Avalon takes full-on psytrance global
It’s been a while since we last caught up with Avalon.
He whisked in and out of South Africa leaving a deluge of happy trancers after his ‘Sunday Funday’ set at Origin festival, possibly South Africa’s biggest psytrance gathering and certainly one of SA’s premier outdoor events.
Avalon is a major artist in the global dance music scene known as Psytrance and has become a massively popular performer in the worldwide EDM industry.
He is one of the biggest hit-makers and regularly charts on the world’s biggest electronic dance music platform, Beatport.
He has also been taking his psychedelic full-on sound to the masses beyond trance festivals having played Armin Van Buuren’s ASOT 850 in Utrecht, Holland and Dreamstate Socal in California, USA, both in 2017 among others.
He will be back in the USA this year for performances at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and returns to Dreamstate Socal too.
We caught up briefly…
My music is a real crossover and it’s rocking the states!”
Hi Leon and welcome back to the (near) mid-year IDM check-in. This year we were privy to having you play 2 sets at Origin 2018- one as Future Frequency and then a full-on Avalon set on the Sunday funday. How does the dance floor energy compare between night and day (literally)?
AVALON: Hi! Good to be back. Well I love them both- When playing at night you get the out of this world experience with all the 3d mapping visuals going on around you, whereas in the day you get to see all the lovely smiley faces and feel the sun!
Seeing that Origin was sculpted by Nano many many moons ago, and the fact that you are signed to Nano Records- do you ever feel ‘more pressure’ to do exceedingly well, or do you feel more relaxed and excited because of it? (Or both)
AVALON: To be honest I feel more relaxed. It’s like playing in my backyard. 5th Origin maybe-playing with Adam Headroom right after you in CT- Well that’s another thing (laughs).
You are undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the Psy-trance scene, having headlined at the most prestigious festivals the world over. What is the key to success, in your opinion?
AVALON: Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal you know, haha joke! The key to success is to just keep on doing what you love and see what happens. Yeah hard work, yeah you give your life to this profession. It’s not just luck, but of course the right time right place and right music has something to do with it 😉
Last year you played at Dreamstate Socal in the USA, and will be back again this year. For a country not necessarily known for Psy-Trance, is the USA opening its arms/dance floors to the psychedelic sound and do you think it will last?
AVALON: My music is a real crossover and it’s rocking the states! The psychedelic sound is very well received, hi tech would be a different story at the big EDM events. Will it last, I hope so. I love the USA crowd, really friendly and a great crowd!
I did 120 shows last year, nearly burnt myself out.”
You’ve got an upcoming gig at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. I understand that this is more of a ‘crossover’ festival where electronic music like EDM and Psy-Trance share a stage. Do you think it can work as a festival idea when people generally get quite heated over musical choice?
AVALON: Let’s see, it will be my first time there at the mothership of EDM. Only a few psy acts booked and I’m really happy to be bringing the psychedelic to the masses out there. Haters gonna hate but lovers gonna love.
Have you been to Las Vegas before? Will you have time to sight-see and take in the incredible experience that is the Las Vegas Strip?
AVALON: My brother lives there, so we had the big Vegas wedding. I am looking forward to flying into EDC in a chopper, to see Vegas from above at night and the festival. It’s going be insane! I also have to check out the pool parties- It’d be rude not too! No Tiesto though, I draw the line there (laughs).
How is work on your solo album coming along and do you think it will be ready this year despite all of the touring?
AVALON: I really hope so, it’s such a struggle. I did 120 shows last year, nearly burnt myself out. I now have a studio machine as a travelling laptop, it’s the only way this album is going to get done. I’m nearly half way but this year is another crazy year. Wish me luck!
What do you miss the most about home when you are touring?
AVALON: Lots – friends, social life, family. But you know this is my time now. I know I’m so lucky to experience such amazing things-all these travels, living my passion, living the dream; as cheesy as it sounds, it’s true! Oh so cry me a river (laughs). As exhausted as I am sometimes, I will not mention it! (laughs).
I watched your Facebook live feed with Tristan while you lads were in Brasil- it was highly entertaining and super interactive! What would you like to say to your fans that never miss a beat?
AVALON: The dynamic duo (laughs). Just a massive thanks for all the support and great vibes at the shows. That’s what makes me carry on doing what I do, it means everything to me. Love you all long time and don’t ever forget it!! 😛
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