient neoclassical (catches breath) – what drives all this flexibility? Pure experience? Classical education in youth and later? Pure perseverance? The attitude of saying “fuck it” to expectation and doing whatever brings you joy in the moment? What is the single most important thing to achieve this?
6. And most importantly: Is there a story behind the haircut?

I hope we can take a selfie the next time ur in Calgary meet one day Brian, and maybe even work together. For now, thanks for just everything – the music, the performances, the software tools, but most importantly how much of yourself you freely give to us all in everything you do. I only hope you know what that means <3

Once again, thanks so much for rocking Calgary with that open-to-close last July. I was only vaguely familiar with your discog before then, but thanks to that night your original album was essentially my soundtrack for that summer. I can't f*cking wait for the new one!

1) I love how your sound is a bit "rawer" than other trance producers so to speak. Acoustic instruments here and there, hardware analog synths, and lots and lots of dubby, delayed ambiences. What sort of things inspired incorporating these elements into your sound?

2) Any future work planned for Andain?

3) Favourite synths and FX? (hardware or software).

4) Have you considered putting some of your own vocals front and center on the new album? I think it was Josh doing backup on Tracking Treasure Down and a few tracks on the Andain album - IMO your singing is good enough to warrant a track for itself :)