Interview with Jannis/Filteria on 25.08.2007

[lunaris]

1. What's your full name, how old are you and where are you currently living ?

Jannis Tzikas, I am 24 years old. I am living in Stockholm, Sweden

2. Tell us something about you're past like: when did u start with making music,what was you're first equipment,you're first releases ?

When I heard goa back in 96, it made such a huge impression on me that I said, I have to start making this.
I talked with some people, since I didn't have the knowledge in either musicproduction, playing or syntesis.
People recommended me the TB-303. However, thank God that the guy who was going to sell a 303 told me, with
only this synth you can't do much. So I ended up with a Yamaha CS1x which I sold after 2 weeks because it was boring
and got my first serious synth: Roland JP-8000. On this synth is where i learned alot. Then big midi-problems came in.
So i recorded sounds from it and made music with Fast Tracker together with a friend. We made 2-3 tracks in 96.
I was 13 years old *memories* In the meantime I bought more and more equipment and was playing around. My friend was
more into more commercial sounds while I wanted to do this. In 2003 after having finally setup studio that worked
with everything I could start making music more seriously. My first release came just after one year which was my
solo album in 2004, Sky Input on Suntrip Records.

3. What mean filteria ?

Hmm, maybe a place with filters? Like a cafeteria have coffe, this place has Filters

4. What equipment do u use now ?

I will copy my equipmentlist from the studiosection:

Brain section

Apogee Mini-Me
Dynaudio BM15A
Emagic Unitor-8 Midi-Interface x 2
Logic Audio Platinum 7.2.3
Mac G4 Dual 1.25 GHZ
Mackie 32*8
Motu 24 I/O

Synth section

Access Virus B
Clavia Nord Modular
Clavia Nord Rack 2
DSI Evolver
E-mu Morpheus
Ensoniq ESQ-M
Korg MS-20
Korg MS-50
Korg MS-2000R
Korg Prophecy
Novation BasStation
Roland JD-990 (With Vintage expansion)
Roland JP-8000
Roland Juno-106
Roland MKS-50
Roland SH-101
Roland TB-303 (Modified)
Roland V-Synth XT
Syntechno Teebee
Waldorf Q

Outboard section

Eventide Orville
Sherman Filterbank (Tabletop) V2
T.C Electronics D-2
T.C Electronics Fireworx
Universal Audio UAD-1

So I use 99% hardware. Sure there might popup some sound from a software, but thats not often


5. Are u prepearing a new album or something ?

Yes. I have some tracks ready. I hope that the album will be ready next year around february or so.

6. How and when did you discovered goa-trance music ?

In 96, I just walked into a cdshop and saw Distance To Goa 4. I liked the cover and bought the CD.

7. What were the main factors in your choice to focus on goa-trance?

There was and still there is no other music that can make me travell like this music. It affects the mind.

8. You've got and another project called K.O.B. sooo tell us something about it ?

It doesn't follow a particullar style. Its still rather oldschool. You will have a diverse album this year. I hope....
Sometimes I feel that the time is not enough. But I think I will be able to finish it.

9. Do u play dj sets ?

I have enever played a djset in my life. I will do it sometime

10. Which party or crowd u never gonna forget ?

Actually I don't think I will ever forget a party. They are all part of me. But the one that will be with me untill I
die is the Rise Of The Phoenix. This was my first gig outside of sweden (in Belgium) with a energy on the dancefloor
that can't be explained with either words or pictures.

11. Some funny expirience from some party or festival ?

Lots of them

12. What is you're opinion for today trance scene ?

Its getting bigger, no doubt. The internet and mp3s helped alot. What I don't like today is that alot of the music is
not even psychedelic. The darkmusic is closer to thunderdoom cd's than Goa. And fullon is seriously boring after 5 years.
But there are nice music aswell and also very nice people.

13. What kind of music do u listen(expect trance) ?

ALL kinds of music. Rock, synth, hiphop, pop, 80's etc

14. Can you keep a comfortable lifestyle working only with making music, or a second job is needed ?

Both yes and no. Lately I have recieved so many gigs, so i am living out of just the music, but I want to feel safe
and secure, so I have some other income sources aswell.

15. Any last comment or message ?

There will be both K.O.B. and Filteria albums. Have an open mind for the K.O.B. one Thanx for all the support I am
getting. And good health and lots of joy to whoever is reading this

Take care / Jannis Filteria

Thnx Jannis 8)
Made by lunaris