The Naples man bringing the sexy back
Over the last five years, Mowgli has fast become a ubiquitous name within dance music, DJing across the world and firmly stamping his distinctive style on modern house. Restlessly creative and not content with pioneering an entire scene of bubbling, buoyant, stripped-down house music, he is now returning with a new single and a new, deeper direction, with his sights set on a feature length album. The track in question, ‘Back In The Day’, has been snapped up by soulful house behemoth Defected. Imbued with effortless cool and timeless soul, it is driven by a smooth, rubbery bassline and fluid groove with Mowgli’s delicately nuanced production providing the perfect counterpart to Amber Jolene’s warm, full-bodied vocals.
Words : Dan Prince
Michele, welcome to DMCWORLD. A huge tune causing mayhem out there at the moment – ‘Back In The Day’ featuring Amber Jolene coming out on Defected. The tune has been described as “effortless cool and timeless soul” – who were the early musical influences that sent you dance music’s way back in the day?
“My first musical influence was the Motown sound, because my dad is a huge fan. Also a lot of blues, Johnny Lee Hooker , Muddy Waters…lots of Rhythm and Blues especially Otis Redding and Aretha… and lots of Jazz too… so being exposed to all this black music made me a black music fan. When I was teenager I wasn’t into punk like all my friends but into Hip Hop and when I discovered dance I felt in Love with the NY House.”
So tell us about your journey, born in Italy, lived in London for a while, where are you now?
“Actually back in Italy again. Born and raised in a small town in the north of Italy, then I moved to Bologna at 19 for uni, but dropped out immediately. Ended up staying there for six years then I moved to London when I was 25 and been there for 4 years, till 3 months ago when I moved back to my hometown. As for the future, I don’t know. I like moving.”
The new tune is a new, deeper direction with your sights perhaps set on a feature length album? What is the latest?
“Yes, I think everything is going back to where I started, I am trying to bring that soul and sexiness of the music of my youth to a contemporary house sound. I am working on an album, I have many songs, but I keep changing ‘cos I am never satisfied, so It will happen but not sure when yet.”
How did you hook up with Amber?
“After hearing Amber put down the vocal on Timo Garcia’s ‘Lady Luck’ (City Nights) I knew her tone would suit my music perfectly. In July of last year, a studio session was organised and things just fell into place. Every take we did was brilliant as she is incredibly talented, professional and great to work with. I let her do her own thing and it came out really well with a vocal I am very happy with. On the dance floor, before the people really knew the tune, it got a great reaction. I think it’s because of the beat and Amber’s vocal which definitely took the whole track to another level appealing to DJs, clubbers and home listeners alike.”
What were the big early clubs that saw you jumping around in as a kid – and what DJs were you into back then?
“I started in the illegal rave scene in Italy, so it wasn’t the club my first dancing experience but a factory. Club wise few years later I started to go to a club in Bologna called Link… I loved it soo much.. I would really to go back there as guest now actually.”
What artist’s/producers from around the world are you into at the moment?
“Oh man…there are so many. One producer I’d like to mention, who is not new but someone I really look up to is Dennis Ferrer, I admire his career for quality and longevity. Many producers come and go in the blink of an eye, but Dennis always be and will always be around. He releases one or two records max a year and each one of them is great. I like that about him too…less and better! I am tryng to do that too. I don’t want to release more then 3-4 tracks a year…but I want all of them to be great.”
Not many people know this, but Mowgli is brilliant at…
“Cooking! I’m a master chef if I want to…but I don’t cook that often cos I’m lazy.”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Oh man…how can I name one?! It’s like asking your favourite movie, its impossible to name one.”
You once said that you have a problem with people coming up with their own styles of new music…
“We were trying to do something original with my first label Deadfish, and it’s not me this idea of inventing ‘a sound’. I actually really don’t like people who claim to have invented sub generes…there’s nothing to invent anymore. I would just like to have my own type of sound and be repected for that.”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Less is more and also my former manager used to say that “the DJ career is a marathon not a sprint”. I was very impatient at the time, now I can wait. I always liked that”
Besides the current releases, are there any other forthcoming projects we can look forward to?
“My Wedding! But that is more of a me and my girlfriend project!”
