dPen guestmix in Frozen Spirits 008 (2006-04-25)

[Gabe de Wielen]

next week I'll host a guestmix by one of Greece's upcoming progressive talents dPen!

Yiannis Pennas aka dPen

Born 1982, in Athens, Greece, Yiannis was raised in the city, a setting in which he was exposed to a variety of music scenes. From a young age he exhibited an overwhelming passion and zeal for music. His obsession made him search his inner self for something unique. Something he only could find on his own.

His quest started when he was seven. He fell in love with the sound of the sax being influenced by listening to the twelve inch records of Dave Brabeck, which his father owned. After consulting a music instructor, he was advised to start with the flute to learn the fundamentals of the winds and music theory.

At the age of fourteen he obtained his first sax. He played for the school orchestra and for various local concerts learning more and more every time.

At the same time he found himself at parties not just to have a good time, but as an individual that tried to entertain others with his unique music selections. Being influenced from the booming electronic music era, and DJs' such as John Digweed, Sasha and Paul Van Dyk he played at more and more parties practicing his dj skills.

In the mean time dPens' other passion were sports. From a young age he was enrolled in a variety of sports such as karate (shotokan), kick boxing, basketball, track and field. He finally found the thrill and excitement he was looking for in baseball. He played for the Greek team Marousi 2004 earning four consecutive championships and also a spot on the Greek national team.

After finishing high school he was accepted into the Physical Education department of the University of Athens. As a University student he needed some extra cash. So he decided to turn his need into something productive. He got a job as a dj at a local bar.

2004 was not his year though. After djing at various parties and gigs in Athens, and at the same time preparing himself to play in the Olympics, he was injured in the knee in July. He was operated on and would be completely ok after seven months but was cut off from both his passions.

After losing his chance to play in the Olympics and not being able to play music because of his injury, he had a lot of free time to think and realize that being a good dj just wasn't enough. He decided that he should use his time, energy, passion and talent for music not just to entertain people through others music, but also through his own.

January 2005 – dPen meets 7G, a Greek music engineering producer who showed him how to use the basic music production programs and taught him some things about music technology.

Up until June 2005 spent most of his time researching and obtaining knowledge about electronic music production. So he set up a small music studio in his own room and from that moment onward he devoted himself to producing.

After a lot of hard work and endless hours over his pc, and in the meantime being a novice to the field he managed to finish his first three songs in August of the same year. Those songs were immediately signed and supported by world famous dj/producer Hernan Cattaneo.

December 2005 – Seven months have gone by and dPen has already produced over ten songs (both original and remixes) that are signed by various respectable labels of the progressive house scene.

The quest still goes on, more and more good things will follow as time passes.

more info:
//www.dpen.gr