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| 2deep |
http://www.365mag.com/index.php?pg=...+Music+Magazine
From the desert heat of his country of origin to the winter rigours of Canada, Sultan has travelled a road quite out of the ordinary. After living in Kuwait, Cyprus and Egypt, Sultan moved to Montreal, Canada in 1996 to pursue an education in Mechanical Engineering and Business. Inspired by the vitality of the nightlife and his passion for music, he quickly immersed himself into the house scene of his adoptive city. Little by little, his interest for structures irrepressibly shifted from engineering to music.
In 2000, his reputation took root in solid ground when Montreal's Mix 96 radio station assigned him the 12-3 a.m. slot every Sunday night. And In July that same year, Sultan became the weekly Level resident at club Living, opening and playing alongside such DJs as Deep Dish, Sander Kleinenberg, Danny Howells, Saeed and Palash, Max Graham, Nick Warren, Lee Burridge and many more.
Now in 2007, after being featured on numerous Global Underground installments, Sultan is set to release his new mixing album on Deep Dish's Yooshi imprint, works with IIO's singer Nadia Alii on her new album, and already licensed his track Connected, out on his Shinichi recordings, to numerous compilations. By all means, its about time we confront him with 365's coveted 10 questions
Name: Sultan
Real Name: Ossama Al Sarraf
Age: 28
Country: Canada
Style of music: House
1. What is your first memory to music?
My first memory would have to be my family's voices, especially my sisters and mother, singing baby tunes to me. It's amazing how these songs are ingrained in your memory as a child and are passed on from one generation to the next. When my nephew was born a few years back, I remember so clearly my mother and sister singing the exact same songs they sang to me as a baby (which I'm guessing are the same songs that were sung to them as babies ;->). What I found even more incredible is the reactions babies have to songs. A little smile here, a little giggle there, a little clap here, a little drool there.
2. What is your favourite piece of equipment you use in the studio or DJ-ing and why?
The Access Virus synth. This synth has been with me since I first started producing and is one that I will never let go of. The sounds are so lush and the programming is so versatile and easy. Recently I've started using several soft synths and other keyboards but in the end of the day I always find myself going back to the Virus and getting exactly what I want.
3. What is your current top 5?
1. SNM – “Itajai Vibe” – Sick Watona:
A new collaboration with my boys Ned Shepard and Maher Daniel. We've been getting great responses on this one from our you tube videos (Otherwise known as F#ck Saturday) This one is for the summer; sexy, groovy and beautiful.
2. Subsky – “Senza Fine EP” – Urbantorque:
Definitely one of my favourite labels at the moment. Every release off of Urbantorque has been solid and this one is just another example of great house music. Subsky really brings on the sexy grooves and moods. Great openers!
3. Sultan & Tommyboy feat. Zara – “Get Together” (Belocca Rmx) – CDR:
The latest song from my collaborations with Tommyboy and Zara. Belocca has been on fire lately with his originals and remixes and this remix is just another showcase of why he is one of the hottest producers in the scene today.
4. Bart Van Wissen – “Crazy Local” (Ricky Ryan Edit) – Sick Watona:
BVW is by far one of my favourite producers at the moment and he never disappoints. This is a fantastic tune that makes me want to get up and dance every time I hear it or play it.
5. Damian Strong – “Love Shop” – Peppermint Jam:
An absolute gem with a hook that will stay playing in your head for hours on end.
4. Sex, Drugs or Rock 'n Roll?
Rock n' Roll!
5. What do you do to relax? Any hobbies besides music?
Relaxation for me is all about reading books, watching TV, hanging out with friends and playing the guitar.
My main hobby as well as my other passion aside from music is collecting pieces of art; mainly paintings.
6. Do you think (dance) music is able to lie?
I believe music is able to enhance your emotions and take you to a different state of mind then what the reality may be or is. However this does not mean it is able to lie; it is simply able to trigger emotions, moments, visions, pictures and memories.
7. What is the last book you have read and what did you think of it?
The last book I read was called “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry. One of the best books I read this year and I recommend it to everyone. It's definitely a heavy one to swallow and depicts a lot of hardship in people's lives (the novel is based in India) however I find it really makes you appreciate the life you have and really opens your eyes to different cultures and the different lives that people lead and live.
8. Are all your friends involved in (dance) music?
Not all but most of the people I am surrounded by are involved in some kind of music whether it is dance, rock or jazz or are part of the music industry.
9. What would you do with a million ping-pong balls?
I would first form the “The Ping Pong Song Non-Profit Organization” with online website and 1-800 toll free number and then via this non-profit organization I would sell each ping pong, one by one, and donate the money to charity.
10. What can we expect of you in the near future?
Ooh lots and lots! ;-> I've just launched my “Connected” Campaign pushing my latest release with Ned Shepard “Connected” on Shinichi. This will be followed up by my new monthly radio show on DI.FM “Connected Live” which will premiere March 26.
Following up to “Connected” is my forthcoming release with Ned Shepard “Together We Rise”, featured on Global Underground Dubai: Sharam, which will be out next on Shinichi.
I will also be releasing a compilation on Yooshi in May “Yooshi: Montreal” which I am really excited about.
I am also currently working on producing songs for Nadia Ali's forthcoming solo album. I spent the entire month of January co-writing half of her album along with Ned in her studio in New York and my studio in Montreal.
The next few months will be dedicated to producing and completing the songs. Aside from that, a whole lot of touring and getting ready for the Miami Winter Conference. I'll be playing three shows this year and looking forward to seeing friends, listening to great music and feeling the sweet heat.
We would like to thank Sultan for this interview! |
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| ~*Stereohead*~ |
Badassssssssssssss lol, what a great guy, so chill, leveled...Good, positive energy and an overall sweetheart...
*** Damian Strong - Love Shop (Sultan's #5) is wikkid :crazy: *** |
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| Mr Moss |
| been a supporter ever since I heard his rework of flying which has an incredible vibe to it |
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