:: INTERVIEWS :: FRED BAKER

Following their successful launch party at Club Mango in Reading, the Qudos team are back with another instalment of trancetastic DJs for their “Trance Invasion” event on Friday 9th November; so called because two of their special guests are Irish John O’Callaghan and Belgium born Fred Baker. Flying the flag for Britain will be the talented Marcos (Euphonic) along with and resident Tina Martin, guest artists Dirty Cowboys, Wynney, Matt Powell and Mz Red.

Ahead of his Reading appearance, I caught up with Fred Baker to see what he has been up to, and to find out a little more about this trance legend;-

Ru: Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us. You are originally from Northern Belgium, do you still call Belgium your home or are you based somewhere else?

Fred: Yes, I’m born in Belgium, A part of my family is also in Normandie (France) and in Italy… But I’m based in Belgium… Most of the time, I’m working in studio or travelling around the world… Musically, trance is not famous in Belgium then I can’t tell you that’s my “musical” home !

Ru: As a world class DJ you have played at the biggest events at some of the most impressive venues. Do you regard an event/venue as “coming home” when you play there?

Fred: Every place is different form me… There is no big or small venue… it’s always a new challenge and a pleasure to discover a place, to meet people there and to have fun when they are happy with your music !

Ru: Would you consider yourself as DJ first, producer second, or visa versa?

Fred: The 2 faces of the artist are very important for me… I can’t say that I’m more dj than producer… As I’m producing a lot of tracks, I want to play my music before the other dj’s… and it’s always a good test for me.

Ru: Your 1996 Balearic trance anthem “Mystery Land” was your passport to fame and fortune with some of the biggest DJ names including the track in their play-list, as well as featuring on all the major compilations and being anthem track for the film “Kevin and Perry Go Large” – did you have any idea when you were producing it just how big it would be?

Fred: Oh no, at this time, I didn’t know how big it would be ! But it never gave me any passport to success as dj… It’s difficult to understand but I never was booked in UK and in Ibiza… that’s the reason why I stopped to produce under the nickname “Y-Traxx”.

Ru: Since then of course, you have gone on to produce and remix an impressive array of tracks, more recently your work has featured on Tiesto’s 2005 In Concert DVD. I know from readying other interviews that you are extremely modest, but at which point did you realise that Belgium’s Frederic De Backer was in fact the globally respected DJ we all know as Fred Baker?

Fred: The name “Fred Baker” is also a long story for me… after producing so many tracks, hits and remixes for a lot of different djs and project names, I saw that they had always recognition and success but I was still in their shadow… Then it was time for me to use my artist name and to produce my own style… Now, I think that I’m on the good way and I’ll continue for a long time!

Ru: Considering your back catalogue, do you have a personal favourite?

Fred: GrooveZone “Eisbaer” was one of my favourite tunes but I promise you that my album for 2008 is containing a lot of bombs… you’ll understand how it’s difficult for me to have a favourite tune !

Ru: How did you get into producing/DJing in the first place? Was it a childhood dream?

Fred: Since the beginning, since my childhood, music was my passion… I can’t explain this ?
I played in big clubs already when I was 15 years old but I never played outside Belgium before producing for Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and Paul Van Dyk…

Ru: As a house-hold name there are many budding DJs that regard you as their inspiration. Who was your inspiration during your formative years?

Fred: One of my favourite djs was Paul Van Dyk since so many years… I loved the time of Cosmic Baby and Jam & Spoon… Paul Oakenfold was in fire and me, I was dreaming to become famous also one day in my life…

Ru: Generally, the dance-music scene seems to have fragmented into sub-genres of sub-genres, and the labels “trance DJ”, “house DJ”, “hard-house DJ” no longer accurately describe a DJs style. How would you describe yours?

Fred: As there are Dj’s with more trance and techno influences playing my tracks, I could tell you that my style is “tech-trance” but I heard from people sending me some demos that they called it the “baker style”… I was honoured about it but I continue to call it “tech-trance” !

Ru: Track wise, what are the tracks you think we should be looking out for over the next few months?

Fred: I finished to produce the 1st Greg Nash EP… Greg is also one of my closer friends and artists… Paul oakenfold will release a new remix of GrooveZone “Eisbaer” on Perfecto and my new single “Sunshine” will be released on PIAS around the 26th of November 2007.

Ru: Your website confirms an eagerly anticipated album is on the way, can you tell me more about what to expect it?

Fred: Yes, it’s true… My album is announced for February/march 2008 on the same records company called PIAS… PIAS is well known for distributing The prodigy, Depeche Mode, Underworld, Tiga, Garbage and other amazing names of the music industry… It’s a big honour for me to be signed and promoted by them as their new artist ! I produced 24 tracks for this album including my tech-trance style, some great collaborations with Robert Miles, Greg Nash and Vincent Gorzak but also a complete cd for movie soundtrack scores… I’m really happy about this album !

Ru: If you were not an internationally famous DJ/Producer, what do you think you would be doing?

Fred: I learnt right and I finished my studies completely… then if I had to stop the music one day, I could work on it or continue the practice to become lawyer… But it’s not in my mind ?

Ru: If I was a visitor to your native Belgium, and you were my tour-guide, what place, monument or attraction would you ensure that I visited and why?

Fred: I’ve got a big passion for the nature and I love to go to the beach ? There are some nice places to visit as the city of Brugges ! and about clubs, try the Versuz… I played there before, it’s amazing !!!!

Ru: Given the fact that there are loads of websites (including your own HYPERLINK "http://www.fredbaker.be" www.fredbaker.be) which has information about you, is there one fact about you I’d be surprised to find out?

Fred: I really don’t know what about me would be surprising to your eyes, hahaha !
Ru: Finally, do you have any words of wisdom?

Fred: Just always believe in your dreams… try to realise them, do all your best and you’ll have your turn!

Advance tickets for Qudos, The Trance Invasion are available online exclusively from HYPERLINK "http://www.moreonthedoor.com" www.moreonthedoor.com – if you book your ticket in advance you’ll receive an exclusive mix cd courtesy of Marcos (Euphonic). Earlybird tickets sold out within a couple of days so you’re strongly advised to get your tickets now. Fred Bakers new album will be available from all good records stores in March 2008.