{"id":4172,"date":"2014-11-23T15:38:08","date_gmt":"2014-11-23T14:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psybient.org\/love?p=4172"},"modified":"2014-11-24T01:05:22","modified_gmt":"2014-11-24T00:05:22","slug":"ultimae-records-15th-anniversary-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psybient.org\/love\/ultimae-records-15th-anniversary-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"[interview] Ultimae Records 15th Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

The year is 1999 – way back before bandcamp, soundcloud, youtube, and the like. An ambient trio from France, going by the name of Asura, is readying the release of their debut album.<\/p>\n

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As with any journey\u2019s beginning, the road starts off rocky and they are met with much resistance, trying to find their place in an unforgiving classic music business. Coming to realize that the answer they were seeking was within themselves, the decision was made by Vincent Villius to release by them self. And so, after an early name change from Infinium, Ultimae Records set root and started to grow.<\/p>\n

Since then \u2013 for the past fifteen years \u2013 Vincent Villius and Sandrine Gryson have released record after record, from artist after artist, of ambient trance bliss. Becoming internationally acclaimed and loved for their signature sonic senses. Especially here, in the psybient community, where their psychedelic moods have always struck a fine tune.<\/p>\n

Psybient.org decided it was the right occasion to have a chat with them on their fifteenth birthday \u2013 to celebrate, reflect, and look forward toward their future.<\/p>\n

Interview and foreword by Kevin Fairbanks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Ultimae_background\"<\/p>\n

First and foremost, congratulations on your fifteen year anniversary! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when looking back on this long journey?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks a lot! First thing that comes to mind is, it\u2019s been fun mostly, rewarding also, sometimes harsh and unfair and generally a growing journey.<\/p>\n

If we could take it back to the beginning (in 1999), can you give us some insight into what your intentions were at the time?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The intention was pretty simple, release the music we love on CD at first, and create a portal for ambient lovers. We had a first html version of the website which as you justly recall was under the banner Infinium Records. We built pages to introduce people to music and artists and set up an online shop which quickly started shipping worldwide. The first idea was no boundaries, that\u2019s the way we looked at internet back then. It being in line with the music we produce and release, wide in space and time.<\/p>\n

How have your intentions and approach changed over the last fifteen years, towards what you are today?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The intentions have not changed at all, we still love to release music. The idea of an ambient portal shifted to the website, being mostly dedicated to the label, and its main artists as well as the record shop and a live event agenda. We realised we couldn\u2019t actually do it all and a portal had to present all artists who evolve in the scene; let\u2019s be honest we couldn\u2019t keep up on that and there are plenty of website that reference everyone well enough.
\nThe approach, of course, changed as we learned about the business along the way and realised we had to become publisher, as well as a record company. Over the last ten years, we built a studio dedicated to sound-design, production music, mix and mastering, which now edits collection of audio samples from the Ultimae team. And of course, along the way, we acquired some form of notoriety, which helps a lot when launching a new project, and basically having been around for a while changes the way people relate to us – we relate to them. And there is still a lot that remains to be done in terms of promotion of this music genre and artists.<\/p>\n