Taking us over the Edge
Hi Argy, great album coming out ‘Argy presents : D.Edge Sao Paulo’ on These Day Records on June 15th, but before we talk about, tell us about D.Edge over in Brazil. A very futuristic venue with a large sound system. What does this club mean to you?
For starters, it reminds me how spoiled we are in Europe at the moment. How “we have seen it all” and nothing excites us anymore. I find the energy and the people (in general in South America) are still really enthusiastic about clubbing and sound. It reminds me a bit of Europe in the 90s in terms of dance music exposure. Apart from having a great following, the club has a dark and intimate feeling without having to do anything with what sound you are able to showcase there…your canvas is blank and if you make sense, the people will follow you.”
I went to Sao Paulo in the early 90s and didn’t like it much at all, I hear it is now one of the best city’s in the world for so many reason now?
“Things are looking great for Brazil in general. From the economy to the arts and the culture. Sao Paulo has very little natural beauty compared to some other south American cities, it’s a manmade creation. I love how the city is structured and how the past, present and future designs and architecture can all be found on one street. If you are a fan of the Brutalism wave, Sao Paulo is your paradise really. Last but not least, i find the people quite polite, discreet and ‘open” in a natural and non-pretentious way’.”
Where is home for you right now?
“I live in Berlin right now but home will always be where I was born, Rhodes, Greece.”
Where did this dance music journey for you. You are only 25 but already being hailed as of the most impressive producers on the scene. What sounds were you listening to growing up?
“I started as a painter and then suddenly stopped panting when I was 12. I did nothing until I was 16, which was mainly me being a teenager and having fun. Music was a hobby until then but I always had a relatively different taste from my peers. Some things I grew up with were Bossa Nova, Bill Evans, early 90s pop like Terence Trent D’arby and then I got deeply into the whole nu-jazz movement, Eighteenth Street Lounge music and broken beats which finally led to more electronic sounds.That’s when I started spinning in clubs and bars at the age of 16. What pushed me to House was stuff like Julius Papp, Kevin Yost, Rasoul, Maw, Large Records and things a like at the time.”
What is the best piece of production you have ever done?
“The stuff I release on my label These Days is the most complete music I have ever released.”
What has been the best night you have ever had at D.Edge?
“Last time, but I was there with my girlfriend. Next time I am planning to go alone and single. Makes the whole traveling experience a lot more easy.”
Talk us through the mix, what did you want to create with it and what are the big tracks on there?
“I wanted to create four different transitions: from darker Detroit, percussive/tooly House, NY House and finally Euphoric Techno. It also shows how you can play classics and combine them with new stuff so the actual overall result sounds fresh and modern. The mix is also related to the club’s own sound mainly from my perspective of course.”
What is the best record ever made?
“Not sure..in terms of what? Sound? Sales? Composition? Influence? – ‘New Age Of Earth’?”
What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning right now?
“From the top of my head:
I’m playing a lot of Jovonn, Stephen Brown, quite a few Main Street records, some Tools Sydenham has been given to me, some new interesting Mills, underground 80s disco and obscure white labels/bootlegs that I shop from around the world, and in general more and more stuff with 909 drums and heavy low end. I have been always avoiding thin sounding stuff or tracks with rocky snares.”
Who is your favourite DJ in the world at the moment?
“I am sure it has something to do with nostalgia, but I am somewhere between Claussell and Regisford. Energy-wise May is always so impressive.”
What do your family and friends think about your life, always somewhere around the world?
“If you love someone you are happy when he is well even if you miss him. So most of them are pleased I left home because I am doing something positive and found a way to express myself.”
Best festival you’ve played at?
” Exit and its pretty mad down there!”
What’s next studio wise from Argy?
“Keep building my own label These Days with strong music, releasing an EP on Ibadan Records this summer and then releasing an acoustic/krautrock album under a different name.And plenty of remixes of course…
Argy Presents D.Edge Sao Paulo, out on June 15th on These Day Records
Tracklisting :
Etienne Jaumet – For Falling Asleep (Christian Vance Slow Burning Saxless Remix)
Art of Tones feat. Jaw – Call the Shots (Motor City Drum Ensemble remix)
Reelsoul & alix Alvarez – Bom (R2) (Alix Alvarez dub)
Argy & Dj Said – Dope Track
Filsonik – Can U (Argy’s Tool mix)
Jerome Sydenham – Deep Fried
Dennis Ferrer & Jerome Sydenham – Jero (Extended version)
Kerri Chandler – Hallelujah (Kaoz Club Mix)
DJ Duke – Someday (Argy’s dub edit)
51 Days – Tracktion
Ribn – This Feeling (Rapidsnare mix)
David Alvarado – Aire
Argy – Sometimes I’m Blind
Aril Brikha – Setting Sun
Recorded Life (Forest)
