NEW ALBUM ‘TOTAL CONTROL’ OUT JULY 13TH
Hi guys, so things going well on the West Coast of the US for you – an amazing new album coming out with some stunning guest vocalists – Miguel Migs’ right hand diva Lisa Shaw, Morrisson, Ledia who sang on Sandy Rivera’s ‘Trouble Track’, up n ‘coming Jazz singer Indra Jones – I could go on and on…who do you think were the best artists that helped you make this beautiful album?
Vincent: “Hi Dan, well all of the artists pretty much played an equally important role in making the album. ‘Total Control’ was really a collaborative effort between us and everyone who worked on it. That’s probably why it came out the way it did. We’ve been very fortunate to have been able to work with all of them, and each one of them brought their own special talents to their contributions.”
How did you first get together as a production duo, kicking it off back in 2001?
Vincent: “Back then Deep House was pretty much the main thing and we’d each been identified with that genre. However, we’d always wanted to expand our style, and as a result we decided to get together and do something different. New Mondo came about through that, even the name New Mondo, which is a combination of an English-Italian word with Vincent (from Australia) and Marco (from Italy), well it made sense at the time.”
A very eclectic album, moving from the grooves of deep house, Jackin house, bits of 80s and 90s, Jazz, Latin, sexy soul and also dancefloor soul. What were the tunes that turned you on back growing up – who influenced you into this music world – what artists were booming out of your speakers?
Vincent: “I was always growing up with music, my dad used to play a lot of Latin music, and when I could afford to buy music, the music of the 70s actually influenced me a lot, even though I technically didn’t grow up in that era. The next big musical influence on me was when Acid House came on the scene in Australia. As far as artists, there are way too many to list, but probably Imagination, Shakatak, The Style Council, Quincy Jones come immediately to mind.”
Marco: “It’s hard to say as I like to listen to all kind of music. Growing up I was listening to Reggae, loads of 70’s and 80’s music. In the early 90’s I was captured by Acid Jazz. The list of artists is way too big to remember, some that come to mind are Depeche Mode, Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, Jill Scott, Talk Talk, Erika Badu, Simple Minds and on and on…”
So what is the San Francisco club scene like right now?
“The scene has changed quite a bit from when we first arrived with less of an emphasis on Deep House. The new clubs that are out there play more Electro and Mash-Ups. But the upshot of this is that the parties that do play Deep House tend to bring out a crowd that’s really appreciative of the style.”
Is it fair to say your outlook on what your drive with New Mondo and musical direction was to completely change the way you produced music from the way you way produced music individually? One minute you guys were putting out deep house, then all of a sudden dark twisted big room music. So why the change in direction?
“That’s probably fair to say. We were trying to do something different from what we’d been doing at the time. As artists, we all need to grow, and this was really our attempt to see what would happen. Of course, throughout the course of our time together, we’ve actually ended up creating a very eclectic body of work, at least we think.”
DJ MFR – Marco From Rome – when did you leave the incredible country of Italy?
Marco: ” I left Italy in 1995, never looked back though.”
You reside in San Fran – not too far from Los Angeles, have any of you EVER had a good night out in LA – I know I haven’t…?
Marco: “I don’t get to play in LA too often, but last month I had a blast playing at Ecco for Melodic.”
Marco, you are behind the Transport Recordings label which you launched with Miguel Migs in 1998 plus you have had numerous other releases on labels such as Tilted, Bluem, Soulstar, Siesta, Dae and Souvant – I love the 2005 debut album ‘Rome Departure’ – but what has been your finest piece of studio work?
Marco: “I would say that this album would have to be our finest piece of studio work. It’s taken so long from the original conception to the finished product – we’re quite proud of it.”
You both have individual DJ careers, what each of you, have been the best 3 clubs that you ever played at?
Vincent: ‘End Up’ in San Fran, ‘Tramp’ in Melbourne and ‘Mighty’ in San Francisco.
Marco: “It’s hard to compare as all nights are different.’Salted’ @ Mighty is definitely one, ‘Fag Friday’ @ End Up (I loved those 4 am to 6 am sets), and Pacha in Sao Paulo.”
What between you, are the big 10 tunes you are spinning in clubs at the moment?
New Mondo and Morrisson ‘U Got The Love’ (Earnshaw’s Mix)
Yogi & Husky (Random Soul) ‘Body Language’
D-t3ch ‘Swinging For The Fences’
New Mondo Featuring Lisa Shaw ‘I Want Cha’ (Dario D’Attis Afro teck vocal)
GramophoneDzie ‘Why Don’t You’
Fred Everything feat. Wayne Tennant ‘Mercyless’ (Original mix)
‘Hooked On You’ EP (main mix) – Cerrone feat Jocelyn Brown
Marc Evans ‘Tonight’s The Night’ (Miguel Migs mix)
DJ Smash ‘Dig Deep’
J-Funk ‘Having Fun’
What’s the best album ever made?
Vincent: “That’s a tough one, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles – proving you don’t need 128 tracks to create a great production.
Marco: “Great question but I am definitely not the right person to ask I am getting a headache just trying to think about it.”
What DJs over the years have you looked up to/admired/been an influence to you?
Marco: “I don’t really have a favourite DJ, but who has impressed me the most are still my friends – Julius Papp & Miguel Migs as they are not afraid to take chances dropping fresh new tunes sometimes from some unknown artists.”
Vincent: “Ditto for Julius, who is one of the nicest guys I have ever worked with.”
Marco, Vincent – what is the BEST / WORST thing about living in San Fran – don’t those hills annoy you?
Vincent: “The best thing is the weather, but then I like the fog. The hills give you a good workout. The worst thing is how expensive housing is over here.”
Marco: Best thing about San Fran are the people. I don’t think I would have pursued this career if I was living anywhere else. The worst is definitely the weather, I need some fucking sun man!!!”
What’s next from New Mondo…?
“New remixes for Haldo and Morrisson, DJN Project, a couple of fresh new mixes for the Rome departure remix album and a new secret project that if we told you, we’d have to kill you.
“Thank you Dan for the interview.”
The New Mondo ‘Total Control’ album will be released on July 13th 2009 on Transport Recordings USA.
