José Manuel Roca, better known as Manuel Rocca, born the 20th of April 1988 in Venezuela, South America, is a new talent on the electronic music scene. He began his career as Trance Producer / Dj in 2008. From very early age, shows his interest for the music, learning to play instruments like guitar, electric bass and drums. But, it is in 2005 when he got wrapped by the electronic music, specially by the trance music.
He is influenced by artists such as Armin van Buuren, Airbase, Paul Van Dyk, Daniel Kandi, Above & Beyond, Cosmic Gate, Nitrous Oxide, Alex M.O.R.P.H., Sean Tyas, Temple One, 7 Skies, Static Blue, Sebastian Brandt, Aly & Fila, Bjorn Akesson, Oliver P, Ferry Tayle, Gareth Emery, Ronski Speed, Leon Bolier and many more.
In 2007, Manuel begins to be interested on music production and djing, and gradually has been getting his technique perfected, resulting in sounds and mixes of great quality. In 2010 he manages to release his first EP: “White Clouds/Abstract Dreams” under a new label from Venezuela named “Only Trance Records”, supported by DJs like Simon Bostock, Suzy Solar and more. Also, achieves to sign his single “Open Sea” with the prestigious label “Silent Shore Records”, which would be released by the end of that same year. Around middle of 2011 signed his track “Aquamarine” with “Unearthed Records”. In 2013 he signs with the world-renowned labels Alter Ego Records and Perceptive Recordings.
His tracks and remixes have been supported by artists like Armin Van Buuren (ASOT537-544), Aly & Fila, Markus Schulz, Roger Shah, Alex M.O.R.P.H, Bobina, Sean Tyas, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Jorn van Deynhoven, Manuel Le Saux, John O’Callaghan, Stoneface & Terminal, Woody van Eyden, Pedro Del Mar, Aurosonic, Matt Darey, John Askew, Daniel Kandi, Fast Distance, Temple One, ReOrder, Haris C, Ashley Wallbridge, Veselin Tasev, Ernesto vs. Bastian, Airbase, Sneijder, Arctic Moon, Kaeno, Xgenic, Ex-Driver, Elite Electronic, Binary Finary and many more.
Certainly, Manuel Rocca is a promising artist, a name who will definitely give plenty to talk about in the coming years, worldwide!
SUM: Hi Manuel, glad to have you here with us. Let’s begin with your age and where are you from?
Hi! Many thanks for the invitation, It’s a pleasure! I’m from Maturin, a warm and nice place of my country Venezuela, in South America. I’m 25 year old.
SUM: How is the support towards your music from your country, and how is the support from your country to Trance in general?
Unfortunately I must say that the EDM scene in the country is not the best at this time, for different reasons. Nevertheless, there is a public that is supporting trance music and also to me. This past year the public has grown and also there are new talents. But the idea is to have a solid scene in the country and i know can be done.
SUM: Tell us how “Manuel Rocca” came to be? How would you define your style and who/what are your musical influences?
Well, I’ve been a musician since I have use of reason. I myself learned to play instruments like Guitar, Electric Bass and Drums since 14 years old, so when I started producing in 2008 i did not have many problems to create melodies. I think the main feature of my music is that it’s very melodic and those melodies carry with it lots of emotion. I always try to create an atmosphere in each of my tracks. I’m very influenced by the rock music and melodic genres like film scores, classical music. As you can see, the melody is everything to me.
SUM: How many hours a day do you see yourself doing your magic in your studio?
That depends on many things. When I have time I can spend all day in the studio. Also, sometimes I’m inspired and feel the need to express the melodies I have in my mind and I’m in the studio many hours. I really have so much fun producing, I don’t play video games and I do not waste my time doing unproductive things.
But also there are times when I feel blocked and I must stop producing for a while, I think it’s something that happens to all musicians. Is great because I can be happy and get into the studio for fun, or I can be sad and get into the studio to escape all. So, the musical production helps me a lot in all aspects of my life.
SUM: Currently you have an EP that’s it’s been played like crazy around the world. Do you want to tell us about the tracks? Also, Please describe shortly the creative process of that EP, what inspires you and what tools you use Software/Hardware that helped you to do this original production a reality.
Yes, it has been incredible! Thank god the EP has been widely accepted both the public and DJs. I’m very happy because the two tracks were played by aly & fila on the same episode of FSOE and ‘Brisa Del sur’ was chosen by the listeners as the ‘FUTURE SOUND’ of FSOE308 and the EP also was supported by djs like The Thrillseekers, Andy Moor, Dj Feel, Talla 2XLC, M.I.K.E. and many more.
Undoubtedly, is my EP most successful so far. About the creative process, the inspiration came from the country where I am, the place where is in the continent, the hot climate of the city where I live. I wanted to do a representation of my country with this release. Everything I use to make this ep was my M-Audio keyboard, FL Studio and some great plugins, nothing special.
SUM: You also recently, did a remix for our Trance sub-label (Exalted Tunes), which is now in promo, we are talking about “Lost and Not Found” originally produced by your neighbor “Der Mystik”. What are your expectations from that remix and much did you enjoy producing it?
It was great to do this remix for the awesome Der Mystik! He is an artist I respect and I think he has contributed a lot to the trance scene. It was quite a surprise to receive the request for remix! I decided to do something different than what I’ve been doing because the melody was great to do something more clubby and progressive. Really all flowed very fast and I think the result has been very good, I had fun doing this remix; I hope the release has good support and it’s played in events.
SUM: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with one artist of EDM, who would it be and why?
Well, there are some good artists that I work next year, but if you ask me for a Big artist, definitely i would like to Collaborate with artists like Aly and Fila or Solarstone, because they have never changed their Uplifter style and not lost their quality, i love that sound.
SUM: You have worked with labels such as Silent Shore Records, Unearthed, New Style Perspective, Only Trance and Inov8 as an artist, and many others as a remixer, is there a specific record label you’d like to work with and call it your exclusive home?
Obviously the goal is always to sign with the bigger labels, but for now I have other plans. In the next year come many great things. I can only anticipate that I will work closely with Silent Shore Records. Soon it will know all the information, for now is Top Secret hehehe.
SUM: How do you see trance evolving the coming 5 years?
I think the trance is in a process of evolution right now and in 5 years will continue changing. I’m not against change and adding new sounds to the genre; important thing is to always keep the classic and characteristic sound of trance because otherwise it would not be that style.
SUM: What is Manuel’s biggest passion apart from music; tell us a bit more about Manuel Rocca as a person.
Well, there is nothing extraordinary. Apart from my career as an artist, I’m finishing my career in systems engineering and I really like everything about it and technology. I like going out to play sports, to the gym, have fun with my friends and family, but my biggest passion is the music, it’s my life!
5 Random Questions
SUM: Where is the funniest place you have ever fallen asleep?
I think once I fall asleep in a bed without a mattress. Of course, I was a little drunk hehehe.
SUM: If you were able to have your own TV show, what would it be about? (Exclude Music Related)
I think it would make a TV show of extreme sports; I like sports like Skateboarding, BMX, Moto X, Rally or maybe a show about traveling.
SUM: What was your favorite thing to do during your summers as a kid?
Since I was a kid I loved going to the beach, is one of the most fun and relaxing places for me and actually I like going to get some inspiration and to have a good time.
SUM: If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?
Well, the thing is that olive oil is derived from olives and the baby oil is not from babies, is for babies hehehe.
SUM: Message for your fans?
This year has been great; I have felt great support from the public around the world. I’m really happy that people likes my music, that drives me to keep going! I can only tell them, Thank you!
Expect a lot more of Manuel Rocca in the coming years!
SUM: Thanks Manuel, and we wish you the best in your already awesome career. This is the end of this interview. If you want to know more about this talented South American artist, click on the pictures published in this interview, they each will take you to a different social site where he posts his latest news and tracks among other things.
Also, his remix for Der Mystik’s single “Lost and Not Found” is available for pre-orders HERE! :) Have a great one!
