SAMUS JAY
Bringing back eurodance one song at a time!
Honoured to have produced numerous songs including two EPs for the Eurodance Vibes label, beginning with ‘Can’t Stop,’ featuring Annerley Gordon and rapper Stay-C from Twenty 4 Seven, is Australian Dance Music Producer/DJ/Megamixer/ Remixer/Mashup Artist and Ghost Producer Samus Jay. With 26 years experience in the music industry, Samus has been the perfect choice to produce high energy dance music inspired by the classic 90’s eurodance sound.
Samus, who is based in Melbourne, began DJ’ing at only 14 years old at college parties before playing DJ sets on 89.9 Hitz FM, a Melbourne-based youth community radio station, and at popular Melbourne venues including Silvers, QBH, Metro, Aqua Lounge, Aura Lounge and Chasers.
In early 2000, Samus started producing his own megamixes in his hybrid mixing style and in 2004 the first edition of the hugely successful Ultimate 90’s Megamix series was created. The five Ultimate 90’s megamixes have now been viewed on YouTube more than 10 million times in total so far! His remixes of other artists songs as well as his own productions and remixes have featured on numerous dance compilations and digital streaming services ever since.
THE BEGINNING
When did you first become involved in the music industry?
I first became officially involved in the music industry in 2005 when I was asked to commence ghost production for various CDs across Australia. These CDs would then have very well known DJs titled to the series. While I was ghost mixing these they were
the ones sponsoring and claiming them as their work. This was and still is a big part of the music business - all smoke and mirrors!
Did you always want to be a music producer and DJ?
Yes, from the moment I was 14 years old I fell in love with the craft of DJ’ing and I don’t regret it one bit - it’s a dream job for me and when you enjoy your job, you never work a day in your life!
What was the first dance record you produced or remixed?
‘Be Alright’ by Samus Jay and DJ KCB back in 2018. I composed the original and KCB remixed it. I can’t tell you my first ever production as a ghost producer because I would get in trouble!
Why do you like eurodance music?
Because it brings out the euphoria - the high energy vocals, the singers - it all makes sense to enjoy it. If you don’t like dance music in general then you will never appreciate eurodance which comes from the 80’s and that music flows down from the 70’s. I love it for the high energy - it’s as simple as that!
IN THE STUDIO
When did you set up your first home studio?
My first home studio was set up back in 2005 and it changes frequently - yearly if not monthly!
What are your favourite pieces of studio equipment, and what do you currently use in your studio?
Roland U-Series, Yamaha SY-Series and Akai S3000 are my favourite synthesizers as the possibilities are endless when using these. I currently own and use an Alesis midi controller.
What musical instruments can you play?
When I was younger I used to play the drums and I have an intermediate level of keyboard skills.
Did you teach yourself how to produce and remix music or did you attend training courses or learn online? What kind of commitment do you need to do this?
I’m completely self-taught along with whatever I learned in music class back in high school! To produce music you need to have a great deal of patience and creativity.
What do you love most about your job as a music producer, DJ, megamixer and remixer?
The outcome! The work behind the scenes can be very frustrating, but it’s the crowd/audience reaction and my fans that push me to keep going. Being a DJ is not just about pressing play, fist pumping the air and acting like a clown, it’s the ability to be able to
manipulate the crowd and put them into a trance, in that moment, and make special memories. As a megamixer and remixer, I love the feedback I get from my fans from around the world.
Do you think you need to have a basic knowledge of music to produce successful dance tracks?
Absolutely! Musical knowledge is very important in understanding the concept of how to produce. You must be able to understand scales, keys and music arrangements, vocalising and equalizing. You also need proficiency in ear training, music theory and
notation and instrumental techniques.
What do you think are the most important elements of a successful record?
That’s a very funny question because it depends on the audience. Some people love minimal house, some love techno and some love trance/GOA/hardcore. For me to make a successful dance track you have to make it very poppy and generic. If I was given the ability to make any genre music I want, I would go with high energy dance music with high class vocals.
What are the most important pieces of advice you have for someone who wishes to become a successful dance music producer, DJ or remixer?
Learn what you are doing first, work hard then let success make the noise. In today’s modern age it’s all about social media presence. You need to understand marketing because without the right approach you are never going to get far. I hate to say it but it’s the truth - in today’s modern world it’s all about how many followers you have and not the talent. The music business is smoke and mirrors but if you want to be true to yourself and learn not just for social media clout, the best advice I would give is be patient and understanding. Get ready to do the hard yards of music theory, practice and accept criticism as this will help you grow, but only accept criticism from the right people that want you to succeed and not those who don’t want you to succeed.
Describe your creative process when producing a song or megamix.
I’ll listen back to my old work and think to myself ‘what can I do to make it better?’. A lot of the eurodance tracks I have made lately are inspired by old dance tracks. I like to reinvent and resurrect them but give them a modern sound. I am the biggest critic of myself and I don’t listen to my own megamixes!
Is there a particular song from the 90’s that you would love to remix, and why?
I already have! I had the privilege of remixing a new cover version of Tina Cousin’s classic dance track Mysterious Times - the producers were Nick Jay and John Luc at Tomasko Records and the vocals were sung by Sharon West.
THE MUSIC BUSINESS
Is music production your main profession, or is it something you do in addition to a day job?
Music production is my main source of income as I am a full time ghost producer. I do projects for various record labels and a lot of work with DJs collaborating with their mash up packs and making up bootlegs, remixes and mashup packs for them. It’s a 15 hour a day gig.
When you hear one of your songs, remixes or megamixes on the radio, how does that make you feel?
It makes me feel really happy that all my hard work has amounted to something, not just to followers over the internet or to fans who like to collect my projects. I feel like I’m really encouraged to want to do more and I’m inspired to want to step out of my comfort zone. Hence why I did the Ultimate Party Megamix.
Which megamix from the many that you have created is most special to you, and why?
The Ultimate 90’s Volume 1 Megamix because it put my name on the map in the megamix scene in Europe. It’s probably my favourite and most memorable moment. It took me six months to create and everything was ripped off CDs. It took me two months to rip everything into WAV files, planning took another two months and putting everything together took two more months. Nothing was arranged - it was all done by ear!
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned throughout your career?
That not all people are who they seem to be - as a ghost producer behind the scenes in the music industry you see it’s just an illusion and all about creating a certain image for the artist. Out of ten producers you will probably get four who know what they are doing!
How did you first begin working with Annerley Gordon and the rest of the Eurodance Vibes team?
A friend of mine actually told me that Ann Lee, also known as Annerley, was still active in the industry and I hit her up on Facebook, and before you know she was part of a team called Eurodance Vibes and it went from there. At the time I was signed to another label that miraculously just disappeared off the face of the planet and from then on Eurodance Vibes made me part of their family and I’ve been producing with them and for them since!
How long on average does it take you to produce / remix a new song for the Eurodance Vibes label?
It depends on the motivation - sometimes it takes two weeks to produce one track. My new song that I did with the vocalist of Radiorama, Jackie Bodimead, I created in 24 hours straight with no sleep and no rest. Give or take though, on a good day it probably takes two to three weeks depending on the vocal delivery.
THE FUTURE
What productions are you currently working on for release in the next few months?
At the moment I am in the early stages of creating volume 2 of the Ultimate Party Megamix which will have higher BPMs than the first mix, and of course, Volume 6 of the Ultimate 90’s Megamix. I am also working on my own album and eurodance collaborations with vocalists Jackie Bodimead (Radiorama) and Just Luis for the Eurodance Vibes label.
What eurodance artist or producer would you most like to collaborate with, and why?
I would love to collaborate with Italians Maurizio Braccagni (DJ/producer/remixer and MaBra Records label manager) and Roberto Gallo Salotto (Producer/musician). I love how they produce high energy dance music and their chord progression style is very impressive.
Are any of your children looking to follow in your footsteps and become involved in the music industry?
None of them have any idea who I produce music for or for what label but they are aware that I’m a DJ and ghost producer. Some have had their phases being interested in music, but my 11-year-old daughter Amaliyah at this present time is the promising one!
If you had to choose an alternative career to music production in the future, what would it be?
A martial arts instructor - I’ve been doing martial arts since I was nine years old and I love it so it’s incredibly special to me. Otherwise a personal trainer as I used to be a lightweight bodybuilder back in my heyday!