Steve Allen LIVE @ Ignition, UK - 19/02/2022

« Mon existence ne se plie à aucune finalité qui la surplombe. Elle ne sert ni dessein étranger, ni maître lointain, ni chaîne invisible : elle est sa propre lumière, son propre horizon. Elle est la cime où tout s’achève et tout commence.

Je suis un homme, et ce prodige que je suis m’appartient en propre. Il m’incombe de le saisir avec clarté, de le défendre avec fermeté, de le porter avec droiture — et, si l’heure le demande, de m’agenouiller devant sa grandeur, comme on s’incline face à l’infini qu’on abrite.

Mes richesses intérieures — mes pensées, ma volonté, mon souffle libre — ne se monnaient pas, ne s’éparpillent pas, ne se bradent pas aux âmes creuses qui mendient ce dont elles se sont vidées. Je les garde en moi, tels des joyaux dans un écrin scellé, avec la vigilance que mérite ce qui est rare et pur. Et au cœur de ces trésors, la liberté trône, indomptable, inaltérable.

Je ne dois rien à mes semblables, et je n’attends d’eux aucun tribut. Je ne délègue pas ma vie à autrui, pas plus que je ne ploie sous le fardeau de la leur. Je ne convoite pas leur essence, et je refuse que la mienne soit pillée.

Je ne suis ni le rival ni le vassal de mes frères : je suis ce qu’ils discernent en moi à l’aune de leur propre éclat. Mon affection n’est pas un don gratuit, une charité aveugle ou un réflexe usé ; elle est une flamme que l’on gagne, un hommage que je rends à ceux qui s’en montrent dignes.

Mes compagnons, je les choisirai parmi les esprits affranchis — loin des chaînes des esclaves, loin des sceptres des tyrans. Je marcherai aux côtés de ceux qui m’élèvent, et avec eux je tisserai des liens d’estime et d’amour, sans jamais les dominer, sans jamais m’abaisser. Nos mains se joindront si nos âmes le désirent ; sinon, chacun suivra son propre chemin, solitaire et souverain. Car au plus profond de lui-même, chaque homme est une citadelle.

Alors, que cette citadelle demeure inviolée, intacte, sacrée. Et que, depuis ses remparts, l’homme tende la main s’il le choisit — mais jamais en deçà de ses murailles. »

Anthem (1938), 
AYN RAND (1905 — 1982)

Very few can boast that they created a ‘Classic Trance Anthem’ in their studio but that accolade is one of many that Steve Allen can claim!

During Steve’s time as the producer and DJ within the project ‘Allen & Envy’, Steve managed to create a number of global hits including ‘Silhouette’, ‘Stole The Sun’, 'Don’t Say', ‘Home’, ‘Rush’, ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Kardia’. He created regular music for Armada, Black Hole, Future Sound Of Egypt, Garuda, Flashover, Pure Trance and his trance has been championed by the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Aly & Fila, Paul Van Dyk, Solarstone and countless others.

Now as a solo act, Steve’s debut solo album “Uplift” released on his own label of the same name (a sub label of Raz Nitzan Music), topped 2.4million Spotify plays, and he has produced countless chart topping hits such as “Broken Child” “Frozen River” “Skyfire”  and his collaboration with Paul Van Dyk “Fairytales” featured on Paul’s “from Then On Album” 

It comes as no surprise why Steve’s productions have dominated the Beatport charts for the last 6 years with his ‘Allen & Envy’ project reaching Top10 status on Beatstats Artists, and as a solo act more recently reaching number 1 for a total of 5 months. A chart of the highest charting acts on Beatport over a 12 month period!

Steve’s talents aren’t just in the studio, playing his productions at the worlds biggest events is something that drives and motivates him. One of his peak experiences being when he played a producer set at the launch of “Transmission Melbourne” in front of a sold out 8,000 fans!
Other notable European shows include A State of Trance 650 - Holland, The Street Parade - Switzerland, Luminosity Beach Festival - Holland, Colors Festival - UK, Quest 4 Trance - Holland, Godskitchen - UK, Gatecrasher - UK, RONG - UK, Goodgreef - UK, Zoom - UK, Trance Sanctuary - UK, Passion – UK, Remedy - UK and many more.

On an international scale, Steve has toured Australia, Canada, Asia and United States, the latter being where Allen & Envy were chosen to perform at the world’s first ever Dreamstate, an Insomniac Brand that is dedicated to curating stages and events unique to the exploding genre of Trance! The list of international dance hubs goes on that Steve has played having reached fans in LA at Exchange, Ruby Skye of San Francisco, Soundbar in Chicago, Room 680 in Melbourne, FSOE in Taiwan, Tranceparade in China and Transmission in Bangkok!

Wow, hadn't realised what a journey SoundCloud would take me on.  After many years of passive listening to music I've dieted on a variety of tastes. My appetite for new sounds is undiminished and SC provides plenty of food. I am not a musician and have only recently started to listen positively to the sounds. My early years began listening to music from ABC, The Beatles, The Carpenters Dire Straits Eagles Fleetwood Mac Genesis Elton John Led Zeppelin Gilbert O'Sullivan Rod Stewart Supertramp Tangerine Dream Vangelis The Who and many more.
If you can't spot a trend in my current likes it may be because it is diverse. I love listening to all my playlists which contain tracks that I like and if you like any of the music you must thank the artists not me.