#RvC Ask: Cosmic Gate

We have a wish list about who we want to interview. On SHVR Ground Festival 2017, we can scratch one list because we finally can interview Cosmic Gate! Nic Chagall and Bossi answers our questions about their new album and secret of working together as Cosmic Gate.

Can you tell us about your latest album, Materia?
Bossi: It’s music, and to talk about music only make sense into a certain point. We always say it’s here (point his chest). It’s a feeling. That’s why we’re having Wake Your Mind and Start To Feel. When we start writing new album, we had to feel it first. After finishing the album before touring, we have something new to tell. We just write music without really putting our head on. We just try to feel and just go.
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Materia is a Latin word for matter, which is the smallest particle, basically. We found it very much basic, so back to small particle of what Cosmic Gate is. What we did during our early years but also keeping it very modern, on point and up to date. Pretty much a perspective of what we’ve been and what we are. The name Cosmic Gate and Materia, we felt it fits very well. Writing music is writing music. We want people to feel the same like we do.

How about the featuring artists? How you select them?
Nic Chagall: It’s always mix. Sometimes with people that we see on tour and get along very well and say “Hey let’s do a track together”. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. With the singers, we make the music first. Then we have some people in mind that we think fit well on that demo. Then, when we send it out to few people, we got lots of submission. We listen to lot of new singers, too. We work with people we really like to work with.
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Bossi: In the end, it’s the feeling again. When they write a vocal, do they take a moment of it and continue the story we started with our music? Can they add something to it? Can we feel it? If the answer is yes, then they’re onboard. If we feel it, we got to do it. Like Emma (Hewitt), for example. We have a mindset that pretty much alike. That’s why we come together quite often and maybe when Materia Chapter 2 coming, we’ll see.

You’ve been work together for almost 19 years, what’s the strength of each other that make Cosmic Gate work together?
Bossi: I think we have very different kind of strength and we combine it. We’re basically like old couple (laughs).
Nic Chagall: In terms of studio production, we really know how to handle each other. Feel whatever they feel. If one of us feel down, the other gives some space. Musically, and luckily, we have exact same mind.

Bossi: Play us twenty tracks and for 19 of it, we have the exact same opinion. For example, we listen to the track we’re working with someone else. Then we’re getting on our WhatsApp and ask the opinion. He mentioned few things, and I was like “You’re speaking out of my heart!”

The chemistry and feeling that we have in music makes us different than others and that’s what makes Cosmic Gate unique, I guess. That’s why not so many duo can go around for so long.

You’ve been visiting Indonesia few times. Do you find each visit different?
Bossi: It’s kinda hard to see the differences when you come to the city. You go to the hotel, you play the show, and you leave again. Sometimes we feel that the scene and the city so strong, because when you come, there’s a great party and stuff. Jakarta always makes us feel very appreciated. People send us very good vibe. We always happy to be back to Jakarta and glad to be part of whole thing.

What can we expect from Cosmic Gate’s set at SHVR Ground Festival 2017?
Nic Chagall: Of course, from new album, Materia. Lot of tracks will come tonight.

Bossi: But we only have one hour! It’s very short! (laughs)

Nic Chagall: We always play back to back and we don’t like to prepare sets. Of course, we listen to all new songs and we have everything with us, but we don’t know exactly what we’re gonna play. We hate that. We want to feel the vibe of the people. When we know we only have one hour, we know it’s gonna be tough.

Bossi: Even two hours feel short to us. We have 7 albums, right?

Nic Chagall: There are people want to hear some classics.  There’s also people who wants to hear new songs.

Bossi: If we play every track, maybe we will play for two days! (laughs) It’s good people is interested and they’re listening.

Nic Chagall: What can you expect is the usually thing that we do. Build the vibe and then go with the flow, try to create good atmosphere.


From what we saw that night, Cosmic Gate really delivered what they told us. The crowd went crazy. Cosmic Gate dropped new and classic tracks, all crowd danced and sang together. Cosmic Gate is all about feeling and passion when it comes to music. We hope every time you listen to their music, you will feel alive and full of love, just like they hoped for.

​Thank you Cosmic Gate!