Interviewer: Alexander Bez (TDHDriver)
Preparation of questions: Dmitry Chikhaev (dimassamid), Alexander Bez (TDHDriver)
Editor: Nickolay Fedorenko (Nick Fedorenko)
Interview date: June 19, 2018
Preparation of questions: Dmitry Chikhaev (dimassamid), Alexander Bez (TDHDriver)
Editor: Nickolay Fedorenko (Nick Fedorenko)
Interview date: June 19, 2018
Interview with Igor Wasilewski for spacesynth.ru
Igor Wasilewski is a composer from Poland who lives in Japan, the author of the legendary Spacesynth project "Phobotrax". He writes music since the 80s. Igor is convinced that the real spacesynth should be as close to the classics as possible (Laserdance and Proxyon).
It is not widely known than "Phobotrax" is not the only Igor's project. Igor has kindly agreed for a small interview for our portal, in which he told us about his other projects, the way his works were created, the equipment he used, and a lot more.
Thank you for having agreed to answer our questions!
Your music is very popular among Spacesynth fans, but there is almost no information about you and your project. Please tell us please how did started to write Spacesynth music. Which things brought you in that?
Thank you very much, I never imagined Phobotrax could attract any considerable attention. Talking about my music, the whole thing started when I was a teenager, in the 80s. I was a big fan of synthesizers and Italo-Disco music. When I later heard the Spacesynth genre, I was instantly captivated. I also dreamed of making this kind of music, I had ideas and motives, but I needed a studio to do that. It was not so easy to have a studio in the 80s, I needed to wait for some time.
Yes, it was difficult to get studio equipment in the 80s. I wonder what is the name and year of your first ever Spacesynth track. Was it released somewhere?
I think the first track was probably "In The Galaxy". That track was year 2000, I had a nickname Astroplex, but when I later came back to this music I noticed that such a name was also taken by other bands (unrelated). I just left it and created Phobotrax. I made 3 albums in the same year, the quality was not so good, and that material was only on cassette tapes, never released. I used Korg 03R/W module to produce that material.
Do you have plans to release these albums from tapes? Or maybe remake them in the future? I think it would be very interesting for Spacesynth fans.
I'd like to release some of them maybe. But first I would need to give them a new shape and a better quality. I have some plans, but I also have new ideas.
Which things do you like most in Spacesynth style? Which musical projects and bands gave you inspiration?
In the 80s this music was very revolutionary in my opinion. Now it's maybe not so appealing to many people due to the omnipresence of various electronic dance music genres, but it retains that nostalgic vibe. I am a big fan of Laserdance, Proxyon and Rygar, I also like Koto and Cyber People. And Syntech. I remember when I was 16 years old and for the first time I saw Laserdance's second album "Around The Planet" at a music shop. It was incredible, this is how it really started. And in Spacesynth I always like the vocoder parts.
Oh yes, vocoder parts are always a tasty piece of any Spacesynth track So, what hardware/software do you use to make music? Which do you prefer, hardware synths or software synths (VSTi)? And why?
For the Spacesynth genre I prefer hardware because it gives us a better 80s feel. At the same time, I agree that using software is very convenient and has lots of technical possibilities. In 2008 I bought Roland Fantom G workstation, and since that time all my newer Phobotrax productions have been made with it. For example, the album "Back To Kellion".
All the songs from "Back To Kellion" and after that come from Roland Fantom G. It has some really nice 80s sounds, although I used external samples too. I always liked the idea of having a nice synthesizer with a built-in sequencer, and Fantom G is a great workstation. But it was not so easy with the vocoder. Although the vocals were recorded using Fantom G, I had to use external software to later modify them. Vocoder was the only exception.
I think that some of your tracks are inspired with Italo-Disco and have some elements from it. Tell us what you think about Italo-Disco. Who are your favourite Italo-Disco artists? Do you like the new generation of Italo-Disco? And do you agree that Spacesynth genre is a child of Italo-Disco?
I like Italo-Disco and I'm happy to see that this tradition goes on. And today's producing techniques give it a better quality. In the 80s I was a fan of Radiorama, then I started listening to all Italo Boot Mixes. I was very impressed by Doctor's Cat - "Feel The Drive", Cyber People - "Void Vision" and Koto - "Visitors". When I heard first Spacesynth productions I could easily distinguish that it was something else, something more. For example, the "Visitors" was certainly outstanding in Italo Boot Mix vol. 4. But I agree that we could call Spacesynth a subgenre of Italo-Disco.
I agree with you (Beside your main album "Back To Kellion" you also had a single "On Cloud Nine". And there you had Japanese text on the cover! Could you tell us please a couple of words about that single and what made you move to Japan.
I moved to Japan in 2007, I have always loved Japan. My wife is Japanese, we have two daughters. Japan has become my true homeland. For the song "On Cloud Nine" I had this idea to write "Phobotrax" in Japanese. I think it looks very nice and is good for the Spacesynth mood. It's a very optimistic song, as the title indicates, "happy on cloud nine". Of course it has a vocoder part too.
Nice to know that! Japan is a really great country! Let me guess the meaning of your project. Phobos is a satellite of Mars, Trax (as Tracks) - music tracks. Am I correct? And why "Phobotrax"?
Yes, exactly! I wanted to have a name with some typical space theme, so I compared many names of planets etc. to see if this combination sounds good. I tried various combinations, but this one seemed best.
Your official YouTube channel was active only from April 2010 until 2011 (once your album has been released). After that there was no news from you. Why did you instantly disappear from music scene? Because of work? Family? Another hobby?
After "Back To Kellion" I became more and more busy in my everyday life and work. I published "On A Mission" on SoundCloud, I also had such Spacesynth projects as Solar Foot with just two songs and GANIMEDO with 4 songs on the Esperanto language. But after that I simply had less and less free time. However, I want to get back to making music.
Wow, I never heard about your SoundCloud channel! Just found it. How could I miss such great releases? Nice to know that you had some other projects! Are there any style differences? I see you were trying some other styles! Which one is your favourite after Spacesynth/Italo-Disco?
Yes, I have composed quite many songs in other genres too. My favorite genres beside Spacesynth are Trance and hardstyle, but I was probably better at producing house and even modern era Hip-Hop.
Do you listen to new Spacesynth music now? Which new Spacesynth project do you like most?
Yes, I want to know what Spacesynth is like nowadays. I remember I liked Macrocosm - "Fields Of Fire" and Energon - "Game Of Love" when I first heard them. They are a typical Spacesynth to me. I'm saying it because I also noticed that some other modern Spacesynth songs have become a little too experimental maybe. In my opinion, the real Spacesynth should be as close to the classics as possible.
What do you think is required to bring Spacesynth style to a new level (to make more people love it, to bring it back to radio and TV)?
I think Spacesynth should remain true to the real Laserdance and Proxyon style. In the times of modern EDM music it might be difficult to convince more people, but I see that people who really love Spacesynth can find their way to discover its value. I think it's a niche, maybe it should remain like this.
- Phobotrax - To The Stars.png (111.49 KiB) Viewed 96 times
I see it as a great honour that you decided to revive Phobotrax with this remix CD. I have become too inactive due to work and everyday life, and at this particular moment I cannot guarantee a new remix, but I dream of getting back to making this music again. I really appreciate your interest and efforts!
Please say some good words and wishes to our Spacesynth portal's visitors
I really want to thank everybody who likes Phobotrax. The modern EDM music has so many genres that only really faithful Spacesynth fans are what it takes to keep this music alive. Let's do our best to let Spacesynth shine in the future!
Thanks for the answers and your time! We wish you all the best!
Kind regards,
Spacesynth.Ru Team
This interview was reposted here on 31.10.2024.
