I hope an album like this, in times like these are giving people an incentive to appreciate the listening experience again that this album brings.
Ferry Corsten has been producing and DJing for over 20 years. From starting from Gabber and eventually going into Trance, he’s produced a variety of Electronic Dance Music. His latest album is one he’s been wanting to make for the longest. Blueprint is a concept album that tells the story of a man who created a robot not from this world. The story was a collaboration between himself and screenwriter David H Miller. This Sci-Fi vibe adds an interesting twist with the songs. I had the opportunity to interview Ferry more about his album.
TSS: When did the idea of Blueprint first start and how long did it take you to complete the whole album?
FC: It’s been quite a while since I’ve made a full fledged album. I released Hello World not so long ago but that was an EP of different singles that I had been working on. I had been toying with the idea of coming up with a concept album for a while. Something that would allow me people to take time to listen to and really make a body of work that evolves around a central concept. It took me a while to figure that out and the process of creating the concept, writing and producing the music with various collaborators. It took me a good year and a half to make it happen.
TSS: I know you worked with David H Miller and I was wondering who came up with the storyline or was it a collaborative effort between the two of you?
FC: It was definitely a collaboration between the 2 of us. David is also into sci fi which made the brainstorming and creative process a lot easier as he had various ideas on how we could gel the idea into a storyline that worked.
TSS: What came first: the idea to make this concept album or the music?
FC: The idea to make the concept album. After that it was finding the story and based on the story being inspired to make the music.
TSS: Were there any films that you were inspired by to make this album?
FC: Definitely. You can easily say, Bladerunner, Contact, perhaps a bit of X-Machine.
TSS: Would you like to eventually turn this into a musical or film?
FC: I’m not sure. I made the album to make the album. It was my personal challenge to try and marry both my loves. Anything that comes after it is a bonus.
TSS: What are some of your favorite concept albums?
FC: Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon, Jeff Wayne- War of the Worlds
TSS: What are some of your favorite film scores?
FC: Too many to mention but off the top of my head: Hans Zimmer : Inception; Johann Johannsson The Sun’s gone dim and the skies turned black.
TSS: What do you hope listeners will take from this album?
FC: On a musical production side, I hope that my fans enjoyed all the music and loved the entire album. I hope they have been able to understand why I made this and enjoy it as much as I’ve made it. As for the concept itself, there are so many messages. . One message is through music we can achieve many things and in the case of Blueprint it’s peace. I’ve been very careful about other messages because I want my fans to be able to decipher blueprint and give them the freedom to interpret their own message. I hope an album like this, in times like these are giving people an incentive to appreciate the listening experience again that this album brings.
TSS: What’s it like finding a work/travel and family life balance? When you plan your tour schedule do you also plan your communication schedule with your family?
FC: It’s always a struggle to find a balance in my work and private life. People who find it easy are lucky. It is hard having small children at home knowing they miss their father when I’m gone frequently and for long periods. On the other hand, I’m lucky and blessed to be able to have a job that I sincerely enjoy and make a living of it. My wife works with me so communication in that aspect is easy.
TSS: Is there a venue that you haven’t played yet that you want to play in the future?
FC: Space!
Ferry Corsten- Blueprint | Download |
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