We had the good fortune of connecting with Reza Akhavan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reza, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from New Jersey and now in north LA county. During the 20 years I’ve been here I’ve fallen into lots of roles. I worked in entertainment and digital media during college, and spent a few years running with a crew from Korea that threw parties in K Town and Hollywood. I was an in house DJ for one of the first and last record stores off Ventura Blvd. Even though what I do is trance or whatever, I was impacted by the attitude of LA hip hop culture. All this craziness gave me what I needed to turn Exist in Sound from an idea into a real thing. I like to see us as somewhere in between underground and encouraging do challenge ourselves to grow and make a bigger impact in turn to the dance music world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m not quite old enough to be part of the 90’s era but close. The scene was dangerous back then, it was part of why we liked it. Phone lists, address drops, meet up spots, converted warehouses 10 stories high, NYC was the real deal. Big corporate sponsors, investment capitalists, on hand security and medical personnel weren’t a thing yet. There were some big parties but nightclubs dominated the space. Places like Webster Hall NYC put out their own albums and clubs ran their own labels. When it comes to producing my own music now I try to paint an auditory explanation of all that synesthesia I experienced back then. I make music more like a late 90’s techno band would versus what a studio producer usually does. For me it’s about music with forward momentum. I need music to slay dragons to which takes more energy and force than what pure uplifting trance can offer. I blend the two together.

My biggest challenge was to not block myself from starting this label in the first place. I now believe that making moves in the moment matters. There is no perfect opportunity or situation to get started from. So, the sooner the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If this is their first visit, weekdays are a good chance to hit up tourist attractions like the Griffith Observatory or the Getty Museum. LA’s aquarium and zoo are a win if you are a family person too. The beaches from Venice southward are good times. A Dodgers game is peak LA. I wouldn’t think about shopping much, or Beverly these days. Go do stuff instead. My favorite clubs would be Avalon or Exchange LA but smaller venues like The Virgil Bar have cool themed parties. Cruise by 1720 and cntrl / control for a real good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Regarding Exist in Sound, the first person to mind is Manu, owner of Progressive Vibes Music in Spain. His label was my first professional contact and affiliate. He was the first to grant me licenses to tracks from a label catalog.
I include these tracks in our yearly compilation album. On our 3rd year now! The PVM roster is top shelf Trance.
PVM was also the first label to add my DJ show to their promo list for upcoming releases from their labels. Things started up from there. Then shout out also to the A&R at Black Hole Records, Ablazing, Armada, and Interplay Records, And that’s just naming a few! Everyone is real cool. Shout out to my Label Artists as well as the network
of DJ I partner up with. This is what we do every week!

Website: https://existinsound.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/existinsound

Facebook: https://facebook.com/existinsound

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@existinsound

Image Credits
Amanda Darling, Sibylion, Juan Alamos, Q-Lee

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