In the recent years, Nathan Stealey makes a real sensation in the world of trance under Enigma State project. One of his trademarks is bringing back of classic – for this genre – sounds; a long before the current trends in mainstream. British producer agreed to answer for a few questions from our editorial colleagues: Rafał Bojarski and Piotr Dobrowolski.
Have a nice reading!
Enigma State – interview
Rafał Bojarski (Shining Beats), Piotr Dobrowolski (Shining Beats, Z Dobrej Woli): Luminosity Beach Festival announced a line-up of 2024 edition, including your set. We heard your guestmix for Pure Trance but is it your first chance to play live for so many people? Is there any other festival you look forward to play in 2024?
Enigma State: Luminosity will be my debut ’Enigma State’ gig, so I am really excited but a little nervous at the same time. At present, I don’t have other gigs lined up as this is mostly done working around my personal life. Im hoping to expand in to other gigs later this year.
You began to create tracks in classic trance style a lot time before a „boom” for retro in the mainstream this year. Do you think that this hype is a positive thing and why – in your opinion – it happened?
I would say that over the last 18 months we have certainly seen a shift in Trance and we have started to hear more classic inspired sounds. When I started to turn my focus on to the classic sound I was at a point personally where I wasnt inspired by much Trance so decided to go back to basics and make Trance with the sounds that made me fall in love with the music in the first place.
I think at the same time other artists also felt the same which is why we have seen some artists shake off that “Uplift” style and we are hearing a much more diverse and broader range in trance.
Why is vinyl still a thing and why did you decide to release your singles in this way (with Darren Simpson from Trance Classics)?
The decision to release on vinyl was decided between myself and Darren from Trance Classics. We felt that a retro styled release should also come with a retro style format. To be honest I never thought that the concept would actually take off and go ahead, let alone go on to a second vinyl release.
Vinyl itself has had a major resurrection in the last few years with other artists also releasing on vinyl like Activa, Lange, The Thrillseekers and Transa. Personally I would like to see more artists releasing on vinyl.
What do you think about the modern Trance/Dance scene in general? Which way do you think will it go in 2024?
I think Trance now is in a much healthier place than it has been in a long time. We have certainly seen changes within the scene during 2023 and into 2024 and I find that more than ever I am enjoying listening to new releases.
What could you say about Trance fans/ravers these days? What do you think has changed in comparison to the 2000s and the 90s?
The Trance scene these days is a million miles away from what it was in the 90’s and 2000’s. The festival scene is also very different. Everything has changed, from mobile phones and social media, to different equipment, and different lengths and change of sound with the music.
As much as I look back to when I was younger going out to raves and events, its probably not right to compare because 20 years ago everything in the world was different. I appreciate what we have these days more than ever. Maybe that has come with age and I appreciate things in life more than when I was younger.
So we would like to ask you about your rave memories now. First party, first track or compilation that began your love to the retro trance and dance sound is…?
One compilation that was a major influence on me in the classic period was called “Tranceformer”. I loved the varying styles that came with this album and I used to play it all the time. Occassionally I still listen to this release.
How does it feel to be enjoyed and praised by legendary producers like Solarstone, Activa or Transa?
I feel very fortunate to have had support and praise from those artists as well as Sean Tyas and The Thrillseekers. I think the support from those artists have certainly helped me to build my profile.
Let’s talk about your music widerly. We’ve just experienced a premiere of your remix for The Conductor & The Cowboy – „Feeling This Way”. Could you say anything about the background of mentioned release?
Feeling This Way is a timeless classic and when Adam (C&C) was getting together some new mixes for its release, he asked if I would like to do a remix, and obviously I couldn’t say no. I think my approach to this interpretation was to consider that there was going to be a 3-part release of this, which would contain at least 2 remixes on each part, so for me I felt I needed to do something different to the original and remixes.
A lot of other versions over the years on this track have followed the formula of the original so I set out to write a new chord structure and melody.
I’ve always been a big fan of remixing a track and being different, so I took on this remix with the mindset of “if I wrote this track, what would I have done”, so this is how I ended up with my vision.
When you were creating your previous remix on Pure Trance – for Stoneface & Terminal – you used floppy discs for samples from your AKAI S3000 sampler. You also use a lot of hardware in your other tracks. Is it your way to be original these days, do you feel joy while creating music in this, much harder way?
I think the Akai sampler and other older hardware is a gimmick rather than a necessity. Anyone with the right sound selection can create great music and to sound original these days.
The hardware in my studio is more of a personal thing on what I like about music production. I enjoy working with hardware and working with their limitations. I enjoy being more hands on in the studio, but it certainly doesn’t give me any advantage over someone who uses software only. Some of the best tracks have been made using just a laptop and software.
For your single „Lunar’s Theme”, you created a much harder E-State Remix. Is it a foretaste of more experiments, including more harder compositions from your side?
The E-State Remix of Lunar’s Theme I didn’t intend to happen. I was listening to Amazingblaze which then inspired me to do something in a similar style, and eventually the track evolved in to a remix of Lunar’s Theme. In the end that version became more popular than the original version, but it was nice that people who follow my classic inspired music also liked the harder edge sound too.
Is there any collaboration on your bucket list? Do you think about making vocal tracks in the future?
I am very open to working with anyone as long as the track is right for me. My bucket list of collaborations would be the obvious choices Lange, The Thrillseekers and Solarstone.
I enjoy vocal tracks and I would produce a vocal track should the chance arrive, but personally I get much more enjoyment from more instrumental Trance tracks.
What were your top 3 tunes from 2023 and why are they important to you at the moment?
I have to be biased in my choice here and say that my top 3 tunes for 2023 was my own music. „Waiting For You”, „Transolar” and „State Of Mind” was my top 3 picks.
What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time and what do you do besides producing music?
I love listening to all sorts of music from Trance both modern and classic, to Pop music, Rock music and EDM
My spare time is usually where I get to spend it producing music as I do this around my day job, but aside from that, I also like to spend time with my girlfriend and two daughters, going out on a walk with my French Bulldog ‘Edison’, going to Trance events, and watching my favourite football team, Manchester City.
