As the Genre of Progressive House reaches the dizzy heights it has in America in the last few years, the purveyors of that sound have come to prominence. One such man is Chris Fortier. His recognition has soared from just those in the US to audiences to as far as Japan and Europe. Back Home, Chris is doing a phenomenal job with the Balance Promotion Group, a group that continues to fuel the fire of the progressive scene in America.

It hasn’t always been this big though, far from it. “There haven’t been one or two things that have exploded our scene. We have still a lot of work to do. It has been a long road full or hard work for all of us. There are a handful of us that have been there from the start in the latter part of the 80's, and we have just kept trying to get the music out there. There are some heavy UK influences, which have been positive as well as some negative UK influences as well”. With Dance music booming in all corners of the earth, Chris is quick to realise that the global nature of the scene has really helped develop American Dance culture, “One thing though that has helped the music grow is the Internet. We don’t have national radio or a strong dance music press, so the Internet has been the one constant helping spread the word”.

So with the Dance culture growing throughout the 90’s in America, I then asked Chris how he found inspiration. “In the beginning, when I first starting going out to clubs, I was inspired by Kimball Collins and Dave Cannalte. They were the kings of the clubs. They created magic and it was great to learn from them”. As well as these fine US DJ’s, Fortier found 2 certain English jocks as great influences, “then we discovered Sasha and then Digweed. John and Sasha are still influences, but not just DJ’ing, for all that they are doing. They are great leaders for dance music”. As well as personal influences Chris also found the works of Sasha & Digweed of great influence. “Northern Exposure 1 was a landmark. It really changed the way compilations are structured. Well at least the ones I like! The whole series has been great! The renaissance series as well! More the early renaissance ones rather then the last few”.

As the years pass, Progressive House needs new ways to re-invent itself, ways to ‘progress’ into the years ahead. Where did Mr Fortier think we were heading? “It is really hard to predict where music is going. I think a bit more melody is coming back. Some more musicality, but with technology, the possibilities are endless!” But as with all music genres’, the journey starts with the music makers. “Producers need to not be afraid of experimenting. That is where we will get new sounds and trends”.

In the time being however, Chris has put the finishing touches to the latest instalment in the Bedrock series, following fine efforts from John Digweed and compatriot Jimmy Van M. “I am extremely pleased with the album. I spent a lot of time and effort looking for tracks to use and went through my entire record collection to make sure I considered everything. I took my time to put the mix together and really feel it is the best I could have done”. After giving the mix more than a few listens, I thoroughly agree with him! The CD shows where Chris is as a DJ, it shows that all the years of hard work and persistence has more than paid off.

Featuring in the mix is one of Chris’s very own productions, ‘Losing Wait’. I asked Chris whether or not we would see more results from his time in the studio. I was not disappointed! “‘Losing Wait’ is the first thing I have done solo, and yes I will be doing more stuff. I have almost finished the next single and have done a handful of remixes as well, of PQM’s ‘Everyday’, Karen Lehner’s ‘Made to Order’, Lovesky’s ‘Runaway’, and something new for a Japanese label”. His move to New York has encouraged him to produce alone, he states, “I can’t get together with Neil Kolo in the studio as much as I would like now that I live in New York, so making my own tracks has been really great”. If you have heard ‘Losing Wait’, you would agree that it has not only been great for Chris.

So what can we look out for from Chris Fortier? The year ahead seems a busy one for the man, so he isn’t looking too far ahead of himself. “My main priority is the Bedrock cd. I am focused on the release and the tour involved too. The tour is quite extensive and it hasn’t left me much time for anything else. I have some studio commitments for some remixes and a couple more original tracks as well, but beyond DJ’ing and the studio, there isn’t much else. These will take me through to the end of the year easily”.

Apart from music, I was interested to find out what a globetrotting DJ like Chris gets up to from his time away from his duties. “I don’t have much time for anything else the last few years. I have a record label and my promotions company balance promote group. So if I am not DJ’ing, I am tending to those obligations”. Surely it can’t be all Music and no play! “To relax and get away I go to a beach somewhere and just sit there. I watch films, and just do nothing but sleep and eat, something I don’t get to do much of when on the road”. A normal life one would assume, far from his abnormally good talent at the decks.

Talents that have taken Chris over the earth’s reach to different clubs worldwide. Any favourites I ask? “I like a lot of different clubs for different reasons. Each country has one club I like a lot”, which then proceeds me to ask about a favourite country he has visited. “Some standouts that I have enjoyed the past few years have been America of course, Mexico is great. Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Greece, Holland, the UK for sure as well”. Chris concludes, “I have met a lot of great people all over the world. It has been great!”

It can only get better Mr Fortier.