Wednesday, March 6, 2013

#008: Javier Morel

This week's profile is Javier Morel. He is one of the founders of the eurobeat podcast, Super Euro Power Hour (SEPH). You may see him on various forums as Javy or Jayveemon. I have started listening to SEPH since the beginning of the year and really enjoy him and Jorge on such an insightful podcast. Hope you enjoy Javier's Q&A with the EuroViewer!

1. Occupation?
Sales Lead/Part Time Manager for F.Y.E. ( a music/movie/video game chain ) though hopefully getting a promotion soon.

2. Where are you from?
Born and raised in the Riverdale /Kingsbridge area of the Bronx in New York.

3. Tell us about SEPH and how did it come about?
SEPH is my baby, my dreamchild after loving podcasts such as Orange Lounge Radio (on the www.vognetwork.com) for years. They are my greatest inspiration for doing this show. It also has to do with the fact that I never shut up. I love to talk (despite the fact I am terrible at formulating thoughts into words) and I love it when people pay attention to me haha. So December of 2006 I asked original cohost Connor would he like to a show with me he said yes and I guess the rest is history. Of course there was that 2 and a half year break starting in 2010. That was due to personal life issues and just not enjoying the show anymore. After a period of life changes and being recharged SEPH is back I hope people enjoy us!

4. What was the most exciting thing that happened on SEPH?
I think the most exciting thing for myself was having dinner with Andrea Leonardi a.k.a. Bratt Sinclaire and in the city with his wife and father and Fausto granted that didn't happen on the air I guess the most exciting thing that happened would be the interviews we have done.

5. What is your favourite euro song?
That is honestly a tough question. It's like asking a mother whose her favorite child haha. I have a few at the moment so I will reply with a list.

In no order:
*Tora - King & Queen (Classic Mix)
*Rich Hard - Take My Life
*Eurodudes - Passport To dance
*Eddy Huntington - Meet My Friend (B4 Za Beat Mix)
*Becky - Theif In The Night

6. Favourite hyper techno song?
Hmmm I would have to say Exdream - Fight Fire With Fire 2007, Gold Tiara - Princess Fairy and Snow Fairy as well as DJ Zorro - Zorro and Violet feat Mr Fang - People Geda Hype.

7. Favourite trance song?
I would have to say a song I find myself always going back to would be Aquagen feat Rozalla - Everybody's Free and Lange feat The Morrighan - Follow Me (Lange vs. DJ Jam X & De Leon Remix).

8. Favourite eurobeat studio? Why?
It's no secret that my favorite label is Sinclairestyle. I think it has to with the fact he unabashedly makes songs he wants to make and doesn't really buck to any trends i.e. making his songs sound more pop or rock or making his tracks sound trance like. I know some people will criticize him for that but I would rather a producer make a track they want to make than make a track that someone else or Avex feels they should be making. For him Eurobeat is a labor of love and I feel it shows. His tracks very from anthem like tracks like Loving Eurobeat and Passport To Dance to sweet and melodic like When I Close Your Eyes and Move On Now Baby.

9. What are your thoughts on the evolution in the sound of Eurobeat over its history?
Over its history it has become from an offshot of disco to italo disco to the hi nrg dance music we love today, I think it will evolve just like any dance genre, some will hate it and some will love it. Though I think there is always a catalyst for when that happens. I think that for eurobeat catalysts would include Live Music Studio who brought the more wacky side of eurobeat, and the original Delta line up who brought the speedy and electric side of euro while Dave brought the rock side. Eurobeat has been pretty similiar the past 12 years so its only a matter of time before someone comes along and switches up the game.

10. What are your thoughts on piracy within the eurobeat community?
When can piracy be helpful and/or harmful to the genre?
That's a touchy subject. I would be a hippocrite if I said I have never pirated an album. It's hard to obtain SEB in the Americas so most feel they have no choice. I personally feel its all about prioritizing and budgeting. I don't make alot but for me Eurobeat has been a priority so I also make sure to put some money away when I can so I can buy it. Hmm I seem to have deviated... Is it helpful or harmful?.... That's definitely a loaded question regardless of how you answer. While it helps promote it here in the States, I would wager less than 10% of those who pirate actually intend on purchasing releases. I am sure most people are aware but the SEB budget is basically nonexistant at this point. I mean the licensing fees for labels are minimal at best and they've went to actually using live models for their covers to cheap stock photos. Without sales, the labels can't afford to pay singers, rent, electricity etc. I know some would argue that they shouldn't be doing it for the money because it's a form of art but I personally think that is a naive ideallistic world view that doesn't reflect the real world. We live in a capitalistic society so people need to get paid.

11. What would like to hear/see from the Eurobeat studios in the next few years?
I would love to hear some more collaborations in the future. Nuage at Sinclairestyle was amazing, Domino at SCP was fun. Maybe something like Franz Tornado teaming up with Dima for some wacky sounding tracks or Farina & Co teaming up with Capaldi. Just some more collabs and artists being true to who they are.

12. What have been some responses to SEPH?
Responses have ranged from OMG You guys are awesome to Oh dear god this show is utter crap. I admit we do have a bit of a tangent issue but I'd like to think its due to my ADD and personality, I rarely think in a linear way so when I talk I am all over the place. I will say that the majority of responses have been positive and rewarding.

13. Physical albums or digitial copies? Why?
Physical albums. I am a hoarder by nature haha I mean I can't get rid of anything either I mean I still have the original audio files for SEPH episode 1 haha. I also just enjoy that tactile nature of having a physical album, thumbing through the linear notes and having it on display. I mean I bought the CDs and 12" vinyls. There is room in the world for both to coexist so it always irks me a bit when people want to do away with physical media just because they don't like it. It seems like a rather selfish sentiment to me.

14. To parapara or not? Why?
Definitely to parapara, I started back in 2000 and while I am not as active with it as I used to be I still find it to be great fun and cardio.

15. Who in the Eurobeat industry would you like to interview next?
Domino, Mark Farina, Evelina, Luigi Stanga, and DJ Boss.

16. What can we expect in the next year from SEPH?
I hope, if I can find a feasible way to easily pull this off, a video episode or a live episode.

17. What's been looping on your media player lately?
I don't really have one thing that has been looping since I always try to keep some variety though I would have to say that SEB 221 has been looped lately for purposes of the show as well as the EuroPanic Series again for purposes related to SEPH.

18. Guilty pleasure?
Ke$ha - Take It Off. I hate that woman with a passion but god damn it when I am drunk and that song plays my ass gets on the dance floor haha.

19. Anything you want to tell the people in the Euro/Techno scene?
Its very easy to let your ideologies seperate you but since we are such a spread out community, now is the time to band together and show Avex that SEB is still a valuable commodity! Whether you enjoy Initial D, MLP, WLTP, j-euro, just show your support. Let them now we want SEB for years to come!