Recently, we got a chance to interview international artist and producer Akés aka Rodrigo Alves. Akés plays and makes dark psychedelic music. He released his album “2012 Remixes” late last year. Here is how the interview went:
Eight Octaves: Why did you start producing music on computers and not become an instrument player like a guitarist or drummer?
Akés: Ever since I was a kid, I was fascinated by computers and was around them quite a lot. So, when I started to get interested in music I found a way to make it virtually faster than the time I got interested in playing any instrument. I had some lessons on drums, guitar and flute but never decided to grow up on any instrument because
computers were more fascinating to me.
EO: What has made you stick to the music scene over the years?
Akés: My evolution. I would like to see results coming up after some years. It makes me stronger.
EO: The psychedelic trance scene is very underground. Why don’t you get into producing more mainstream music?
Akés: It is very tempting. All artists know mainstream music sells more and have more people enjoying it, but I think to be a mainstream musician, you need to like that kind of music at the beginning. For those who like deep and feeling music but overnight decide to quit their project to start making music to sell, it is because they don’t care about the feelings that music can provide anymore. So I prefer to stick to making music that gives you the feeling of putting your hands up.
EO: What equipment do you currently use?
Akés: Alesis Monitor One MKII, Access Virus B, M-Audio Oxygen 8, Edirol FA66, Pentium Dual-Core 2.4, Velleman Promix 50, T.Amp Mix 1202.
EO: Virtual instruments vs. Hardware instruments. What’s your take?
Akés: I prefer hardware instruments as they have much more quality. But the problem is the price. VST are not so expensive and most are free on the Internet. I use some VST instruments for some specific creations.
EO: When was your first live performance ever? How did you feel then?
Akés: It was in 2008. I felt very happy and was happy by thinking it could be the first of many.
EO: Psychedelic trance has been around for quite some time now. Do you think its popularity seems to have gone down a little? What are your views on this?
Akés: I don’t think the popularity is going down. The popularity is getting bigger. The problem is that for some people it is no more a new thing, some quit the scene, others don’t have money to go to parties or buy CDs. People listen to more music online and there is a new generation growing stronger now. Better days will come.
EO: You were recently on an India Tour. What did you think about the music scene here?
Akés: Yes. Well, as I saw, the Indian scene is more closed than in Europe. I think Psy parties became a problem for politicians and so they are trying to dissuade the scene. The reality in parties is the same in all worlds, but the governments are not. So, as they have different views, the laws are different, and so here the parties start much sooner and wind up much sooner than some countries in Europe and the security is tighter.
EO: Which artists or genres are your main inspirations in making music?
Akés: Every new kind of psychedelic inspires me. I don’t like to get fixed to only one kind of production. I like to listen to tunes of artists like Ocelot, Kindzadza, Furious, and Kashyyyk.
EO: What is dark for you?
Akés: It’s hard to define dark. For me, dark is any kind of music that shares melancholy, and makes me feel like that.
EO: Do you follow any specific strategy for composition?
Akés: Yes, I like to start from the middle of the 1st part, when it is in the highlight. Then I make an introduction and make the second part.
EO: You are also the label head of Hellchedelic Records. How do you run a label in such a niche yet highly competitive scene?
Akés: Yes. There are many labels out there. It is hard to compete, but I think if we innovate, we can be higher. The most important thing is innovation.
EO: What can we expect from Akés in the near future?
Akés: I am working hard to do new albums and release music. Will go act in some festivals, and hope to get more gigs around the world and make people happy by sharing my tunes.
EO: Any message you would like to send to your fans and supporters?
Akés: Yes. I would like to thank all people who are helping and have helped me. Thanks to all who follow me and enjoy my music.
