The house music legend enjoying a summer of dope beats. Booom!
Interview : Rob Chadwick
Kenny Dope is one producer that blossomed from the 90’s US house boom. With the re-birth of the illustrious sound, Kenny is one of the figureheads in the comeback as well as carving a path for his alter egos on his very own imprint. Now into the summer months, Kenny has toured Australia for the first time in two years as well returning to his Defected home in Ibiza BOOOM. We chat to Kenny about his latest productions as well the current climate of the US house culture. He also gives his insight into one the popular up and coming festivals out there, Groovefest…
Hey Kenny, so were are you right now?
“Hey man, I’m actually over in New York right now, laying down some new music for the summer. It’s really nice over right now with the weather so it’s cool to be NYC at the moment.”
Ibiza season is well into its maturity, you’ve been playing for BOOOM?
“Yeah thats right. BOOOM will be my Ibiza home this season. I’ve been playing for Defected with some friends. I like the Defected crew as it means I can vary my music. I can play a little disco then move up the pace to some house and really change it up for the audience. I’l be playing some various other parties to but BOOOM will be my main venture.”
And the club itself, it’s had some negative feedback over the past year also?
“You know I don’t really pay attention to that, if it was something technical that was the issue, then maybe, but the soundsystem is great. We are always looked after with amazing service from the staff and the audiences that turn up are always on form too.”
Cool, I also see you’ve been in Australia, do you feel the country is now starting to get the best of the house culture right now? It’s always been maybe a little to far for out, but it seems now to be getting some great artists playing?
“I’d like to think so. I hadn’t been back in a while but it was great to be out there. I have a lot of friends that have been doing full tours and said how great the fans are and how knowledgeable they are to the old school. I really have to agree. I had such a blast.”
Sydney is one outstanding place right?
“Wow Sydney is great, the scenery, the crowds, the atmosphere, everything really all make it one place to party.”
You released the Gorilla Mode EP last month, what has the response been like? What were your ideas behind it? Good responses?
“Yeah great, we released the EP then shortly after released the dubs, both got great responses over here in the US and then over in Europe too. The plan is keep releasing new joints like that.”
And your thoughts on the current climate of house over in the US?
“I really do think its getting there you know? I love what the younger generation are doing and I really like the fact that they are researching the history of house and bringing it back from the 90’s. I can obviously relate to that because as it’s my lane. They have really embraced that – the current state of the music over here and the club scene is really thriving right now and thats a positive sign for everyone involved. It also gives me inspiration to create some beats too and you can never lose track of why you’re here. Musically the new guys are hitting us with all sorts, they have some vocals snippets in there, some acid, some serious bass, the lot, its great to hear.”
It must be quite a nice feeling knowing that these guys are looking at what you did and using that as an influence?
“For sure. It’s nice to know people are just thinking of use guys (laughs). It actually great to be a part of it all again as for a minute we really didn’t know what direction the whole scene out here was going in and it could have take a turn for the worst. That said its been an amazing ride these past couple of years, especially witnessing how popular the 90s vibe is again.”
The resurgence in vinyl must also really bring a smile to your face?
“Yeah absolutely. I think now however with all the technology that is around, it makes it a lot easier, not just to play, but to travel. Artists these days are traveling a lot more and doing huge tours so the convenience of not having to carry boxes of vinyl around is a huge plus. When we used to do it years ago, vinyl used to get lost at the airport or stolen and it could be a real pain in the ass. That said, I love my vinyl and I’m doing a lot more vinyl only sets these days – so to answer your question, I do think its great that they are coming back and long may it continue. My vinyl sets are usually on the old 45’s and they are generally funk and soul selections. I generally don’t play a vinyl only set out there unless it’s called for.”
Would you consider it though?
“You know I’d have to put the records together and I would have go shopping again man! I have very little of the new stuff thats being pressed right now, but it would be a nice change for sure. It would be nice to head out and dig through some crates, its just hard finding time.”
What’s next of the label?
“There is a whole heap of things happening with the label right now, we have an amazing Disco EP thats out right now. I have a bunch of Kenny Dope releases on route as well under different aliases which I can’t reveal to much on right now, but rest assured they’ll be with you very soon.”
Also I have to mention Groovefest over in the Dominican, you have played before, it must be cool to be involved in a festival that’s different from the rest?
“Wow, I love it there. It’s set in a beautiful location with amazing weather, great set up and amazing people. The line up is really cool this year. I see they have added Carl Craig on there now so it will be great to check him out. Last time I had such a ball and it really opened a lot of avenues for festivals to get the most out of their surroundings.”
Finally where else can we see you over the summer?
“I’ll be floating around Europe a lot. I’m playing a lot of festivals. I’m really looking forward to doing a funk and soul set at Lovebox. I’ll be back and forth to Ibiza too so you guys can check out some gooves there too.”
Kenny Dope plays Groovefest on 9-16th September – www.groovefestevents.com
