Leo Surprenant
Overview
An individual with many passions, Leo Surprenant resides in Los Angeles, California, and actively pursues performing as a deejay of trance music, a diverse genre of music with a multidisciplinary history. Trance music enjoyed its conception in the 1990s and bears influences from the similar niches of house and techno music. Trance music generally contains more patterns than techno, which often does not feature a melody and possesses a higher rhythmic composition than house. Popular in clubs and dance venues, trance music aims to bring the listener to a slightly altered mental consciousness in which movement feels free and welcome. Trance music stands as a multifaceted form of expression that may begin slowly and build to a climax, often with several waves of musical progression and a subtle close that peters out. Leo Surprenant knows many trance songs that are unique in their expression of a whole, as the pieces evolve and expand throughout their play. Trance music may present the integration of a number of musical instruments or musical processes, but those most commonly found are kick drums, snare rolls, arpeggios, and repetitive melodies that persist throughout the piece. Since its conception, trance music has come to incorporate a number of sub-niches, among them vocal trance, which utilizes pop music–inspired vocals; dream trance, which strives to create a slow and soothing sonic environment; and acid trance, which focuses on a sequenced melody created by a synthesizer. Today, the most popular trance deejays include Paul Van Dyk, Above and Beyond, Judge Jules, Armin van Buuren, and Paul Oakenfold. Armin van Buuren holds a place as a particular favorite of Leo Surprenant.