It's been 17 years since Omid started his Alola imprint, a label that has since seen an impressive array of progressive house tunes by names such as Vince Watson, Trevor Loveys, Idjut Boys and Mr. C, amongst many others. Now, after eight years of silence, Omid is breathing new life into his Alola imprint; two label compilations have just been released, mixed by Omid and long time SOS buddy Demi. The coming months will see the release of more compilations featuring the most precious gems from Alola’s back catalogue, previously unreleased material and completely new tracks. A perfect opportunity for us to go for a chat with the Omid himself.
Hey Omid, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. What have you been up to as of late? Just working on an advert request from my publisher for a computer game, I have only 24 hours to complete as I’m flying to Asia for a 3 day tour tomorrow morning. Apart from that working on a new album and keeping my self sane, somehow!
You recently released two Alola label compilations, one of which is mixed by yourself. How did the idea for these compilations come about? The re-launch of Alola meant a concept had to be in place if we wanted it to have full effect, so we decided to introduce the material with mix compilations from a range of DJs to spread the music through a year rather than have it thrown out there all at once.
Your long-term SOS buddy Demi mixed the other compilation. How do you look back on working with Demi over the years? As a DJ he has always been fun and playful, so we’ve always had a similar vision in what we’ve always wanted for the group. I’m a couple of years older and more experienced so I tend to take the responsible role more often, but I also see him as my little brother, hence why its so funny how he sometimes older brothers me (LOL) and tries to keep me away from trouble. In the studio he is really coming along as a producer and has had no fear in trying things that may seem impossible and that’s why I love him so much and I know he is a brother for life!
The idea theme of the compilations is described as the past, present and future falling in sync, can you explain what you mean by that? In the essence of timelessness there is no past or future, just now. So it's about the music coming together in a definitive moment where it all sits together in harmony and falls into place. The idea of the “past present and future” first came about when I did “Everything, All Of Them, Every Year “ on Alola, which was our first in-house compilation released in 2001. “Sounds Like Alola” is a continuation of that concept I guess...
The compilations celebrate 17 years of Alola. What has been the idea behind the label launch in the first place? In your own words, how would you describe the developments the label has been through? So much good music!
What is your all-time favourite Alola track? 16B “Secrets” was a turning point in my life and it put me on the map, but all that aside, it still pours magic into my heart when I hear it, as if I never made it and somebody else did.
From 2003 onwards it has become a little quiet around the label, what was the reason for that? When myself and Demi started with SOS we didn’t expect it to turn into the monster it has turned into. We did it on an occasional basis, but it was so much fun we started doing more SOS shows and before we knew it the touring was taking up most of our lives. It would have been silly for me to continue Alola at the time when I just didn’t have the space to get involved as much as I like to. That’s the main reason it stopped.
What can we expect from Alola in coming months? Just released is my “At Night EP”, followed by another Omid 16B single, then we have a new Pete Moss track, Oliver Molden and an SOS track, just to name a few, but look out for a few surprises too!
Obviously there will be more Alola compilations in the near future. Could you name-drop a few of who are going to helm them? Pete Moss, Oliver Molden, Mr C, Tom Budden, so far…
Any final words of wisdom to our readers? Anything goes... Where there is purpose with a goal, there is no limit to what one can achieve. Listen to your self more than any one else. There’s a hidden key deep inside us all and it will open most doors.
We would like to thank Omid for his time. Check out the Alola compilations right below!
Your long-term SOS buddy Demi mixed the other compilation. How do you look back on working with Demi over the years? 
