Driftmoon: There is always a way to find new knowledge.

Ask any of the scene’s elite to list their most promising names in Trance Land and surely, Driftmoon is one of them. Bridging the gap between orchestral and electronic music and continuously exploring the musical genres, Juraj Klička brings a musical revolution of his own. Previously a collaborative effort with Miikka Leinonen and David Sherlock, the Slovakian producer has been flying the solo flag with his Driftmoon moniker since 2016, making a giant leap forward in the world of Trance. Currently living in Prague, working closely with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, United Music Events (Transmission) and with his second artist album in its final stages of creation, we caught up with this ambitious multi-talent.

Hey Juraj! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us! How are you doing?

Hello and thank you for the interview, I am doing well, focusing on finishing the second album and preparing to start my Asia tour next week in Thailand, Japan and Korea, super excited!

Before we dive into your present and future work, let’s do some exploring into the past and get to know you. Who is Juraj Klička and what musical highlights would people know you from?

I am just a regular guy from a small rural town in Slovakia who fell in love with music and went to study music and orchestration in the UK and USA. I think my musical highlights are definitely working with Transmission events, my first hybrid orchestral album ‘(R)Evolution’ and now my second trance album ‘Invictus’. I absolutely love exploring musical genres and how they can affect each other in a profound way.

When was the moment you realized music was much more to you than something you wanted to listen to? And how did you take it from there?

It was pretty early. When I was around 15 and I started listening to music all the time. I wasn’t sure what I should study or do considering I am not a classically trained musician so I’ve started with a university course of digital music and then it all seemed to fall into place.

Did you follow a course, study or self-teach yourself the ropes of production?

I started with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Music at Southampton Solent University in the UK and then went to London and Boston to continue the studies, it was huge fun! Best decision of my life for sure. I learned a lot from books, tutorials or other producers. There is always a way to find new knowledge.

You first worked under the Pizz@dox moniker, working yourself up in the Trance industry from 2010-2013. How do you look back upon that time, focusing on trying to get your music out there?

Pizz@dox was huge fun but that’s it, it was fun. When I really decided to go serious I knew a serious project would have to happen really soon. And that’s how Driftmoon started.

After that, you became part of the Driftmoon team-up, together with Miikka Leinonen and David Sherlock. It kicked off in 2013, but you’ve been flying it solo since 2016. What can you tell us about that part of the story?
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Miikka and David were making music together but they lacked the production knowledge to take the things to the next level. They asked me to team up with them and so I did. Eventually David left to focus on Freshly Squeezed Samples (his sample and audioware company) and Miikka decided to leave the project in 2016. Since then I am running solo and it is freeing, especially considering I can make music the way I feel it and not check everything with other people. It’s, of course, more stressful and sometimes I feel like everything I do is wrong but I know that’s part of every musician’s day.

Was it hard to go it alone, or did it offer you the freedom to truly do your own thing?

As answered, it was difficult and it still is difficult but it’s extremely rewarding and I wouldn’t change it ever.

You’re originally from Slovakia but have been living in Prague for a few years now. Has living in the Czech Republic offered you better chances for your career?

Prague is my favourite city, it’s a perfect mix of old and new, east and west. More importantly, Prague is home to the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and United Music Events (Transmission) and I work closely with both of them.

Is music something you can do full-time, or did/do you have a job on the side to finance your career?

When I was studying I had three part-time jobs and I do a lot of work for clients, plus I have my own mastering studio called Double Helix Mastering so right now I am dividing my time between my clients and my own music.

You’re mostly known for producing Trance, Progressive and Classical music. Did you feel at home in those particular sounds instantly, or did your taste in music evolve from something else?

I love making hybrid orchestral music, combining the best of two worlds into one, it’s hugely challenging but it’s so much fun! Especially when you realise that you finally know how to make exactly what you think of.

Your previous album ‘(R)Evolution’ has lots of orchestral and classical aspects – up to the point that it could be the score to a movie – is that something you aspire to? The next Hans Zimmer?
 
Apart from the fact that we are born on the same day (September 12^th) and we share a love for music, there is little connecting me to someone like Hans Zimmer. I just want to create music and we will see where that path leads. I am still only 29 years old with my whole life ahead of me and I would love to move to Los Angeles at one point in my career but first, I still want to make more Trance and play for people around the world, so that’s a priority right now.

What’s your usual way of starting a new original? Do you start off with the melody and build around it? Any sample packs you like to go back to – or have you built your own library?

I always start with a melody and basic idea of theme, it’s much easier to have a melody and build a track around that than vice versa. I know some people who start with beats or basslines but I always start with melody first.

What’s your way of relaxing, gaining new energy and finding new inspiration? In other words: how do you take a break from music?

I’m an avid sci-fi memorabilia collector, book reader and I love walking my dog, so that’s how I relax.

Now that we know a bit about your methods, we’d love to know what equipment you use to get it done. What can be found in the Driftmoon studio? Which piece is indispensable?

There is a lot in my studio but two most used pieces of gear are Slate MTi Raven touch screen and Softube Console 1.

There’s a brand new Driftmoon album in the making – which we can’t wait to hear! Can you lift a tip of the veil on what’s coming and when it’s due for release?

I am currently finishing my ‘Invictus’ album. It’s a story-driven 18-track album with focus on melodic content and storytelling. It’s signed on Black Hole and will be released before summer this year with singles signed to numerous labels like Armada, Flashover, FSOE, etc.

You’ve also recorded a very cool tutorial video on how the first single of the album, ‘Only You’, was made, thanks for that! Is that something you intend to do more often – give people a sneak peek into the Driftmoon ways of producing?

There is a beautiful saying “Rising tide lifts all boats”. That’s how I like to live, I love showing what I know to other people so they can learn something and utilize it to make amazing music.

Thanks again for letting us steal some of your time Juraj. We can’t wait to hear the new album!