Who are you? (Tell us more about what you do in life, where you live, your age, your real name, what elements could define you, …)
Well, my name is Daniel Villacres, I’m a producer from Barcelona, Spain. I used to live in Venezuela and right now I’m 34 years old. If I have to be honest, considering music as my main passion, my musical background is defined by uplifting emotions, enigmatic vibes, and feelings that could make anyone feel magical, sad, melancholic, and energetic at the same time. Pretty much a mix of feelings that circle around a climax (doing my best here to explain my perspective).
What’s the meaning behind your artistic name?
At first, I didn’t want to create an alias that would be complex to remember and I also think my last name is not very common, so I just thought of using Vil as the first 3 letters of my last name.
When did you start producing music?
2015, after I came back from my Tomorrowland trip in Belgium.
How did it all start for you?
I started to listen to Tiesto when I was a kid. I thought at the beginning that this music (trance) was very strong and rough but, eventually it grew in me. Later I discovered the synth-style from Daft Punk, Justice, and the Pep Shop Boys. I was very influenced by disco music too, I always dig these emotional chords and the grooviness in this genre.
Which style(s) of music are you currently producing?
Progressive trance, progressive house, melodic dubstep, lo-fi.
Why did you choose it?
Emotions, I can just simply say this.
Why are you producing music? And more globally, what does “music” mean to you?
Music is my main way to express myself and to put my feelings out there.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I tend to listen to a lot of music from Spotify, SoundCloud. My main inspirational artists are Arty, Seven Lions, Arston, Mat Zo, Madeon, Pep Shop Boys, Tritonal, Skrillex, Eden Prince, Audien, Ellis, Sick Individuals, Juventa, Lost Prince, Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Suspect 44, Kuuro, Sunny Lax, Steerner.
What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?
Arston feat. Jake Reese – Circle Track
According to you, what is the best way to develop a business in the music industry?
Engaging with your fanbase. For me, it is to have importance for your followers and to make them part of your journey.
What has been your favorite gig (show) so far?
2014 Tomorrowland. Amazing energy.
Do you live from your musical activities? If not, do you plan to make a living from music in the future?
I do music as a hobby so, I don’t have any plans to start living from it.
Do you have stuff in preparation, future collaborations, or personal projects?
So far I have an official remix coming out this summer 2021, a new progressive trance ID which I hope is finished in 2 months, 2 more collaborations with 2 different producers.
And for the producers out there:
In what Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) are you currently working? And why that one?
I’m working in Ableton Live. I think this DAW offers a very flexible way of sitting down the project organization, also the native plugins are efficient and have good quality.
On average, how much time do you spend in the studio on a typical day or week?
In a day I would say 3 hours and, in a week I would say 20 hours.
Do you have any technical tips to share with us (composition, sound design, mixing, mastering, or anything else…)?
Always check the gain levels on your stems, choose the main element and work with it, for leads always use one monolayer for maintaining the presence on mono audio systems, the stereo image is important to fill the spectrum so think about it when panning elements and deciding when to use delay/reverb to elements that could help fill this non-center position.
Let’s talk “Higher Emotion”
What was your inspiration for this mix?
I love to run, so I always imagine listening to the music that maintains me pumped and excited to keep going forward. This is the reason why this mix has some lineal sections and some electric ones.
How fast did the mix come together?
In 5 days I already had the song selection and vibe I was looking for. After that, it was only a matter of placing the songs in the right order.
What is the story behind this mix?
No special story. Just wanted to put my favorite songs in this mix so people can understand me better why my sound is what it is nowadays.
Finally:
Any important people in your life you wanna mention, thank, or talk about?
My friends that are always waiting for me to release new music. My wife who has been my motivational coach number one. My buddies from Delacour Agency.
Anything you wanna add to end up this interview?
Keep pushing. You never know when the perfect door will open for you but, until then, keep shining and bringing the best you have to the world out there!
Thank you very much for your time!
Honored to be part of the Eonity family and thank you for this special interview!
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