Right here’s probably the greatest interviews we’ve had, tapping into the Progressive area.
Welcome, fellow readers, to our first interview of 2026. We’re beginning the yr on a strong notice with two absolute legends of the scene. They aren’t solely prolific producers however the minds behind one of the vital influential labels in Progressive Home right this moment. Please welcome to EDMTunes, Paul Thomas and Das Pharaoh, also called the drive behind UV.
When you’ve been caught in time for some motive, let me deliver you on top of things: on the one hand, Paul has spent over 20 years shaping probably the most lovely corners of digital music, since his begin as a partygoer within the 90s and subsequent evolution to producer, changing into an icon of the Progressive motion. He’s obtained an interesting story which I’m not going to spoil for you, since we’ll talk about it down beneath. Wink wink.
Becoming a member of him is an artist you doubtless recognise as Fadi from the world-conquering Trance duo Aly & Fila. Hailing from Egypt, Fadi has reached the head of the worldwide music stage, and has now branched out and launched into a solo journey as Das Pharaoh. This mission has one single constraint: whole inventive freedom, permitting him to discover a deeper area within the Progressive scene that he hadn’t totally tapped into earlier than.
Collectively, these two legends (and shut buddies too) are main a whole motion by way of their esteemed label UV, previously FSOE UV, a rebrand which we’ll additionally discuss afterward, so no spoilers for you. You simply must dive into it. Within the traces you’re about to learn, we discuss all the pieces relating to this chapter of their lives, together with the transition from UV Radio to their more grounded and introspective podcast, Underground Live Forever (ULF). We mentioned the whys and hows behind their collective and particular person careers, and precisely what it’s in regards to the Progressive sound that retains them so impressed. I can truthfully say this was probably the greatest interviews of my profession; the chemistry between the three of us was one thing uncommon, a dynamic I can depend on the fingers of 1 hand.
The Interview
Thanks a lot for coming guys, it’s really a pleasure. Properly, the very first thing we have now to deal with is, large congratulations on the launch of the ULF podcast!
Paul: Thanks a lot! It’s been a protracted journey to get up to now. We’re speaking eight or 9 months of strong work in a method or one other. Truthfully, I didn’t realise fairly how a lot work it was going to be. If I had, I most likely wouldn’t have finished it! [Laughs] Nevertheless it’s been a superb time and it’s been very effectively obtained.
Fadi: Particularly if we find yourself doing it each week like that. Nevertheless it’s actually cool. We each agree that that is what the scene wants, the Prog scene actually wants this type of consideration. We want applications that make the sound extra acquainted to individuals who don’t realize it but.
May you give us some perception into the way it got here to be? You talked about it was practically a yr of labor, however what sparked the concept to shift from the purely audio-based UV Radio to a full video podcast?
Paul: Fadi and I’ve been speaking for years about having one thing inside our model that stands out, one thing completely different past simply placing out music and throwing events. I used to be really out working at some point — I often get my greatest concepts once I’m working — and it simply got here to me: we must always do a video podcast. I ran it by Fadi, he liked it, and we simply rolled with it.
Fadi: Coming from the Trance scene, I’ve watched what Armin van Buuren has finished with A State of Trance. No matter whether or not you just like the music or not, the thought of that video podcast is important for the style. When Paul instructed me his thought, it was like a “increase” second. I realised we didn’t have something like that within the Progressive scene. I instructed him, “Paul, let’s do it. We have to do it.”
You guys have been companions for some time now. I’m a bit out of contact as a result of I’m coming from a Trance background and only recently moving into Prog by way of some Argentinian buddies, 5 years or so. Have you ever guys at all times labored collectively, even again when it was FSOE UV?
Paul: I’ve identified Fadi for a protracted, very long time. I was a resident at Godskitchen right here within the UK, and Fadi used to play there an terrible lot. However we by no means actually sat down and had a correct chat again then, did we?
Fadi: No, we had been colleagues, however we weren’t “correct buddies” but.
Paul: Precisely. Then, we had been each DJing at a competition in India in 2017. We had been chatting backstage, and Fadi instructed me he’d at all times liked a variety of music and wished to launch a Progressive label. A lightbulb went off in my head as a result of I used to be trying to begin work on a brand new mission on the time. I despatched Fadi some music-
Fadi: And I liked it! I used to be like, “Wow, that is precisely what I would like.”
Paul: The humorous factor is, proper earlier than that, I had been dabbling with Trance and I’d despatched him some music with out him even figuring out it was me. It wasn’t excellent, Fadi will likely be trustworthy about that! So, for me to ship him the stuff that was really from my coronary heart, the stuff I actually wished to make, and for him to love it… that’s once I knew this might work. We met in Amsterdam a number of months later, got here up with a plan, and launched the label in the summertime of 2017. We haven’t regarded again since.
Fadi: Paul had a label earlier than referred to as Ultraviolet. Once we met, we had been considering of a reputation for the brand new enterprise, one thing that also felt linked to one thing, and we simply determined to cease Ultraviolet and begin UV.
Paul: Initially, it was a part of FSOE (Future Sound of Egypt), however we ultimately determined it wanted its personal entity and its personal life. We determined to separate it as a result of the sound is simply fully completely different.
I’d argue that the shift to only “UV” gave it its personal character. It feels extra free. To me, and I feel to the charts as effectively, UV has turn out to be one of many true trailblazers of the style.
Paul: Thanks, I respect that. Turning into a standalone was essential. Don’t get me fallacious, the FSOE attachment gave us an excellent push at first—it most likely would have been a lot more durable to develop as shortly as we did with out them. However over time, you need the main target to be on UV itself. It has turn out to be one of many main labels in its personal proper.
Again to the shift from UV Radio to the UV Podcast. What does a podcast provide {that a} regular radio present doesn’t? Why cater to the “perception” aspect reasonably than simply the music?
Paul: A few causes. One: the visible facet. We all know how essential visuals are for promotion on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Fadi: It’s extra interactive.
Paul: Precisely. Individuals wish to see who’s behind the DJ. It creates a connection greater than only a voice. You see the mannerisms—Fadi is considered one of my greatest buddies, so it’s basically simply two greatest buddies chatting in a studio. Individuals just like the human facet of that. Secondly, for the artists we usher in, it’s not only a visitor combine anymore. You get to know them, their ethos, and the place they arrive from.
Fadi: It’s about making a greater expertise for the listeners. The video thought was extra effort and extra work, but it surely’s 100% extra rewarding.
Paul: Anybody can put out a combination each week; there are a whole lot of DJs doing that. That is fully completely different. We’ve doubled our YouTube subscribers in simply two weeks, and that’s with just one episode out! I’ve obtained to say, although, we had been a bit anxious to get the podcast out to the world earlier than anybody else had the very same thought and simply beat us to it. [Laughs]
I’ve seen an actual demand recently for this type of “insightful” product. I can perceive the nerves, although: you recorded these first episodes in Amsterdam in October at ADE after which had them packed away for 2 total months earlier than the launch, that’s bonkers.
Paul: Yeah! It’s as a result of I by no means wish to dictate to artists what they’ll play. So we needed to wait till the reveals had been recorded to get tracklists and begin the licensing course of. Throughout three episodes, that was six hours of music to license. Armada has been superb and actually useful, however modifying and PR logistics simply take time. It was definitely worth the wait. Now we’re wanting ahead. We’ve already deliberate out most of 2026.
Fadi: We positively wish to make it weekly in some unspecified time in the future. We’re at present planning how one can match that into our schedules and lives.
Paul: That’s how essential it’s. I completely perceive now why Armin and the ASOT group focus a lot on it. It’s the core of the model.
I like that we have now either side of this spoken product now within the Progressive scene. I interviewed Will from Super Progressive back in May, and he’s been skyrocketing. And he represents the passionate fan/listener aspect, whilst you guys are working the enterprise, shifting the items of the checkerboard in a means. It’s two completely different angles which can be very helpful for the scene.
Paul: Will was really very useful with recommendation after we had been within the planning levels for this. He’s an exquisite man. We actually need this present to be in regards to the complete trade, not simply DJs. File label house owners, promoters—we wish to hear everybody’s story. We wish followers to study the broader story of Progressive. It’s a whole ecosystem.
Unimaginable, I simply love how intently knit the Dance group is, much more in our corners of it, specifically, Progressive, Trance, you identify it. Let’s transfer on to the label itself now. What does it take for a demo to sound “UV-ish” to you guys? What makes a monitor worthy of signing?
Paul: Truthfully, it’s simply obtained to be good. We hearken to the groove simply as a lot because the melody. Currently, the melodic stuff we’re doing might be a bit extra delicate in comparison with after we first launched. I wouldn’t say it wants to suit a selected “bracket,” however typically, the UV essential label is a bit hotter and lighter, whereas UV Noir is darker and extra club-focused.
Fadi: What I really like about UV is that it has a signature sound, but it surely isn’t repetitive. You’ll be able to hear a monitor and realize it’s a UV launch, but it surely doesn’t sound like each different monitor on the label. Many well-known labels turn out to be too repetitive for my part. UV is broad.
Any favorite songs from the label’s historical past? Both your personal or out of your colleagues?
Paul: From my very own music, the stuff I’m making proper now’s my favourite of my complete profession. It’s deeper, delicate, and really groove-led. As for different artists… God, I really feel dangerous selecting one! Cendryma has had an exquisite 18 months, we’ve pushed him throughout each labels.
Fadi: M.O.S, clearly Trilucid.
Paul: Sure, we’ve had them because the early days. We might go on, and this is the reason I really like Progressive, everybody has their very own sound. Fadi has been engaged on his Das Pharaoh sound for years and years, and now he has a trademark sound that doesn’t sound like anybody else. Similar with Blake Jarell, Cendryma, and Trilucid. I prefer to assume that I’ve obtained my very own sound as effectively.
Fadi: If I’ve to choose, I’d decide Blake Jarell’s final launch, ‘In The Finish You’ll Know’. For me, it was completely prime.
Paul: Blake may be very analogue. She makes use of numerous analogue {hardware}, and you may simply hear that richness. He launched his profession as Armin’s tour DJ however then locked himself away for years to study all the pieces about manufacturing and {hardware}. His music naturally stands out as a result of it’s so heat and analogue-ey in comparison with everybody else. ‘In The Finish You’ll Know’ is initially a James Holden file. As quickly as you hear it, you’ll perceive what I imply about that stunning, analogue sound. Fadi and I’ve performed it numerous instances.
Fadi: Blake’s a man who deserves to do rather well. He’s a genius, for my part.
Now, because you guys at the moment are a supply of inspiration to so many artists, I’d like to ask, who had been the artists that influenced your sound while you began?
Paul: For me, it was Sasha. With out a shadow of a doubt. Within the late 90s, I used to be totally immersed in Trance, it was large within the UK then. I used to go to an evening referred to as Gatecrasher each week, that one and Godskitchen, each from my hometown of Birmingham. After which one evening, Godskitchen booked Sasha for his International Underground: San Francisco tour. I’d by no means heard of him. He performed a lot slower, way more textured music. I bear in mind standing there considering, “Is that this ever going to get going?” as a result of I used to be used to 140 or 145 BPM, and he was at 126 or 128, which was painfully gradual again then. I purchased the CD a number of weeks later simply because, and I guess I listened to it continuously all day, from disc one, begin to finish, disc two, begin to finish, again to disc one, begin to finish. That CD fully modified me and my style. Utterly. In a single day, my style switched. From that day on, all I cared about was Progressive, all of the music I listened to, all of the vinyls I purchased.
Fadi: For me, it began a very long time in the past too. Progressive Home was very fashionable in Egypt again then with the International Underground excursions. I used to go to these events with my buddies and obtained actually , despite the fact that I used to be a Trance DJ and producer. However then I noticed Hernán Cattaneo for the primary time, and it simply clicked. I realised, “I wish to do that myself”. I wished that sound popping out of me.
And the funniest half about this, I instructed myself at some point I wished to do a monitor that really Hernán would play. A couple of years later, Paul really despatched a monitor of mine to Hernán a day earlier than his present in Amsterdam. I went to the present the subsequent day, and Hernán performed it.
That should have been an unbelievable second.
Fadi: The monitor is named ‘Watt Is Proper?’. The identify got here after this second, it actually felt like I used to be doing what was proper.
Paul: I do not forget that evening clearly. I despatched it to him the day earlier than and wasn’t anticipating him to play it in any respect. Hernán is my favourite DJ by far proper now. He’s been extremely supportive of the label and the podcast.
Fadi: He’s such a cool man. A correct Argentinian cool man. He, Nick Warren… they’ve all been actually supportive. However Hernán is the Maestro.
That man is so neat when he mixes. I bear in mind a stream he did on the AEP airport in Argentina in August 2020 whereas we had been all locked away. He performed a monitor in that set—he tends to maintain IDs to himself for years, you’ll know that. This one monitor simply did one thing to me. I might always remember it. In any case these years I nonetheless don’t know what it’s!
Paul: I do not forget that set! It was a Cercle-like setting, wasn’t it? Wonderful.
What’s your strategy to creating music? Do you go in with an thought, or begin from scratch?
Paul: Generally I’ve one thing in my head, but it surely’s principally depending on the temper. I usually begin with a MIDI patch for inspiration. Currently, I’ve been listening to previous vinyls for concepts. Not the primary leads after all, however concepts for the percussion or one-shots. I even have numerous badly hummed voice notes on my telephone.
Fadi: Similar for me, I waft. I’ll open a keyboard or a VST and simply undergo sounds till one clicks.
Paul: [to Fadi] You’re additionally actually good at getting impressed by travelling and reveals.
Fadi: I at all times journey with my manufacturing laptop computer. I at all times have it with me. And it made an enormous distinction for me: I can produce all over the place now, which is superb.
Paul: We’ll be at ADE or travelling for a gig, Fadi could have a tremendous weekend, and per week later he’ll say, “Hearken to this!”. He will get so impressed by seeing different artists and occasions.
Fadi: Occasion arduous, then produce! [Laughs]
Not a nasty lifestyle, ? Now, do you bear in mind a selected time in your profession while you felt you had one thing really magical in your fingers? Possibly a melody or a mission the place you simply thought, “This has the potential to be large”?
Paul: I bear in mind once I wrote a file referred to as ‘Tomorrow’ with Jerome Isma-Ae, which launched on Toolroom. I had written many of the thought and was trying to find a lead melody. I used to be flipping by way of a pattern pack—do you bear in mind the Vengeance packs? They had been most likely probably the most overused samples ever 15 years in the past. I used to be clicking by way of chord one-shots, and I hit 5 completely different chords in a row. I simply went, “Fuck”. I performed them once more and realised, that’s the lead.
Fadi: Jesus. [Laughs]
Paul: I didn’t even totally perceive it on the time! I despatched it to Jerome, and fully by likelihood, he discovered an African vocal pattern that match the important thing and development completely. This was earlier than Splice or available packs. It was simply meant to be.
Fadi: Truthfully, for me, a melody often occurs proper within the studio. I don’t usually have these “run to the laptop computer” moments outdoors of it. With the Das Pharaoh mission, there’s no plan. I enter the studio simply to have enjoyable and see what occurs.
Paul: So as to add to that, when it comes to reside reveals, the UV Boat Occasion at ADE 2023 was most likely my favorite set I’ve ever performed in 25 years of DJing. When Fadi and I play back-to-back, we by no means discuss what we’re going to play. We simply vibe. Throughout that five-hour set, we didn’t talk about course or BPM as soon as, we had been simply completely in tune. I got here away from that so impressed, realising we had been onto one thing particular.
Fadi: I don’t often play B2B with many individuals, however Paul is unquestionably the one I really like taking part in with probably the most. It simply works.
Paul: The primary time we did it was in Miami in 2018. I requested Fadi a number of days earlier than, “When ought to I come to your resort to undergo music?” and Fadi simply stated, “No, we’ll simply play and see what occurs.” That was the one dialog we’ve ever had about monitor choice, by no means once more. Certainly one of us begins, we comply with the vibe, and that’s it.
It’s loopy when that chemistry is simply there.
Fadi: Undoubtedly. You’ll be able to’t drive it, and for us it simply occurs.
Paul: It helps that Fadi is considered one of my greatest buddies. We converse nearly daily. When somebody that effectively, you perceive them with out them having to talk, not simply in music, however in all the pieces.
Fadi: It reveals on stage. The gang feels that vitality and connection. You’ll be able to’t faux that stuff.
Trying again at your profession, what’s one factor that occurred that you just completely didn’t anticipate and stunned you for the great?
Paul: Bumping into Fadi and beginning this new chapter. It sounds a bit corny, but it surely got here at a time when a serious mission had simply completed and I wanted one thing new for my very own well-being. I wasn’t anticipating it to occur the best way it did.
Fadi: It simply needed to occur. All the things went so easily.
Paul: Precisely. We might have been taking part in completely different set instances in India; I might have simply handed him backstage and that may be it. The truth that issues aligned the best way they did… that’s simply the perfect factor that’s occurred to my profession.
Fadi: And having Paul be part of the group, and now changing into an proprietor of the corporate, what he’s finished for the entire model, together with Future Sound of Egypt, has been an unbelievable change. Issues are fully completely different now.
Paul: The celebs aligned. I’ve realised that every time one thing has gone fallacious in my life, there’s at all times been one thing on the opposite finish to choose me up.
Fadi: Everybody will get these probabilities, however the distinction is whether or not you see them. Many individuals ignore them or are too afraid to take them.
Paul: You’re proper. Generally it’s about taking the possibility even when it’s outdoors your consolation zone. Doing this video podcast was fully out of my consolation zone as a result of I’m not nice in entrance of the digital camera. I used to be so extremely nervous for that first episode.
Fadi: I used to be nervous too! And English is my second language, so I’m at all times frightened about making errors. However getting out of your consolation zone is the way you succeed. You received’t succeed sitting comfortably on the sofa.
There was this interview that they did to Richard Hammond, one of many Prime Gear former hosts. Diary of a CEO if I’m not mistaken. And Wealthy stated one thing that obtained engraved in my head. He stated “I imagine luck involves everybody. Everybody will get fortunate in some unspecified time in the future. It’s simply how you’re taking it, for those who take it otherwise you go away it. That’s what determines if that spike of luck stays a spike or turns into one thing that you would be able to really maintain.
Fadi: Yeah, I positively agree. As a result of I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it with my very own eyes.
Remaining query, I’m afraid, however positively my favorite. When you might return in time any variety of years you’d discover attention-grabbing and meet your youthful self, what would you inform that youthful you? Had been you maybe too anxious or frightened about one thing that wasn’t mandatory?
Paul: I’d return to a really particular second 15 years in the past. I had signed a canopy of Vitality 52’s ‘Café del Mar’ to Spinnin’ Data, thoughts you this was earlier than the time when individuals made covers, it was one thing new. I hadn’t really signed the bodily contract but, and my buddies at Toolroom requested if I wished to place it out with them as a substitute. I took it off Spinnin’, they usually had been so offended, they had been fuming. Then, as a result of the unique artists had been so pissed that I’d pulled it from Spinnin’ (Vitality 52), they refused to clear the pattern for Toolroom.
I remorse it to today. That file would have despatched me into the stratosphere, just like what ‘Man with the Purple Face’ did for Mark Knight and Funkagenda, they did a Laurent Garnier cowl and blew up fully. So I’d return, slap myself, and say: “Depart it with Spinnin’!”.
Fadi: For me, I’d return to the beginning of Aly & Fila. I used to hearken to everybody criticizing me. I’d concentrate on the one or two destructive feedback as a substitute of the hundreds of excellent ones. Even when one particular person stated one thing destructive a couple of set or a monitor or no matter, it used to actually harm. However after a very long time, I discovered to only do what I wished. Do what you’ll want to do, as a result of you’ll by no means please everybody. I’d inform my youthful self: “Chill, loosen up, it’s okay, simply take into consideration the constructive aspect.” You’ll be able to by no means please everybody. I feel there’s so many artists which can be beginning which can be fragile to that therapy. These sorts of issues can kill their drive. Once you’re beginning, you don’t believe, you don’t know if you’re actually good at what you do or not, you don’t have credit score, nor backing.
Paul: Social media now could be a vicious place as effectively.
Fadi: Precisely. Particularly now with social media, you’ll be able to see all the pieces.
Paul: Going together with your intestine is the perfect recommendation. With expertise, you study to hearken to that feeling of when issues are proper.
Two excellent tales. That’s why I at all times prefer to ask this query, as a result of I imagine that by you guys wanting again, there’s additionally one thing that our readers can really take into their very own lives as form of classes. Guys, thanks a lot for this interview, I’ve had the time of my life. I really like these laid-back chats. Thanks each a lot.
Fadi: It was actually good, thanks too.
Paul: Thanks man. It was nice.
Remaining Phrases
To wrap issues up, I wish to specific what a real pleasure it was to talk with these guys. I can’t bear in mind one other interview the place I felt fairly so heat and welcome from the very first minute. The vitality was unmatched, largely as a result of Paul and Fadi aren’t simply colleagues—they’re greatest buddies. That bond made my job straightforward, sparking a dialog that felt a lot much less like a proper Q&A and way more like a relaxed chat between previous buddies, despite the fact that they had been the one previous buddies, as they’d met me ten minutes earlier than the interview itself. We laughed, we shared tales, and we spoke with a degree of heat that I cherish immensely.
This all completely encapsulates what I really like about my nook of the Digital music trade: there aren’t any rockstars right here. We’re buddies and we’re colleagues, cheering for one another’s rises with no trace of envy. This ego-free atmosphere is a present to artists, managers, and followers alike. It holds true to the concept that music is supposed to appease our pains and bridge the divides that the world so usually brings to us. To everybody concerned in making this occur—thanks. And stay tuned to EDMTunes for extra.
