Jay Lumen aka Supaflava interview

Jay Lumen aka Supaflava interview

7 August, 2007 | 4.27AM

• Written by: GavSeamless
• Filed under: Music News : jay lumen, monologue, supaflava, vocal, whoop!

Hungarian producer Jay Lumen (Csaba Lumnitzer to his friends) has been putting out a fair few records of late. Releases on Extrema, Lost Language, Garbage, Tilth and others have all come in the last two years, but it is his most recent release on Whoop! Records that is causing the biggest stir.

The trance-laden prog of ’Midnight Express’ has had top DJs (such as Graham Sahara, Hott 22, Asle and Aldrin) clamouring to lend their support, while M8 gave it 7/8 and DJ Mag awarded it full marks!

With ‘Midnight Express’ set to make its mark on Ibiza this Summer, and Jay preparing to release an epic vocal anthem under his Supaflava guise in August on Seamless Twelves, the future looks bright for this young producer.

We caught up with him for a quick word.

The support behind ‘Midnight Express’ is gathering pace at an incredible rate, with rave reviews in DJ Mag and M8, as well as various appearances in the key Coolcuts chart. Did you expect it to create such a buzz?

“It’s so good to know that. I always produce to the sound or style that I feel at that actual moment; that’s why I cover so many styles.

“When I finish a track I just cross my fingers for good feedback from the DJs, producers and party faces.

“I always hope the actual track will work on the dancefloors and I hope the people will love ‘Midnight Express’ as much as I did when I made it.”

The collaboration with Human II Human for the ‘Plasticated Express’ vocal version of the track came about through MySpace. Who got in touch with who, and how did you work it?

“I was surfing around MySpace when I found the site of Human II Human.

“When I listened to the first track on their page, it was called ‘Plasticated’, I felt so amazing.

“Shelley Harland’s voice is very coloured and specific. I also loved it in the ‘Rivers’ track that she made with Junkie XL.

“I wrote a message to Shelley & Duke on MySpace about the collaboration and they sent me a reply the next day.

“They sent me the vocal parts after a short conversation and I made the final mash up.

“It was a very fluent process and I hope we can make something together in the near future.”

‘Plasticated Express’ is only available as a download-only track & limited coloured vinyl. How do you feel about the digital revolution?

“It’s a two sided thing I guess.

“From one side it’s a good chance for the young and talented producers to release his or her own tracks, the music is as colourful as it ever was.

“From the other side though, some years ago when a producer sent a track to a label, it was a very good quality control filter.

“The A&R could tell the producer the necessary changes or just reject the stuff if it was low quality.

“Now, if somebody can’t find a label for his or her own track, they just make a digital label and release the stuff themselves.

“It’s not too good for the electronic music scene, because there are too many low quality releases now.

“It’s more difficult for DJs to find the biggest stuff from so many releases than it ever was.

“I’ve heard that the leading digital download stores have started to filter the new labels. I hope they will find the optimal balance.”

What has been your career highlight so far?

“I haven’t really thought about this before.

“Every moment is a highlight in my career for me.

“I love the music, the producing, and DJing, and I feel like a lucky guy to be able to do my hobby.”

How is the scene in Hungary treating you? Is it healthy?

“We have so many talented producers; Add 2 Basket, Snake Sedrick and Belocca.

“I’ve heard lots of people suggest that Hungary is on the up. I hope it’s true!”

“So, the scene is going well, we have cool gigs and very good party faces. Just ask the DJs who have been here.”

You’ve got another track coming out on Seamless Twelves soon under your Supaflava guise. Is it easy to switch over from the trance-tinged progressive of ‘Midnight Express’ to the more hands in the air vocal style of ‘Time In Motion’?

“It wasn’t a really big switch for me, I guess. I like so many music styles, from vocal house, across to the electro stuff and then to the progressive or tech house sounds.

“That’s why I created more project names. I hope the faces will like all of my projects.”

As you are obviously a very versatile producer, what is your favourite genre to work within?

“That is not easy to answer. In many instances when I have an idea I just make it, and when I finish it, I try to work out what genre it is.

“I think my favourites are the fusioned genres. Some touches from here and some from there. I like the housey, proggie, melodic and pulsating grooves.”

Who have been your main influences over the years?

“I like Matthew Dekay and Sander Kleinenberg.

“I loved that classic sound that was around in 2000 - 2002 from Sasha and Junkie XL. It was so amazing.

“Now I like Funkagenda, Rene Amesz, the new Simuck, DJ Remy and Roland Klinkenberg, but so many tracks have inspired me.”

What other tracks are rockin’ your box at the moment?

“I have a new release on Extrema Records including a Mashtronic remix called ‘One Week In Paradise’. It’s fusioned stuff with a house and prog trance sound with some airy vocal cuts.

It’s being supported by Nick Warren, Sander Kleinenberg, and Desyn Masiello. Desyn sent me an extra message about this track. It was very good to see that.”

What’s next for Jay Lumen?

“I’ve just finished two remixes. One for Guy J and the other for Shawn Mitiska and Jaren. Those will be coming out in the second half of 2007.

“After Whoop! and Seamless, I’ll have more releases on Deep Records, Baroque and Black Hole.

“I have some cool gigs in the summer. I will play in England / Jersey at the second half of 2007. Maybe we will meet there.”

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