Three Guys, Three Projects, United Under 98.20.11 [Exclusive Interview]

Three Guys, Three Projects, United Under 98.20.11

2/28/2019

How did you all meet and decide to join forces to create this trio?
Martin: It all started when I met Johan some years ago on Facebook. We started working together in a collaboration and the connection that we had while working was amazing. We loved our way of producing, working, and creating ideas. At the end of the day, we decided to create a group. After some years we split up because we wanted to follow our styles, but recently we decided again to work together. It is different than some years ago because now we are more mature and we know our styles better. During that time apart, Johan met Luis and because of his amazing abilities in production, we decided to bring him in on the project as well.

Johan: Martin and I worked on a label together and ended up working on a collaboration. After talking for some days, we decided to form the progressive duo Totemlost. I learned production, mixing, and promotion while working on Totemlost but after a while, I decided to leave the duo and start 98.20.11. The main reason for leaving was to do more variation in my songs and try out different styles. Around that time I also decided to join Nightro. Luis became a part of 98.20.11 after we worked together on two big room collaborations and I thought he would be a great fit for the project.

Luis: Since the start of my career as a producer, Johan helped me with advice and tips to improve my production. I remember always telling him my goals as a producer and my dreams. Because of his help, I improved a lot and then one day, Johan offered me to be part of the amazing group 98.20.11. I met Martin because of Johan and we created a nice bond. I knew his work from Totemlost and have really admired his work. It's really incredible for me to be working with two amazing producers who are also incredible people.

Martin, you're also running the solo project of Totemlost and Johan is a part of the duo, Nightro. How do you all decide which tracks end up released on each project?
Martin: Depends on the style. When we produce a song, we already know where it would fit best. So if the track I'm working on would fit 98.20.11, I would send it to the rest of the group to improve and finish it. Sometimes we want to make a collaboration between 98.20.11 and Totemlost, and so in those we make sure that there is a lot of the Totemlost style in it.

Johan: It's very simple for me, since Nightro is going more for a radio-friendly sound. I simply separate all the tracks that are too pop from 98.20.11. It has never been a big issue for me.

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Big things coming. MR @totemlost

A post shared by 98.20.11 (@98.20.11) on Jan 27, 2019 at 3:15pm PST

What do each of you bring to the project?
Martin: I consider myself as the melodies and vocals guy. I have been playing piano for a while now which taught me how to compose and some of the rules involved. I try to make catchy melodies and I bring a bit of progressive house style to the project since it's my favorite sub-genre. At the end of the day, Johan is the genius, he is the best producer I have ever met.

Luis: I love big room so one of my strength is in making powerful big room drops and bringing energy into the tracks. I also learn really fast and work on new styles quickly.

Johan: I focus mostly in production, mixing, and sometimes mastering. Most of the times, I start a project with the drop and focus most of my time there. After that, I'll work on the breakdown and add in as many details as possible to make it dynamic. If the intro and outro need work, I'll spend time there as well.

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A post shared by 98.20.11 (@98.20.11) on Feb 25, 2019 at 3:31pm PST

For a while, you put "Myah Alanna" in your track titles. What was the meaning behind this?
Johan: I had a crush on myah, she was the main reason for the tracks released from 2017 to 2018 as well as why I went from big room-progressive to future bass and trap. I saw her cover pop songs in videos when I was in High School and fell in love with her voice. I felt privileged to see her channel grow. She is such a hard working person and extremely talented.

Over the past few years you've amassed quite the discography. Which 98.20.11 songs are your favorite and why?
Martin: There are so many! I would say "Every Little Piece" because it is a collaboration between 98.20.11 and Totemlost. It is a little bit old but I have this track inside my heart because we made it to support my country, Ecuador, after a powerful earthquake. Then we have so many unreleased and WIP tracks like there are three progressive house tracks that I quite love! Soon they will be ready.

Luis: I find "Nemesis" amazing! It has this unique fusion of trap and big room which is a real banger at festivals. Another one that stands out is "Atlas" because the breakdown melody really resonates with me!

Johan: "For Her" since it was my biggest release when 98.20.11 was a solo project. It was also my first future bass track!

What do you guys like to do outside of the studio?
Martin: I am studying International Commerce in the University of Palermo in Argentina. Right now, I am starting my second semester of graduate school. After I finished my undergraduate, I started work and travelled a bit, like I lived in Germany for a while. Now I'm working in the business EF, which is based on helping people travel and learn some of the local lingo to live in other countries. I also like sports, going to the gym, swimming, and playing tennis.

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A post shared by Luis Perez (@luisperez.music) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:54pm PST

Luis: I am studying as well but outside of that, I love to play soccer and volleyball. It is a nice way to give your mind a break.

Johan: I've got one year left of school. I'm currently studying history in Fairleigh Dickinson University. Apart from that, I enjoy reading books and watch documentaries. Lately I have been checking out some theology books; cultures from other parts of the world is something that I truly love. I'm also a car enthusiast and I like to see political-social debates.

â€‹Looking towards the future, what are you hoping to accomplish together and on your own?

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â€œJust drank a McDonaldâ€™s sprite, you dare me to drive?â€

A post shared by Totemlost (@totemlost) on Feb 9, 2019 at 4:22pm PST

Martin: I feel that 98.20.11 will grow a lot. It is a project full of potential with good producers and an amazing mix of styles. Hopefully, we will sign our tracks on the best labels around the world and we will be playing the biggest gigs!

Luis: I hope that we can live that dream of playing on the best stages and signing on the best labels! It would also be great to meet some of the best producers like Blasterjaxx face to face because they are my idols! Before Luis Perez, I was preparing for some releases but once I got the offer to join 98.20.11, I devoted all my time to the project. Now that I've gotten into a bit of a steady groove, I have some more time to devote to the Luis Perez project so expect some new music coming from there on a whole new level!

Johan: All I want in life is a Nissan 370z.

Thanks so much to the guys over at 98.20.11 for taking the time to answer our questions! Be sure to follow them using the links below and stay tuned for a huge announcement in the coming days!