21 year old Dennis Miller, who grew up in Kaiserslautern, Germany, first began making music at the tender age of 8, and started producing electronic music by the age of 15. He began his career in EDM by experimenting with drum’n'bass, as well as french electro and french filtered house. In 2008, he made the transformation into what we now know as Quartus Saul.
Early Quartus Saul can be recognized by it’s hard hitting, mechanical synths, and dark, sinister melodies. A little bit jungle, a little bit IDM, Quartus Saul had added a whole new dimension of darkness to his original, more playful sound. By 2010, Quartus Saul had settled comfortably into a swiftly growing genre known as dubstep, and was already seeing his tunes remixed by such artists as Cyberoptics and Chrispy. One result of those remixes was ‘The Rapist’, and is still one of my personal favorite Quartus Saul tracks to date. The same year he was picked up by 2 Much Bass Records, he released his debut album ‘Indentity’, of which every included dubstep track landed in the Beatport Top 100. The track ‘Hagakure’ reached #34, and directed a steady flow of well deserved attention his way.
Quartus Saul then toured all over Europe, even making a stop in California to play his very first fesitval, before releasing his next EP through Play Me Records. Titled ‘Angels and Albatrosses’, this EP saw a shift from his previous style to a more melodic type sound. The EP charted well, and gained him support from such artists as Reid Speed, Figure, Liquid Stranger, Ajapai, Xcore, Helicopter Showdown, and more. After another brief tour through Europe, he soon released his next EP through Play Me, ‘More Heroes’, which contained remixes from his favorite artists. Since charting his first #1 with the Twist and Maksim remix of ‘Superheroes’ on Glitch Hop, Quartus Saul has been on everyone’s radar, and has started getting involved in many other projects, including directing.
Today sees the release of his much anticipated EP ‘Smash’, through Most Addictive Records, available exclusively through Beatport. ‘Smash’ has a total of 9 tracks, 5 originals, and 4 remixes by artists Teknian, Rocket Pimp, Twitch, and a free bonus remix of the title track ‘Smash!’ by Tetrix Bass.We caught up with Quartus Saul, to talk about the latest release and discuss future plans. Check out the questions below! Make sure you grab yourself a copy of the new Smash! EP through Beatport!
Our chat with Quartus Saul:
DDT: It’s been quite a wait on this release from you. Why such a time gap between ‘More Heroes’ and this release?
QS: I had this release ready like 4 months ago, with other tracks, but I didn’t like anything about it. I restarted, took the parts and ideas, and transformed everything into something new.
DDT: What about this album, or EP, sets it apart from your previous releases?
QS: The sound has changed completely. I went in an absolute different direction, which did not happen on purpose. I had all this struggling with the release, so I decided to change up my normal work flow. It will be a one time type of thing thing, this release. I’m still extremely happy with the result.
DDT: Personally, I am, too, it’s a very good release. Is there anything in particular you can give credit to that inspired you to go in such a different direction with your sound this time?
QS: For some reason I was having a hard time working in 140bpm, so I changed a lot up, but expect to hear more dubstep from me in the future.
DDT: I think I speak for most EDM fans when I say that I don’t mind variety from any particular artist. No one wants to hear the same type of sound on every album. The ability to change it up and go in different directions is what sets apart the mediocre producers from the extraordinary ones. Now I heard a rumor that you have been experimenting with film, specifically, directing. Can we expect to see anything like that from you in the future?
QS: I’m still experimenting and writing storyboards for that [short film]. It takes a lot of time and patience, but it will be the best we can when it’s finished, and there will definitely be a music video in the new year!
DDT: From the short preview you’ve shown me of the film, I can already tell it’s going to be something extremely special, and I personally can’t wait to see the end result. Is directing something you can see yourself gradually doing more of in the future?
QS: I definitely hope it will, but it’s always so hard to get a schedule for the whole shoot. I still dream that I can direct my own movie someday, but that is not my top priority at the moment.
DDT: What is your top priority?
QS: The music. I have some things planned that no one knows about yet, and probably won’t until its done. (Gives a playful wink)
DDT: Ahhh, suspense. I personally am really looking forward to seeing where Quartus Saul will take us in the next few years. Knowing you, it will be worth the wait. Any last thing to add before we conclude this interview?
QS: I wanna thank everyone who’s ever supported me in any way, the labels and great people I work with, and of course my true fans. Music without consumers wouldn’t last long, and I hope we are still smashing it in the future!
Connect with Quartus Saul:
http://www.facebook.com/quartussaul
Soundcloud
http://soundcloud.com/quartussaul
Written By: Ashleigh Byshea Carter
