Boris Blenn is rather chuffed.
The man behind Germany's revered Electric Universe project, he is enjoying what he terms “the best psychedelic, open-air season ever”, adding that it has been an incredible season.
A new wave of trance parties from all over the globe have kept him busy, while the spirit of the beautiful people that go with it was merely the cherry on top. From the beginning, Boris claims he had a thing for music, enjoying listening to and buying the newest records. “I loved the early, electronic tunes on the radio and was a big fan of Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Yazoo and Kraftwerk,” he says. “Since I was 12, I was spending a lot of time hanging out at the local record store – and all of my money on vinyl with it!”
“People can expect a high-energy journey into outer space.”
A fan of a broad range of electronic music generally, Boris describes his love of Chicago house, acid house and techno as what initially caught his interest. “Actually, it was techno in the early 1990s that really blew my mind,” he suggests.
“The only problem was that I did not relate at all to the crowds in the clubs we had at the time. This changed when I, through some magic coincidence, found my way to the first big Voov experience in 1991 – that day changed my life. Suddenly there was the music I loved, together with the people I liked. And from that day on, everything became clear! That's what my heart still resonates with today – it's as simple as that. I love the craziness and the high energy of good, full-on trance.”
Ever since – which is about two decades now – Boris has remained a prolific producer of music across genres and via numerous different aliases. His most recent LP, ‘Journeys In Outer Space’, was a smashing success and with it, the studio work continues. “It's happening all the time. It never stops. This year I joined Dacru Records from Belgium and that LP was the first release through them. They also came up with an idea to release a Best Of compilation – my biggest tracks of the last 20 years. I agreed and thought it would be a great idea, so started collecting and compiling the best tracks.
"In the end, we've agreed that the first CD will be from 1994-2000 – the pure, golden old-school! The second CD will be a remix album with more or less a bunch of original tracks, but mixed down with today's sound quality and technology.”
The compilation Boris speaks of will be released this summer, while he is also working on a collaborative project with two young rising stars from Israel called The Outsiders. “Our project name will be Outside The Universe and our first track will be on the next Dacru compilation with many more to come,” explains Boris.
As well as that, he promises a number of new Electric Universe tracks, which are still in the pipeline. Finally, Blenn shares a few words about his return to Australia. “It's always great to come back,” he says.
“As always, people can expect a high-energy journey into outer space with pure, uplifting, electric-psychedelic trance! I plan on playing a mixture of material from my new album as well as my biggest hits.
“The music has definitely evolved over the years and the production level these days is incredible. The core for me in all of this though is the celebration of a new consciousness, where people gather in peace, appreciation for each other and our beautiful planet. This is the only future I can see as worth living and passing onto our kids.
"I feel that at every good party something happens on a collective level – a little shift towards a more peaceful, planetary civilization. I am happy to be part of this and I pray that one day this will take over at every level! For now though, I cannot wait to celebrate with you guys!”
Electric Universe plays Rainbow Serpent, which takes place in Lexton, Victoria on 23rd-26th January, 2015.
