Q+A: 5 minutes with Verax
As the countdown begins for Verax’s debut at the upcoming Timeless Festival in April, we snagged an exclusive interview with Greg to unravel the magic behind the beats. From the rhythmic landscapes that have captivated major South African festivals to his dynamic roles within the Cape Town trance community, Verax isn’t just a project; it’s a sonic odyssey. Join us as we delve behind-the-scenes, exploring the inspirations and exactly what Verax has in store for the Timeless Festival.
Purchase tickets to the Timeless Festival HERE or find out more about the event HERE.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
To be honest, I’ve been into music from the early 80’s when I discovered Depeche Mode. At 10 years of age on a fishing and diving weekend away at Eilands Bay I found the house band’s drum kit and tinkered on it. By 13 I was in a pop/punk band till the end of school. After school and a 1 year stint in the SADF army in 1993 with a group of friends, we started a death metal band and this style of music evolved into a few Metal/Hardcore/Thrash/Nu-metal bands till 1998.
I discovered Hard House and Goa-trance and after a working holiday to Zambia plus the Kruger Park Alien Safari/Vortex/Etnica event to see the solar eclipse – I was hooked and wanted to DJ. I started Sonic (Psychedelic Psytrance) in 2003 and 10 years later I started Verax (Progressive/Zenonesque) and have never looked back. I have been producing for about 7 years with a stint in Clock Monkey but since then I have not released any music as of yet.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
Sound and then the idea.
What’s on your current playlist?
Zenon Records, Universal Tribe Records, Alpaka Records and Phobos Records to name a few.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
Sometimes I can be serious depending on the mood & time slot or I can be funny with comical gestures teasing the fans with snippets of a new track before the drop.
How are you prepping for your set at TIMELESS fest?
Like I do with every festival or club gig I play, and that depends on who is playing before or after.
Which of your songs should festival goers put on their ‘TIMELESS’ playlist?
I try to have a new set for every new gig to keep it fresh, but I do like to put a track the festival goers have heard before.
Imagine you’re a festival goer. Do you rough it in a tent or glamp in luxury?
I have always done it in style, by roughing it up with the festival – massive. Never been one for hanging in glamping!
What one thing MUST you absolutely have with you on stage?
My DJ gear, headphones and an arsenal of killer music.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
To keep on surprising the newcomers and new generation with the freshest of music.
Famous last words?
Expect nothing, appreciate everything! 💪🏼🐅💫🔊⚛️🏍️🎼❤️🔥
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