Focus on Argy

It´s good to know what you want from life…

Music has  been  Argy´s aka Argyris Theofilis big passion since he was a school boy – and today at the age of just 23 he is one of the most promising new-generation producers within the House and Techno scene. The label “Poker Flat”, famous for  its outstanding artist such as Trentemoeller and Guido Schneider, has now released his debut album “Focus on Argy”.
Not later then when listening to the album you are astonished how at such a young age the Greek- born Argy has already discovered his own style. We asked him for an interview…

At what moment in your life has it become clear that music is a very important part of your life?
Probably in high school when music worked as a shelter for me. It was my cure for everything that bothered me and a lot of things did bother me back then..

You have moved to Berlin. Where are your roots and why have you  decided on Berlin?
I moved to Berlin because its an easy city. I was also bored of London at that time. Another reason is that a lot of the people I work with are living there..It’s also full of parties and the energy is good. I really miss the big city feeling though, sometimes i feel like Berlin is a small town. I like to see it as a transit, not as a destination.

You are very young, but already very successful- did you know that all this was going to happen?
I just coudn´t wait ..I was already sending broken beat demos and stuff when I was 16 …Musically I matured very early. I had a good understanding of how things should sound so I just went for it.  My only plan was to reach a level where i am 100% satisfied with my music. I am still working on that…

Talking about your actual album “Focus on Argy”. tell us a bit about how it was to work on that? And what can the listener expect from it?
To start with, its all collaborations. With some artists I shared parts through the internet and with some I worked in the same studio in Berlin. Its a mixture of soulful modern techno-house I would say..Its kind of angry and self-assured. It’s pretty diverse which was really important and at the same time functional for the dance floor. You should also expect things that sound familiar from the 90′s or even earlier but in a  really high-tech form.

You have done several collaborations (for example Jerome Sydenham) for the album. What´s it like to do such a collaboration? And is there still somebody in particular you would like to do such a future project together with?
Jerome is a good friend of mine. It was only natural to cooperate now that he also lives in Berlin. We did “In the mist” in my studio last December. It was a pretty relaxed and easy session. I would really like to work with Osunlade or Joe Claussell…

What´s your favourite track on the album?
In the past “Anemone” and “Another Sin”. Right now, “Our drums” and “cantstandlovegetaway”. In 10 years from now “in the mist” and “under no illusion”.

I have read that you would never do an album without a concept. How do you work out such a concept?
Correct. Too many albums with no main theme or idea..An album shouldn’t be a collection of tracks but should have a little story to go with. It’s more difficult for dance albums thats why there aren’t that many good ones around.

A little brainstorming ( what´s the first thing that comes in your mind when hearing the following…)
Unreliable Virgin: Party
Remixes: Getting bad parts and having to do a new track
Stage: Italy
Love: My own
Success: Controlling your own time
Fear: Decadence
Inspirations: My parents, muses and beautiful things in general..

How do you spent most of your private time?
I spend a lot of time in restaurants, you cant top me from eating..And I often go alone too. I am never really in private though..I have a few good friends who come over as soon as I am finished with my work. Actually when I am in the studio, its really private. That takes half of my day, so I try to see my people the rest of the time left.

What are your current projects?
I am remixing a bunch at the moment. Some good originals and some not so good ones. Then I have to think of something good for the coming winter. Haven’t really planned that far. Summer is always slow but it’s the best period to get some inspiration.

The last question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years …?
I expect a lot from myself when I reach 28. I want to be fulfilled artistically and have a very tight personal surrounding.
I see myself in a big city with lots of experiences. Bad ones too.

Many thanks for your time!

www.myspace.com/argymusic

Interview by Chrisitine Guggenberger
(ISSUE 10)