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'SHANE 54' INTERVIEW
(NOVEMBER 2003)
'SHANE 54' (Elod
Csaszar) has been a well known Artist in Hungary for over a decade. Over
the last three years, he has gained international fame for his Remixes
of Tracks for Various Artists, but it is his very own Remix of Jean Michel
Jarre's 25 Year Old Classic 'EQUINOXE 4' that has gained him his individual
international commercial success in Europe.
'SHANE 54's 'EQUINOXE 4' remix stormed into the European Charts when it
was released last year, peaking at Number 12 in the Spanish Charts, and
Number 14 in the Dutch Dance Charts, and is well supported by top DJ's
including Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk & Marco V.
With a Limited Edition 12'' Vinyl of Remixes of 'SHANE 54's 'EQUINOXE
4' Remix just recently released in the UK, JARRE UK contacted 'SHANE 54'
and requested and organised an EXCLUSIVE Interview with him, to ask him
how Jean Michel Jarre's Music had influenced his Musical Career:-
Dunkie: First of all, for those Jean Michel Jarre Fans that do
not know your music, please could you introduce yourself?
Shane
54: My name is 'SHANE 54', I'm a Budapest-based electronic dance
music producer. My musical career started in 1992, when I was still at
high school... ;o) Our band (where I was the singer) was a typical pop
boy band that was really popular in that era. Then I went solo, and made
more grown-up pop music. I did 10 albums and tons of remixes for other
Hungarian artists, and then in 2000 I started doing international stuff,
and ever since I've been doing dance music which has proved to be a highly
enjoyable experience for me.
Dunkie:
When did you first discover
the music of Jean Michel Jarre?
Shane
54: In the early 80's as a 9 year old kid, I listened to every
piece of music my dad had in his collection. (He is a sound engineer,
so I clearly understood what the mixing console was doing in the studio,
way before I started learning to read or write). 'EQUINOXE' was the first
Jean Michel Jarre album I ever heard, and it took my breath away. It was
exactly something I liked, good sounding, strange, space-ish. For me that
was something a kid would find cool. Then I collected all 3 Jean Michel
Jarre albums ('MAGNETIC FIELDS' was the 'new' Jean Michel Jarre album
around then), and became a huge fan immediately.
Dunkie:
Did this first experience of Jean Michel Jarre's music
inspire you to get involved in electronic music?
Shane
54: Yeah, sure I guess. Those atmospheric pads and noises of
the 70's Jean Michel Jarre albums were the foundation of my love for electronic
stuff. 'EQUINOXE 4' is the ultimate anthem for me. I just love those things.
Dunkie:
Jean Michel Jarre is widely regarded as "the godfather of electronic
music". How much would you agree or disagree with Jean Michel Jarre's
affectionate title, and what is your own perception of Jean Michel Jarre
and his music?
Shane 54: Well, it's hard to say he's
not... In my opinion he is a living classic, and his contributions to
electronic music are inevitable.
Dunkie:
Your first official track as 'SHANE 54' was an unofficial remix of 'FIRE
& ICE's remix of Jean Michel Jarre's 'SOUVENIR DE CHINE' in 2002.
Did you have a secret passion for the Jean Michel Jarre track in the first
place, or did you just like the treatment that 'FIRE & ICE' had given
the track?
Shane 54: Actually I was amazed by this
tune the first time I heard it on the 'CONCERTS IN CHINA' album. When
the 'FIRE & ICE' cover came out, it sounded good, but lacked a few
elements I would've put in there. As a DJ, I wanted to play a different
version, so I've did one for myself. Then I offered it to the 'FIRE &
ICE' guys, but they weren't planning a new release, so they didn't need
it. Their advice was to find a label for it, and release under my name.
Afterglow Records (www.afterglow-records.de)
in Germany took the track, so it was released last year. While I was in
the finishing phase of 'SOUVENIR DE CHINE', I had the idea how 'EQUINOXE
4' should be turned into trance, so I started work on it. Originally I
wanted to release these two tracks as 'The Jean Michel Jarre EP', as a
tribute to the man I highly respect.
Dunkie:
You commercially released your highly acclaimed
remix of Jean Michel Jarre's 'EQUINOXE 4' in 2002, and have just recently
re-released it this year. From all of the tracks you could've chosen to
remix from Jean Michel Jarre's back catalogue, why did you choose to remix
this 25 year old classic?
Shane
54: Jean Michel Jarre's original 'EQUINOXE 4' is the ultimate
trance tune. This man already knew something about the future in the 70's...
OMG! The melodies just perfectly blend into a dance record even if you
speed it up, and put dance beats underneath. When I first heard my version
in a big club with a proper sound system, the old memories came back from
listening to it for the first time. It was a moment that was alone worth
the whole work I was putting into this project. I think this is a record
I made for the kid I once was. He wasn't complaining... ;o)
Dunkie:
Your 'EQUINOXE 4' remix has been well received in Europe, especially on
the European Dance Scene, and has received commercial success in many
European Countries. Have you any plans to release it in the UK, especially
as interest in the track has been rekindled, with DJ Quicksilver's 'EQUINOXE
4' remix just recently released, and with this year celebrating the 25th
anniversary of Jean Michel Jarre's 'EQUINOXE' album?
Shane 54: Actually a limited edition remix
vinyl has been released in the UK (with Martin Eyerer & Mat Silver
Vs Tony Burt remixes) on Above The Sky Records (www.abovethesky.com),
but the original didn't see daylight over in the UK as I know. Currently
I'm working on an improved version of the original release, and when that's
ready, I'll be looking for opportunities for releasing it in the UK.
Dunkie:
DJ Quicksilver's 'EQUINOXE 4' remix has just recently been commercially
released this year. Have you heard his remix, and if so, how did you feel
after hearing it, as it does first appear to be a copy of your remix?
Shane
54: At first I was very angry, I respected
this guy for what he did in the past, and liked some of his stuff. I felt
cheated, wanted to tell him he's a "*+&@", but then I was
thinking, being copied also means you did something good - on the other
hand, it wasn't entirely MY song...
Dunkie:
Have you any plans to remix any further Jean Michel Jarre tracks, and
if so, is there a particular track you would like to remix?
Shane 54: Good question. It would be hard
to decide between '4TH RENDEZ-VOUS' and 'LONDON KID'. They both could
be easily turned to trance anthems. 'ZOOLOOK' is also a very good source
for finding something interesting...
Dunkie:
If the opportunity arose, and Jean Michel Jarre were to ask you, how much
would you be interested in remixing any future singles from any future
albums?
Shane 54: Is this a serious question????
I'D
LOVE TO!!!!
Dunkie:
Finally, if you had to choose a Jean Michel Jarre album that best defines
the artist and his music, what do you think would be your choice, and
why would you choose it?
Shane 54: For me a Jean Michel Jarre record
has to be either 'OXYGENE' or 'EQUINOXE'. I'll never forget listening
to these albums in the darkness at night-time. I was 9-10 years old, and
the sounds just blew me away. The phaser effect on the synth pads was
something I'll always identify with his music. I just love it.
JARRE
UK would like to thank 'SHANE 54' for allowing us to conduct this interview,
and would like to wish him all the best with any future projects.
'SHANE 54's Limited Edition 'EQUINOXE 4' Remix Vinyl is available in the
UK from Above The Sky Records (www.abovethesky.com)
priced at £5.00.
For further information about 'SHANE 54', his 'SOUVENIR DE CHINE' and
'EQUINOXE 4' Remixes, please visit his Web-Site (www.shane-54.com).
Web-Master: Duncan
M G Walls 'Dunkie' (ICQ: 114076586)
Assistant
Web-Master: Robin Hosgood (ICQ: 29538207)
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'SHANE
54' Jean Michel Jarre Remixes
'SOUVENIR DE CHINE'
(Afterglow, Germany, June 2002)
Club Mix/Stargazer Remix
'EQUINOXE 4'
(DTF Recordings, Netherlands, July 2002)
Original Mix/Mat Silver Vs Tony Burt Remix
'EQUINOXE 4'
(Tempo Music, Spain, October 2002)
Mat Silver Vs Tony Burt Remix/Original Mix
'EQUINOXE 4'
(Above The Sky, UK, January 2003)
Martin Eyerer Remix/Mat Silver Vs Tony Burt Remix
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