
I am very excited to present the next Raw Goodage exclusive artist interview, this week with PeaceTreaty. I have been following this young trio for almost two years. They immediately caught my attention when I first stumbled upon their SoundCloud, which I discovered through a frequently visited blog. Their relentless work ethic allowed them to constantly finish and upload new bootleg remixes and originals, thereby gaining a massive, loyal group of followers. Since then, their sound has grown immensely, and I am very happy to see their hard work reflecting their success. They have had releases on Dim Mak, Mixmash, Burn The Fire, and have a forthcoming EP on Afrojack’s Wall Recordings. These guys are definitely busy on many levels, so we are happy that Angelo was able to talk with us. Check out what he had to say after the jump.
RG: Hey guys. I want to thank you all for chatting with us, we are longtime fans!
PT: Thanks for having us!
RG: When I first visited your SoundCloud page more than a year and a half ago, it quickly became my second home, along with 1,000 other fans. Something about your sound screamed “we are going to make it.” How have your loyal followers influenced your success?
PT: We have the best fans out there…They have shown nothing but love and support to us…It’s only fair to return the favor…Everything we do in the studio and on stage is for our loyal fans, so the more support we get the harder we work to give them the very best.
RG: Each time you uploaded a new song, I wondered “how can they possibly top this one?” Yet, you put up banger after banger, earning your signature “big room” sound. How did it feel when Kissy Sell Out played one of your tracks on BBC’s Radio 1?
PT: Haha well thank you for that! We try to grow with our sound every time we produce a new track. Kissy has been a huge supporter of us and being on his radio show was amazing..I know being affiliated with him has brought us more fans from all over the globe. It was definitely an honor.
RG: What is your ideal live setup and why?
PT: For our live set we have three computers set up. I (Angelo) run a MIDI keyboard through Logic’s Mainstage and play live synths keys etc. Sam has his computer set up running Ableton, launching tracks, edits, and mixes it all in. Josh has his computer running Ableton as well, connected to an MPD pad playing different samples, such as vocals, drums, etc. He also uses a KAOSS pad for FX and we all JAM OUT together sort of as a band would. We eventually want to incorporate live drums into the performance as well.
RG: It’s awesome how you guys go live on uStream and answer questions for your fans and/or aspiring producers. Often times, it is hard to find information regarding specific questions or scenarios. How important is it to reach out and help others stay motivated?
PT: It is very important. We all started the same way…Watching tutorials, sending emails out to producers, doing a lot of homework…studying…We know people are hungry for inspiration and information so we try to help out as many people as we can…and in the process we come across some really talented kids out there and try to help them out…We were fortunate in our success, so we want people to know we are just like them and just love making music and want to share it.
RG: Beyond Wonderland was a huge gig for you guys, and we are seeing your name on more flyers with top artists. How will it feel to play at EDC, which has come to be THE festival to play at?
PT: I think I can speak for the rest of the guys when I say that Beyond was the biggest turning point in our lives…Not only was the crowd amazing for our early set, but it did in fact get us noticed to the big ‘bookers’ out there…We knew going into it we had to give it our best and bring the madness…I like to think we did…Playing EDC will only be just as amazing if not better and we cant wait to announce the official details.
RG: Is there a certain piece of hardware or software that you simply cannot live without?
PT: Josh and myself are Logic Pro fanatics…and we absolutely love Waves plug-ins. I personally can’t live without my ENGL guitar amp, and as for Sam, he is all about Ableton.
RG: Tiesto recently played your track “Change” on his newest Club Life podcast. Is it weird being supported by artists who you have supported for so long?
PT: It is definitely weird seeing that Tiesto is playing our track in his mixes…Just last year I was a spectator in the crowd at Coachella when he played mainstage. We are certainly grateful that he did and cant wait to send him more new music.
RG: What type of music do you listen to when you aren’t working on PeaceTreaty?
PT: We all love so many different types of music…We for sure like to wind down to some Milosh and that type of downtempo music after a studio sesh or a crazy weekend…We all grew up going to punk and hardcore shows and still love listening to that music as well…We get our inspiration from all kinds of music like hip hop, folk indie, hardcore, jazz, etc.
RG: We understand that you are working on your 2nd EP for Dim Mak Records. Can you tell us anything about it?
PT: I can tell you that it is almost done and we have some very talented vocalists that are going to be working with us on the release, and we are trying to go even BIGGER with our sound!
RG: Are there any DJ’s you have seen live who completely change the game when it comes to live performances?
PT: For me, I always love watching Joachim Garraud because he brings the energy with that keytar…As well as Fedde Le Grand and 12th Planet…Anyone that brings massive energy to the stage always sets the bar for us…We also love watching Laidback Luke and Kaskade…Those guys know what they are doing.
RG: Do you have any type of pre-performance rituals to get your mind right?
PT: Chill on a couple brewskies, talk out any concerns, and make sure the tracks are all ready to go.
RG: Lastly, what is your favorite alcoholic drink for a PeaceTreaty kind of night?
PT: Jameson or Crown…and some Heineken’s.
RG: Thank you guys again for speaking with us and we wish you the best of luck!
PT: Thank you so much for having us! We wish you the best of luck too! Stay classy!
Always a pleasure talking shop with the PeaceTreaty boys. I am absolutely stoked to see them perform more in the coming months of summer. Check out some of their tracks below, and make sure to show them some love on Beatport. Be warned, you may go on a shopping spree.
Contact:
SoundCloud
Facebook
Twitter
Tracks:
Band of Horses – The Funeral (Butch Clancy vs PeaceTreaty Remix) by PeaceTreaty
Direct download here.
Swanky Tunes – Across the Light (PeaceTreaty Remix) by PeaceTreaty
Dem Slackers – Let’s Go (PeaceTreaty Remix) by PeaceTreaty
Felix Da Housecat – Kickdrum (PeaceTreaty Geeker Remix) by PeaceTreaty
Mixes:
PeaceTreaty Control Mixtape by PeaceTreaty
PeaceTreaty Gotta Dance Dirty Summer Mix-tape by PeaceTreaty