The DJ’s DJ – the boy is back in town…
Interview : Dan Prince
Danny really good to speak to you again. The last time I interviewed you, you were sitting in your New York home on your laptop, in bed with your pyjamas on. Where in the world are you right now?
“Hey Dan, thanks, same here. Right now I am just settling here in Ibiza and will be traveling to London, Scotland and Italy as well as back here all in the next 3 weeks, having just arrived from performing in NY on Saturday and then Sunday in Canada. I want the world to know that I am back in a strong way and loving it as much as ever.”
An interesting thing you brought up on your Facebook page this week – BPMs and in particular classic tunes under the 115/120 radar. I interviewed Frankie Knuckles last week, his latest track he made a conscious decision to drop the BPM down, get people back in the groove. Is house music going this way once again? We hope so…
“Well, I always agreed with the cliche “less is better” as it has many ‘meaningful’ meanings. I always took notice that even back in the disco and paradise garage days that tracks and songs often sounded better if pitched down just a bit even if the original tempo was just 120. When I ventured into forms of techno in the early 90’s it was entirely because of the pitch feature and was taking many great tracks that (IMO) sounded awful and wrong at their original tempos, which were usually well above 130 and even often above 140. I would record them to CD or Reel and get them right below 130 allowing room for mixing and basically to bring out the latin percussions, soul and funk that was basically lost or hidden. Most of my favorite techno tracks had many incredible rhythm patterns but made no sense to me unless they were much slower. When below 120 it’s far away from techno and hits closer to home with “funk & soul” and this has been missing on major dance floors since the late 80’s around the time when Soul to Soul made such a powerful impact and then came the flood of very slow tracks and wanna be’s which for me was then becoming a bit way too slow i.e. Lisa Stansfield’s “Been around the world” or Madonna’s “Keep it Together” and so on. Great tunes but the 110 zone only had my interest (mid-gig) for about 20 minutes and then it was all about bringing the energy back up above to 120-130ish. As a regular resident DJ back in the 70’s and 80’s it was entirely normal to change up the energy after a while. Some how we found a way to get from a faster Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder hit to eventually coming around to song’s like “love thang” by first choice and the energy and response was somewhat equal even though tempos could have been extremely different. Back then “A Hit Was A Hit”…I could probably give a few hundred examples but I think you get my drift. Lastly, do I feel it’s going back in this direction? Well, I hope not too much because I love variety and I wouldn’t want to play for a crowd that only preferred I played near 120 and under. I’m too hyper and without a residency to tell a full story from when doors are opening to closing, well, there is not much time these days for me to be playing laid back music in these large arena’s and venues that I get booked in. However, I do not rule out eventually having a proper residency one day soon in NYC where I can do long and proper journeys weekly and host many wonderful guest DJs as well.”
Another thing Mr Knuckles mentioned was Wavefront in Chicago – how wild was that? Great to see the windy city has a high profile event to hang it’s hat on. Even if you were covered with bugs all night!
“LoL Those bugs bugged me out! It looked like it was literally snowing! Wavefront was an awesome festival overall, however, I feel that when playing in a non covered area or big field is probably the furthest we can get from the word “intimacy” which is normally what makes me feel the most comfortable and at home. When playing festivals and in with just 2 hours or less, it’s just not something that feels natural for me and is quite honestly harder for me than a 16 hour set. I mean this with all sincerity. Overall, I had a great time but it was over in the blink of an eye and then I usually leave there extremely unsatisfied. Hard to explain it all.”
In a time when producers turn up with pre-recorded sets and ‘play’ for an hour, you are truly a legend. How does Danny Tenaglia approach a 12 hour set in 2013? Stereo in Montreal last week received the full DT treatment…!
“I work my tits off going thru music (both new and older) and I just get so engulfed in it and often pull many marathons just giving myself various options with each category which usually consists of: tracks I worked on in the studio whether by simply editing to extend or shorten in order to get the best from them or more often with adding sounds and effects to make it sound more relevant with today’s newer music i.e. by adding kick drums on top, hats, loops, acapellas, plug in effects and sometimes even my own vocal concept like I just got inspired to do for this tour by utilizing 2 Layo & Bushwacka tracks that I randomly had played together in Traktor and got inspired to add a simple vocal. Your the first to hear about this … I’m hoping they will truly appreciate it as I attempt to surprise the shit out of them by having it played when they are in a room. I simply live for the element of surprise and shock value of all sorts no matter what side of the fence I am on, even if it’s non music related. My answers are all over the place, I know Dan….welcome to my brain! LoL But with all honesty, preparing for me is nothing short of studying for a test. The more you put in the more you will get in return. Or, should I say, you might get an A or a B as opposed to flunking with a C or a D! x
What are your thoughts on these EDM teenage kids making Beatport No. 1’s in their bedrooms and suddenly receiving six figure sums headlining Ultra? Have they got ‘burn out’ written all over them, have they had a chance to enjoy dance music on the other side of the turntables before being escorted around the world with their managers, press guys and personal chefs?
“OooF! Well, I have mixed emotions about this. There is a large part of me that wants to tie them all to a chair and slap the shit out of them with all the “records” I had spent days, weeks, months and years of my life to gather, organize, store and ultimately travel with 2 or 3 boxes around the globe, and now all they have to do is pop in a digital key the size of their pinkie toenail by placing it in, hitting play and then rush over to the next gig to do it all over again but stopping at the bank first to drop off another load. LoL However, there is also a larger part of me that is very happy that DJ’s are making a wonderful living at being entertainers. This is not much different to me at all in knowing how many Rock & Roll or Pop artist have sold 100’s of millions of albums in the 70’s & 80’s and how today’s Hip Hop moguls like Dre, Eminem, Jay Zee, etc. are on the verge of billionaire-isms…I rather know the wealth is being spread to all kinds of artist. However, when it comes to “dance music” I cannot believe the amount of “cheese” that people are eating up, tolerating and spending a fortune on? The melodies in so much of today’s pop songs are not much more intelligent than nursery rhymes and with all honesty, it boggles my mind beyond belief that millions of mature people are falling for it one after another. It’s like hearing Christmas carols 365 days a year. By the way, just heard the new Britney Spears song “ooh la la” on TV News and I’m basically ready to slit my wrist!!! But I won’t! I’m just gonna continue to let out many of life’s frustrations with serious beats, grooves, songs and big smiles – forever.”
Who is the person from history you would most like to share a glass of wine with…
“Would it be extremely corny or typical of me to say Jesus Christ? I truly am a very deep believer in my soul. I was raised Catholic but haven’t followed it as a religion since I left Catholic school around 1974. However, my spirit and sense of Christianity has always remained very, very strong and my faith in a higher power has never diminished and continues to grow stronger. It’s entirely what gets me through everything in life – and on airplanes too! Hehe…”
For such a strong man behind the decks, you still seem to have a few insecurities on how you will be received on the dance floor…a recent post about possible mixing problems at a forthcoming gig…”if you’re gonna throw eggs tonight, please add some bread, cheese and tomato so I can make a sandwich!”. Now Danny come on, you must have some idea of how much you are idolized around the world? You could play a Britney Spears song and still get people dancing with that big grin of yours shining through…?
“Hahaha!!! That made me LOL! I forgot I wrote that. I am definitely a person that loves humor. Well, basically it was because for the last few years I have mostly been using CD’s and Flash Drives and I’ve only recently got into using Traktor which I am in love with and could write a mile about my opinions of it and how useful it can be as well as how some people can often abuse it “or” do almost nothing at all with it …I was going through my vinyl to play a classics set at Output and it seems like I have this entirely new generation of kids that are sincerely appreciating me and are very eager and hungry to learn about the history of house including my relationship with it. I also know that many of them have never truly experienced a DJ mixing older songs from 70s, 80s, 90s by utilizing vinyl where the mixing can often be quite random, not necessarily sloppy or train wrecked, but a far cry from 2 tracks synchronizing perfectly. I had not played with vinyl in quite a while especially the older ones that were mainly recorded with live drummers, and I guess, who am I kidding? It’s ultimately the fear of messing up which equals the fear of rejection and criticism, especially these days when every single person is a chief editor of their very own news papers, magazines and chronicles, i.e. Facebook and Twitter. What can I say? I am not a perfectionist but I do continually strive for excellence.”
Your earliest musical memory?
“I was probably not even 4 years old and I guess I’d have to say my very dear aunt and godmother Nancy, (r.i.p.) that would often entertain the entire family at weddings, picnics and parties. She was a very gifted woman who taught herself to play piano, accordion and guitar all by ear and sang great as well. However, she had a rare bone disease and this prevented her from pursuing a career in entertainment. If we had shows like American Idol and America’s got talent way back when, Lord knows she probably would’ve been on, noticed and very successful. She had taught me even before the age of 10 how to play the same instruments but when I turned 11-12 I discovered the art and concept of DJ’ing and knew that was what I wanted to do as I always loved records, records players, reel to reels … I was basically obsessed with it all and still am. And if there’s a cure for this, I don’t want it – don’t want it … And if there’s a remedy, I’ll run from it – run from it!”
You are thankfully back in the UK in August, headlining one of the best clubs in Europe right now – Egg and Supernova’s 5th Birthday. It’s been a while Danny, what are you looking forward to the most about hitting London again?
“To be honest, the only thing I am looking forward to is playing at Egg and for the people of London. This is all I am interested in which is giving everyone my very best and having them enjoy as much as possible as it’s been way too long. I feel this way about everywhere I go. Right now I am here in Ibiza and being persuaded to to check out Carl Cox & friends at Space which naturally I am excited to do so, however, I am sitting here typing these answers at 2:22AM and lost in the passion of it all. I go to these cities and countries to entertain, not to be a tourist, although sometimes it’s nice to see all that I can see, but I like to think I have my priorities in check.”
How is the search going for a new New York studio, apparently you weren’t happy with your current set up as it wasn’t quite right for mixing and mastering?
“My studio is a wonderful home studio that is perfect for programming as well as having the massive sound system I had purchased from Club Vinyl after it became Arc which I can utilize 24/7 with no neighbors to complain. However, it never was designed to be a professional studio. As awesome as that would be it’s entirely out of my budget to afford such a luxurious situation with a big and proper console and in a proper sonically treated room. Maybe one day if I write a big cheesy pop song? Naahhh…I rather not! Hehe…”
What is coming out next from the mighty Tenaglia studio?
“I have taken on a remix project for the first time in 10 years to remix the song “Walking on thin ice” by Yoko Ono which I also had remixed 10 years ago but never felt satisfied at all with. When they offered it to me again recently, I felt like it was an opportunity to do better justice to such a legendary song from 1980. Most people have no idea that this was the master tape that John Lennon was holding in his arms when he got shot as they were just arriving home from the studio session. It was also a song that I liked very much back in 1981 and was even played by Larry at The Garage. It was modern dance music that actually sounded great and was very artistic with rock and punk influences as well. I am happy to say that I am thrilled this time around with my production, arrangement and the new musical direction I put into my various versions. I’m also working on several original productions and several collaborations as well. Let’s follow up with this in great detail soon as it’s all too premature at the moment.”
My wife Tess and I journeyed to Costa Rica for Christmas – purraa viddaaa baby! You DJ’d at Vertigo in June – is this place paradise or what?!?!
“WoW! I can’t say enough about Vertigo and even more about Fredo & Elissa! Such passion and devotion. Their entire team is awesome. I love the venue with the old school Gary Stewart “NY style” sound system with that “thunder” in the bass that we don’t hear nearly as often as we used to, but should! Rest in Peace Gary Stewart! He was a brilliant sound system designer and we’re all still shocked and saddened by his untimely passing. I do hope to one day properly visit Costa Rica. Sad to say I never ventured much beyond my hotel and the club both times there, but I do do a quick zip line the first time I visited a few years ago.”
What has been your biggest record of 2013?
“Yikes! There are too many!! I hate this question! Ok … I’d say on a melodic tip with great vocal would have to be an exclusive version I did of “walking on fire” by Evolution which is on Bedrock Records and by placing the acapella on top of the instrumental to my penned production of “Be Yourself” by Celeda. It’s a perfect marriage and works wonderfully, especially at closing time, but also works at any hour. You can hear it as track 2 on my current (and first ever) sound cloud mix that recently coincided with Rolling Stone mags hype for Electric Zoo festival in NY, as well as my new association with Safehouse Management for Europe and South America which I am thrilled about. Lynn Cosgrove pushed me to do it and I am ready to hopefully start finding a lot more time to be placing up many, many more mixes since manufacturing and selling CD compilations these days seems so 90’s and very long ago.”
Not many people know this, but Danny Tenaglia is really good at…
“Interior Design! Hehe I have often wanted to show up close and personal pics of my home in Miami that was completely gutted after purchasing, which I then went on to design and completely hand pick everything decorative in every single room, but I just honestly feel that it would be appear as to vain or show-off ish. Damn! There goes me and my fear of what people will think or say again. LoL…”
Ibiza 2013 – where else are you at this summer?
“Today I am at Sands with Nicole Moudaber, Alan Fitzpatrick, Carlo Lio, Just Be, Nathan Barato, Anja Schneider and Tom Peters. I will play the closing set from 10pm-midnight. I will also be playing at Yousef’s residency called Circus @ Booom tomorrow and returning on the 22nd. Looking forward to playing on their incredible sounding Pioneer system which was co-designed by Gary Stewart.”