DJ Preach is fast becoming one of the hottest properties in the international Techno scene.
At a mere 24 years of age he's achieved what most of us only dream of with the launch of his own record label, guest releases on the finest European imprints going and DJ slots in front of tens of thousands of people at festivals like Dance Valley and other fantastic parties around the globe.
Preach made a name for himself on the decks growing up in Canada and it wasn't long before he delved into producing his own material.
His releases soon found there way over the Atlantic with European labels like MB Elektronics, Patterns and Primate locking onto his sound, and after a couple of very successful records he's found himself in a very envious position.
Arguably his biggest track to date 'Return to the Source' was released on Carl Cox's Intec label, and the backing of such a superstar, coupled with the fact that the tune features a rollercoaster of an infectious grove that drills into the middle of your mind and sets up camp, has meant that the trips to Europe and beyond have been plentiful over the last year.
Preach tells us, “I've been releasing records in Europe since 2001 but I know my biggest release was on Intec and I'm really happy that I'm getting more and more into the European market.”
And of the scene over here he admits, “It has started to change my sound because the sources of inspiration have been so wide that its impossible for me to close my eyes to one style.”
And what is Preach's style you may ask? Well Preach tells us, “Tribal techno, minimal funky progressive and Trancey,” but what he really means is, “Whatever! Anything I like and that works in the studio or in my set.”
His recent compilation mix CD on his own Relic label was a mighty fine interpretation of his sound, and is worth sniffing out as all corners of Techno are covered, including another fine sample of his own production 'Poca Del Machine' with an audaciously wicked Bassline.
We wondered where the inspirations for his studio output came and of course he was happy tell, “I'm not someone who sits in the studio wondering where the next idea is going to come from. I prefer to sit back and relax; only starting something when I really know where I'm going. I'm always thinking about the concept behind my next release and as an artist I always aim to create something that will really make people say 'wow!' An idea for a melody may pop into my head at any moment of the day. It may be from the sound of a bus starting, the rain falling on the ground or a man digging a hole, so I always carry my recorder everywhere I go!”
These are obviously the words of a man who soaks up his surroundings, always looking for inspiration to convert to the dancefloor and it must be a formula that works.
Travelling the world and visiting different cultures is something else that rubs off on Preach. He explains, “Experimenting with new crowds was always my dream and I think more and more I realise how important it is to get different opinions and tastes from people that live far away from each other. From there I can really produce a sound that comes from my deepest thoughts.”
The many gigs he's had in Japan, Brazil, Spain, the Middle East and many other areas will no doubt have gone some way in satisfying this particular urge, although he still admits that his favourite crowd is in Canada as, “I grew up there and all my best friends come out to party with me.”
Preach has yet to bring his performance to the UK although his work for Intec has now been joined by releases on Yin Yang and Hydraulix so an appearance may just be round the corner.
He says, “I know the Techno sound in the UK is quite different from what I have experimented with in the past, but I would definitely like to get more involved and play there soon.”
Finally we discussed with Preach his Relic label which as well as releasing the mix CD has been pressing some pretty hot vinyl.
He tells us, “Relic is my deepest creativity and my religious passion for the music. We aim for a crossover sound which will satisfy a wider crowd and have many tracks to put out as well as remixes from Marco V, Michael De Hey and Eric Sneo.”
So with plenty of cards on the table it looks like 2006 is going to be another successful year for the man from Montreal. More info can be found at www.relic-rec.com
