What happens when you pair All Day I Dream artists Lost Desert and Simon Vuarambon together in a studio ? Well, we believe, something rather special. Their first studio collaboration (alongside Lee Burridge) ‘One’ appeared on Lee and Lost Desert’s debut album “Melt”. Warm, sexy, deep house epitomized through its seven minute musical journey.
Lost Desert then launched his new label, Souksonic in late 2019, debuting their next collaboration ‘Bloesom’. The track features Simon’s live instrumentation built on top of Lost Desert’s signature grooves showcasing a more ethnic sound.
Fast forward to 2020 and we’re now excited to premiere their new release “Firedance’ featuring Sidartha Siliceo with remixes by M.O.S. and Mike Torr. WWD caught up with the pair to have a quick chat about all things music … and their favorite foods to cook.
WWD: Hi Patrick, Hi Simon. Welcome to When We Dip— we’re excited about your new upcoming release on Souksonic. Clearly you both have some chemistry in the studio as this is now your 3rd track together. Where did the inspiration for ‘Firedance’ come about ?
Patrick: As I recall, we were in our 3rd day of the studio and I had heard a track that inspired me groove wise. As I started making the groove, Simon told me he knew a Sitar player and that he also was in Belgium that very same time. After a quick call we invited Sidartha Siliceo in the studio that same day. It did not take Sidartha long to feel our groove and the result is called ‘Firedance’.
Simon: Hi guys, thanks for having us! Actually, I think we didn’t really have any idea of what we were going to do that day in the studio. At that time, Patrick and I were making music at his studio in Belgium and I knew that my friend Sidartha was near us touring with his Indian classical music gigs. Although his schedule was very tight, we could finally manage to do a studio session all together. Patrick started to work on some drums, I started playing some harmonies on the synth and over that Sidartha joined us with his sitar, and we started creating the song right there in the moment. So there wasn’t really a plan of what we wanted to do at all !
WWD: Do you find it difficult to collaborate on a track as you both live in different countries ? Well, actually different continents. Would you prefer to work in the studio physically together ?
Patrick: Well we do live a world apart, but up to now we did work physically in the studio together. Every time Simon is in Europe and we have a few days, we quickly write new tracks, it’s so easy working with a talented guy like Simon !!!
Simon: Actually we never worked on music without being in the same studio. Personally i’ve never really been able to collaborate at distance. I believe the feeling is different when you’re in the same room, sending projects doesn’t really work for me. This being said, all the tracks we did were done at Pat’s studio together. Every time we met at the studio, usually it wasn’t for more than one week or so, but sometimes we’ve even made 2 or 3 tracks in a week.
WWD: How do you work on a project from afar ? Do you screen share and work in real time or do you simply send the project back and forth to one another ? What’s been the easiest method so far ?
Patrick: Well Simon took planes trains and automobiles so far, haha so old school !
Of course once we have our first ideas down, the updates (details in mix), go back and forth online, then we both test them out and tweak until we are all happy, V1 to V10 hehe.
WWD: How did you meet Sidartha and find yourself collaborating together ?
Patrick: Simon had the contact.
Simon: I met Sidartha in 2016. We made a track called ‘Liberation’ which then was released on Hernan Cattaneo’s Balance Album. We kept in touch since then, being good friends, and sometime later when we all were in Belgium, it felt natural to make music again.
WWD: Now going back even farther, how did you two initially meet and start working together ?
Patrick: I believe I noticed Simon’s work on Shanti Moscow Radio before meeting him at a Lost Desert gig in Buenos Aires. Simon, correct me if I’m wrong.
Simon: Yes ! We met in Buenos Aires some years ago. Since the first day we met, we really connected on a lot of subjects and became friends instantly. Then we planned to meet in the studio and make some music— The connection was also there. A lot of great moments happened since then.
WWD: (To Patrick) Congrats on starting your first label ! It looks like it’s going very well so far. Is this a project that’s been brewing for a while ?
Thank you ! Souksonic did get off to a nice start indeed. I find myself getting so much great music from young talented people— it’s amazing. I had the idea for about a year and found that more and more beautiful unreleased tracks were getting lost. Getting the support from Mr. Burridge gave me the courage to go for it.
WWD: (To Patrick) What’s your criteria for signing music ? Do you have a specific genre/sound that you envision for the new label ?
Well, I like to think I do, but then you get a great track that’s different and all plans go out the window, haha. But there is a vision ! In my mind at least, if I can draw a blue print with a few words they would be…
WOULD BE: Ethnic, original, melodic, melancholic, organic, groovy, sexy
WOULD NOT BE: Too lounge or too banging, full melodies and vocal movie samples, tech, proggy, straight, snare rolls & white noises, cold, big room
One thing I would like to say to young (and old) producers out there !! A kick, hi hat and a clap with a default Synth Pad is not a “All Day I Dream” or “Souksonic” track. It takes more than that, I want to hear passion, emotion, detail, and originality. Something I can remember (and not from another track). Try writing original melodies and vocal lines, record original sounds and voices. When I hear that in a track, you have a good shot, even when the sound is not perfect at that time.
All demos can be send to [email protected]
WWD: (To Simon) After taking all of this in, do you have any aspirations to start your own label one day ?
Simon: Yes ! It’s an idea I have in mind but I couldn’t say when right now. Hopefully it will happen at the right time.
WWD: Do you have any advice, thoughts, tips, or tricks for our readers when collaborating with other artists ? Whether it’s in the studio or remotely.
Patrick: Stay calm, learn to take criticism, and keep in mind “the other one CAN be right”………….. (sometimes) haha. Learn and also use mistakes.
Simon: I think it’s important to keep in mind that collaborating is about sharing. Meaning the key is to find a balance between both artist’s perspectives. That being said, if you have a good feeling with your partner, the music will just come out.
WWD: Name a track from your childhood that you think influenced how you play and make music today.
Patrick: Being a tiny bit older, I think it would be very sad if the music from my childhood was still the main influence on what I do today and for sure tomorrow. The beauty of music for me is the never ending tides of something old, something new, something borrowed (in moderation), something blue. Of course there will always be the classics I love, being either Simple Minds ‘New Gold Dream’ album tracks to Wally Badarou ‘Echoes’ album to Frankie Knuckles ‘Whistle Song’ just to name a few. In more recent years, there is no denying producers like Matthew Dekay & Lee Burridge, Stimming, Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Bedouin, Gorje Hewek & Izhevski who have all had a huge impact on me.
Simon: So many ! It would be really hard to choose just one track, but at the top of my head I remember being a child listening on repeat ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin.
WWD: Did you ever listen to your parents’ music ? And, if so, which do you still love ?
Patrick: Oh sure, my parents had a Cafe back in the late 70s and yeah i still love disco and those flower power tracks they would play. So I’ve known for a long time that if I ever get to San Francisco I have to wear flowers in my hair !!
Simon: Yes, they had a great record collection, from Classical to Rock music which I still go back and listen today.
WWD: You are based in Belgium (Patrick), and you in Argentina (Simon). How are the electronic music scenes in your regions ?
Patrick: The music scene in Belgium is mostly techno and retro. A lot of people dwell in a blinding & ear deafening past of melancholy. The progression in to other genres is about as slow as the growth of a bonsai tree.
Simon: Electronic music in Argentina is all over the place, people know who and what they’re listening to when they go out usually so it’s a really good thing.
WWD: Name a few artists that inspire you and how you produce music.
Simon: Apart from all the music I’ve listened growing up, I couldn’t really give names because I listen to a lot of artists in a large range of styles. I get more inspired by specifics songs rather than a particular artist. This being said, I think the most important thing I could mention that influenced how I write and produce music is my musical background. I started playing guitar at 7 years old and I have a 5-year degree in classical music and film scoring composition from a University in Buenos Aires where I am living now. I actually just finished. This gave me a particular understanding on how all music works which helped me and changed the way I create.
WWD: What was the last track you Shazam’d ? Don’t be shy.
Patrick: ‘Come and see’ by Lean Year
Simon: ‘Whirlpool’ by Seal. I knew the song because it was in my parents record collection, but sometime ago when I heard it again on the radio I just couldn’t put a name on it !
Shazam it’s definitely a great app, but i think that people who use it when they go to a club or show, should care a bit less about each tracks, and more about the whole story that the artist is there to tell.
WWD: Now that we’re all stuck at home these next few months. What have you been doing to keep yourselves occupied (when you’re not in the studio) ?
Patrick: As a producer our world (when not touring) is a lock down, so at the moment it does not feel so different. I do admit that the first weeks were kind of depressing. It’s those who can channel that negative energy and turn it in to something beautiful that will submerge.
Simon: Well, besides being in the studio, I try to workout every morning. I’ve been reading some books from Paul Auster whom i really enjoy, and I’ve also watched some good classic films.
WWD: Are you a good cook ? If so, what’s your warm up dish and banging main meal ?
Patrick: Some say, I’m a better cook then a ……. haha, I do love to cook and practically do so on a daily basis. I need my fresh made soups and I love seafood.
My prawns with lots of garlic, sherry, harissa, lemon, fresh chopped parsley are often on demand. Lately our daughter guides us in the vegetarian and vegan options.
Simon: I can say that Pat is a great cook and he’s been teaching me, so let’s see in a few months haha. I like good food, i’m not picky really, I just prefer to eat healthy and not fast food.
WWD: If you could choose anyone (alive or dead), who would you invite to dinner ?
Patrick: George Harrison, he loved garlic and I would not mind getting a ukelele from him. 😉
Simon: My grandmother ! She was a very talented artist and passed away when I was still too young to have a more profound talk.
WWD: If you could play anywhere in the world right now, where would it be ? (It does not have to be a club).
Patrick: Without a doubt, it would be the Robot Heart Bus at Burning Man. Let’s hope we can soon once again in this crazy 2020.
Simon: Well, to be honest, wherever people are and wish to listen to my music, I would feel grateful to go and play for them.
WWD: Do we have any upcoming surprises coming from you two after this ?
Simon: Future will tell 🙂 Thank you for your time and support!
Patrick: Many Thanks !!
Follow : Lost Desert // Simon Vuarambon // Souksonic