Amanda Darling - Radical Inception
Digital & Streaming | November 2023
Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of?
Hi, thanks for the interview and for ongoing support from Exist In Sound. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m proud of many of my songs, they are like my children. That being said, my recent release Eternity 2023 had one particular remix I especially liked, and that was the r00tcracker Rework. It was a blast re-recoding all the vocals to give them extra pizazz, and co-producing by playing the piano breakdown and editing the drum fills, even adding filtered sections and vocal chops. I feel the end result is quite spiritually uplifting!
What's the biggest misconception about DJing?
I hear men complaining that it’s easier for women to make it in the DJ world. I don’t agree with that statement. My own journey has been thrilling but incredibly difficult. I also don’t think men and women should be competing with each other, but rather we should be complimenting and encouraging each other. Sadly, I see the Trance world still dominated by 99% men and not much support from men higher up toward up-and-coming women. I think Trance encapsulates feminine spiritually, and so it’s sad to me that 99% of the songs that get radio play from top DJs are also composed by men.
How would you describe your style?
I’m inspired by 80s synth wave, classical music, musical theatre and spiritual music such as Gregorian chanting, Renaissance choral music, and of course I do love some pop songs from every era. My personal style is definitely Trance. I’ve been leaning more toward vocal trance pop lately for myself, wanting to appeal to a larger audience and get my message out. I also adore bass music, I was a huge fan of Complextro and Dubstep, and in fact I used to spin those genres more than Trance when I started out. Lately I’ve found a liking for some compositions in the progressive House arena these days that I like to spin, usually ones that have a world music feel. Since I moved to Greece I’ve also been integrating more Techno. Lastly, I am a huge fan of synthwave and I can’t get enough of it!
What type of music do you usually DJ?
Trance, Techno, Progressive House, Synthwave, Electro, 80s flashbacks, and even a hint of dubstep. Because my radio show AXION has a time travel theme, we explore a myriad of epochs ranging from classical music and jazz.
Analog or digital and why?
I love Analog, it has a warmer sound and is much easier to listen to in my opinion. I have a gargantuan-sized vinyl collection. I am somewhat obsessed with vinyl, actually. I would love to own my own analog recording equipment, but as I’ve been traveling around the world in recent years, digital has proven more convenient and practical. I would love to someday have a synth collection on par with BT’s.
What do you like most about DJing?
I love the adrenaline, the thrill of the stage, but most of all I love touching lives and uplifting the spirits of others.
How long have you been DJing?
26 years.
What's your typical work process?
Recording music is an ethereal and emotional activity for me. I need to be alone, and in a place with good energy, preferably surrounded by nature. I recorded most of my forthcoming album in a tree house, actually. Some of my songs have started with vocals. Others, with a melody. Other times, I build tracks from the ground up, commencing with drums. It really depends on my mood.
Tell us about your studio setup.
Currently I’m bare bones, just a recording mic, collapsible keyboard for the road, small audio box, and laptop, headphones. I am in transition to my new life in Europe. I’d like to make Crete my permanent home base and build a home studio.
Can you share one DJ tip?
Play your best song first. Start with a bang.
What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
I love dynamic, creative and bold artists like David Bowie and Lady Gaga, and the greatest singers such as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
I’m also amazed by artists like Danny Elfman, who excelled both as an 80s rock star and as a film composer. I would love to follow in his footsteps someday.