D Unity is one of the day’s definitive tech house talents. For proof just look at the latest track, Fired Up, which features Matt Sassari, and has been released on Carl Cox’s seminal Intec Digital label. It is an explosive, groove driven tune that will light top dance floors and is lighting up the charts having just climbed into Beatport’s Top 10 Techno tunes. As well as that the Canadian has also recently remixed Marshall Jefferson and is soon to play at Egg London once more for the Sabajaq event with the likes of Alberto Ruiz on June 25th. Ahead of that we caught up with him to ask about how he feels working with Carl Cox, about his process in the studio and about the label he runs as well as more besides.
Interview by Rob Chadwick
How are you? What’s been good good and bad so far this summer?
Hey Guys! Summers are never bad! Always trying to keep busy!
How does it feel to have people like Carl Cox playing your jams? is that important to you?
Totally. Carl Cox was one of main main influences before entering the techno world when I was just a kid. To have him play my tunes or have my recent track “Fired up” with Matt Sassari signed to his label Intec Digital is truly amazing!
Does it add pressure next time you are int the studio – do you think about who might play your jams when producing?
I mean…I do what I love to do at a given time in the studio. I don’t do it for specific Djs to play my tracks….that’s not the point. Of course I have to stick to a more specific D-Unity Style when making my tracks but those can take different turns at times. My idea is to always make what I love in terms of style….and hey, if everyone is enjoying it and playing the tracks, I guess I’m doing my job!
What do you think about in the studio? Are you imaging a certain dancefloor or moment in the night?
Yea that sometimes comes into play. I take my inspiration from everywhere. It could be from gigs, or a certain night out with friends. Sometimes when I wake up I go more deep, sometimes more big room , it really depends on the mood I’m in and feeling at the time.
You release on many different labels – do you tailor your sound to each one, do you make sounds that suit certain labels? Or do you just make your music then see who wants it?
When I aim for bigger labels like Intec with certain releases, of course I try to keep it my style, because then it would not make it a “D-Unity” track, but at the same time it is important to keep the label happy as well with the sound they represent.
You also have your own label right? What is the style of it? How do you know what to release?
The idea for Unity Records was to release exclusive , more ethnic influenced style of techno from the biggest and most talented Djs / Producers out here. More darker, old skool, 909 warehouse style techno…. With a little touch of the new skool tech! We got some more exclusive tracks coming this year from Myself, Boris, Alberto Ruiz, Arjun Vagale, Etai Tarazi and many others…
What are the best and worst things about running a label in these modern days? Is it a hard job?
I would say that beginnings are a bit hard just like in any business. Things like building up your rep, getting features on beatport, gaining new contacts etc… but once you get it rolling and start setting your releases months in advance…..it’s quite fun haha!
You play the Sabajaq event at Egg in London soon – what you expecting? How do you like playing London?
It was few months since last time I played @ Egg LDN. It was a banging party and can’t wait to rock it this time on June 25th with my boys Alberto Ruiz and Loco & Jam.
And what should people expect? Will you play anything special for that party, do you think about sets ahead of time?
Will definitely focus on some unreleased material and follow up with some ethnic / tribal influenced D-Unity techno. But hey! you never know where the night might take us!
What have you got coming up over summer/what are you looking forward to?
As of now the schedule is a bit crazy in terms of gigs. I got another European Tour coming up next week following with with another Asian and South American Tours right after. When it comes to releases , I got some new bombs and remixes coming up for Pig & Dan, Alberto Ruiz, Marshall Jefferson and my own exclusive tracks on Unity Records which are constantly being played by Adam Beyer. Watch Out!