The former Boyne Square man recently topped the Beatport Techno Peak Time Chart with his first techno track in over a decade, Alpha Centauri – available for download here
Released on July 23 on Armin van Buuren’s Armind label, it now ranks third on the Beatport charts.
In an open interview with our reporter, the superstar DJ said: “The last time I released a techno track was in 2009 on my own record label Excentric Muzik. The track was titled Rockin Music. Oh man I missed it so much! It feels so good to be at home.
DJ Fergie.
“Alpha got together pretty quickly, to be honest. I’ve spoken to you before about our great transition in 2020 (Click here to read Larne’s DJ Fergie “Review” during the coronavirus pandemic)
“I sold everything in my huge, amazing home studio when we got banned, along with our dream home and everything in it.
“I was able to see opportunity in the midst of all the craziness going on in the world and realized that it was time to turn around; rid ourselves of our material possessions so that we can focus more on less things.
“The original idea for Alpha came up while working on my laptop when we were in the transition phase. Living in a caravan between the houses. It is a nice thing to have apparently left everything, but with that came the realization; We had to do this to free ourselves from the daily burden of unnecessary bills and material possessions that had blocked out all creativity. “
Fergie’s latest track took the techno world by storm this summer after the East Antrim native teamed up with Dutch DJ and producer Armin van Buuren.
Fergie added, “James Hiett, Head of A&R at Armada, is an old school raver who used to come to my shows and has beaten me and my mom Alice for months.
“We just weren’t in the mood back then. But after doing Alpha Centauri we knew it would be perfect for Armada – so we decided to send it and Armin and the team absolutely loved it.
“We actually signed five singles with the label. I’ve known Armin personally for many years, we both played on the same track as young boys, so it was great to get in touch with him again. he’s probably one of the nicest ones who do it. “
The Las Vegas resident explained how it feels to be making techno music and performing again as the restrictions of Covid-19 ease: “The best part was that so many of my old crew, the original Fergie friends and fans, all Messages sent I tell myself that they are now buying and dicing vinyl again and also producing again.
“They are excited about my return to techno and they were inspired by my comeback, that’s unbelievable! This feeling mixed with a lot of younger people who have no idea who I am – discovering me and hearing the music for the first time, it was just amazing. I was told the Larne Express is back in service!
“It feels good to be performing again with body and soul. When I got to Vegas it was the first time I saw DJing as a job, and as soon as the pandemic broke out, my contract became null and void.
“After the sale, it took my wife Ellie and I much of 2020 to do a soul search, and that introspection led us to the decision to only do what spoke to our soul, to try our passions in life staying true and nothing else.
“I play some of the best music in my sets that I’ve ever played and I also had my first number 1 single with Alpha Centauri, so things are off to a good start. If there is one message I can deliver to your readers, it is to follow your heart and not look back! “
Fergie recently revealed to tens of thousands of followers on social media that he’s been sober since the summer of 2018.
Speaking openly about his own experiences and praising the work of community groups at home, including the Factory Community Forum, he said: “I am deeply saddened by the less publicized impact of the pandemic on UK communities, especially the younger generation.
“Unfortunately, mental health awareness has fallen by the wayside in the face of public health. However, I am encouraged by the work the Factory Group is doing here in my own neighborhood, Boyne Square!
“And yes, I’ve been sober myself for over three years. I take it as it comes every day. It is difficult to make general statements as the situation is different for everyone, depending on how substances and / or drinking affect their life.
“In general, I don’t think an ‘all or nothing’ attitude is good in life – I’m usually all about moderation. But in this case, at least for me, I was completely clean of alcohol, drugs, and even cigarettes.
“The most important thing that helped me to sober up was the realization that the juice was no longer worth the juice. Finally, I sat down and thought about the toll it was taking on my life, even if it wasn’t every day or even every week.
“It was mostly the drink that started making my music, my marriage, my family relationships, my health, and most importantly, my relationship with myself suffer, and I just had enough.
“I think everyone should take their time and allow themselves some grace. In the beginning it helped me the most to simply avoid the triggering situations. Of course, it meant taking a break from social activities, but taking time off from other people gave me more time to myself.
“On this trip I was drawn to various gurus and ancient wisdom traditions, but the one who still speaks to me the most is the late, great Ram Dass.
“I found meditation and that was the biggest part of not only staying sober, but staying sane in this crazy life.
“It helped me to find more clarity. I can plan and use my time better and the best thing is, I enjoyed my gigs more than ever. Unbelievable, I’ve played almost 600 gigs soberly now! I feel more in control, less anxious.
“I am convinced of my abilities and enjoy getting high from the music (and not having to worry about getting drunk and ending up naked in the Bellagio fountain).”
Fergie’s latest track, Man From Athens, is available to download here today (August 20th).
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