The Italian superstar knows how to get this party started right. Another classic via Defected filling those festive dancefloors…
Interview by Dan Prince
Phra a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD. Where in the world are you right now?
Hi Dan and thanks for having me…right now I’m in Milano getting ready to jump on a plane to New York for a really exciting weekend in North America.
The best piece of new music you have heard since rolling out bed today?
I woke up with my lady blasting Ella Fitzgerald “Rudolph” – strong Christmas atmosphere in here.
A brilliant way to round off 2016 with the release of your new single ‘Get My Mind Right’, a beautiful vocal house monster featuring LA’s Mike City. Please talk us through the sound and history of the track…
I produced the beat for “Get my mind right” at my “summer” studio down in the south of Italy, it’s incredible how much the sun and sea influenced the overall sound. Chopping the Mike City vocal and adding that “little-cat” type of synth came during a very interesting party in my house there…just good vibes.
2016 has seen you forge a really close relationship with Defected, not only bringing us perhaps the best set at the Defected Croatia Festival but also mixing part of the first ever Defected In The House Croatia album AND remixing Anabel Englund’s ‘London Heartache’. Let’s kick off with the festival, what were some of your highlights…were you expecting such a massive one?
I was definitely super mega excited to be part of the Defected Croatia line up…for me it’s been absolutely amazing and I’ve probably had my #1 fan moment when, after my set at Barbarella’s the Master Kenny Dope introduced himself, giving me props for my sound. I generally speak a lot (even if I have weird English) but that night I was in SSSSH mode for hours, just keeping my happiness inside.
Loving the ‘London Headache’ mix, what is coming next from you via Defected?
I’ve got the next track “Innocent” with an amazing remix from Kai Alce ready for release next year. The Defected team are hooking me up with some amazing acapellas to use so I can’t really wait to do more!
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
*Coldcut – Only Heaven (Matthew Herbert remix)
I’m a huge fan of Herbert’s sound and I think his groove in this remix is incredible.
*AlexKid – Don’t Hide It
Andy from Defected came to visit me in my studio and reminded me of the existence of this tune. So many memories of me playing it back when it was released… just the right vibe for me.
*Jesse Perez – Fake
It’s the perfect combo of groove and “ghetto” style that I love.
*Salute – One More Chance (Karma Kid remix)
Vibe is crazy on this one…I’m blasting it in studio with my friends every day since I got this.
*JayLib – Da Rawkus
It’s so good to listen back to some Dilla/Madlib stuff – incredible to know it’s a 2002 track but it’s still sounding fresher than most of the stuff out there still!
Your favorite tune of 2016?
Mr.Oizo – No Tony feat. Phra
Club of 2016?
I had an amazing time at RAZZMATAZZ
Film you saw…
Narcos
Album you checked out…
NxWorries – Yes lawd!
DJ set you witnessed
DumbBlonde at Milan Fashion Week
Let’s skip forward 12 months, what do you want to have achieved by this time next year?
I’d like to discover a way to smile even when in trouble and to find a way to do poached eggs that actually works all the time.
And finally, it’s Chriiiiiiiiistmas!! What gift do you want Santa to bring down your chimney this year?
The one that Sandra (my lady) is gonna bring me this year, I still don’t know what it is, but she’s the best at choosing gifts…
