Neo & Farina

Neo & Farina are undoubtedly one of trance music’s current hottest properties.

Neo’s career began when he taught himself to play guitar. The musical ear and sense of rhythm this gave him would later prove invaluable but at the time, Neo felt only disheartened by the lack of like-minded, passionate individuals in his field. It was at this point that he turned to the dance scene.

Starting out producing Drum ‘n’ Bass on a knackered PC, it wasn’t long before Neo grew tired of blown speakers caused by the ridiculously hard basslines he was pumping out. As his studio skills progressed, Neo decided to make the transition from DnB to trance and hard house. Neo invested in his first set of decks and, finding the mixing process relatively simple, he began to play at parties and make mix tapes for friends.

Inspired by a friend’s DJing skills, he spent the next few years learning new techniques, comparing tracks and striving to match the professionalism of the tracks of his peers.

At around the same time, Farina was also spending his free time in a studio – more accurately described as a shed at the bottom of his garden! Although this doesn’t sound particularly rock ‘n’ roll, the shed had actually undergone something of a transformation.

We sound proofed it with 2 inch-thick polystyrene. It sounded as bad as it sounds!

A set of 1210’s and a DJM600 were installed, the interior painted and UV lights fitted to give it more of an atmosphere. After a frustrating year sending out mix CDs, the pair landed a weekly slot in a local bar. It was great fun but it seemed like everything stopped as soon as the football came on the telly. By now, Farina was fed up not only with the competition from Manchester United, but also the divide he experienced when record shopping.

I hated going into record shops where it seemed like just talking to you was an effort for the staff. he says, So I thought- I’ll start my own shop. www.hotdecks.com is now one of the most popular online shops around.

The decision to launch Hotdecks was a turning point in more ways than one, for it was through Hotdecks’ Leicester branch that Farina and Neo finally met. For the first time, I felt I had found a person who really understood what I was trying to accomplish Farina says. Not only did Neo and I share almost identical tastes in music, but Neo also recognised what hard work it was going to be to launch ourselves as DJs. Neither of us knew the right people in the right places – so we were going to have to do it the hard way.

Farina believes this mutual determination is one of the reasons they get along so well, while Neo’s explanation is much simpler – We both like cigarettes and really strong beer!

The pair took the decision to forgo the shed and immediately went into the studio together to produce tracks as Neo & Farina.

Inspired by producers such as Signum, M.I.K.E, Tiesto and Ferry Corsten, they sought to invent a sound that gave a nod to each of their heroes, yet twisted the existing trance formula. The result was something unique - a driving sound that perfectly captured the melody and emotion that all good trance has in spades.

After many long nights in the studio and hundreds of demos, they eventually scored a deal with Blutonium boss Dirk Adamiak. The ‘UK EP’ made the dance world sit up and take notice of just how good Neo & Farina’s music really was.

It was at this point that Platipus approached the duo to remix their new signing, Mona Lisa Overdrive’s, ‘Born To Synthesise’. They duly obliged, turning in a remix that stood head and shoulders above their peers’ offerings. Platipus promptly signed Neo & Farina for several other remixes plus a track of their own.

Amidst massive public demand, the remixes were released. In the first, the duo reworked Kansai’s future classic ‘Rococco’, smoothing out the track’s rough bass and growling synths into something infinitely more melodic.

Platipus’ Euro launch title ‘No Return’ by Solar Factor was next on the list, with the boys turning M.I.K.E’s snarling, electro-esque original into a Passion favourite.

Most recently Neo & Farina have turned in a firing remix of Jan Johnston’s classic ‘Calling Your Name’, all gorgeous pads and crisp percussion.

Finally, upcoming on Platipus:Euro, is Neo & Farina’s first original outing for the Platipus stable - look out for this one, it’s going to be something truly special.

Recently Farina has taken control of proceedings himself and looks set to establish himself as one of the up and coming DJs in the UK. With his diary rapidly filling up and with regular appearances at Passion in the pipeline, he looks set to be one of the major players in the UK clubscene this year.