Jun 8

Paul Anthonee: "It is a highly creative process that I would say has changed my life in a magical way"

With over 20 years of experience in the music scene, Paul Anthonee has been a prominent figure in the lineups of major festivals and events such as ADE, Fusion Festival, Reworks, Beonix and Bloque. He has also performed at top venues in around Germany, Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and of course Greece & Cyprus.

What inspired you to embark on your journey in electronic music, and how has your sound evolved over your 20-year career?

I am currently in my 23rd year of being active as a DJ (my bio obviously needs updating, haha). My older brother has always been a fan and collector of electronic music, so it was somewhat expected that he would nurture that passion in my own life. I have always been a fan of the melodic side of electronic music, discovering along the way other genres of music that have influenced and continue to influence my sound. The golden era of progressive house, trance, and my beloved cinematic, ambient, trip hop sounds have all contributed to the evolution of how I listen to and produce music today.

With such a diverse range of performances across various countries and events, how do you adapt your sets to different audiences and venues?

It's always a big challenge for me, as I believe it is for most DJs, to get to know new places, with different cultures and temperaments, and manage to adapt your music according to the audience you have in front of you. Of course you are who you are and to be invited somewhere you were probably invited because they like what you do (if it's not about your Instagram followers of course haha) but it can never be the same set in two completely different destinations or events. Many times before I go to play somewhere for the first time, I do a relevant research about the culture and the sounds of each country.

Your music has garnered support from industry giants like Carl Cox, Tale Of Us and Solomun. How does such recognition impact your creative process and confidence as an artist?

If I said that this doesn't get me hugely excited every time it happens I'd be lying. These guys have in some way created or evolved along the way what we all love, electronic music, so seeing these giants play your music is always very important. I want to express my respect and gratitude to everyone who supports my work, regardless of their fame. Whether they perform in front of 100,000 people or just 10, each individual who chooses to play my music holds importance to me. Thank you all! I also thank all those whose music I play. You know we are used to saying thank you to those who play our songs but don't forget that the most important is the one who makes the music and not the one who plays the music.

Running your own label, Astral Records, must come with its challenges and rewards. Could you share some insights into the philosophy behind the label and its role in the electronic music landscape?

In the past three years that Astral has been active, I have truly been enjoying life through music. It is a highly creative process that I would say has changed my life in a magical way. Of course, it is a demanding part of my daily life, involving many hours of work and communication with artists, but I believe the results justify all the efforts my partner Tash, the rest of the team and I put in. Whenever I am asked about Astral, I always mention this aspect because I remember when we started the project during the time of COVID, it was exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to release my own music without waiting for an endless response from major record companies, but more importantly, to release music that I admire in a positive way and wish I had produced myself. This includes music from established or up-and-coming artists who are seeking a label that will serve as a home for their music.

With the advent of streaming platforms and social media, artists now have more direct access to their fans than ever before. How do you leverage these digital tools to engage with your audience and promote your music, and what do you envision for the future of electronic music consumption and distribution?

I have experienced both eras, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. I recall the value music held before the advent of these platforms in our lives. Searching for the perfect music involved spending endless hours in record stores, a unique experience that I really miss and still do, to a lesser extent of course. Everything required more effort back then, whether it was music production or performing at significant events. Success had a different dynamic and perhaps a different value. Today, accessing everything is easier and more direct, but the sheer volume of artists and music available means standing out among the crowd is essential to achieving your goals.

The ability to communicate directly with fans, as well as with people and labels you admire, is crucial. I personally utilize these tools extensively as I enjoy engaging with fans of my work. However, I recognize that setting boundaries is important, as the intrusion into personal life can be a risk if not managed carefully. Feedback from people is valuable, as they are the primary reason we create music, aside from personal satisfaction.