Interview Archives

JOSE MARQUEZ

Client: The Music (SPA)
Brief: Business Music – 250 Word Article
Type: Print – 10Th AUGUST 2016

I interviewed L.A producer Jose Marquez during his recent trip to Melbourne, specifically about his Beto Kele remix for Peruvian band Novalima (Wonderwheel Recordings).

Nickodemus (Label CEO) – Connection “I Met Nicodemus not long ago about 5-6 years ago… we both played this festival in Mexico called Con Mi Casa… he was playing a lot of my tracks there, we just really connected”

Novalima – “I was already a fan of their music… Nicodemus just contacted me and he goes ‘hey are you familiar with this group’… and he offered me the remix opportunity.”

Choices when Remixing – “The tempo has to be in the right kind of range and the energy and vibe of the vocal… having the original already at a decent BPM range makes it a lot easier”

Software – “My main platform is Pro-Tools… i’ll use Reason as well some Native Instruments like Maschine… as far as percussion goes I do a lot of live recording… I have a lot of musician friends back in L.A.”

Collaborating with Alberto Lopez & Eduardo Martinez – “I used to DJ for a band Quetzal Guerrero and The Warriors, actually Quetzal is a recent resident here in Melbourne… I met Alberto through him…he’s a great studio engineer as well… We just traded files, I showed them the original song, I told them about the idea I had.”

Testing the recording – “There’s a great party that’s been happening for many years in L.A called Deep – Marques Wyatt’s party… great sound system, so that we be an awesome place to always test out my music.”

Novalima’s feedback – “Actually it’s a great story… a couple of their members are DJ’s.. they actually invited me to go do a party with them in Lima… Nico first contacted me… and within 24 hours I got an email from one of the guys in the band and they were like ‘hey we love the remix you did’ ”

DJ KHALAB

Interview, Magazine

Client: The Music (SPA)
Brief: Business Music – 250 Word Article
Type: Print – 15h JUNE 2016

FULL INTERVIEW

QnA – Dj Khalab

“6THPRLL” is a project between Asics and Slam Jam (Italy). The release garnered attention by collaborating with a photographer’s, Mustafa Sabbagh and Simone Valsecchi, and music producers Dj Khalab and Dj Hendrix.

“The parallel sixth progression isn’t really a progression in its own right; it is more of a way to move from one chord to another chord that may not be directly related to the first one. Suppose we want to get from a vi6 to a cadence to end a phrase. We can use a descending parallel sixth progression…“

1. You and Hendrix merged styles into a solid future tribal track. Have you worked with DJ Henrix before?

Yes, i’m working with Hendrix since long time. We share the consolle many times, we spent many nights playing records and many days messing around. Firts of all he’s a friend.

Who’s studio space did you use during the collaboration?

We produced it in two different studios: mine, Snob Studio, in Rome and his in Ferrara, were he lives.

Are you outboard or software based producers?

I play with the sampler, sp, i play machine or live, analogic synth and percussion… i work with everything. i dont’ want have any kind of limits, i just want to let my creativity free to explore every field. But i prefer play lives without computer, it’s my way to stay concentrated on what i’m doing without looking at the screen.

What software / hardware / outboard gear did you use in the making of 6THPRLL?

Krumar, Juno 106, Ableton, Sp-404-sx -Roland Juno 60, MiniMoog Voyager,Yamaha DX7-808

Who did the final master for the release?

The master was made in the Neel’s studio, one of my best techno and experimental electronic producer ever.

Have you previously released tracks on Vinyl?

Sure, mine Wonderweel album with Baba Sissoko, the singles extracted from that record, the 7” extracted from the Black Acre ep, the Melt Your Self Down – To Dot rmx for Leaf, etc etc…

Do you and Hendrix have anything coming out on the future?

Not immeidately, we have our times 🙂

Clap! Clap!, Nan Kolè, Daniel Haaksman are a few Italian names associated with quality Afro fusion releases. What is your special bond with African music, how did it evolve?

That’s true, is a good moment for this sound. In terms of innovation, audience and insiders feedback Clap Clap is at a superior level. Today he’s the producer i have more fun to work with, we have several projects for our future. I’ve been always working on this sound, as a dj and as researcher, and as a producer in the late years.

What new music can we expect from Dj Khalab in 2016?

I’m working on my new music, looking for my way, trying to evolve my sound. I’m very proud of the couple of remixes that are going to be release soon. I’m also working to a project with Clap Clap, i don’t know if it will be release in 2016.

Will you be touring internationally in 2016?

I’m very lazy on the tour dates, i try to make less and selected, but we’re going to announce several more pretty soon.

TIGARAH

Interview, Magazine

Client: The Music (SPA)
Brief: Business Music – 250 Word Article
Type: Print – 18th May 2016

FULL INTERVIEW

QnA – Tigarah

You are now free of the UMG contract, do you have a wishlist of producers you wish to work with?

Yes Im finally free of the UMG Japan contract! Can’t wait to do more music from this year.

There’re lots of producers that I want to work with, I always want to try something new and see what’s gonna come up. It doesn’t matter if they’re famous or not. Good music will be made when the combination is right.

If Baile Funk (Funkeira Goes Bang!) was your musical guide in 2006, what is Tigarah looking to in 2016?

Omg, it’s been a while. I was young like a baby who never wrote any songs before and just discovered new music Baile Funk and fell in love with it, so I just tried to make something. Then people liked it, which was awesome.

Since then, my sound have developed, I like trying new sound, but with my vocal, it’s gonna always sound like me, Tigarah. So, musically I’m open to try anything, but I love mixing underground hiphop,dancehall with electro sound and make it sound dansable but, also pop.

Maybe I wanna try bit more rock sound too. Will see. Can’t wait to make more new tracks this year!

You have a new modeling position and your Facebook page mentions that Tigarah e Laura is a new persona you have adopted. Does this mean you are a bit more Ginza than Harajuku?

Haha, no. When I made a new album last year, I get to make my own anime video clip, so I wanted to have a new concept. So, I wanted to express 2 different personalities inside me, good girl and bad girl as twin sisters in the animation. So, it’s not Ginza and Harajuku lol

The new collaboration with Lewis CanCut feels like a turning point for both of you, have you got any future projects lined up with each other?

Yes, I wanna do more tracks with him. That was fun! I have been doing more pop sound, and he’s been doing more club sound, but we have similar taste of music. So I think we could mix our style nicely.

You had an engineer with you while recording in the RedBull Music studios. What is his name, and have you worked with him before? Why did you choose him?

(Oh sorry, I don’t remember his name… He’s working for RedBull and he’s always there lol )

Working with Lewis CanCut (Lewis CanCut – Say OK Feat. TIGARAH) and the release on NLV records are there any other connections to Australia you are looking to make (producers, videographers, stylists)?

I traveled a lots and been to many different countries, but Australia is musically one of the most open-minded countries and have great quality of music. I love the music scene of Melbourne, it’s very cool and creative. So, I want to discover more!

When was your last tour of Australia? Was there any culture shock being in Australia?

It was in 2010, I’ve been to Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. I had great time!

Any culture shock? Oh I did’t know that you guys eat Kangaroo! That’s funny. And I tried and I kinda liked it. haha.

You have some Japanese covers of Major Lazer and Die Antwood tracks, is this a feature of your live shows?

Yea, would be fun to do those covers at my live show too! I started making my DJ/live set, so it will be nice.

Who are some Japanese acts that we should be looking to in 2016?

Tigarah. Hehe. Hmm, Capsule always make good sound, they’re not too J-pop and created their own sound which I like. Also the electro rock band called Sakanaction(サカナクション) has great style, Perfume and Baby Metal are always fun to listen to.

You travel a lot, Is there a place in the word that is influencing your outlook on life at the moment?

I used to live in Paris, and I loved it. I think generally French people are not afraid to be different and say their opinion. I think it’s real and most of them have their own philosophy of life. It’s opposite from Japan. Japanese people are nice, but especially the older generation, they don’t like when you speak out and have different ideas. But I’m not like typical Japanese, and all the experiences I had in different countries have influenced my outlook on life. I feel blessed and I’m happy about it.