Updated 2 years ago
by Tena Moore
Originally appeared in 2002 in Australia‘s Entrance Magazine (Reprinted with Permission)
Shiva Chandra is Daniel Vernunft. He was born in November, 1972, in Hamburg, and has been involved with music his whole life. Lucky for us, he began to make trance in the beginning of the 1990’s. He has intelligently developed his own very independent trance style by taking acoustic samples and integrating them into a homogeneous, complete style of music. Since 1996, Daniel has released over 60 tracks under different labels and pseudonyms. He is continuously working on his project, “Shiva Chandra,” with four albums released to date.
How did you enjoy your stay in Australia in January, when you played at The Rainbow Serpent Festival?
Daniel: I enjoyed my stay a lot, except the weather. But the party was killer, especially for me. And it was one of the longest parties that I’ve ever been to. I arrived on Friday and came back on Tuesday evening, so it was amazing. The people, the vibe, the clean nature, even after the party, were all perfect. I saw kangaroos close to the venue and I recorded the best bird sounds I’ve ever listened to. It was great. And I like the Aussies.
I have never seen you play here in America. Do you make it here very often?
Daniel: I just played about three times on the East Coast.
I’m sorry I missed that! I’m a West Coaster. What did you think of the American PsyTrance culture compared to other areas that have been participating longer?
I think America has a very independent and special electronic music culture. There are some good sources of PsyTrance from America. Even the present PsyTrance from America is not a copy of the styles coming from countries like they are in Europe. America is different, but all countries have something special which makes them different from each other.
What is your favorite part of the world so far?
The best parties for me (in the countries I’ve been to) are happening in South Africa, Japan, Australia, Switzerland and Germany. These are also the countries which are the most professional in creating a festival.
Do you observe large differences in the PsyTrance scene all over the world or does it seem to be a collective consciousness that represents itself similarly in all areas?
There are many similar structures in the parties and in the overall scene.
Where haven’t you played that you would LOVE to play?
Daniel: Brazil.
When did you first fall in love with PsyTrance? What was that experience like for you?
My first trance party was in Manali, India in 1991. I was 18. It was something which was totally different and new to me. It still kicks me!
You have been a part of PsyTrance for quite a few years, I was wondering how you feel personally about the PsyTrance culture and it’s affiliation with spirituality and the evolution of our planet?
Psytrance culture is very important for our planet. It’s connecting people from many nations and cultures to something similar, and the similar interests they have are all positive. They want to celebrate together, to get their mind free of all the structures of materialism and society. They want to share their energies. About the evolution of our planet, as humans we need to learn something about our minds, and that’s why we are here. The psytrance culture is on a good path. Maybe the culture is not strong enough yet to save the planet, but it’s strong enough to affect our minds, to interest us to learn about our planet and ourselves.
Does this affect how you create music at all?
Of course this affects the way I make music. Creating music is the way to bring the energy and emotions you get out of your surroundings, out of your life, your culture and the world, into something physical (recorded sounds), which can be used for other people to receive this energy. You can give it to them as a musician. And the people listening to the music need to be open for it, to receive this energy and to transform it to their own emotions, their own mind, their own trance. This is the reason for music, why it exists.
What do you feel your relationship is with the people who are dancing to you as you perform? Do you have intentions for that relationship, as a guide or shaman leading them into another dimension of their being, or simply sharing in that realm?
When I play live I get back the very same energy from the people, which I transmitted by creating the tracks.
I read somewhere that you were an aspiring jazz pianist before you were into trance. What styles of music are you drawn to other than psytrance?
I was not an aspiring jazz pianist, I just got some lessons and like this music. It was good for my musical background. I like many music styles. All styles have great musicians in them. I listen to nearly every style of music.
I notice a lot of people debating the whole “minimalistic vs. full-on” argument. Obviously, you choose minimalistic, your music is amazing in that form. Why do you feel compelled to create minimalistic psytrance? Do you still enjoy the full-on genre?
When I create a track I try to change structures in the arrangement to get it to build up, but not get it too full of sounds. Yes, I feel compelled to make minimalistic. When I listen to full-on, sometimes I’m amazed in the first minute or so of a track, but after about two minutes I’m already nerved by the noise.
I really love immersing myself in a forest and dancing on Mother Earth underneath the stars, joining others on a personal journey… Do you enjoy the psytrance club circuit at all, or do you prefer performing at more underground outdoor events?
I prefer outdoor when it’s a nice one, but clubs are also important and easier to organize for the promoters. Clubs are good for the rainy season too.
We each have our own ideas and experiences when it comes to experiencing trance personally, but it’s not always easy for us to know if our favorite artists enjoy a similar perception…What does the psytrance culture mean to you?
In psytrance culture you’re getting good and bad energies back from the people, so you must be careful in being open to everything and everybody. I often hear that people like me personally, because I’m not arrogant like some djs and artists, but maybe others think the opposite. I often notice a similar perception in the scene by talking to other people. Everybody has to make their own individual experiences.
What are some of the strangest sounds or samples that you’ve used in your music?
What is strange? I create a lot of my own sounds by recording with microphones and using anything you can make sounds with. You can use everything.
Are you working on a next project?
There is a 12″ coming out on Plusquam Records in November of “Auricular”, and the next Shiva Chandra album is in the works and coming in March.
Okay, time to get a bit more personal. What do you enjoy in life other than music? What or who inspires you? What is your typical day like?
I’ve already done and seen many things in my life. I’ve done a lot of creative things, like painting (my parents are well known artists) and photography. I can thank my family and all my friends for that. Not all of my friends are involved in the trance scene, so that gives me different impressions. I love nature and get inspired by that also. I don’t have a working day. My work is my life and starts by waking up and stops by falling into sleep, hopefully.
If your house was on fire, what would you grab that is NON musically related?
I would grab my girlfriend, my cats, and my insurance documents against fire.
What are you doing for your birthday this year? It’s the big 3-0, right? When is your birthday?
November the 17th. I’m scheduled to play in Copenhagen/Denmark. I haven’t planned anything special yet.
What are some of your favorite things to do? How do you relax?
I love nature and adventure and I love relaxing at home.
Okay, this is the end, what are your final words?
Have good luck!
You too, Daniel. Thanks for your time and energy!