Exclusive Interview: Omnia – November 8, 2014

OmniaQuoteIt was a real treat to sit down with Omnia, a very fast rising Dj/Producer from the Ukraine, on November 8th.  Just minutes after the interview, he went behind the decks to a packed crowd at Sound-bar. Omnia went from humble beginnings and producing tracks back home to international recognition by Trance god Armin [Van Buuren] and Marcus [Schultz] in their radio shows. It has been a very busy year for him. He has traveled to China, the UK, Canada, and now finished his four stop US tour. Omnia proved to be the great DJ that Armin and Markus saw in him during his Sound-Bar performance. The positive energy and excitement he created built a strong relationship between him and the crowd. As mentioned in the interview, Omnia believes that the most important part of DJing is being able to connect with your audience. Find the full interview & exclusive mix below :

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WhySoChi: “Why did you decide to become a DJ?”

Omnia: “Actually, a few years ago I decided to be a producer. Only after that I became a DJ. When my tracks became popular and guys like Armin (Armin Van Buuren) and Markus (Markus Schulz) started supporting me. People, they know about me and people in the industry were interested to bring me in as a DJ. I am very happy.”

WhySoChi: “We heard that Armin and Markus brought you in on an international level. How did that happen exactly? Explain.”

Omnia: “They were huge supporters for me. Back in 2007-2008, I released my first tracks. They supported them and played them in huge radio shows such as A State of Trance and Global DJ Broadcast, which is how they went international. After that I was signed to Armada Records, which is Armin’s music label. Armin was a big part of my success. I am really thankful for him. We have a good relationship and I often play for A State of Trance parties. This summer I played at Ushuaia, Ibiza. “

WhySoChi: “How did you learn how to DJ?”

Omnia: “I was already well known with music production. For me to become a DJ technically, was really easy. It was much easier then music production. The most important part for DJs now is not to be technically skilled, but it is very important to be really open to the crowd and find contact with the crowd/with your fans. It is all about the experience. You cant start your career as a huge DJ for your first or second show. You have to play 100 shows to start to understand how it works.”

WhySoChi: “Why trance? Why not any other genre?”

Omnia: “Armin truly inspired me in 2004 when I heard A State of Trance for the first time. I was really excited and I said “Wow. This is something I want to do”. Before, I was trying to do some House and Hip-Hop. When I heard trance music, I realized thats something I want to do.”

WhySoChi: “Is trance really big in Ukraine?”

Omnia: “Yeah trance is huge in Ukraine and there are a lot of fans- especially of Armin Van Buuren and Markus Schulz. We have a lot of trance shows in Ukraine.”

WhySoChi: “What is your all-time favorite track?”

Omnia: “It is hard to say. I don’t know. My favorite in general would be “Wonder Wall” by Oasis, but I can’t pick a specific trance track.”

WhySoChi: “You just toured in China and now in the U.S. What is your favorite show thus far?”

Omnia: “It is hard to say. This year was really crazy with touring. I played in different venues and different events. There were so many nice shows and festivals such as TomorrowLand, South West Four in London, and Canada shows, and Bal en Blanc in Montreal. So its hard to only choose one show. I am excited about this US tour. It is something new for me. Let’s see about tonight, maybe it will be my favorite for this year.”

WhySoChi: “Are you looking to do any festivals in the US next  year?”

Omnia: “Well, I really hope so. My team has a lot of conversations with people from the United States so we are working on that. I can’t say the exact dates, but I am sure it will happen next year.”

WhySoChi: “We would love to see you at some festivals such as MysteryLand.”

Omnia: “I hope I will.”

WhySoChi: “What is next for Omnia? Any new music coming up or collaborations?”

Omnia: “Yes, I have my new vocal track with a vocalist from the United States coming out in December.”

 

Instagram: @omniamusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OmniaSounds

CANDYLAND #MOUTH ft KALENDR | AMADA | NO SL33P @ CASTLE – 5/4

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CANDYLAND #MOUTH ft KALENDR | AMADA | SO SL33P @ CASTLE - 5/4 CANDYLAND #MOUTH ft KALENDR | AMADA | NO SL33P @ CASTLE Sunday, May 4 FREE COVER ALL NIGHT !! Check out the Castle DOME ROOM every Sunday night as we bring you the edgier side of nightlife. An adult oriented wonderland for Chicago’s nightlife industry. Mixing one third Eye Candy adult entertainment, one third of Chicago’s best opening and headlining DJ’s, and one third the industry crowd that keeps Chicago’s nightlife going strong. Check out weekly DJ’s and Themes Here: https://www.facebook.com/candylandchicago Doors open every Sunday Night from 10-4am $125 Effen Vodka (All Flavors) $4 Fireball $5 Jamo $6 Patron $7 Martini Specials Reservations – 312-285-9415 CASTLE 632 N. Dearborn (at Ontario) 10pm-4am | 21+ | parking/valet available

Heatbeat at Sound-Bar Chicago w/ support from Alex Kislov & NO SL33P

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Heatbeat at Sound-Bar Chicago w/ support from Alex Kislov & NO SL33P

FRIDAY, MAY 2: Sound-Bar and Trancemission at Sound-Bar present Argentinian Trance duo Heatbeat!

Signed to Armin van Buuren’s Armada Music label, the duo’s most famous tracks to date are ‘Paradise Garage,’ ‘Ask The Angels,’ ‘Roses Never Cry,’ ‘Rocker Monster,’ ‘Chow Mein,’ and most recently ‘Game Over’. Implementing various Spanish-styled note sections into their tracks, their style of Trance is unique and identifiable.

Featuring:

HEATBEAT
www.heatbeatmusic.net
www.twitter.com/heatbeatmusic
www.facebook.com/Heatbeat
www.youtube.com/heatbeatmusic

DETAILS

Limited number of $10 tickets on sale now… get yours before they sell out! TICKETS HERE: http://bit.ly/1dx3py5

$20 General Admission. 21+ welcome.
FREE before 11:30 PM with RSVP at www.sound-bar.com/$10 after 11:30 PM.

For tables, visit www.sound-bar.com/book-a-party or call 312.787.4480.

226 W. Ontario | 10p-4a | 312.787.4480

Gareth Emery – Drive Review [3/4]

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Gareth Emery began working on his new album after going on a road trip across the US with his wife. He named the new album “Drive”. The album has a great opening song (Entrada) that draws you in automatically. Once you listen to the rest of the songs, you get more of a sense of the Gareth Emery we all know and love. This album is very vocal and I personally love it. There are a few of songs on the album that have already out shined the others and have climbed the list of current top tracks. The songs include Million Years, Lights & Thunder, U, and Eye of the Storm. I think Gareth Emery did an excellent job and I am glad to see him back on the charts. The album deserves 4/4 stars!
-Iza [4/4]

Gareth Emery’s “Drive”proves that Trance is not a dead genre and that more than a handful of DJs can still produce it at a high level. It’s no surprise that some of the biggest A-List DJs have dropped Emery’s singles in their sets; including the reigning king of Trance himself; Armin Van Buuren.  The album is almost perfect, with the exception of a few very slow vocally packed tracks in the beginning of the album. This is something I’m not a huge fan off, but it didn’t stop be from cruising through the rest of the album without hesitation. This is a trance album that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, take you on a journey from the first to last track without you realizing an hour has passed. I give “Drive” a very strong 3 out of 4 stars.
-Marcin [3/4]

Electronic Dance Music sensation Gareth Emery is back with his new album “Drive,” which I must admit has really surprised me on a very positive note. You can easily tell Gareth put his heart and soul into this album; therefore it is awesome to have such refreshing music from one of the most underrated DJs in the electronic dance scene. It is easy to tell that Gareth strongly focused on making sure each song is distinct in its own unique way. “Lights & Thunder” featuring Krewella is definitely one of my favorite songs on this album and is sure to soon find its way to mainstream radio stations. “Entrada” will for sure be considered an EDM festival banger this summer. On the chill side of the album “Soldier” featuring Roxanne Emery has really got me playing it on replay non-stop. “Drive” is receiving a solid 3 out of 4 stars on this incredible album.
-Cathy [3/4]

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Gareth Emery released “Drive” on April 1st, a follow up to “Northern Lights” four years later. “Drive” is the prime example of Gareth Emery’s aptitude of bringing Trance, Progressive, and House into a melting pot that takes the listener for a drive (no pun intended). The journey throughout the album takes the listener through classic vocal tracks featuring Christina Novelli, progressive tracks featuring the one and only, Ben Gold, and uplifting instrumentals. “Drive” should not be taken as a “Trance” album, or just another “EDM” album, but an album that inspires feelings, causes emotion, and most importantly personal discoveries. It’s tough to judge every single song because they are all unique and special in their own way. Gareth Emery’s time and effort into this album is worth the listen to especially front to back. This extraordinary album will be one of this year’s most diverse and well produced albums we may encounter this year.
-Amando [4/4]

I give this album 2/4 stars. Very uplifting, and very vocal album, ironically I only see myself listening to this album in my car, or on a long cruise. I enjoy GE live, but this album does not do him justice, but that’s just my opinion.
-Mario U [2/4]

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