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Darren Porter

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES - CALIFORNIA - Setting out to 'Los Angeles' from 'Detroit' ; to pursue the -"BIG DREAM" of making it on the "BIG SCREEN"  -  'Johnny Yono'  ;  landed numerous roles in - TV shows and  numorous independent films, and managed to keep himself afloat, but ..he continued to indulge in, LA’s ever-growing 'Electronic Music' industry.  Having been inspired by 'Armin van Buuren', 'Paul van Dyk', 'Sasha & Digweed' and many more, ..Johnny could no longer ignore his true calling. He assembled a small studio and began producing dance music.  After experimenting with a variety of sounds, he finally planted himself in the realm of - "Trance" - and has happily remained ever since.

 

LABELS | ARMADA  / LANGE  / PERFECTO /
GARUDA / ENHANCED

ARTIST ; JOHNNY YONO

MANAGEMENT | PERCEPTION AGENCY

STYLE  +  ELECTRO TRANCE /  TECH TRANCE
ORIGIN ; DETRIOT, U.S.A.
LOCATION, LOS ANGELES 
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1.  Coming of age in the '90s', what was your favorite music of that era ?
  •  During that time,  ..I was in to a lot of - 'Rock',  'Heavy Metal' and 'Rap' Music.
2.   You were a former drummer in a band, tell us about that and how it influenced your musical career today. ?
  •   Yes,  ..I played drums in several different bands for about 7 years.  ..Knowing how to keep a percussive rhythm helped I think more than anything.  It's having an understanding of the science of a groove ; and how things should flow - in certain kinds of musical pieces.  It has also aided in my productions on knowing about the proper placement of certain elements.
 3.  You originally came to - 'LA' - to be a Movie Actor, ..but what made you change your mind to pursue music ?
  •  I  During the time that I was pursuing an acting career,  ..I found myself working at bar gigs on New Year's Eve at massives here in 'LA' - such as 'Giant Maximus'. The line-up's were always incredible,  and that was the first time that I saw 'Armin van Buuren' playing inside this huge tent - that was right next to the bar ; I was working behind  -  It was awesome to see someone "control a crowd" like that with the power of 'Trance music' - so I stood there ..watching in amazement. The connection that the people had with 'Armin' was utterly fascinating and very inspiring to me.  I was hooked instantly.
4.  You produce everything in your home studio, is that correct ? / Do you do the mastering as well ? / How long does it to produce a track ?
  •  Yes, ..everything is done here in my home.  I've only starting seriously learning how to master this year.  It's a completely different art form in itself and personally, I would rather have someone else with a fresh pair of ears, particularly a person with a 'Mastering Enginner Degree' take care of that aspect of my music.
 5.  What's your favorite hardware to use ? - What about software or plugins? ??
  •   The only hardware I have in my setup is an M-Audio MIDI controller -- I'm purely "Software Based".The 'D.A.W.' I work in is ; 'FL Studio'. Some of my favorite software plugin's are, 'Spire' by Reveal Sound - which is what I get a lot of my Lead's from, Camel Audio's 'Camel Crusher' which works wonders on percussion, especially Snare drums. I also love the Valhalla Room reverb from 'Valhalla DSP' ; Simply amazing!
 6.  Tell us about your Debut - 'EP' - "Poison Whispers", where did the title come from ; tell us about the making of that EP ? - Can we expect a sequel ?
  •   The 'Poison Whispers' EP was a true expression of a lot of different emotional extremes that I had gone through during that time ; it was written ..with lots of ups and downs. It wasn't originally intended to be a 3-track EP. There was a lot of bad energy and negativity floating around in my life ..this sort of, subliminal "poison"that overtook me. A lot of depressing times and uncertainty and so, ..I was struck with the idea : for that title and because I like to use my own emotions for expressionism, - it fueled my ideas for this collective of music.The single, 'Poison Whispers' was not originally included on the -'We Are Planet Perfecto' #4 - compilation mix by 'Paul Oakenfold'. It was actually 'Lucid Eyes' but, the label felt that it fit much better in to the mix. There will not be a sequel to the EP.
 7.  You're a resident DJ at Club 'Exchange' here in LA, ..how did that come to be ? -Do you play a variety of different sets and tracks depending on the night ?
  •   Yes, I have been playing there since - 2013 - and I absolutely love it ! ..I play quite a few different styles when I am opening ..but, if I am booked from open to close, I'll play what I love the most, which is some banging 'PROGRESSIVE TRANCE' -from beginning to end.
 8.  Have you expanding your playing - as a Live 'DJ' - outside of the U.S. ?
  •   I My first gig overseas was in Shanghai, China a couple years ago. It was a complete culture shock to me in the greatest way possible. Both the food and the people were fantastic. I haven't looked at Chinese food the same here in the states since my visit. It was the first time I was introduced to Tangbao....which are traditional steamed, soup-filled dumplings -- they're divine! This year I visited the U.A.E. and played in .Dubai. at the'Holi Festival Of Colours' - to a crowd of over 5,000 people tossing colored- powder all over each other to celebrate spiritual and social harmony. I was truly honored to be a part of it. I also visited 'Bangalore', 'India' and played at 'Pebble Lounge', which is this awesome, indoor/outdoor style venue with a massive tree right in the center of the dance floor. I met many delightful people in both countries and made some new friends. Both experiences were unforgettable.
 9.   How do you fall into musical collaborations ? - Does it happen naturally or is it arranged by thelabels and production management ?
  •   In my experience ; ..all the collaborations that I've done, ..have been between myself and the other Artist. Unless of course, I am working with a Vocalist in which, there are certain record labels out there - that will sort that part of it out.
10.   If you had to team up with another - "Trance Music" - DJ / Producer - and create a "Trance Duo",any artist come to mind ?
  •   'Tempo Giusto'  -  is one artist off the top of my head  -  who is a stand-out talent ; and he's really doing some groundbreaking things with Trance music.  We actually spoke about collaborating just recently ..so ; stay tuned for some awesome music coming your way soon.
11.   How do approach the 'Emotional' Orchestral Breakdowns in Trance Music, What type of D.A.W.'sDo you use, do you arrange your own Piano and Strings ?
  •   I  usually come up with the melody first.  it may be the piano, or chords ..then i produce beats around it ; I use 'Logic' - ( Apple's D.A.W. ) - It's like my, "go - to" software, ..I 've been using it for a long time now, and I'm used to it. if I hear a melody on my mind , sometimes in the shower - or before i go to sleep, I record it right way. You Don't want to lose that song that's in your mind.
12.   Give us 3 trance producers who inspire and influence you the most.
  •   .. At the moment, I'd have to say, 'Mark Sherry',' Tempo Giusto' and 'David Gravell'.
13.   What productions do you currently have in the works ?  Any big plans for the future ? Possibly running a record label ?
  •  I Well, I just finished this ; Slammin' - 'Big Room / Tech-Trance' - monster the other day ..that I cannot wait for everyone to hear. I've also got several new originals in the works right now and a 3-way collaboration that I can't give too many details out about just yet but, ..soon enough. Running a record label is honestly something I have no interest in... Friends of mine, who are running record labels - say it's very stressful and time consuming ; and I just don't want to take that much time ; away from producing my music.
14.    What does ; "Trance Music" - mean to you ; and where do you think it's headed in the future ?
  •  I believe it is in fact ;  "the music of the future" ;  and it's more popular now, ..than I think it ever has been.  The sound of - "138 B.P.M. Uplifting Trance" -  has come back around once again  ; and  it has regained its popularity.
15.   What message would you give, ..to a young and aspiring : DJ / Producer ?
  •  I For DJ's ..please take the time to learn the craft. It seems that the - 'Art Form' - has completely been shunned away due to all the advancements in technology, ..and everyone seems to be trying to find the easiest possible way to become a "DJ" that uses a 'Sync' button. If you're an aspiring producer, ..follow your true passion in musical tastes and make the kind of music that you want to make - and you'll be at your creative best. There is so much - "Free" - Musical Production tutorialsout there on, 'YouTube' and in 'forums' : so go and grab it. Really ..invest the hours in the knowledge of production and it will pay off in the end. If you look back at the 'Beatport Top 100' Trance chart from 3 or 4 years ago, ..75% of the tracks were of a Progressive tempo ..from '128'-'132' B.P.M.'s - but, nowadays ..that chart is 50/50.
16.   Thank you Johnny, for your time and support of the, 'Trance Remixer' project.
  •   You're most welcome. Thank you for having me!

FEAUTURING ; Johnny Yono showed the world last year that his particular brand of dance music is among the most massive scale and highest standard of trance in the whole scene. Displaying a extremely high level of production expertise with his incredibly dense and optimized sound that combines heart and soul of Progressive Trance dressed in a bigroom outfit ..(edmsuace)

 

TR - INTERVIEW

trance remixer

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