The long-awaited Guy J‘s MOMENTS release contains a jaw-dropping collaboration with Astrix. The electronic music visionaries joined forces for ‘River,’ the track finds the two DJ stars paying tribute to the night-life lifestyle. Avi Shmailov, better known as Astrix is one of the biggest names in the world when it comes to progressive psychedelic trance. However, Avi has been experimenting with a wide range of genres for ages, and is well known for pushing the limits!
At the same time, Guy J’s studio skills have always been a couple of steps ahead of the game. The hypnotic influence in his approach to progressive, melodic techno and tech-house, has always been a part of his production. The result of the collaboration is undoubtedly a masterpiece.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘River’ exclusively on When We Dip while reading the great interview we had with Guy J and Astrix. Enjoy!
WWD: Hello Guy J & Astrix. Welcome back on When We Dip! You both have been successful producers for ages, but how have you been able to stay relevant with the music?
G: Thank you, I think the key to staying relevant is to follow your musical beliefs, and people will identify with your music as honest music.
A: My guideline is first and foremost to stay true to my art and invest a lot in my creative process, giving myself the conditions to truly be able to create from a clean and real place. But I also always try to open myself to finding inspiration by exposing myself to others’ art and music, by looking up to young people, fresh creators, other genres, and new adventures. And all this has to come with a lot of hard work and perfectionism and surrounding yourself with the right people to support your art.
WWD: What do you believe your strength is as a music producer?
G: To push and keep exploring my studio gear, I always try to find new techniques to make music, and I am very critical about my productions, and it pushes me to get better.
A: It might sound cliche, but it is the truth: I stay true to myself. I happened to listen to my very first tracks not long ago, and even though they are very immature and I didn’t really know what I was doing, there is something there that is me. I can’t tell you exactly what it is, I can’t define in words what is that thing that is me in my music. But it’s there, whether it’s real old tracks, my newest Astrix album that is the works, or a new techno-ish project that I’m part of now called Moonclipse, that something is always there. Other strengths, I guess, are that I’m taking my time and not rushing things and that I’m a perfectionist (though that can be a pain as well 🙂 ).
WWD: The collaboration of the two giants Astrix and Guy J is a dream come true for many followers of both genres, psychedelic and progressive. The new single River is finally available on the market. How did your collaboration come together?
A: Well, first thanks for the compliment, but we’re not giants, just people making music 🙂 A few years back I found myself listening to a lot of Guy’s sets, whenever I had some free time. At one point I wrote to him and we stayed in touch. And after 6 months or so I suggested we do something together and that’s how it came to be. Guy is a super positive guy and it just happened naturally.
G: Thanks a lot! I never thought in my wildest dreams that Astrix and I would have a single together. I have known his music for years. Astrix is an exceptional producer and a stand-out in the psychedelic trance community. I was excited to hear he likes my music, and we stayed in touch. Soon, we started working on the track together.
WWD: What inspired you guys to produce that track?
A: The good connection that was formed between us, and our love for music, I guess.
WWD: What does it add when you’re co-producing with someone?
G: Collaborations are an opportunity to learn something new. A chance to collaborate with someone with a different musical background is always far more exciting. I am a control freak in the studio, so collaborations are usually not my cup of tea. But this was so smooth and exciting for me.
A: You get another point of view, you’re exchanging ideas, we each have different approaches to creating music. Especially here when we created this cross-genre excursion. It’s a meeting with another human – that’s where some of the most interesting things in our lives happen. When there is chemistry a collaboration can be very special. I felt chemistry here, and I hope people find it special.
WWD: Where can fans see you playing live next?
A: I’m glad to say that after two very difficult years I’m back to heavy touring finally. I’ll be touring a lot in the US in the coming months: Dreamstate, EDC, and more. Also gigs in Brazil: Playground, XXXperience, and more. Heading to London for the Altered States in Electric Brixton, and of course, I can’t wait for the summer for Boom Festival, Ozora Festival, and others. All my life seems to be a very long tour, 4 times a week many times. But I also try to make it to small underground events, it’s the best place to connect with the people dancing, and it reminds me why I’m doing all this, to begin with.
G: Before I start touring North America and Australia, fans can see me playing in South America.
Release Date: February 11th, 2022. Buy Here
Follow: Guy-j // Astrix // Moments