Q: Introduce yourself then describe yourself in one word.
My name is Steve Banning (real name Stef Banninga) and I'm a 27 year old DJ and producer based in the Netherlands. I've been in the house music industry for 5 years now. My first release was in 2016 on Weiter, and I've since had releases on Days Like Nights, Click Records, and Manual Music, and I have an upcoming EP scheduled for release on One of a Kind. In 2017 I also started my own music promotion company called Melodic Deep, which has been an outlet for sharing and promoting the music of other melodic house and techno artists.
To describe myself in one word I would choose "inventive".
Q: Club or Festival and why?
Festival. I think it's great when people come together from so many different countries and gather in one place to enjoy music together. There is also a certain feeling of being at an outdoor event that feels much more freeing, and I really enjoy being able to travel between different stages throughout the day and night.
Q: Analog or Digital and why?
Digital is much more accessible than analog, and it's allowed producers to get hold of many high quality music making tools that are both cheaper and easier to find than most analog gear. The great thing about this is it has enabled so many more people to become producers, which means there is more music being made in general. I also believe that if used properly, digital plugins can sound just as good as their analog counterparts. And while analog equipment might have a certain charm to it that is enticing, only the most devoted audiophiles will even be able to tell the difference between the two on a recording.
Q: Favorite Club/Venue and why does it stand out from the rest?
Gashouder in Amsterdam, probably most commonly known for hosting the Awakenings music festival. It's a really unique location with an interesting lighting setup that is quite impressive. The lighting wraps around the entire venue, with a disco ball reflecting everything from the center. There's something about the circular shape to the place that makes it feel almost more of an arena than a club, which is a different experience than I usually have going to venues that play electronic music.
Q: What was the driving force that got you into DJing/Producing and when?
I started getting more interested in electronic music after I'd seen some videos of Eric Prydz and his Pryda project back in 2015. He was the person who really got me interested in house music, and seeing his massive show with such great sounds and visuals inspired me to want to make a similar kind of progressive electronic music myself.
Q: If you were to have a superpower, what would it be and why?
I would choose flying as my superpower. Having the freedom to visit the places I want to visit whenever I want and see them from the sky would be amazing, especially when also not dealing with the traditional boundaries we usually put up with when traveling. This would be a truly freeing feeling.
Q: Favorite day of the week?
Saturday. Club night!
Q: Favorite sport and why?
Soccer/football. I've played soccer for the last 16 years.
Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score from the past, what movie would you choose and why?
8 Mile with Eminem. It would be interesting to try putting an electronic music soundtrack to a hip hop movie ;)
Q: Recommend a Hidden Gem in your Home country
De School (Amsterdam).
Q: 3 tracks that got you into electronic music
Solee - Ditzingen
Joris Voorn - incident
Eric Prydz - Pjano
Q: Tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for this year (Exclusive release/announcement)
I have a release coming up on One of a Kind. I'm also currently working on tracks with a few other producers - one who is from India, and David Di Sibato, who is my fellow co-founder of Melodic Deep. My plans for this year is to continue building the Melodic Deep brand to a point where it's more prominent and well known. I also had a short break from playing shows this year, so i'm ready to get back on track in 2019.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most of your followers don’t know
I sleep with ear plugs in. I really like music and sound but I hate it when I'm trying to sleep. Any sound that I hear will keep me awake.
Q: Last but not least, do you have any question for us?
Marc Depulse: Do you want to drink a beer with me when I´m back in Beirut? :)
Steve: Have you heard about Melodic Deep?
Toka: Oh for sure, our dear partners Melodic Deep! :)
Steve Banning Socials
Interviewed by GBS - November 26.2018