How did it all start for you?
It all started without a specific reason, I was lucky to have my father and my uncle who were musicians and DJs. So in my house I always listened to music, talked of music, from the rock of Led Zeppelin to pop to of Michael Jackson... At the age of 14 my uncle took me into his office and put my hands on his Technics turntables …It was love. I started to buy vinyl and became passionate about house music because of the small parties in my town. The local DJs played American tracks and sometimes even Techno! I also began to organise small parties with close friends, playing in front of 50 or so people. It was beautiful, everything was new, it was a great discovery, an infinite love, it was a joy for me to play and to see people dance to my music!
Tell us about your love affair with Cocorico.
Cocorico was my first club. I was 16, and I went there to hear the the resident dj; DJ Ralf. He was the artist that I liked the most, and my older friends told me that he was a very special dj. He played the tracks that I loved and I immediately fell in love with the club; the atmosphere, the people, the soundsystem, Ralf, and all the rest. On Saturdays I was there for many, many years… to meet people, to listen to new artists coming from all over the world to play. I began to learn about Techno, Detroit, the House music of Chicago, and artists such as Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin, Frankie Knuckles , Eric Morales, the list goes on. Everything was great for me, it was like a school, I learned it all in Cocorico. Now I'm one of the residents! It was one of my biggest achievements of my life, to be a resident in the club where I grew up!
We know you're a family man and you have a little one, Isaia; how do you manage the balance between family and DJ life?
Isaia is almost one now. Its the most beautiful thing in my life, he is everything to me, he is my family, he’s my reason to smile, my inspiration. Certainly, its a different life, there are more commitments and I have less time to make music in the studio, but I'm lucky because I have my girlfriend who is a special woman! I can manage my life as a DJ and one as a father. At the weekend I'm into the music with my gigs and travel and I miss my family, but I love the music, and I'm a professional artist so I have to work when I'm focused on that, and when i come back at home i spent time to my family. Easy.
Tell us about your new label; Chelsea Hotel Records. Where did that name come from?
Chelsea Hotel Records is my vinyl only label. Its a label dedicated to darker sounds, more underground. We will also have more techno and dub style releases. Its a label for new, upcoming, talented artists from Romania, from England, from Italy and more. The label focused more on quality. A friend of mine takes care of the graphics for each release. Each will be dramatic, with the idea of making them showcase exhibits. And in the future visuals in the most important capitals of the world.
Chelsea Hotel is a famous place in New York. I lived in New York for a period of my life and in the last 10 years I’ve always gone to play in the clubs of the city. I have many friends there and its know his story! Chelsea Hotel in New York is a hotel founded in the 80s and was the meeting place of artists such as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Arthur C. Clarke, Dylan Thomas, Sid Vicious, Andy Warhol, Madonna and many more…
How do you feel about the on going battle between the vinyl purists and the and the digital revolution in music? Do you have a personal preference or are all formats welcome in you eyes?
It’s not my battle, I do not care how you play. I do not judge an artist if he plays with vinyl or with Traktor. I use vinyl and usb, but mostly, I buy vinyls, register them and I put them in my usb. But I do not like the artists who say they do live sets and then they use Ableton with a controller and play tracks from other producers! “This is Live?”! I just laugh and have no respect for them! I do not like those who believe that being a DJ is just about being superstar; those who just raise their hands to the sky and shout to the crowd !!! All this makes me laugh so much!
Tell us about your relationship with Marco Carola and how you became part of the Music On family?
I’ve been with Music On from the beginning. This is the third year. I met Marco 4 years ago. We played together at the Rex in Paris and he told me I could be part of his team! He wanted me to play the warm up sets, and from there my life has changed. It was a beautiful thing. Marco is one of the best DJs in the world, technically perhaps the number 1. He manages to keep the dance floor going for 10-12 hours, not everyone can do it. He’s a special person, both humble and strong. In this industry you have to be humble. I have traveled all over the world with Marco. Last year we travelled for 10 days on a private jet and this year very very soon we playing together again for other important gig. Marco and Music On are my family and I love being part of this. Joseph Capriati and I are the only 2 to have been with Music On from the very first day and we have played with Marco around the world in all events Music On. For this reason, I’m very HAPPY.
When you sit down in the studio, where do you tend to find yourself drawing inspiration from?
My son, my girlfriend, a special movie, special food, the sea, the mountains, the rain….everything emotional
Aside from the music you play, what genres you find yourself listening to from time to time?
Movie soundtracks; like Vangelis, Rock n Roll; like Led Zeppelin and some Electro Indie like M83…For example, I love labels like Ninja Tune and Warp, but also artist like Arcade Fire or Arctic Monkeys and for sure one of my favourite groups of the all-time are Oasis.
What is your favourite track of all-time?
Nice question… Maybe its impossible to be precise. Maybe Mood 2 Swing "All Night Long" or Octave One "Blackwater" or Laurent Garnier “The Man with the Red Face”.
Is there anyone you haven't worked with yet, whether in the studio or playing b2b with that you have on your bucket list?
Now the music industry its very, very, very saturated. A lot of producers try to be DJs, but a DJ is totally different from a producer!!! Ricardo Villalobos or Danny Tenaglia are 2 big legends in my life!!! Anyway, I feel lucky because I’ve worked with artists such Marco Carola, Carl Cox, John Digweed, Steve Lawler and many many others…
What are your highlights of the summer so far and what’s coming up?
Music On closing party at Amnesia, Paradise at DC10 and Cocoricò Italy. Also, Songs Festival and Parch Gondar with Marco, Dixon and Paul Kalkbrenner will be big!!! Electric Zoo, New York and the South American tour, especially Club la Feria in Santiago, Chile.
You have a London date lined up this August; are you looking forward to playing the the UK capital again?
I love London, its one of my favourite cities in the world. I’ve played a lot in the past at place like Fuse, The Egg, Cable and Electric Brixton…but a lot of friend of mine spoken very highly of Crucifix Lane so I'm very excited. And then I’ll have nice artists with me during the same night like Scott Kemp, so it will be really cool, I can't wait.
When you play, do you plan your sets, or do they just evolve in the moment?
Usually before the gig I look the tracks that I want to play, I have so many beautiful bombs, and sometimes I forget to play the strongest things, so I always have a look before starting my gig. I usually have a computer with me, so I always mark the strongest things that I will play.
Finally; big clubs or small intimate parties? Which do you prefer and why?
It Depends… I prefer small clubs and prefer to play 5-6-7 hours and more! I prefer small clubs because I can play everything; from techno to house. Its important for me to make a journey with my set and my people. Festivals are ok, and sometimes is nice to play at some; especially in the summer. During festivals my music is more techno and my set are 2 hours maximum, totally different but its ok.
Thank you Leon.
If you've not yet had the pleasure of experiencing on of Leon’s sets, then you will be able to catch him playing at the NoVus Summer Showcase, this forthcoming bank holiday weekend on 23rd August and Crucifix Lane, SE1 3JW.
Interview by Anwaar Bent
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