FLASHMOB​

Looking to make 2018 his own with a barrage of incredible releases on the likes of super-labels Kompakt, Hot Creations, Elrow and Get Physical. DMCWORLD checks in with a producer on fire right now…

 

Sandro​, a huge welcome ​back ​to DMCWORLD…where in this crazy world are you today?

I’m in Milan taking some time off and trying to get in shape for the summer.

​It’s exciting times for you at the moment, you’re currently amid a new wave of stellar releases on leading labels such as; Snatch!, Kompakt, Hot Creations, International DJ Gigolos, Elrow​,​ Get Physical​ ​and ​​Sola amongst others. ​Out of these releases, what ​one are ​you ​most proud of and why​? ​Also, how long does it take you to complete a record?   

I’m really proud of all the releases to be honest; certainly I would have never thought it be possible to enter major families like Hot Creations and Kompakt one after the other like this.

My forthcoming The Lone Brazilian EP on Hot Creations took a really a long time to close. Something like a year, so I feel that one was the hardest one to achieve. I love the fact Jamie pushes me to deliver always better material, it makes me a better producer. My timing on productions varies, I’m faster on the more light techno stuff and not as much on the house tracks, they can take two hours or a week to write, it differs.

​Our very own DMCWORLD reviewer MANNIX recently stated”​Flashmob was huge when they were a duo, but it is an even better project since it is just Alessandro from Milan.​”​ Please tell us how smoothly the change from being a duo to a solo act was?  

It’s been a long process, about 18 months. I went from being very unhappy both at home and on tour to being very happy. I’ve had to properly re-organise all my work from the label, to publishing and media side of things, to agencies etc…and I feel now I’m really much more organised relaxed and free to enjoy my work and the results are there to see. I respect my ex-partner very much and love him deeply, we went through a lot  and achieved great things together. I feel he is also happier now too, all the travelling and responsibilities are not his thing.

Your own labels Flashmob Records and Flashmob LTD are fast becoming the world’s leading Italian imprints for House and Tech House, a great achievement. What’s the key to running a successful record label within the current climate and what should be avoided?   

I feel that taste and credibility are the main factors in making a label work. I’m happy that so many great producers would put their music in my hands, and even more so that they have taste and send me great music. On top of that, I feel being nice to people and attentive is really a big plus and producers really appreciate it. There’s nothing worse that the dark side of this industry.

You have a very positive and engaging personality that really comes out when you’re behind the decks and presenting your radio show. What keeps you driven and inspires you?  

Love, I suppose. love for life, for what I do and for the people I love. Music is a great motivator. I just love it, I love to make it, play it and specially listen to it. If you can find the correct empty mind space to listen to music in a dark room with your eyes closed you realise a lot of things. I also love travelling and working with great people.

What do you class as your best career achievement to date and what are your goals for the future? 

I’m always looking forward, so I like to think the list of labels you mentioned at the beginning of the interview is my own personal achievement. I’m alone now and this is a new wave of fresh music of mine, only mine so being able to have this is a great feeling. My goal has always been the same from day one and it’s simply becoming one of the best at this game and learning to enjoy myself trying to reach those goals.

What music do you like listening to when relaxing?  

I listen to a lot of classical, 80s music and the modern pop that my 2 kids listen to, not that I love this last one but what can you do?

What three DJs (dead or alive) would you most like to play back-2-back with?

After being a duo the last thing that I enjoy doing is back to back, but if I really had to then I think: Roger Sanchez because he’s one of the most skilled DJs alive and to be able to play with him would probably make me overcome my ‘problem’ with back to backs. Louie Vega because he’s a really nice guy and probably Jamie Jones because I feel he’s one the most influential figures in today’s dance music.

​Please name some artists/producers/DJs that have impressed you recently?

Bollen & Fichtner, Raw Underground and Martin Babber all coming on my label with really big records.

​And finally looking ahead, what else is planned for 2018?

I have a lot of really big festivals coming up this summer, nearly all of them are in Europea, many great club gigs then an Irish tour in September, some South American shows and more to be announced – it’s looking as if I’m gonna have a very busy summer!

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