Lee Canning Interview

Lee Canning Interview

19 August, 2009 | 8.22PM

• Written by: Rossco
• Filed under: Music News : avenger, lee canning, trance essential

With some impressive releases under his belt, and many more to follow, Perth’s Lee Canning looks to be cementing his place in Australia’s Trance producer elite. Trancetribe.com’s Rysh chats with the man himself about whats been happening over the other side of the country.

Hailing from the far western side of Australia, Lee Canning is one of the country’s newest and positively talented Trance DJ/producers. The last few months have been a pivotal time in this young guns career; along with several releases getting released, Lee has managed to get the support of Armin van Buuren and Ferry Corsten, both playing his new tune ‘The Universe’ on their respective radio shows.

Lee Canning has had a long history with making music, starting with the guitar at age 12 and soon moving on to the drums. The early introduction to music provided a solid foundation on which the electronic side could build on, “I think it definitely helps with the ear being able to distinguish what sounds good and what doesn’t.” Although it wasn’t until the age of 18 that Lee started going out to clubs that he became hooked on electronic music like Alice Deejay and DJ Jean. The desire to become the DJ overwhelmed Lee, “I got myself some decks and taught myself,” he says “but what I think is even better is being the person who makes the tunes the DJs play.” Initially Canning began making House music, but after being exposed to DJs like Armin van Buuren, he took a shine to Trance alone and has since stuck with it.

In 2006, Lee started Reactor Records, an outlet for his own music as well as that from upcoming talented producers from around the globe. The label had a good 2 year run, with some top DJs voicing their support along the way. But eventually the towel had to get thrown in, “in this industry it is very difficult to gain exposure for your label and your artists,” explains Lee “so it requires money and lots of time, something I don’t have enough of!” The label was a learning curve for Lee as well, admitting that the biggest factor in getting his name out there was getting his production quality to the right level – something many producers aren’t critical enough of. “It took me many years to get to any good standard, worthy of release” he explains, “I think that to get the name out, you need to have quality music, then everything can build from there.”

Most recently, Lee Canning featured as the debut artist on Trance Essential Records, as well as providing two remixes along the way. On top of that he has a re-release of one of his own Reactor Records tracks called ‘Mesmerize’ and will be returning on Trance Essential; last month also saw the release of ‘The Universe’ on Amon Vision, with remixes from some big names; in addition to all this is the release of ‘Infinity,’ alongside a remix from Avenger, on Just Peak Music. Lee is nothing short of a pure Trance fanatic, professing his love for “the hand in the air type euphoria and the big epic builds and breakdowns which takes you on a journey.” This sentiment is clearly reflected in his music, with the raw feelings conveyed through the medium of Trance, be it cruisey, uplifting or banging, Lee Canning manages to hit the mark ever time, a skill that has taken many years to perfect.

Lee Canning has set himself practical goals that he’s already on his way to reaching, “I would like to see my tracks on the playlists of the big DJs” he tells, “and eventually be one of the very few Australian producers to have their music released on big labels such as Armada and Anjuna.” Apart from the talent necessary to make such good music, one needs a true passion for whatever they chose to do; Lee is certainly one of those, declaring “to me Trance is the ultimate music for a good night out,” a fact evident in the music he is making.

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