Created by Shanti Radio founder Gorje Hewek, Peace Symphonies was conceived as a place for experimentation while fostering life-affirming and fundamental values. Releasing what his creator calls ‘Peace House’, the brand boasts a unique array of bespoke artwork covers that enhance the message behind each drop, and is home to an impressive roster that includes both newcomers and firmly established talents such as Lost Desert, Hermanez, Amonita, Volen Sentir, Simon Vuarambon, Cocho, and more.
EG caught up with Gorje Hewek and some of the label artists to learn more about Peace Symphonies, its ethos, workflow, what they look for in each release, plans for the future, and more.
Electronic Groove: Hi Gorje! It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? What have you been up to?
Gorje Hewek: Hey guys! My biggest pleasure to chat with you. Currently, I’m enjoying the summertime. And the last weeks I’ve spent most of the time in the studio, and I’ve been very inspired and productive.
Electronic Groove: That’s great to hear. So, how has Peace Symphonies been? How’s the label at the moment?
Gorje Hewek: Things are, honestly, very good! We are very curious to see how the audience reacts and interacts with the music we publish and with the label atmosphere as a whole. Unique chemistry is created. Earlier this year, the first Peace Symphonies vinyl compilation was released, and a few more are on the way. In general, we have tons of ideas and plans for this and next year that cause us very excited!
Electronic Groove: How did Peace Symphonies come together? What is the original mission behind the label?
Gorje Hewek: I think it’s fair to say that, at the very beginning, I did not have a clear concept. Rather, there was a general mood and atmosphere where I would place a new label. I felt a lot of new music that I got last year didn’t fit well with the Shanti Radio label, which in turn has always been more of a selective gallery than a classic label. At the same time, it was kind of a new vibe, like fresh air at that moment. So I found that it might be a good idea to create a new record label based on that fresh feeling. To make it accessible, understandable, and close to the majority of people. Such a kind of folk project. To be also global, and comprehensive, reflect the mood of the day. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve this, Peace Symphonies is a rather young label, but with each release, we are getting closer to this.
Electronic Groove: Right now, the label is running into its 13th release, but there has been a very clear sonic thread uniting all the releases. How would you define the sound of the label by now?
Gorje Hewek: The main message of the label is about life-affirming and fundamental values, therefore Peace Symphonies music is based on that. Later this year we have several forthcoming releases, which can rightly be called songs rather than tracks for DJs. However, it will not be something like experiments, but part of future label philosophy. And perhaps it won’t be able to call it under any specific genre, but for now, we name it ‘Peace House’.
“I felt a lot of new music that I got last year didn’t fit well with the Shanti Radio label, which in turn has always been more of a selective gallery than a classic label. At the same time, it was kind of a new vibe, like fresh air at that moment. So I found that it might be a good idea to create a new record label based on that fresh feeling”
Electronic Groove: What about new music? How do you guys go about selecting which new submissions to sign? What do you generally look for? We know that most times, it also has to do with the artist behind the music. What do you look for there? Do you take ‘names’ into account?
Gorje Hewek: On Peace Symphonies, names don’t matter. We have already released (and there are several in the future) artists whose names the majority of our fans will hear and see for the first time. Some of them are even younger than twenty years old. But these are extremely talented musicians, with ambition and goals. Our doors are always open to such opportunities, and I love the idea that these musicians can grow and develop on and with the label platforms. But the main criteria, of course, remains the fact that we really adore everything that we release. This music accompanies us through life and it must be alive and real, have its place and meaning, and reflect the present day. If we feel it – this will be released!
Electronic Groove: What can you tell us about the artworks? How and why did you settle on that particular style? What are you looking to transmit through them? Do you see the artwork as a piece that can enhance or reinforce the message behind the music?
Gorje Hewek: I am absolutely sure of it! The harmoniously matched cover serves as the perfect and positive trigger for the music. It works the same way as, for example, just thinking about something or thinking, but also writing it down. Visual memory is a powerful tool. In terms of the Peace Symphonies style, I originally planned to work with several art studios and artists, and it was important to maintain visual agility to freely modify the general design.
This is a very creative and exciting process, but also more time-consuming and energy-intensive. The first covers turned out quite different, I tested various styles and collaborated with different artists. For example, the very first cover was drawn by a young artist who also created illustrations for Vogue magazine. That picture was already painted so we bought an exclusive license and if I’m not mistaken, it was the most expensive cover ever. But absolutely worth it. For the third release, the cover was created by the design studio. And one of the features then was that the customer could not influence the work. But I didn’t want to, because the first take turned out to be a legendary cover. Later, for the 8th release, the cover art was done by a fairly well-known artist in that specific genre, who also did covers for Garrix and his STMPD Records. Another work of hers was created for my ‘Humanrace Language’ set, which appeared at the end of last year on the Peace Symphonies platform. I am sure that this kind of process in itself always makes the covers unique.
Electronic Groove: Which release would you recommend to someone looking to get into the sound of Peace Symphonies? Any personal favorites?
Gorje Hewek: Each of them (as well as any forthcoming) is a part of label history, that I infinitely love. But if I have to name a few of those that have been released, then Makebo’s ‘Good Morning’ is a track that always works perfectly on the dance floor. Very positive, and always makes me smile. And the remix of ‘Jinx’ by Volen Sentir for Lost Desert & Hermanez – this is such a timeless track that turned out through perfect chemistry. The guys had been waiting for its release for about a year or so. But it was such a special and fabulous moment when it finally came out. Huge support and feedback turned up this release to second place on the Beatport Organic Best Sellers of 2021. For the label and artists, it was a great success and here I’ll pass the floor to the guys so they open the other side of production.
Lost Desert: The original ‘Jinx’ track I wrote back in 2013 and then totally forgot about it. Until my friend Hermanez came to the studio in 2018 and created that amazing groove so it started to sound fresh again! In addition, the original name of this track came from my studio hardware synth Roland, which is called the ‘JX305’ Groovesynth. So that main melody lead sound was recorded by that synth. Then Volen Sentir gave it yet another life with their stunning remix. Guys can tell up next.
Volen Sentir: When we heard the original track, it touched us from the first seconds. So we played it tons of times in live sets and included it in our All Day I Dream podcast in early 2020. Later, in April, the Peace Symphonies papa Gorje Hewek called us to try to remix ‘Jinx’. Taken that beautiful groove and flutes from the original track, we’ve been searching for a kind of flip side to the meaning of this word. At the same time, the pandemic struck the world, so we wanted to find some healing component that could become an elixir for all of us. That’s why the remix is called ‘Magic Healing’. And it is a true Symphony of Peace.
Makebo: ‘Good Morning’ is one of my favorite tracks I’ve recorded lately. It’s all about positive energy and without even a shadow of melancholy, which sometimes dominates in my music. The name of this track speaks for itself. I recorded it in early Spring morning over a cup of coffee. Since the northern climate is quite harsh for me, in Spring I always feel like a freshly blossomed flower. It was one of that magic mornings when the studio was filled with sunlight and chords were born quite naturally. Then everything turned out by itself – additional melodies, vocal samples, and the highlight – that guitar with sub synths repeating the same melody that appears in the breakdown. In one word – cute! This track always works so well on the dance floor and I love to follow the moments and see how people warm under these joy and happiness rays. Such tracks are obtained very quickly and created in one breath!
“The door of Peace Symphonies is always open to such opportunities, and I love the idea that these musicians can grow and develop on and with the label platforms. But the main criteria, of course, remains the fact that we really adore everything that we release”
Electronic Groove: How hard is it to grow while balancing the financial aspects of running a label and also trying to stay true to that initial artistic motivation that led to its foundation?
Gorje Hewek: I am sure that when you do what you truly love, you do not notice any difficulties along the way. But of course, Peace Symphonies was based on Shanti’s many years of experience. We have a brilliant team and well-established interaction within the label. At the same time, it’s something completely new. I see Peace Symphonies in a few years in a major label state, releasing a huge amount of very different and infinitely beautiful music. And this is exactly what we believe in and what for us today is true towards this label.
How successful we are in this, of course, is better to estimate from the outside. Therefore, here I’ll pass the answer next to the label artists so they share their feelings as well.
Cocho: To me, Peace Symphonies means quality. Not talking only about the music, but also the message that transmits. It’s also a huge label to develop established and emergent artists, so we can call it “a good opportunity”. I remember when the label started and it was a dream for me to release music there. I instantly understood where Peace Symphonies goes, I think we all did. Also the music style it’s totally following a line, that’s identity. We can’t leave aside the label name, I think all its message is resumed on that. We all need this kind of peace in our daily lives. And it even feels smooth to say “Peace Symphonies”! (laughter)
DSF: I agree with Cocho, the first word that comes to my mind to describe Peace Symphonies as the label is quality. When you just see a new label release without even listening to it, you know it’s going to be something special. Label’s art, artist roster, releases everything is perfect. Gorje and the team have the proper experience to make everything work perfectly and people appreciate it by supporting the label and sending every release at the top of the charts.
Electronic Groove: What else can we expect from Gorje Hewek and Peace Symphonies in the future? What plans are in store for the brand?
Gorje Hewek: Currently, we are really in a very active and creative state. Ideas are pouring over the edge and we’ll try to implement most of them on the label platform. In Autumn, my second album will be released with Peace Symphonies, which sounds significantly different from everything that I was released before. The first singles from it will appear in mid-Summer. More to this, we are scheduled to release a plenty amount of music this year, so the next months look very exciting!
Also, would like to inform all vinyl lovers – every PS release/single will be pressed as a VA on vinyl too. The 2nd and 3rd compilations are on the way. Frankly, I still experience joyful excitement when picking up physical records!
Electronic Groove: Thank you so much for your time, Gorje! We wish you and Peace Symphonies all the best for the future!
Gorje Hewek: A million thanks! It was a real pleasure.
Follow Peace Symphonies: Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram | Bandcamp
Follow Gorje Hewek: Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram | Spotify
