Prepare for full-frequency intensity. If you have ever stomped the dust at Boom, Ozora, or Tomorrowland, you know the seismic impact of Avalon & GMS. Representing the absolute pinnacle of the international Psytrance circuit, these two producers are responsible for some of the most anthemic tracks in history. Today, we are diving deep into the studio secrets and tour-life madness of Leon Robertson (Avalon) and Riktam (GMS). From heavy basslines to euphoric breakdowns, get ready to explore the minds behind the music that drives the world’s biggest stages. – What was the production process like for these tracks? Myself (Avalon) and Riki (GMS) have been talking about making a track together for over 10 years. But it never happened as we have been so busy touring and everything else in life, but we both always knew when the stars finally aligned it was gonna be a massive collaboration after such a long build up to it. Actually, what started out as 1 track turned into 4, nearly half an album. When Charlotte heard the 1st track, she wrote to me and said how much she loved it and that it had been rocking all her sets everywhere across the world. She then asked can we write some more together as she could see there is a real magic musically between us and she wants to make it the first full on psytrance release in our style on her label. She was right! We feel we both bring out the best in each other, our skill sets combined is a lethal weapon and it was so much fun making this EP together. As it works so well, we both decided we are going to continue making more music together, enough for a whole set together! We are very close! – What is the concept behind them? Avalon: Each track on this EP has its own concept. Actually I’m really a concept guy; before I start arranging a track I have a vision from beginning to end, making music is like telling a story, you are taking people on a journey through sound. So, I would design the sounds, melodies, and record the vocals all with a concept in mind. I would then go to Riktam’s studio when I was in Amsterdam and we would build it together. Riktam: I would design the kick & bass groove ready to go in the key & bpm, so we don’t waste any time when we are together in the creation process and the vibe is flowing. It has to be this way as we are so busy with our touring schedules. Studio time together is precious, but when we are in there, locked in the groove, there is magic happening in that studio. We both feel this is some of our best work yet. – How do you see the release of the EP by Charlotte’s label for psytrance? We are honored Charlotte chose us for the first full on psytrance EP release on her techno label KNTXT. I think this is a big moment for psytrance as a genre and it feels great to be part of this, pushing the boundaries, introducing new people from the techno genre to psytrance through our music. We feel a new era has arrived, the moment where psytrance and techno come together. Two crowds, one scene, one love, united by the same energy and the same values. – Is there a special venue and specific time in your set do you think each of these tracks would be perfect for? If I was playing a closing set and I could play one more, it would have to be ‘Rave to the Grave’, it’s a peak time dancefloor bomb, Let the beat drop! ‘Horizen’ would be the perfect sunset track at a festival. ‘Machines’, definitely middle of the set, it’s a solid driving track with powerful hypnotic acid lines. ‘The Underground’ is perfect for an underground club or warehouse party. It’s a great opener track too, with that vocal before the kick and deep bassline drops in, it just works! ‘Welcome to the underground, you have arrived!’ – Do you find being in person together in the studio is the key to really find the magic in collaboration? I can definitely say that is where the magic starts, it’s also a lot more fun! Working online is ok, but in my experience my best collabs are when they are started together, in the studio, in the vibe, in the moment – This is your first collaboration, but you’ve played together on stage before right? Do you have any key memories from those shows? Are there any more sets upcoming? Well we had been talking about making a track together for over a decade, then this release with KNTXT happened. So 1 track turned into 4 to make it an EP. We work so well together, we have now decided to produce enough music for a whole set of Avalon & GMS so it can be a project, so stay tuned, we are nearly there. Should be ready by the end of the year…. Avalon & GMS ‘The Underground’ is out now on KNTXT. Get it here. Avalon & GMS on the beauty of collaboration and the concept of new KNTXT EP ‘The Underground’
