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Benny Benassi: Lookout, it's the Italian stallion Reported on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. 13:10 by bongboy28
Okay dance floor junkies, it's time to herald the return of the man who has kept you satisfied on more than one occasion. This smooth Italian knows what it takes to keep a crowd moving and grooving all night long, and with the sucess of his worldwide club hit "Satisfaction" behind him we took five minutes to find out what's on the horizon for Benny Benassi.
Gday Benny, how's life for you at the moment?
I?m in a good mood, thank you, and looking forward to coming to Australia. My head?s spinning like a record from all the travelling, but I know I?m lucky to have that kind of problem to deal with.
Are you a football fan? If so, are you looking forward to the World Cup?
Honestly, I?m not a great football fan but I?ll support Italy in the World Cup. Italian soccer?s going through a rough patch right now as everyone?s accusing everyone else of bending the rules, so I think our national team might be a bit demoralised!
How do you relax at home in Reggio Emilia, Italy?
I love cycling and eating and drinking well with old friends.
inthemix recently turned the grand old age of six and had a huge party to celebrate. Benny, your 40th birthday is coming up, any ideas how you'll celebrate that milestone?
I?ve still got a little time to think about it! But I think it?s going to be intimate rather than a big public thing... I just can?t take myself that seriously!
Has the emergence of the iPod and mp3s affected the way you market and release music now?
You don?t sell as many records as ten years ago... The market has been decimated and we?re all hoping that legal downloading will help. Personally I can?t complain as my records have always done well. I think the future is going to be more and more digital, so in the end it?ll just be the artist, the internet and the fans. But there?s still a way to go.
Where do you see the electro sound heading in the future?
Electronic music will always exist as long as there are electronic means of generating sound... And it?ll always go in and out of fashion, that?s life!
How much has Alle (your cousin) influenced your career, both as a DJ and producer?
Enormously. He is the genius behind the scenes. We are an inseparable team.
Your record label Pump-kin Music has been key in releasing virtual unknowns, are there any up and coming producers http://max.inthemix.com.au/adlog.php...&cb=115662e0c2
http://max.inthemix.com.au/adview.ph...ank&n=74437800
on the label you're particularly impressed with?
We have three new electronic DJ/producers who specialise in minimal electro - N.O.I.P. (No One Is Perfect), Audio Vegas and Agiman. We?re also signing an electronic funk team called H&T who produce a style we could call Fun-Kin Pump-kin....
I read somewhere that you were going to introduce visuals into your live set, how's this going?
I have a VJ who occasionally tours with me in Europe if the club or event is right and properly equipped for visuals. It?s very effective as the graphics and visuals are designed for the occasion by a very talented VJ.
On the subject, are the days of a DJ strictly playing vinyl gone?
I love vinyl. People bark on until dawn about whether vinyl is ?warmer? than CDs, it?s very personal though... I now use a lot of CDs because they?re so much lighter to carry about when you?re taking 3 planes a day.
Do you have any new material out this year?
I?m working right now on a couple of remixes for great rock-oriented young bands, one of whom has roots in Australia. I?m also experimenting with Alle on new Benny Benassi material but we won?t release anything until we?re 100% convinced that it?s exactly what we feel and want to communicate.
What's your favourite country to tour?
There are many... I?m a lucky guy and have had the chance to build friendships all around the world. I feel particularly at home in Canada and Australia.
What's been the biggest influence on your career?
My career choices have been mainly determined by the people I admire, starting out with my admiration as a teenager for Moroder, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, through to the barons of dance music like Carl Cox and Oakenfold.
Finally what's the craziest thing you have seen from behind the decks?
You don?t wanna know!
Benny Benassi tours the east coast for Pacha this June long weekend. You can also catch him playing selected additional dates:
Fri Jun 9 - Melbourne, Room (BUY TICKETS)
Sat Jun 10 - Brisbane, Family
Sun Jun 11 - Sydney, Home (BUY TICKETS)
Thu Jun 15 - Gold Coast, Bedroom
Fri Jun 16 - Perth, The Harbourside
Okay dance floor junkies, it's time to herald the return of the man who has kept you satisfied on more than one occasion. This smooth Italian knows what it takes to keep a crowd moving and grooving all night long, and with the sucess of his worldwide club hit "Satisfaction" behind him we took five minutes to find out what's on the horizon for Benny Benassi.
Gday Benny, how's life for you at the moment?
I?m in a good mood, thank you, and looking forward to coming to Australia. My head?s spinning like a record from all the travelling, but I know I?m lucky to have that kind of problem to deal with.
Are you a football fan? If so, are you looking forward to the World Cup?
Honestly, I?m not a great football fan but I?ll support Italy in the World Cup. Italian soccer?s going through a rough patch right now as everyone?s accusing everyone else of bending the rules, so I think our national team might be a bit demoralised!
How do you relax at home in Reggio Emilia, Italy?
I love cycling and eating and drinking well with old friends.
inthemix recently turned the grand old age of six and had a huge party to celebrate. Benny, your 40th birthday is coming up, any ideas how you'll celebrate that milestone?
I?ve still got a little time to think about it! But I think it?s going to be intimate rather than a big public thing... I just can?t take myself that seriously!
Has the emergence of the iPod and mp3s affected the way you market and release music now?
You don?t sell as many records as ten years ago... The market has been decimated and we?re all hoping that legal downloading will help. Personally I can?t complain as my records have always done well. I think the future is going to be more and more digital, so in the end it?ll just be the artist, the internet and the fans. But there?s still a way to go.
Where do you see the electro sound heading in the future?
Electronic music will always exist as long as there are electronic means of generating sound... And it?ll always go in and out of fashion, that?s life!
How much has Alle (your cousin) influenced your career, both as a DJ and producer?
Enormously. He is the genius behind the scenes. We are an inseparable team.
Your record label Pump-kin Music has been key in releasing virtual unknowns, are there any up and coming producers http://max.inthemix.com.au/adlog.php...&cb=115662e0c2
http://max.inthemix.com.au/adview.ph...ank&n=74437800
on the label you're particularly impressed with?
We have three new electronic DJ/producers who specialise in minimal electro - N.O.I.P. (No One Is Perfect), Audio Vegas and Agiman. We?re also signing an electronic funk team called H&T who produce a style we could call Fun-Kin Pump-kin....
I read somewhere that you were going to introduce visuals into your live set, how's this going?
I have a VJ who occasionally tours with me in Europe if the club or event is right and properly equipped for visuals. It?s very effective as the graphics and visuals are designed for the occasion by a very talented VJ.
On the subject, are the days of a DJ strictly playing vinyl gone?
I love vinyl. People bark on until dawn about whether vinyl is ?warmer? than CDs, it?s very personal though... I now use a lot of CDs because they?re so much lighter to carry about when you?re taking 3 planes a day.
Do you have any new material out this year?
I?m working right now on a couple of remixes for great rock-oriented young bands, one of whom has roots in Australia. I?m also experimenting with Alle on new Benny Benassi material but we won?t release anything until we?re 100% convinced that it?s exactly what we feel and want to communicate.
What's your favourite country to tour?
There are many... I?m a lucky guy and have had the chance to build friendships all around the world. I feel particularly at home in Canada and Australia.
What's been the biggest influence on your career?
My career choices have been mainly determined by the people I admire, starting out with my admiration as a teenager for Moroder, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, through to the barons of dance music like Carl Cox and Oakenfold.
Finally what's the craziest thing you have seen from behind the decks?
You don?t wanna know!
Benny Benassi tours the east coast for Pacha this June long weekend. You can also catch him playing selected additional dates:
Fri Jun 9 - Melbourne, Room (BUY TICKETS)
Sat Jun 10 - Brisbane, Family
Sun Jun 11 - Sydney, Home (BUY TICKETS)
Thu Jun 15 - Gold Coast, Bedroom
Fri Jun 16 - Perth, The Harbourside
