Producers on fire
Maurizio Nari and Ronnie Milani met in 1996. Since then, the duo has been at the forefront of house music producing classics such as ‘Sunshine & Happiness’ feat. Darryl Pandy, achieving the Billboard Charts hotspot, ‘Gnor’ and ‘Gnuk’ under various aliases including Nerio’s Dubwork and Unconditional, and finally launching the Nari & Milani project back in 2003. They have literally played at every Italian club from Hollywood in Milan to Prince in Riccione and Vogue in Rome as well as toured extensively bringing their trademark DJ sets at some of the world’s best. Simultaneously, Nari & Milani have established themselves as highly respected producers, and they are becoming renowned for their unique brand of electronic House music. Over the last decade the duo has released innovative productions for some of the best labels including Bob Sinclar’s Yellow Prod, Robbie Rivera’s Juicy Music and Steve Angello’s Size Records as well as remixing for dance music luminaries such as Axwell, Laidback Luke and Roger Sanchez. Most recently, Maurizio and Ronnie have joined forces with fellow top Italian DJ Cristian Marchi to produce ‘I Got My Eyes On You’ feat. Luciana as heard on Pete Tong and released through Ultra in US and Ministry Of Sound Australia, the Buzz Chart and Cool Cuts Chart topping single ‘I Got You’ and the incredible ‘Take Me To The Stars’ feat. Shena played on Bob Sinclar and Tiesto’s radio shows. Their latest track ‘Kendo’ out now on Steve Angello’s Size Records is one of the biggest club bombs of the Summer, support has came already far and wide from Swedish House Mafia to Pete Tong, David Guetta and Steve Aoki. Make no mistake, Nari & Milani are going to be HUGE!
Maurizio, you were born in Cesena, Ronnie you in Milan. Where did you paths first cross?
“We had some mutual friends that had a studio in Cesena and that’s where we met. For a few years we worked together in a team of four people but then we decided to do things on our own and that’s when we opened up the other studio.”
Why did it take seven years to start the Nari & Milani project?
“First of all we decided to push all of our energy into other collaborations and projects and then in 2005 we decided to change the way in which we work, thinking more about us rather than the others.”
What is the best quality that each of you bring to the studio when sitting down to do a production? Who does what?
M: “I concentrate on the technical side of things with the computer etc. whilst Roni composes and arranges the songs. we are both able at arranging as well as doing other things so we just make sure that whatever needs doing is done to the best and rather naturally we both seem to cover all of the various tasks at hand – some kind of miracle really!!!”
What did your parents think of your choice of careers?
“Our families have never looked kindly upon the career move that we have made. Then in 1999 they saw us appear on Italy’s most famous prime time television show and since then the subject has sort have been dropped.“
Maurizio, you have over 20 years of experience in the industry, starting off on radio in the Romagna region, why did you decide you wanted to change looking at blank walls to happy smiling faces and become a live DJ?
“The radio show began to feel a bit too closed in so I decided to throw myself amongst the crowds, I am sure that I made the right choice.”
How important was your first residency at Symbol in San Marino in your development as a DJ?
“It was the first really important club in my career and in those days it was so important to work at the right places, looking back today and there still comes a big smile to my face…
Ronnie, you too started on the radio at Radio Hinterland – do you think working as a radio DJ prepared you in any way for life in the public eye?
“No I don’t think that it is much of a help. The actual contact with the people brings about an energy that is like no other, magical – something that the radio cannot ever offer.”
Which DJs do you enjoy playing alongside?
“We just enjoy DJing with each other the most, it can’t get much better than that!!!”
How important was your classic ‘Sunshine & Happiness’ feat. Darry Pandy to gain you recognition on the worldwide stage?
“’Sunshine And Happiness’ was the song that changed our lives for various reasons. It made us grow up a lot. From that moment onwards we have always tried to make ourselves better and better. Sometimes we pull this off but sometimes we don’t, we always give it 100% though.”
You have played at every major club in Italy. What is your favourite of all time?
“Every club has its own magic and its own energy and everything relies on how the crowd feels on that particular night or how you are feeling personally. One thing is for sure though, we have just played a couple of gigs in Korea and we came across a public that was one of the warmest we have ever seen in our lives.”
How would you describe your style?
“We play music that offers us that something special, something that captures us and leaves it’s mark. We don’t care if it is old skool or brand new, the only important thing is that it is magical…”
Who have been the biggest influences on your sound?
“The first house music made us grow artistically and that is what we still carry in our hearts. We adore all those Chicago producers as well as the New York old skool scene.”
You have travelled the world twice over, what country have the craziest clubbers?
“The craziest public as we have just mentioned are to be found in Korea, also Russia and Israel. We still haven’t had the chance to play everywhere in the world so maybe there are still many surprises left in store for us. Hopefully we will cover it all soon…”
The last few years has seen the world’s dancefloors ignite to your absolute bombs including ‘Kendo’, ‘I Got My Eyes On You’, ‘Take Me To The Stars’ and ‘I Got You’ – do certain tunes get certain reactions in different parts of the world?
“Yes, every country has its own style and not all of the productions fit in well. We always try and do what we feel is right without thinking too much about the genres that work or don’t work in each place.”
What’s the best record ever made?
“There are loads. Every now and again though we like to listen to Funky Green Dogs ‘Body’ (Club Mix) – it relaxes us and puts us into a good mood… fantastic!!”
What is the biggest crowd you have ever played to?
“At a festival in Portugal in front of 15.000 people, a sensation that is hard to copy. If only we could do that sort of thing every weekend…a massive charge of energy.”
If you could change one thing about each, what would it be!
“Milani would like to see Nari a bit calmer and less agitated, Nari would like to see Milani more punctual…however we have been working together now for 15 years so something must be alright!”
What has been the best clubs and festivals of 2011?
“Absolutely Creamfields – even though we still haven’t managed to be on the line up, just there as joe public. Everything in its own time, if it is meant to be, it will happen…”
What was the last treat you bought yourself?
Milani: “A limited edition set of pants by Dolce & Gabanna. Nari: “A fantastic used watch (a copy) from the television series Space 1999 with buttons that make strange noises, fantastic.”
What has been the proudest moment of your life so far?
Milani: “The birth of my daughter”. Nari: “The birth of my son.”
Who is the coolest person on your mobile phone?
Milani : My plumber. He actually drives around in a Ferrari…” Nari: “My grandmother, she is 90 years old and when I want to call her she answers her own cell phone…how cool is that?!?!”
What is the biggest compliment someone has given you?
“Your music makes us feel great is one of the nicest compliments that we always like receiving.”
What has been your anthem of 2011?
“The best track of 2011 most probably was ‘Calling’ by Alesso and Ingrosso, we are sure we will come up with more if we keep thinking…”
And finally, what is next on the studio agenda?
“We have a lot of productions and collaborations we are working on at the moment, but as we are rather superstitious we prefer to keep everything top secret for the moment!”
