With 2023 just around the corner, we wanted to reflect on the highlights of 2022. This time, we invited Terry Golden to tell us more about what this year meant to him, what he learned, achieved and what are his plans for the holidays.
Hi, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. 2022 is almost over, we want to know what is your most important highlight of the year, both musically and personally?
For me, 2022 has been a crazy year, with loads of great experiences both musically and personally. Both of them are related, so highlight musically was surely to close the second biggest stage on Ultra Europe on a Saturday, surely a highlight for me. Personally, also music related, as I managed to produce a lot of new music, and completely transform my sound from Big Room / Future Rave style to where I belong in the Progressive and Melodic Techno world, going forward, that is the sound of Terry Golden.
What was your favorite release of 2022 (of your own)?
‘I Am Ready’, as it really got a lot of support from a wide range of DJ’s and radio stations, as is one of my best streaming releases as well. My label UFO Recordz also made a music video for it, so best one I would say.
And what was your favorite track of the year from someone else?
Very hard, as I really thing 2022 has been a wild year. But I will have to say ‘The Sign’ with CamelPhat.
Did you have any special standout shows this year either that you played or attended?
Yes, I had to honor of playing both Untold Festival in Romania, and Ultra Europe in Croatia.
What was the biggest lesson you learned in life 2022?
How fast the world can change, I mean before the war in Ukraine, I think not many people would think about a crisis in relation to finance, but in energy as well. You can’t say that something good comes from war, but the expensive energy prices and the fact that we, (for the first time that I can remember) are talking about that Europe might not have enough energy for everybody, has really stepped up the green energy development, which really shows us that we can do it, it’s just a question of if we really want to or in this case maybe even better, we really need to.
And following on, what was the biggest lesson you learned in music?
I would not say I learned any big lessons in 2022, but more than ever, it is becoming more and more about almost everything else, other than the music. Meaning you need to stand out as an artist on other things than the music (Visuals, personal appearance, crazy outfits, names, mask etc.) And labels at the same time are getting more and more open to new artists – so surely it has not become easier to break true in 2022.
If you could send yourself a message to you 5 years ago, what would it be and why?
Hey Terry, please spend a lot more time on your personal branding, that’s more important than your music. Reason is, that’s exactly how the music industry is today, and all these years I always believed that in the end, your music will do the talking… which is true, but sadly, it’s not enough.
How has your sound developed in 2022?
I have spent 2022 transforming my sound from Future Rave / Big Room into the Progressive and Melodic Techno world. I have always loved this genre, and in 2022 I decided that was the way my sound should go. I had a few releases in that genre ‘Illusion’, ‘Speak Up’, ‘Best Time in Space’, and they all did great – so 2023 you will hear, what I have done in 2022.
Who would you say was the most innovative artist in 2022?
Eric Prydz with his Halo show, for me the very best innovation – I wish I had that idea.
Which label or labels do you think where at the top of their game in 2022?
Revealed for sure now Hardwell is back, but I think Afterlife Recordings as well as Black Hole Recordings, Armada and surely Spinnin’.
If any, do you have any regrets for the year behind us?
No, always something you would have liked to have done better – but no regrets.
What are your plans for the holidays?
I am playing 23/12 in O – Der – Klub in Vienna, Austria and a job in Munich as well, but having some relaxing time with my family and friends, for sure.
Just for fun, if you had to take a classic Christmas song and remix it, what style would it be and what could we expect?
I would make a Progressive / Melodic Techno version with a twist, as that’s what Terry Golden is all about.
Where will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I will be at home with family and friends this year, if not a last-minute gig comes into the schedule.
If you had to put 2022 into one sentence, what would it be?
2022 Thank you for the fun and the many opportunities – It has been a great year.
