TAREQ

Being the frontman of Techsoir and now going solo, Tareq proves he can success both ways. Multi-tasking in the music industry, it is more than expected he is on his way to the top.

Tareq is the Nu Electro Disco Lover. Born and grown in Thessaloniki, Greece. Half Jordanian, half Greek. From his young age got familiar with music, by composing musical pieces in piano. His musical studies were on the piano and the alticorno. Being fan of the electronic music scene, made him deal with music production and DJing.In 2002 he created the nu-electro band TechSoir and he was the frontman of the group until 2009. TechSoir had a number of releases. The singles, “Tech Soir” and “Try Me”, got in dance compilations. They also participated in the music score of Alexandros Pantazoudis’ Film “Don’t Go”. After that, the full length album “Dark Room” (Undo records/ EMI) was released in January of 2008. TechSoir appeared next to names such as Fischerspooner, Digitalism, UNKLE, Hercules and Love affair, James, The Fall and Chicane. Tareq as a DJ appeared next to Swayzak, Metope and Scorpio. Beside the TechSoir project, he produced some official and unofficial remixes for The Blow Waves, The Snoopy Lads, de:tech, Digitalism, Rod Thomas and Furiku.

1. WHEN WAS THE FIRST CONTACT YOU HAD WITH MUSIC?

"The first contact was when i was a kid.. at the age of 5. We had a piano in our living room, which was an interesting toy for a baby boy. I started playing , by ear, the songs that i liked, so my next movement was to go and study the piano in a music school."

2. YOU ARE A MULTI-TASK ARTIST. WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITIES AND HOW YOU ENJOY EACH ONE OF THEM?

"Writing and producing music was something that i could do by early age. That's why we created TechSoir. the singing came after that, while we needed vocals for our tracks.. We realised that this was working well, so we turned out to be more like a band than simply producers. After that i was performing in every show we did. Amazing feeling that makes you addicted! The DJ part was an act of hobby which we were doing with some friends DJs on sundays! I really enjoy DJing because it is a demonstration of the music taste you have. Is really cool to make people dance."

3. YOU WERE THE FORNTMAN OF TECHSOIR AND YOU RECENTLY DECIDED TO GO SOLO. WHY?

"Me and TechSoir where together since 2002. After all those years and experiences, you see that people change and you can't have a lots of things in common anymore. So, the best thing to do is to leave things as they are in a good shape. Ithought it was time to move on and create the different project i had in mind. I am proud of TechSoir because we released a strong album (Dark Room), it was a dream becoming true, and lots of performances next to such great names. What more to ask?"

4. HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED? WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

"I get inspired by things that happening in my life.. beautiful, bad, strange, hilarius.. At the moment i really dig the disco thing. I consider this as an infuence! Artists such as DFA, Godfrapp, The Emperor Machine, The Juan Maclean, Fischerspooner, Cut Copy, The Presets, Lacquer, Hot Chip and noumerous others are my influences!"

5. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER, WHICH IS THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT YOU'VE EVER EXPERIENCED?

"I had a lot of exciting experiences, while meeting some of the artists that i like.. The best and most recent was when me and TechSoir were the opening act for Fischerspooner. Meeting Casey Spooner was the most exciting moment. That was the last gig i had with TechSoir and it was the best end for that chapter!"

6. YOU'RE A MUSICIAN WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN ATHENS. I SOULD ASK YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE MUSIC SCENE IN GREECE.

"I believe that the music scene in Greece, talking ofcourse about the electronic and alternative scene, is getting better and better. A lots of respectable artists with great pieces of work. It was about time for the Greek musicians to demonstrate to the rest of the world their cababilities. Nothing to be jealous of and there is more to come! Let's keep it up."

7. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

"My future plans include a solo album, which hopefully will be released this year! Lots of dj sets up to come and maybe some live gigs, while I'm working on it!"

TAREQ TOP 5

1. Curses! - The Deep End (Holy Ghost Remix)
2. Simian Mobile Disco - Hotdog (Cosmo Vitelli Remix)
3. Nomi & Deep Red - Fun girl
4. Rod Thomas - Your Love Is A Tease (Tareq Remix)

5. Mock & Toof - Underwater

At the moment Tareq lives in Athens and he is working on his debut solo album. You can listen to his radio show “Sechoir” every Wednesday at 18:00 (GMT +2) on WaveRadio.gr

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TAREQ SPACE

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