Cream Boxing Day beckons for our favourite Italian producer as he releases ‘Back To The Pump’
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Benny welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“Hi Dan, on my way to Asia for a tour!”
A massive new tune ‘Back To The Pump’ swinging our way through Ultra Records on November 15th – talk us through the track…
“It is simply the sequel to my track “House Music”, that’s probably the best way I could describe it.”
You have the UK rubbing their hands in glee yet again, this time due to your return to British shores for Cream’s Boxing Day Special in Liverpool. You have always had a great rapport with the UK’s clubbers, you must really be looking forward to this ace Liverpool festive show to leave home at Christmas?
“I can’t wait, it’s one of the best parties in the Cream calendar – I am really excited to be playing it.”
You rocked Marquee in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, we interviewed Paul Oakenfold last month when he claimed that Sin City would always be about the party and not about a musically knowledgeable crowd. Thoughts on that?
“I guess its true, Vegas is the party city but at the same time people discover music that way so it’s a good thing.”
When you are on tour, one of the things you love to do is hire a bike and go exploring. What is the most beautiful city you look forward to returning to, and where have you discovered for the first time this year?
“I loving cycling round Vanvouver, it’s beautiful and very bike friendly.”
Fact or fiction : You once got away paying a bill at a top Manhatten restaurant because the staff thought you were Robert Downey Jr?
“Fact.”
Yourself and Alle try and keep it simple with your production and every ten years or so you make a record that crosses over. “It just happens” you claim, “and it helps keep the dream alive”. So is commercial success the dream for you, many producers just enjoy making music to keep people dancing…?
“Not really, commercial success is the lucky outcome of a good track. Like I said, “it just happens”.”
Talk us through the studio production process you two have, who excels where?
“In the studio it’s Alle and I, it’s a total team effort. Alle is the musician and producer, I bring ideas about riffs, structure and sounds.”
Do you ever argue about music?
“We have the occasional “creative discussion”, yes!”
What can you tell us about the new album that is in the pipeline?
“It’s coming soon, and I hope you like it! That’s all I’m going to say!”
You met John Legend who featured on your ‘Dance The Pain Away’ recent single after meeting at Coachella. But you didn’t actually get into the studio together to create this monster?
“No we first met at Coachella as you say when he joined me on the stage. We did the rest via the internet.”
Where have been some of the stand out gigs of the summer for you?
“I always love playing at Marquee in Las Vegas, I played a few shows in Ibiza at Ushuaia which were amazing too.”
I interviewed Kaz James this week, something he said was kinda interesting…”I don’t think it’s necessary these days to actually be a good DJ like it was 15 years ago at the start of my career. These days you can get away with pressing play on a laptop.” Discuss…
“As long as you play good music, and people enjoy it, that is all that really matters.”
A quote from a certain superstar DJ from earlier this summer…”It was different when I started out back in the day, there was no glamour side of travelling around the world, getting paid fortunes for gigs, it was all about the music. I think people get into it for all the wrong reasons today.” Do you agree with those sentiments?
“To some extent, yes. But you can’t fool people for long. If you’re not passionate about the music, it shows.”
Fact or fiction? A clubber once asked you to stop playing your records at a club to announce their engagement?
“Fact!”
What is coming out next from the mighty Benny Benassi studio?
“Alle and I are working on a follow up to “Back To The Pump”, although it sounds more like a follow up to “Cinema”…and then the album!”
In an interview you were once asked… “Benny, House music has taken off in America, why has it taken so long?” To which you replied…”Hey, I’m Italian and live in Italy. You’re asking me?” – which we loved at DMC! So here is a question for you regarding YOUR home country…In the 90s Italy ruled the roost when it came to producers, now it’s Sweden and The Netherlands leading the way. Slowly the Italians are coming again, but what happened for so long – why the huge down numbers in great Italian producers?
“I think it’s just natural that music comes and goes in waves and the sounds change as do the people. Us Italians having been doing our own thing for a while and we always will, it will be the Swedes time again soon and the Dutch.”
And finally, Christmas is around the corner – what does Benny Benassi want from Santa Claus this year?
“A new bike!
Cream Boxing Night Special, Liverpool, Thursday 26th December 2013.
Featuring Benny Benassi, Laidback Luke, Eddie Halliwell, Deniz Koyu & Danny Avila, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Third Party, Chicane, Tenisha, Gareth Wyn, Tim Mason, Anthony Probyn, Bryan Kearney, Ben Gold and Rob Harnetty.
