With Chris Drifter having new music out now on Stellar Fountain we catch up with him for the latest episode of 12 Questions.

1., How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?

Hello, My name is Krisztian Gabor alias Chris Drifter. I’m 40 years old, I live in Dunaharaszti city, Hungary. I have been producing music from 2006 and I have been playing music as a dj since 2002.

2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”

I used to sing in the local choir at the primary school. One of my friend took me a really underground house party in the middle of 90s and I was really impressed by the music and the atmosphere. After that I started to listen dj mixes and I was really interested how they mix records.

3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?

Well, it was a little bit hard way to learn producing music in the beginning, because I haven’t got any experience about how to make music. I installed several sequencer programs, like Sony Acid Pro, Cubase and Ableton, but finally I started to make music in Ableton. I would like to understand the main functions of the audio engineering and music creation process so I would like to choose the most suitable application. I used to create loops first, try to combine the sounds inside the project and later I learned using vsti instruments by myself. One of my friend showed some tricks in Cubase and I continuously learned that sequencer also, so currently I am using both applications for my productions.

4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?

It depends on the actual project. I usually finish my original tracks much faster than the remixes. When I start a new project, I always selecting new sounds and adding new synths and elements. After that, I create a small loop, normally 4 bars and keep listening these sounds and synths. If I don’t like a sound or synth, I try to change the tone or I replace it.I do the same with the vsti presets and elements also. Sometimes this sorting processes take a lot of time for me so this is the most difficult.    

5. You have a new remix out this week on Stellar Fountain, a groovy, progressive rework of Cetera & Zan Prevee. Tell us how you approached working on the remix and what’s coming later this year from you?

When I got the original version from the label, I really love the track so I accepted for remixing. I tried to make a dancefloor compatible version with groovy techy elements and I focused more on the vocal side as well. When I working on a remix, I always changing the line from the original, sometimes I almost replace everything on the actual track. I will have an own new EP release soon on my label called NightFrequency Records. This track was written with my friend ZRG and we will have two remixers, Stoked and Stereo for Two on board. This is a techno track, so we are very excited about it. I am currently working on a remix for Stoked which will come on the Lethal Bass records and I got a remix request from Stellar Fountain again and another one from BC2 Records also.  

6. Progressive music is flourishing in Hungary at the moment, tell us about what’s happening there right now and how it became one of the world’s premier hot spots for the genre.

Good to see that something is changing right now. More better parties, more quality events. As I see the young generation are really opened for the fresh music and fresh artists. There are so many good dj/producer who has got great Hungarian debut. Legendary Moments party series doing a really great job with bookings. I think more melodical and emotional music come back to the clubs and events, this is something like the renaissance of the progressive music for sure.

7. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?

I listen classical music a lot nowadays. I also love to listen pop music from the 80s. I have lots of favourite artists from that era.  

8. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc)  piece of music you bought?

First CD which I bought was the Mayday 1994 Compilation album , the Raving Society. The First Vinyl was the Envotion ‎– Vessel Of Poison EP from Plastic Fantastic Records and the first cassette was the Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album. The last CD which I brought was children’s music called “Ringató” for my son. The last Vinyl which I bought was a Pacha Ibiza 2008 compilation with remixes. As I remember The last cassette  was the Guns N’ Roses – “The Spaghetti Incident?” album.

9. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?

To tell the truth I am a running fanatic. I really like to run. My girlfriend used to run earlier and she mentioned for me to try myself on it. 5 years ago, I had never thought that I regularly doing sport activities like this. Last year I completed seven half marathon races. This year I performed one race in January and I am preparing for the next race in April. Sometimes new ides come while I’m running so this is a good combination of the sport and music for me.

10. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?

IT by day, DJ by night. I usually go to work at the weekdays, of course. I have a normal job, I’m an IT Engineer at the server virtualization area. When I don’t work with computers or don’t produce music or don’t spin records, I spend all my times with my family. I have two children so I’m a very busy father. 

11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?

Don’t follow trends, be unique. Just do what you like and enjoy what you do.

12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?

I think I close my set with Infusion – Legacy (Junkie XL Remix) or The Killers – Mr.Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke Remix) track.

Chris’ remix of Cetera & Zan Prevee is out now on Stellar Fountain, you can purchase the release: here