Holland In The House!
The Chocolate Puma boys have been busy for Defected & Strictly Rhythm recently, and their current collaboration with Bingo Players ‘Disco Electrique’ is currently riding high in the Beatport House top 10…
So Dobre, how was the Strictly 20th Anniversary the other week?
“Hi Dan, well it was at the Ministry of Sound – what more do you need to know, that sound system is amazing, we all had a blast.”
How would you describe your sound?
“In our production’s we always focus on the beats, they have to be rocking and funky. If the beats are laid out, we can go in every direction. From smooth vocals to freaked out electronic sounds as long as it has a good vibe and the right amount of energy. And as we’re only playing our own production and remixes, that’s what you can expect. Banging beats and lots of energy.”
You guys have worked under the alias of name aside from Chocolate Puma such as ‘The Goodmen’ what’s all this about?
“We have used a lot of aliases in the past. It was just another era. In the early 90’s using different names was very common. We always have been all over the place, and as we have been producing so many styles of music and so many tracks, we figured we needed as many aliases. Now times have changed we’ve grown up a little, the whole game has changed and it just feel right to stick to the one project name. We’re more focused then ever these days”
Your first massive hit was obviously ‘Give It Up’ under the guise of The Good Men, a big track…
“We’re still very proud of ‘Give It Up’, it was created on a small mixer and mixed on broken speakers in a bedroom. It’s a unique record that people still sample and play, the whole world knows that record!”
It also opened a lot of doors…
“Yes it did, from 1992 back then we have released over 200 records and over 50 remixes for the likes of Roger Sanchez, Stereo MCs, Britney, Copyright, Bob Sinclar, Fedde Le Grand & Funkerman and Laidback Luke.”
You have a great knack I suppose of reinventing yourselves, the ‘alias’ recording vibe illustrates that – what that’s come out of your studio personally are you really proud of?
“So many, ‘Vallee de Larmes’, ‘The Jark Project including ‘Movin Thru Your System’ and Sweet Little Thing, the Chocolate Puma smashes ”I Wanna Be U’, ‘A Star Is Born’ and ‘Always & Forever but also projects such as Basco, Klatsch! and Tomba Vira.”
Where did the name Chocolate Puma come from?
“Ha. We used to have a brown goldfish in the studio called Puma. So there you have it.”
Do you think your style has progressed in any way over the years?
“We’re still pretty eclectic, but our sound has simply matured. In those early days, we were like young kids in a candy store, trying everything at the same time. Now we’re a bit more focused whilst still trying to keep it fresh. Production wise, a lot has changed because of the new studio techniques. From cutting tape and using dusty mixing desks, to having your complete studio in a laptop – we’ve seen it all. But in the end we still love to make proper dance music.”
What influences you guys when you go into the studio?
“Almost everything, from records by young up and coming producers, old skool soul, 90s house, the weather, punk rhythms, movie themes, vintage car sounds, new plug-ins, hip hop, fashion hipsters and weird music blogs, you name it.”
What are your top tracks at the moment?
“There are three tracks that are absolutely setting the dancefloor on fire at the moment. Our latest collaboration with Bingo Players ‘Disco Electrique’, our remix for Shovell ‘Soul Makossa’ and finally our forthcoming remix of the classic Sole Fusion ‘Bass Tone’ on Strictly.”
What do you guys prefer producing in the studio or DJing to a crowd?
“We love ’em both. When we’re in the studio we can’t wait to test out our latest tracks. And when we’re in front of a crowd we get really inspired by the energy the people give us. It puts the sounds we create in the studio in a whole new perspective. We then can’t wait to get back in the studio to translate that feeling into new music.”
Where in the world is your favourite place to play?
“This year’s WMC in Miami has been very good for us. The kids in Eastern Europe are crazy -in a good way, and Sao Paulo is fantastic.”
You’re playing ‘Dance Valley’ in Holland this year, looking forward to it?
“Always. Festivals anywhere are just so much fun. I remember one year whist playing at this massive 40.000 people festival in Brazil, all of a sudden Zki disappeared off the stage. So when I looked down, there he was, laying on the concrete, next to a girl. The fool had leant against the banners behind the decks thinking there was a fence or something behind the banners – there wasn’t. They’d both fallen backwards, no major injuries thankfully, but lots of bruising, scrathes, aches and pain – and two very red faces.”
And finally, tips for any rising producers out there reading this?
“Be original. Be yourself. Work hard. Do it for the music, not the fame.”
