Aly & Fila are not only putting everyone in the music world in a trance but they are also having a huge impact in their own country of Egypt. With their fledgling music label responsible for launching a number of talent from the region to the 250th episode of their radio show and a gigantic party in Sharm el-Sheikh to celebrate their introduction to the world, the duo have come a long way from their time as school students grabbing any electronic music CDs they could find through friends from Europe.Before playing to uplift the souls of thousands of fans at the famous Exchange L.A, a mecca for trance and electronic music, we caught up with Fila in the hip lounge of the Standard Hotel to discuss the sound of the new revolution, alive and kicking.

Q: Do you feel a different vibe between here in the US, Europe and the Middle East?

Fila: It’s very different. Each country has its own vibe. Everywhere you go, it’s different. It’s hard to explain but I feel the difference. Even inside of the US, the West and East Coasts have a different vibe. America is not only a country...it’s like a continent for me.

Q: You recently had a birthday for the 250th episode of your radio show. What is different today compared to when you started?

Fila: Well, way back, there was nothing! It was just about music for fun with no specific expectations. We didn’t know what we were doing or where we were going. We were two young people in school doing music for fun. But now, it’s amazing. We are doing things we were nor even dreaming of. It’s great to achieve that.

Q: How did you get into this type of music because EDM [Electronic Dance Music] is not so common in the Middle East.

Fila: It’s true that when we started listening to electronic music, there was no internet and it was really hard to get access to this type of music. But we had friends who were traveling to Germany and England and would bring us back music of that sort. Our first major revelation was with Paul Van Dyk who we thought was a true genius! I then went to Germany when I was 18 to one of his concerts in Berlin. I was blown away. Germany is a well known destination for the youth from Egypt but also for the business community.

Q: Do you see lots of change in the world of trance and electronic music?

Fila: I see lots of changes. Especially lately. Overall, the sound is evolving. But Aly and I try to keep true to our original style. We are old school trance. I don’t want to change our style just to be more famous or more successful. Either it works or we fail! So far, so good!

Q: How did you get from electronic music loving student to here, tonight, playing in Los Angeles?

Fila: Lots of work! We had our first release in 2003 and this was super supported by everyone...Paul Van Dyk, Testo...all the big guys. We got played on lots of radio shows and especially by Armin van Buuren. who really helped us and played us a lot. He made us in a way.

Q: What is it like to have a trance label in Egypt?

Fila: Actually you would be surprised to find out how many producers of trance and electronic music are in Egypt! There is a huge community over there. There are also DJ schools and everybody wants to be a DJ right now.

Q: Does this help to bring people and that country together?

Fila: Absolutely. We all love to go out and to have fun. Egypt is not at all about what you see on CNN and in the media where they just show people killing each other. It’s not the true face of Egypt...[not the face] of the youth of Egypt.

Q: What’s going on with your upcoming new album?

Fila: [It will have] big uplifting sounds, great lyrics and great songs as well as strong melodies that people will remember. I can’t wait for the album to come out in March. It was supposed to come out in September but we toured too much and we wanted to take our time and do it right.

Q: What do you listen to when you’re not listening to trance and electronic?

Fila: Most of the time soundtracks from film. I love soundtracks. It is what I want to do. I love Hans Zimmer.

Q: Do you feel like a DJ or an artist?

Fila: I don’t feel like I’m just a DJ. I love doing the music, being in a studio and getting this amazing feeling when you do a great track. But to play the track out loud in front of an audience is also an amazing feeling.

Q: How who you evolved since your beginnings?

Fila: I am much more mature, both in music, and as a DJ. I now know how to work a crowd. I can read them. At first, I used to play for myself but now I really play for them and me. At first, there was no artistic journey and it was just showing what I do. But right now I really try to build a unique experience for the audience.

Q: What is your perception of what is going on in Egypt and what is the "Re-Evolution" about?

Fila: We needed a change especially after 30 years. We needed new blood. Now we have a new president, which is amazing for me. But so far we don’t feel any change. The change will come and it will take time. This president has lots of problems to deal with. I think that if Egypt becomes stable (because it’s the core of the region), I can see a day when things will get much better. And it will help the whole Middle East situation. Egyptians are amazing. Even during the revolution days, we had so few crimes. It shows how people are respectful, peaceful and united.

By Emmanuel Itier and AD Darmon

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