Hello – where are you at the moment and how are you enjoying it there? I’m in Caracas right now, touring Venezuela and waiting for my gigs in Colombia and Ecuador.  It’s lovely to be here after 2 years… nothing like family and old good friends around.

Can we ask you about this mix and the tracks you have chosen for the mix, how did you come to the decision to use these? Every month I record a mix at home with promos and music I buy.  For me this is a special set with really hot tunes for next summer, especially the one from Sabb, I’ve played it so many times and the reactions are amazing. How long have you been DJing and what got you into DJing? It’s been almost 7 years since my first gig… It was a mess but I enjoyed it.  I think I got into it because I wanted to show others there’s a lot of music out there from everywhere, also ‘cause music is my passion, it’s my life and I can’t live without it. How would you describe your sound when DJing? Sexy… Yes, sexy. Where have you enjoyed playing lately? I got this gig in a gay club in Caracas last weekend, and I played for 5 hours.  People went all crazy from the very first track and never stopped dancing and shouting beautiful words!

So who would you say were your influences? Hard to say but musicaly talking, all the Force Tracks and Force Inc records, Kreisel 99, Adult, Kraftwerk, New Order, Closer Musik, Isolee, Underworld, Kompakt first releases, Swayzak, Luomo, Burial, Studio 1… they’re so many I can’t remember right now. How do you see music developing, with the change in distribution and the internet bring the world ever more closer, and how will this all effect you? Internet opened a new door for me: music I couldn’t buy or find in Merida back in 2000.  I think this generation is living a transition, where digital is wining the battle but not the war.  At the end it will be just a format, like when TV showed up and everyone thought movie theaters were going to dissapear. It’s just a matter of time to get a conclusion about it.

You have been producing a lot lately – can you tell us about your new album, `Cae Nieve en Caracas`. (“Snow falls in Caracas”)? I’m happy the album is finally out in Venezuela, and by the middle of June in Europe and the rest of the world.  I would describe it as a compilation of my work when I was living in Barcelona… melodic with simple beats and very emotional.

Maurice (Galaktika Records owner) and I had a lot of discussions about the tracklist because he wanted something happier and groovy but I wanted to express that side I developed while I was in Spain.  I would say I got a rush on that emo-techno era… now I’m beginning to produce more deep stuff but I’m proud of the results in the album.

Who are you listening to at the moment and can you recommend someone for us to check out? You gotta listen to this guy from Germany called Iron Curtis, he’s a newcomer producer with really good ideas.  I introduced him to Maurice and an upcmong Galaktika release is from him.

When you are DJing what is your ideal DJ booth set up? Two technics, two cd players, a good mixer and no fxs!!! Hate to listen infinte loops and delays on every single track.

What music did you listen to when you were growing up? Who was your favourite band? Hahahahaha… I used to listen to rock ‘til I was 15 or 16, especialy the one from Venezuela.  There was a time I was a huge fan of Massive Attack.

What inspires you musically now? Listening to music with my wife at home.

What’s the best and worst thing about running a label these days? The best: the reaction from crowd, media and partners. The worst: piracy!

How do you see the industry developing for independent labels? I’m not running a label but I can tell it’s hard when sites like Beatport are not making a filter when releasing a new label on their site.  I know everyone has the right to express their music but there has to be a filter… so much music, so many labels, and quality of that music is going to hell… What`s set to be the big tune of this summer? I usually hate summer big tunes and haven’t found one yet.

Podcast track listing: 01 - Anja Schneider And Lee Van Dowski - Deseo - [Mobilee] 02 - Dirt Crew - Redux - [Moodmusic] 03 - Kaiserdisco - Descalzo - [MBF] 04 - Re-UP - Nobody Is Perfect (Marcus Vector Rmx) - [Kina Music] 05 - Solimano - Locatarola (Joko Aka Jonas Kopp Remix) - [Unlock Recordings] 06 - Garnica - Red Ink (Tornike Rmx) - [Kina Music Limited] 07 - Sabb - I Dont Give A … - [Galaktika] 08 - Audiofly X - Mar Del Plata (Nick Curly Remix) - [Get Physical Music] 09 - Coyu And Edu Imbernon - El Baile Aleman - [Liebe Detail]

If you want to add a mix to our podcast series then get in touch on the e mail: podcast@4clubbers.net

Mad Hatter Recordings has grown in stature very quickly, and found support from a number of truly respected DJs and producers from around the world. They are hosting their own tent at Kendal Calling festival in the Lake District this summer, their tracks are being signed to the Carl Cox Space Ibiza compilation this summer and the future is looking very healthy for them

So sit back and take in some tech house and techno from one of the best new UK labels around.

Thanks and the podcast will be back much quicker next time.

Interview

Hello – where are you at the moment and how are you enjoying it there? Locked away in the studio with no sign of sunlight, working on a few remixes. We always enjoy it!

Can we ask you about this mix and the tracks you have chosen for the mix, how did you come to the decision to use these and what do they mean to the label? We wanted to give a representation of past present and future tracks off the label, using our personal favourites.

How long have you been DJing and what got you into DJing? Beatmode – I’ve been DJing since I was 13 at the local youth club Carl Anians – I’ve been DJing since I was 17, after seeing Mark EG going mental behind the decks in the 90’s. He really inspired me to get involved and get myself some decks.

How would you describe the label sound and your music style? We’ve tried not to pigeon hole ourselves, and would say that Mad Hatter encompasses everything tech-house and techno. Basically we put out stuff that we like ourselves and would play in our sets, and try not to follow trends or music fashions.

Where have you enjoyed playing lately? We’ve recently had two great label parties, the first was on the ‘Smugglers Run’ barge with everyone going mental to underground music, which sold out in a day. As a result we’ve been asked to do bi-monthly parties with them, the first of which is this month on the 23rd with DJ’s Kris James, Carl Anians and Gaz Donning

We also had a big label party in conjunction with Devision @ Area 51, Manchester. One of our artists Gabriel Ben flew over from the states for his UK debut. The atmosphere was electric!

So who would you say were your influences? Umek, Bini & Martini, Jackin’ tech/techno, DC10, Made In Italy, Carl Cox to name a few, the list is endless.

How do you see music developing, with the change in distribution and the internet bring the world ever more closer, and how will this all effect you? It totally changes thing, as new labels are popping up daily. Also there is wealth of crap out there, and you’ve got to sit and listen to a lot before you find the decent stuff.

It’s harder to make a living out of it, as opposed to the days of vinyl.

Have you been producing a lot of music yourself and what is your next release? We practically live in the studio at the moment, which is not a bad thing. We’re working on stuff for Mad Hatter as well as other labels, it’s hard keeping on top of it all as well as running the label and getting our radio show done.

There are two releases for the label in April, first up is ‘Petrae Foy & PJC Project - Unravel This World’. This one has already had support of Jon Rundell, Carl Cox, Eddie Haliwell, and Mark Maitland with more feedback coming in daily.

Next up is the ‘Andy Kemp - Dialate EP’ a 3 tracker with 3 accompanying remixes. Support off Laurent Garnier for this one.

Who are you listening to at the moment and can you recommend someone for us to check out? A talented producer from Brazil called Fernando Tessis, we’re just choosen some tracks off him for a 4 track EP for the label. Rick Nicholls has just fired over all his new stuff, so we’re giving that a blast to as he is one of our fave producers on the label.

When you are DJing what is your ideal DJ booth set up? Somewhere hot preferably a beach, littered with hot females and plenty of Jack Daniels!

What music did you listen to when you were growing up? Who was your favourite band? Both of our parents have very eclectic tastes in music, which rubbed off on us. So we listen to anything and everything.

What inspires you musically now? Same as above.

You can also pick things up from everything you hear day to day, be it music or just wandering around town, we never fully switch off from it all.

What’s the best and worst thing about running a label these days? The worst thing is the amount of work you have to put into a label nower days just to keep it going and stand out from the crowd. The best thing is getting play/sell the music you’ve handpicked, and have it all before any other DJ.

How do you see the industry developing for independent labels like yours? I don’t think anyone can tell, its changing so fast

What’s set to be the big tune of this summer? ‘Kris James - Falling Back Into The Dark’ without a doubt

Podcast track Listing 1 -Rebekah – Malende [MH017] 2 -Gabriel Ben – Going East (Rick Nicholls ‘Going West’ Remix) [MH010] 3 -Mindform – Fly Paper [MH001] 4 - Sean Cleary – Creek [MH016] 5 - Andy Kemp – Roller (Jakt & Jeff Math Horses Mix) [MH014] 6 - Kris James – Falling Back Into The Dark (Gabriel Ben Remix) [MH018] 7 - Fernando Tessis – Fliegen Back [MH015] 8 - Beatmode & Carl Anians – 5 Finger Discount [MH019] 9 - Fernando Tessis – Nacht Der Maschinen [MH015] 10 - Nik Feral – Geben Es An Der Zeit (Caine N Anians MH Black Mix) [MH011] 11 - Carl Anians – Jaded (Ruslan Mays Remix) [MH008]

Tracklisting for the mix 4clubbers Podcast 05 - Unsigned Productions mix

01 Reset* - Mama`s Gun (Written and produced by Chris Evers and Tom Gray) 02 Deacon - The Score (Written and produced by Simon Jones) 03 Deacon - Disktotastik (Written and produced by Simon Jones) 04 Guy Hornsby - Nimbus (Written and produced by Guy Hornsby) 05 Section 4 - Fapped Out (Written and produced by Steven Grass) 06 Robsounds - Barule (Written and produced by Rob Masterton) 07 Reset* - Ransom Note (Written and produced by Chris Evers and Tom Gray) 08 Dan Tait - Just Luking (Written and produced by Dan Tait) 09 Section 4 - Spatial (Written and produced by Steven Grass) 10 Deacon - Tangent (Written and produced by Simon Jones) 11 Tigerpigs - Flux Capacity (Written and produced by Simon Jones and Lisa Kenny) 12 Iain Mac - Zipless (Written and produced by Iain Mac)

Compiled and mixed by Deacon at Prog Towers. 2009.

Some words from the producers about themselves and their tracks:

Guy Hornsby

Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far I`ve been DJing for a decade, and producing for just over two years. I`ve always played house music, but over the last four or five years, I`ve gravitated towards a deeper, more electronic sound, inspired by summer trips to Ibiza and Sonar, and the sounds coming from Germany and the capital, where I`ve lived for twelve years.

I also run a night, Dropout, at the Horse and Groom in Shoreditch (www.dropout-london.co.uk). My first track, Downshift, was signed by Devore Recordings in summer 2007, and my second, Undertow, by Drag`n`Drop a few months later. I`ve also completed a number of remixes, for London imprints Landed and Liberttas, in 2008.

Can you tell us a bit about the track(s) you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? The track`s called Nimbus, I started it at the end of 2007 when I`d gone to Ibiza for the closing parties at Cocoon and DC10, and I wanted to try and make something that would echo the music I`d heard out there, so I came up with this arpeggiated rolling groove, and just layered it. After some polishing, and more than a few takes it was finally nailed early in 2008, so it`s been around for a while, but still reflects the more up-tempo side of my sound.

If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) I`ve got a new website that`s just gone live - www.guyhornsby.net - and you can contact me from there on guy@guyhornsby.net. There are also tracks up on www.myspace.com/guyhornsby. Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far

Rob Masterton AKA Robsounds Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far My name is Rob, I`m originally from the Isle of Man but now I live in Melbourne, and I have been producing for about 5 years now.  My first releases were with Canadian netlabel Tide Pool, who I continue to release with and have some cool stuff lined up for them this year.  I have released on a few labels over the past couple of years, and have been lucky enough to get support on a couple of tracks from guys like Hernan Cattaneo and James Holden, who have been favourites of mine for a long time.

Can you tell us a bit about the track(s) you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? I have contributed Barule to the podcast, it`s very chordy and deep with countermelody that comes in from the breakdown.  Hopefully the melodies carry the track and give it some euphoria.  For those who are interested, Barule is the name of some hills on the Isle of Man, and is mentioned in our national anthem.

If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) If any labels, or anyone else, like my sound, then they can check out more tracks on my soundcloud page, which is www.soundcloud.com/robsounds - I also can be contacted via that page

Steven Grass AKA Section 4 Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far I`m 27 and from Chesterfield. I got into producing first with Reason around 2007 but I was DJ`ing with Ableton so decided to start using that mid-2008 and my productions became a lot better from using it. Still very much learning but with each track I learn new things and will hopefully carry on doing so until I get to the standard I want to be. I doubt that will happen though because no matter what standard I reach, I`ll always want to be better. I`m sure it`s the same for every producer out there.

Can you tell us a bit about the track(s) you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? According to Deacon I have contributed two tracks `Spatial` and `Fapped Out`. fapped out I wrote just before Christmas and was the first track I was truly happy with and could call finished. i was hoping to write a track where different bits interact with other bits to create the groove rather than just having a good bassline or a good lead. Spatial was a bit of a venture. I primarily like nu-skool breaks, electro and tech-funk so going into the proggy kind of territory was a first. I figured it would be a good time to use a bit of vocal in a track for the first time and it seemed to work out nice and I`m proud of it. I thought it sounded professional and it might sound like I`m being big headed but I surprised myself that little old me on a shitty Dell could produce something that sounded like a pro.

If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) if anyone wants to get in touch with me they can at soundcloud here http://soundcloud.com/section-4 where there will be other tracks uploaded that I am working on or at myspace at http://www.myspace.com/thesection4 but myspace doesn`t get checked much.

Reset* are Tom Gray aka Tomas Malo and Chris Evers Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far Reset* are Tom Gray aka Tomas Malo and Chris Evers

Tomas Malo is the deep house alter ego of Leeds based Artist/producer Tom Gray. By day he is a record producer in the mainstream working across multiple genres for such major labels as Sony, Warner Brothers and Atlantic Records. As Malo however he is able to express his life long love of house music. Involved in making dance music for the last decade Tom has co-released tracks under various guises including Dark Horse with Joe Polaroid Morris, & Reset*

It was through his long friendship with Mat Playford that first gave birth to Tomas Malo. Tom & Mat first met some 8 years ago through the leeds club scene and more specifically the Playmusic Record shop and famous Sunday night Vibe parties @ Fudge. Since then they have released music together as Playford & Gray, The Stellars & WEiRdO PoLiCE Now through Mat`s label Social Problem and new label together Architech Records. Malo currently has 2 remixes on Social Problem that have been met with rave reviews, and has upcoming releases on Geddes Murmur and Architech scheduled, with loads more remixes and original material to come.

Architech Records first release was Vibe Corner - Long Time Gone, Vibe Corner are Eric `Brad` Mercer and Chris `Wrendog` Wren its a proper deep house workout that has been getting dropped by Anja Schneider and Nic Fanciulli and the like.

Can you tell us a bit about the track(s) you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? Mama`s Gun in this Podcast is just a demo version, which is more of a tool than anything, Evers gave a copy of this demo to his mate Laura Jones, who in turn past it on to her boyfriend Gavin Herlihy who started playing it out in Berlin. This lead to Heidi of Phonica Records and BBC1 and Martin from Connaisseur Records hearing it at a house party, Heidi loved it and there was talk of it going out on the new Connaisseur  sub-label Outils du /Connaisseur/ .

Next thing you know its appearing in peoples charts in Mixmag and getting props from Ripperton and the like. Fuck knows how that all happened. We`ve just finished a version we`re happy with, its only taken a year, Tom and Mat have done a remix each and these along with the original demo tool will be released on Architech in the spring, hopefully it won`t have run out of steam by then and peeps will still be enjoying its vibe.

Ransom Note is something we did a year and a half ago, at the time Nick Curly wanted to sign it for 8Bit, but we fucked it by not getting our arses into gear and doing a few other tracks for an EP. Sounds maybe a little dated now, plan is to give it a spit and polish and get it sounding more 2009. If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) N/A this question as we release stuff on our own label.

Iain Mac Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far I`ve been messing around with music production software since 2001. Firstly using Reason but when I discovered Ableton Live I got really into making bootlegs and mash-ups and doing remixes of stuff. A few of the things that I made around that time under various pseudonyms got picked up and got a fair bit of play. My first vinyl release was also around this time, a remix of Shake Yer Dix by Peaches, unfortunately I don`t even have a copy of it myself, as I still haven`t managed to track down the bastard who released it on a Japanese label without either mine or Peaches consent.

Since then I`ve had a bit more success with a Kaiser Chiefs remix which got a lot of radio airplay in America and came close to being included on an official release. I`ve also had a couple of more serious remixes released including Encode by Karl Lambert on Monad Music and Downshift by Guy Hornsby on Devore.

Lately music has become much more of a hobby, I think could probably describe myself as semi-retired. I don`t have the time I used to have to devote to production at the moment, so tracks tend to spend a long time coming together and very often don`t get beyond the “work in progress” folder.

Can you tell us a bit about the track(s) you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? The track started off at around the time that Paul Woolfords Erotic Discourse came out, with all the hype around it being made from just 2 samples. I started Zipless with the intention of making something out of just 1 sound, clearly Wooly knows way more than me and Zipless is actually made of 4 although 2 of them were added a couple of years later.

If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) They could try www.myspace.com/iainmacdj but as i`m terrible at keeping that up to date the best option is email iain@iainmac.net.

Simon Jones AKA Deacon and Lisa Kenny (Tigerpigs) Tell us a bit about yourself and our producing career so far Simon - I`ve been djing since 1992 and making music from around the same time although I didn`t have the money for a sampler until I was about 16. I started out playing Drum `N` Bass and Breakbeat, then Techno and then House. My dad has always been in bands since before he was a kid and he started using Cubase when it was first launched on the Atari ST, back when monitors were monochrome and before the days of softsynths. I`ve had a few tracks out and ran my own label for a couple of years too. Lisa - Lisa ran her own prog- tinged record label, Fudge Recordings, back in the early noughties. She worked with some fabulous people, released some great tracks and made quite a few good chums. Nowadays, she bakes fairy buns for her hard-working boyfriend Deacon and helps him out with basslines and harmonies.

After a while away from track making, she is getting her shizzam together to have a much delayed bash at it again.

Can you tell us a bit about the tracks you have contributed to the first Unsigned producers podcast please? Each of my tracks that feature on this mix were done especially for the podcast. I wanted to begin with Reset*`s `Mamma`s Gun`, but it`s a very different track from the others on there so I put `The Score` together to make the bridge between that and what was to follow. `Diskotastik` was to add some variety and `Tangent` is more my normal sound. `Flux Capacity` was a collaboration between me and my girlfriend, Lisa, the first track we`ve worked on together. I`m really chuffed with the quality of tracks people have given me for this mix, there are some very talented people on 4C!

If there are any labels out there that like your sound, what is the best way fro them to get in touch with you? (MySpace, e mail etc) They can email me at djdeacon@gmail.com or by Private Message on 4clubbers.net

Dan Tait Dan is extemely busy - so we didn`t wait for his answers to come in to publish the mix - he`s either in Ibiza, Sigapore, the UK, or somewhere else just as cool spinning tunes and making music. You can get all the info you need for Dan Tait at www.dantait.com

It’s one of the current crop of new labels at the forefront of the European scene and one of the most consistently impressive imprints to surface in the last couple of years. The label was formed in 2007 by the duo, a pair of DJs and producers that have been blazing a trail across dancefloors in Europe and beyond since they met in 2002.

Anthony Middleton and Luca Saporito have become revered for their own take on the electronic musical spectrum, playing everything from deep house to minimal techno, and cementing their places at the forefront the new wave of talent emerging in the second half of the decade. As producers, they released their first track in 2004, and since then have surfaced on the likes of Low Pressings, Rekids, Renaissance, Tsuba, Moodmusic and Get Physical as their star slowly rose into the ascendancy. Starting the label was a natural progression for them.

Supernature, now celebrating its tenth release, has nurtured a tight and select crew of up and coming artists from the Uk and Europe, very much trying to keep to the family ethic. Artists already released on the label include Bearweasel, Gwen Maze, Dubshape, Boris Horel, Luca Bachetti, and Nick Curly, and this mix will showcase its finest output, both with already released tracks and upcoming promos. The full tracklisting is below.

Tracklisting for the mix

Alex Niggemann - Can I Get (Original) – Forthcoming Supernature Alex Niggemann - Black Rose (Original) - Forthcoming Supernature Pedramovich – Hotspot (Original) – SPND003 Amelie vs Audiofly - Move (Original) - SPN006 Boris Horel - Is That A Yes? (Original) - SPN006 Robbie – The Joint (Original) - SPN001 Bearweasel – Moniker (Solomun Remix) – SPN002 Dubshape – Different Elevations (Original) – SPND002 Robbie – Hot Kitchen (Original) – SPN001 Nick Curly - Friday (Original) – SPN004 Amelie – Generous For One (Original) – SPN006 Audiofly X – Forthcoming Supernature

For the 3rd 4clubbers Podcast we go all Hard House and present an exclusive mix from one of the rising lights in the scene - Rodi Style.

This is a mix made up entirely of Rodi`s own productions, and put together by him. Rodi is signed to Tidy music now, and he releases tracks on various labels including Tidy and Fireball recordings.

A few words from Rodi: So tell us about the mix, why choose the tracks you chose? For this mix I decided I wanted to do a bit of a look at my productions from 2005 when I first started, leading up to some of the newer bits this year. I thought it would be perfect to start off with the 2005 version of “pistol packing” and end off with the forthcoming new version of it due out around March/April. The Hard Dance Awards are coming up in February you looking forward to them? I definitely am, it’s such a great event filled with pretty much everyone in our hard dance scene so it will be great to see familiar faces. I’m looking forward to finding out who wins best newcomer as well this year!

There’s a lot of great new talent and it’s going to be a close/tough category!

What have you got coming up gig wise? Tomorrow (17th) I’m off to Swansea to play at Escape which is very exciting as the club is amazing! Then on the 31st this month I will be making my debut at Inside out in Glasgow! I’ve been told it’s an awesome club and the Scottish crowds are among some of the best crowds I’ve ever played to.

As it looks right now this is my Jan/Feb calendar. Jan 17 – Escape gets filth //Swansea Jan 31 – Inside Out //Glasgow Feb 7 – Parlez Vous //Bradford Feb 21 – Tidy-sexual //Birmingham Feb 27 – Hard Dance Awards //Leeds Feb 28 – Radio City //Dublin

Then on March 7th it’s Tidy @ Magna. I’m drooling in anticipation! I’ve never been to Magna before but I remember seeing videos of past Tidy events there a few years ago and I’ve been so envious! I’m so excited to be a part of it in 2009!

What releases are coming up for you in the next few months? Just released is the 3rd release on my label “Kung Fu Wax” which includes a track from Ben Stevens and I called “In Control”. It’s been getting some great reactions and plays including one on Kutski’s BBC Radio1 show.

Next month I have two more tracks with Ben Stevens released on Tidy, an EP on Fireball Recordings due out around the same time as well as a remix I’ve done for Vicious Circle. Maybe a month later or so will be the release of “pistol packing” including 2 amazing remixes from Nik Denton and Adam M.

Tracklisting for the mix: 1. Rodi Style & DJ Pseudo - Pistol Packing (2005 original) //Passion Records 2. Rodi Style & Dan Dyson - Imitation //Dual Cyclone Recordings 3. Rodi Style, Ben Bostock & Dan Dyson - Freaks come out //Beat Ranch Recordings 4. Rodi Style & T-Bot - Filth Code //Hardwired Recordings 5. Rodi Style - Mood Killer //Toolbox Recordings 6. Carl Nicholson - Ricochet (Rodi Style remix) //Fevah Records 7. Rodi Style & Some Pun - Powertool //Easy Skanking Records 8. Rodi Style & Bryan Doyle - Wide Awake //Oktane Records 9. Rodi Style - Spelling Bee //Kung Fu Wax 10. Rodi Style - Jump //Kung Fu Wax 11. Ben Stevens & Rodi Style - In Control //Kung Fu Wax 12. Technikal & Helen G - Don`t Stop (Rodi Style remix) //Technikal Recordings 13. Rodi Style & Morgan - Lick it //Fumo Records 14. Rodi Style & DJ Pseudo - Pistol Packing (Rodi`s kung fu mix) //Kung Fu Wax

It`s been 2 weeks since our first podcast, and for our second episode we bring you a mix by Fabrizio from Minus records. Again the mix is made up entirely of tunes from the minus records label, it is a bit of a classics mix really.

Minus records is based in Berlin, and was started by one of the pioneering lights in the techno scene Ritchie Hawtin. Minus was started in 1998 – you may have caught the main Djs on tour in 2008 in celebration of their 10th birthday.

Ritchie Hawtin launched the label with his Plastikman and Concept projects and soon attracted a set of producers, Djs and artists from the America`s and Europe to join his label.

The label is regarded as one of the main minimal techno labels in the world, based in Berlin it exists in the coolest city in the world, and they are one of the leading collectives in the techno sound.

The mix you are about to hear is brought to you by Fabrizio, an Italian born producer and DJ who after studying piano for 10 years began to produce his own sounds. He was heavily influenced by Richie Hawtin and after seeing him play one night vowed to become part of the Minus family. And so made the decision to only send his music to Richie and Minus. Maybe this was too ambitious? But he was convinced it was the right thing to – and for him it worked.

Fabrizio now has his tracks signed to Minus and he DJs under the Minus name… he is regarded as a dark, funky minimalist DJ.

You can see the full track listing on the site – and an interview with Fabrizio himself about the mix, his Djing, the label and loads more.

So there you go 4clubbers Podcast 02. Stay tuned – our podcasts are set to come out every 2 weeks.

Happy New Year and we hope to bring you some other cool new things over the next year.

Sit back and have a listen to some Minus…

We`ll bring you an interview with Fabrizio as soon as possible… as soon as he gets off his NYE duties.

Episode 2 will be a Label Spotlight covering the German minimal techno label started by Ritchie Hawtin, Minus records.

Subscribe to the Podcast using iTunes: Listen to the Podcast: Listen to this episode

Star 69 records is based in New York city, and was started by grammy award winning producer Peter Rauhofer, who is also one of the best house Djs out there. He started the label up in 1999 – so 2009 is its ten year anniversary.

Star 69 – is a house music label – but it also releases hard edged early morning stompers.

It is home to some of the best producers on the North American dance circuit and in 2008 they released tracks and compilations by Offer Nissim, Tom Stephan, Peter Rauhofer and loads more…

This mix has been put together by one of the labels resident Djs, Samio. he himself has been Djing for over a decade, is the nephew of Deep Dish legend Sharam and he’s put together an excellent blend of new, upcoming, unreleased, and a couple of classic tracks off the label.

PODCAST / Mix interview Star 69 – mixed by Samio of R.O.R.

Hello Samio – where are you at the moment and how are you enjoying it there? I’m in NYC it’s a bit cold haha

Can we ask you about this mix and the tracks you have chosen for the mix, how did you come to the decision to use these and what do they mean to Star 69 the label? Well I thought I’d put together a mix of all our latest released and un-released material as well as throw in a classic or two.. I also tried to put some tracks in there that some people would not assume would come from star 69.

How long have you been DJing and what got you into DJing? I’ve been DJing since 1996 but I’ve taken a small break in the past 2 years just to focus on production. I toured South America, Europe, and held residencies in DC but now that I’ve moved to NYC I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio and am now working on tracks under the name r.o.r. DJing is literally in my blood haha it’s something I can never escape.

How would you describe the Star 69 and your music style? Star 69 is really one of the biggest labels in the industry with a huge cataloge.  As far as North American labels go there’s few that really compare when it comes to putting out great vocal and big room club material-

Where have you enjoyed playing lately? Peru would have to be my favourite place the people there are really warm and friendly and they love house music

So who would you say were your influences? I think my biggest influences growing up was Sharam and Ali from Deep Dish. Sharam is my uncle so I really had a great teacher to learn from. I also respect Peter Rauhofer at Star 69  so much for what he’s achieved in this industry and I really respect him for being one of the great legends of house.

How do you see music developing, with the change in distribution and the internet bring the world evermore closer, and how will this all effect you? Well you have to stay ahead of the curve always.. I think in the past it was important to have one style and stick with it but now that the market has expanded so much its really important to do as much as you can in as many different genres to really get your name out there.. That’s why you see an R.O.R. release that can be progressive/trance one week  (Closer To You, Spinnin’ and tech the next (Let’s Take Drugs, Yoshi)

Have you been producing a lot of music yourself and what is your next release? Yeah I used to produce under the name Samio and had a lot of releases on Yoshitoshi and Shinichi.  I’m now producing with my partners in R.O.R. and we’re really focusing on a lot of vocal releases.  Next up is a remix on Star 69 of Offer Nissim’s “First Time” from the Offer Nissim: Remixed CD as well as a remix on Cologne’s Boxer Recordings of Haito, and then an original vocal track entitled “Walk Away”.

Who are you listening to at the moment and can you recommend someone for us to check out? I’m really loving Agent Greg (out of Greece)  from Stealth Recordings.

When you are DJing what is your ideal DJ booth set up? I’m good with the CDJ’s and the pioneer mixer. I’ve always been a big fan of CD’s but I’m starting to get into ableton and traktor a lot as my partner Nima uses Ableton when playing live and I’m starting to catch that bug.

What music did you listen to when you were growing up? Who was your favourite band? I listened to so much music as Sharam was always exposing me to his favourite bands.. Everything from the Commodores to Counting Crows to Dr. Dre..

What inspires you musically now? Anytime I hear a good set or go to a good party I always get inspired… recently I’ve been getting inspired by a lot of indie bands that im’ slowly discovering such as Five o’clock heroes and The Rosebuds.

So what will you be doing for NYE? I’m doing a party in NYC at Times Square for NYE so I’ll be staying in the cold haha.

What are you looking forward to in 2009? A lot more original productions and more dj gigs!

What’s the best and worst thing about being Samio? Haha I’ve been blessed throughout my life and very fortunate to be who I am and have the friends and family that I have so I can’t complain about any worse things

If you had to give it all up tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? Well I’ll never give it up but I hope people remember me for being an all-around good guy who can really make quality music with substance.

www.myspace.com/rorcollective

www.star69records.com

So the first podcast will go live on Thursday morning. And it is a Label Spotlight podcast, and we’ll be covering House label Star 69 - featuring a mix put together by Samio, made up exclusively of Star 69 tracks.