Lenny Fontana is one of the greatest House Music Producers to come out of the original New York City Club scene. A True Legend who has worked with many other incredible artists such as Chris Willis, Byron Stingily, Carole Sylvan, D Train, Crystal Waters, Alison Limerick, Shirley Lites, Meli’sa Morgan and Lee John (Imagination) to name just a few. Lenny Fontana has DJed all over the world throughout his career. He was the First American DJ to play at the world famous ‘Pacha’ - (Ibiza). Lenny has played at iconic venues such as Ministry Of Sound - (London), ‘Studio 54’ - (New York City), ‘Hacienda’ - (Manchester), ‘La Queen’ - (Paris) and he also DJ'ed for the closing party at ‘The Chevron’ - (Melbourne). Each Wednesday Lenny Fontana will be joined by a very special DJ / Producer / Vocalist for a Facebook Live that will blow your mind! Lenny will be chatting with his guests about their music careers to discover the true stories of working in this industry. He will be unveiling the true 'behind the scenes' stories on how his guests succeeded and continue to survive in this business. Listen to Lenny’s amazing guests as they share their journeys and achievements that have kept them top of the game and reveal some of the many incredible memories and experiences witnessed during their music careers. Expect to hear their untold stories about the joys of their work but also the many pitfalls that are hidden beneath which make this industry a very fun and exciting, yet highly competitive and challenging environment to be part of. Imagine being the fly on the wall as you listen to 2 truly iconic faces in the music industry as they go deep into their experiences over their time working in the music industry.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROLAND CLARK # 126 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Roland Clark is an Artist, Vocalist, Producer and DJ. He has gone under the aliases Jesus Jackson, Digital Pimps, Dark Clark, South Street Player, and is also a founding member of the dance music project Urban Soul "Alright". One of the many projects he has been involved in is "Flowerz" by Armand van Helden, from the album 2 Future 4 U from 1998, as well as delivering his writing and vocal talents to the likes of Todd Terry, Duke Dumont and Katy Perry. He was featured on two of Fatboy Slim songs, "Star 69" and "Song for Shelter", both of which sample part of Clark's song "I Get Deep" and feature on Fatboy Slim's 2000 album Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars. In 2017, "I Get Deep" was once again sampled in "Swish Swish" by Katy Perry. His 2006 song "Running on Sunshine", which he performed using the Jesus Jackson alias and co-recorded with Fatboy Slim, has appeared in various ABC programming such as Grey's Anatomy and Men in Trees. Roland was part of one of the biggest Afro House Shows with Producer / DJ Black Coffee. His voice stands out and is a massive part to the dance music scene. Come check out New Jersey Houses Finest share his story with us on the show.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT COLEMAN (RLA AUDIO) # 125 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Robert Coleman, a Sound Technician, Seamster, and a man of many talents worked for one of the greatest sound installation companies owned by the late sound designer Richard Long out of New York City. RLA & Associates helped change and create the soundscape of what was to become the new benchmark in New York City and the world. RLA became the leaders of "The Heavy Disco Sound" and set the mark with two main clubs as there testing ground and lab. One being the Paradise Garage, who's DJ Larry Levan helped Richard as well with modifications and designs of the speakers and the other famous club Studio 54 which both opened in the year of 1977. Richard Long's sound company known as RLA went on to do many big installations around the world, won many awards for its devastating mammoth look and of course Hi Fidelity sound that became synonymous with nightclub owners and its patrons. People would say when you experience an RLA sound system, its "Bass in your Face", "Highs in your Eyes" with the use of Bertha Bass Boxes with The Levan Extensions and JBL Bullets Tweeters Flying in the Chrome Z-Array's. Robert will give us the inside history of all the day to day from that momentous time through this interview. We are so humbled to be able to bring someone of his caliber here on True House Stories that can share the Richard Long Story. ♫ SUBSCRIBE TRUE HOUSE STORIES® NEWSLETTER: ✚ https://truehousestories.com/subscribe-newsletter
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ SUPA D # 124 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Coming from a musical background DJ Supa D started djing at the age of 13. He has evolved from genres such as Jungle, Garage and House music where he has been engrossed since 2003 to present day. At 16, DJ Supa D started a weekend job in his local record shop, Wired 4 sound in Hackney, which kept him up to date with the latest sounds. By 2004/5 DJ Supa D started making a name for himself in the underground scene and began djing in clubs nationally. In 2006 Supa D was approached to compile his first major CD for Jet Star Records called, ‘Timeless Anthems, (The Soulful House Experience)'. He then went on to bring out compilations with Rinse FM in 2007 and 2010, then with Ministry of Sound in 2009. DJ Supa D has captivated a wide range of followers throughout his career and continues to do so as he travels the world DJing in places such as Miami, Jamaica, Amsterdam, Denmark, Paris, Ibiza, Cyprus, Malia, Crete, Antigua and Dubai with many more locations scheduled. DJ Supa D is also joint owner of a record label called ‘SOTU', (Sounds of The Underground), which was set up by a close friend, DJ Pioneer in 2012. The future is looking bright for the label with a few releases circulating the underground House scene and forthcoming releases which are set to cause a storm. DJ Supa D has rebuilt his studio and is currently focusing on his production skills with future releases scheduled to hit the scene very soon, so watch this space because DJ Supa D is back with a vengeance.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BURRELL BROTHERS # 123 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA The development of deep house into a global force during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s also owes much to a pair of near-identical twins from New Jersey, Reginald (AKA Rheji) and Ronald (aka Rhano) Burrell. Talented musicians who had been playing in bands since they were 12 years old, the Burrell twins released an unbelievable amount of music between 1988 and 1993. While their output was varied (they had strong links to New York's new jack swing, R&B and hip-hop communities, and were often employed as producers or beat-makers), Rheji and Rhano became best known for a trademark style of polished, musically rich deep house that drew just as much inspiration from New Jersey garage, soul and jazz-funk as it did from the work of Larry Heard and his Chicago contemporaries. In this episode they explain the working environment and the upstart of NuGroove Records. Its one of the very few interviews where the brothers spoke speak about there rise to fame in the R&B and Hip Hop World with many huge hits to back them up. The brothers are extremely talented and are trailblazers in many ways.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DE HOFNAR # 122 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA De Hofnar is one of the founders of the melodic deep house/tropical house genre. This made him a streaming millionaire. His talent was also seen by the fathers of the day-to-day dance music. Tiësto, Laidback Luke, Pete Tong and Armin van Buuren asked De Hofnar to make official remixes for them. Come check out the superstar of one of the biggest genre's share with all of us his success and secrets to his rise to fame.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JOVONN # 121 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA A native of Brooklyn and current resident of Queens (New York), Jovonn has been active in the music scene since the age of 10. Supported by his mother, a keyboard player; and father, a guitar/bass player, who were aspiring R&B singers; he was nurtured with a solid musical foundation. Jovonn began his career as a Hip-Hop DJ at the age of 14 and started spinning records at those infamous New York block parties of the 80s where he was introduced to the growing New York House music scene, hanging out in seminal Brooklyn clubs such as Sapphires, Club Saturn and Club Serene. Years later clubs such as The Loft, The Choice, Snobbusters and Zanzibar, solidified his full commitment to House music. Exploding onto the house scene in 1991 with his second release, “Turn and Runaway” on Warner Bros. Records, (which reached number 10 on the Billboard chart and catapulted Jovonn on to the global scene) He then went on to set up his first record label, Goldtone Records, in the early 1990's via Emotive Records (label compilation dropped on clone last year) and since then has produced more than 500 records in the House, R&B, Hip-Hop and Neo Soul genres, not to mention film scores and soundtracks although his true love has always been House music. A pioneer of the NYC, New Jersey, 90's house sound, he's produced many classics with releases such as as “Back In the Dark”, “Garage Shelter”, “I Can't Make Up My Mind”, “I Wanna Go To A Club” that all contain Jovonn's distinctive vocal delivery and trade mark production, as the man says himself ‘gritty sounds, hard kicks, jazzy chords and a phat bassline'. Other releases in Jovonn's impressive discography include ‘Something About this Love' (on WestEnd Records), “The Spirit” album (on Track Mode), and the “Blaque House” album on Code Red. More recently he's delivered releases on prestigious labels such as Dogmatik, Objektivity, Deeply Rooted House and Apollonia, showcasing his talents to a new audience of house music lovers. Jovonn launched his new label venture Body N'Deep in 2017 via clone distribution, dedicated to releasing the hottest deep and raw underground house tracks from Jovonn and his crew of producers and vocalists including tracks from legendary artists such as Karizma, Delano Smith and Louie Vega. His recent album ‘Timeless' was released and received great reviews from DJ's and Press, showcasing Jovonn's trademark new jersey sound. Look out for a busy release schedule throughout 2020 on Body N'Deep and a new Jovonn album later in the year.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT CLIVILLES (C&C MUSIC FACTORY) # 120 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Robert Clivillés was a resident DJ in club Better Days in the late 1980s. David Cole was the resident keyboardist there and the two became firm friends. In the late 1980s, Clivillés and Cole were active in the groups 2 Puerto Ricans, a Blackman, and a Dominican and the 28th Street Crew. At the time, they were the driving force of the short-lived Brat Pack. The duo was also responsible for the formation of pop group Seduction, for whom they wrote and produced a string of top-10 hits. They contributed to the career of former Weather Girls vocalist Martha Wash, who at the same time was one of the lead vocalists for the dance act Black Box. In 1990, Clivillés and Cole released a single featuring later C+C Music Factory rapper Freedom Williams, called "Get Dumb! (Free Your Body)", as The Crew. The duo's biggest success, however, was the group C+C Music Factory, which became a worldwide sensation in 1991. After the death of his partner David Cole in 1995, Robert Clivillés continued to keep the C+C legacy alive through his own production work. In 1995, he released a solo single under the name C+C Music Factory, called "I'll Always Be Around" (#1 Billboard Dance/Club Play), on MCA Records. This was the final #1 Dance/Club Play hit for C+C Music Factory. An album titled C+C Music Factory was released by MCA in 1995 in Europe, but didn't come out in the US. This was the final studio album of new material to be released under the C+C Music Factory name. The same year, Columbia/SME Records released Ultimate, a greatest hits collection featuring a compilation of remixes and album versions of C+C Music Factory's Sony Music Entertainment singles. Two singles were released in conjunction with the album: "I Found Love" (#13 Dance/Club Play), and "Robi Rob's Boriqua Anthem" (#29 Dance/Club Play), which featured Spanish-language reggae artist El General. In October 1996, Clivillés released an album of new material under the name Robi-Rob's Clubworld. The first single from the project, "Shake That Body", featured emcee Ya Kid K, formerly of Technotronic. The second single, "Reach", was a collaboration with Hex Hector, and featured vocals from longtime C+C vocalist Deborah Cooper. This was the final recording to include piano tracks recorded by the late David Cole. In the 2000s, Clivillés worked with the group MVP, releasing two studio albums with the group. In 2010, C+C Music Factory reformed, with Eric Kupper stepping in to replace Cole. In May 2015, Clivillés made his debut on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart with the song "Set Me Free", featuring vocals by Kimberly Davis of the band Chic. The music video for "Set Me Free" makes reference to Clivillés' father's suicide. In June 2021, Clivillés produced and released the song "Yo Soy Latino (Vamos a Bailar)" by Latinos Del Mundo
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOOKER T # 119 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Grammy Nominated Booker T is one of the UK's most prolific and respected House music producers and DJ in the industry, who has enjoyed widespread success on the commercial and underground scenes. Since his first forays into House music back in the Late 80s, Booker T has delivered a steady stream of quality releases and top artists remixes as well as firing up the decks at some of the world's best clubs. As one of the UK's finest producers, Booker has given the dancefloor some incredible vocal anthems including LZ Love “See The Light” on Slip N'Slide and Kathy Wood's “Give Me Joy”, and his remixes of Usher, Sounds Of Blackness, the All Saints' worldwide smash “Never Ever”, which won him ‘Remix Of The Year' at the Underground Dance Awards (1999, and Jody Watley's “Off The Hook” are still being played today. Versatile, passionate and always looking to innovate, Booker T, writes his own rules in production and keeps if fresh on the decks with his latest Exclusive productions, edits and remixes. There is so much more to this man. come sit with us and learn what it takes to rise to this fame.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PHIL FULDNER # 118 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA One of Germany's longest-serving DJs and producers, Phil Fuldner is a Kosmonaut. In other words, he belongs to that elite group of performers -- such as Tom Novy, Eniac, and DJ Moguai -- who've signed on with Germany's ultra hip Kosmo Records label. Fuldner first hit the big time in 1997 thanks to the single "The Final" -- a remake of the old "Captain Future Hymn." A massive success on dance charts all over Europe, the release was a tandem effort with DJ Moguai, with whom Fuldner has had a long association dating back to the pre-Kosmo times. In 1998, he had a go at covering the retro-classic "S-Express" -- the theme to the S-Express TV show -- and the result was yet another dance chart topper in Germany. During the next couple of years, Fuldner was busy in the studio producing and remixing a host of popular compilation albums, working with such big names as Timo Maas, Judge Jules, and Yves Deruyter.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SIMON DUNMORE (FOUNDER DEFECTED RECORDS & GLITTERBOX) # 117 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA A very candid interview with the main man responsible for some of the biggest house music hits in the game, Simon Dunmore of Defected Records and Glitterbox Recordings. Listen carefully on how he explains his rise in the music business. There are key notes to work and live by that he shares with all of us. Simon's journey through the music industry to head of Defected was a journey through various subcultures. While working in a London dry cleaners, being sent to a textile course in fashion college in Derby exposed him to the more electronic, danceable side of the post-punk and New Romantic sound. Venturing deeper into the club scene back in London, he found a new community in the soul scene that would be the canary in the mine for the house music starting to cross the Atlantic. Nights like Nicky Holloway's Doo at the Zoo and Special Branch (including a trip to Ibiza in 1986) and a pivotal Soul weekender in, of all places, Berwick-On-Sea, lit the flame of a lifelong devotion to the soulful end of house that burns to this day. A DJ since 1983 (“I'd been making a lot of mixtapes, admittedly mostly for girls, when one day I was asked to play someone's birthday party”), Simon threw himself into DJing and the soul scene: writing for magazines, building a database for his hand-lettered and photocopied ‘London Soul Circular', organising buses from the suburbs to parties and events around the country. A job at Record & Disco Centre in London's Rayners Lane saw him receiving promos from labels hoping he would hype their records to influential customers like Record & Mirror writer James Hamilton. Another customer, Cooltempo A&R Steve Wolfe, gave Simon a job doing club promotions, plugging club DJs whose feedback would inform the dance charts that were the bedrock of a track's journey from record bag to radio play. Soon Simon was suggesting better records to sign or remixes to pursue, and when Wolfe left the label, Simon applied and got his job, later repeating the process when Wolfe left new home AM:PM. In the famously cut-throat and hedonistic 90s record industry, Simon took his time to find the right records to launch his new position with AM:PM, but a string of extraordinary releases including Ultra Nate's ‘Free', Alcatraz ‘Give Me Luv', Mousse T's ‘Horny' and MJ Cole's ‘Sincere' quickly made his name. When Ministry Of Sound - whose compilation CDs were not just dominating the electronic music sales but also effectively defining the culture - offered him the chance to set up his own label (just as a takeover of AM:PM by Universal was decimating the team he loved working with), the die was cast. Defected Records was born on January 1st 1999 and has now coming on its 25th Anniversary better than ever.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK LONDON # 116 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Mark London Lewis is considered a pioneer of the electronic music scene since 1988 in the US. His industry credits have earned him a GRAMMY NOMINEE as a producer and band member of INTERSTATE signed to DJ Icon Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold and the industry respect from every aspect of dance music professionals for over 25 years. Mark's DJ Destinations have included Asia, South Africa, Europe, South America and every major city in the US. Having traveled the world touring with ICON'S DJ's Paul Oakenfold & Carl Cox for over 10 years puts Mark's star power in a league of his own. Mark's marketing firm MIXOLOGY AGENCY for the last 15 years has major Cache with leading national brands Bacardi, House Of Blues, Red Bull, Fiji Water and World Famous Nikki Beach. Additional EDM branding has been featured in Documentary's & TV show via media giants Universal, ITV, Netflix & Google. Mark's also has celebrity DJ status spinning for Industry music Icon Elton John, chef Icon Wolfgang Puck, Actor heartthrob Rob Lowe and legendary band U2 Sundance Film Festival along with Annual LA FASHION WEEK runway events as music director to elite designers. Mark's relationships within the record business makes him a successful A&R man that has lead to many successful licensing deals with heavy weights Warner Bros, Ministry Of Sound, Global Underground, Perfecto Records & Universal Music. His dance music appeal has claimed numerous Billboard number one spots for artist such as Gloria Estefan, Alanis Morissette and Chaka Khan. Catch Mark amazing DJ Sets LIVE or Online via his residencies from Korea, Miami, Las Vegas, to Hollywood to feel THE BEAT. ♫ SUBSCRIBE TRUE HOUSE STORIES® NEWSLETTER: ✚ https://truehousestories.com/subscribe-newsletter ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ♫ FOLLOW MARK LONDON ✚ WEBPAGE: https://djmarklondon.com ✚ FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/djmarklondon ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/djmarklondon ✚ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/marklondonmusic ♫ FOLLOW LENNY FONTANA ✚ WEBPAGE: http://lennyfontana.com ✚ FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/lennyfontana ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/lennyfontana ✚ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LennyFontana ✚ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/c/LennyFontanaOfficial ♫ FOLLOW TRUE HOUSE STORIES® ✚ WEBPAGE: https://truehousestories.com ✚ FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/TrueHouseStories ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/truehousestories ✚ YOUTUBE PODCAST: https://youtu.be/59m1nA6G2yo ✚ SPOTIFY PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/0G85MLUrHGJ3EgWlTnEwlE #MarkLondon #TrueHouseStories #LennyFontana #MusicDocumentary
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MERLIN BOBB # 115 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Merlin Bobb has been a music veteran within the entertainment industry for over two decades, from radio to major labels to founder and CEO of his own music entertainment company. His remix and engineering work on various hit records, and his track record for discovering and breaking talent in a diversity of music genres has made him recognized and well respected throughout the industry. Merlin developed such multi-platinum superstars as Missy Elliot, En Vogue, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Brandy, and Keith Sweat. Zomba/Universal Music Publishing, New York, NY Executive Consultant Artist Branding /A&R 2007-Present Responsible for creating and securing cross-branding opportunities, corporate sponsorships, endorsements, creative marketing and major events for the companies roster of artist. A&R responsibilities consist of finding and securing new deals with artist, songwriters and producers. Roun' Table Entertainment, President & Founder 2005 - Present Established and founded Roun' Table Entertainment; merged with Cash Money Records. Roun' Table is distributed through Universal Music Group. Elektra Entertainment Group, Executive Vice President, Head of A&R 1995 – 2005 Headed A&R department and its roster making Elektra Entertainment one of the top labels in the music industry. EEG's profit and market share exceeded those of any prior years. EastWest Records, Senior Vice President / Co-Founder / Head of A&R 1991 - 1995 Founding member; Launched one of the most successful labels of the early 1990's; Key player in the development of the label as a leading pop/urban component of Warner Music Group. Within two years East Weast was the #1 label for urban/pop music. Atlantic Records, Vice President of A&R / Department Head 1986 – 1991Headed the A&R department, taking Atlantic's urban music department from the #11th place to #1 in the industry. WBLS (107.5), Music Director 1983 – 1986 Helped establish the station to #1 ratings overall in New York. During the course of his extensive career in the music industry, Merlin Bobb has signed and developed various artists which are considered stars and super stars in today's popular music arena. These are just a few of the artists and the number of albums his signings have sold. His signings have sold over 45 million. ♫ SUBSCRIBE TRUE HOUSE STORIES® NEWSLETTER: ✚ https://truehousestories.com/subscribe-newsletter ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ♫ FOLLOW MERLIN BOBB ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/clubshelternyc ♫ FOLLOW LENNY FONTANA ✚ WEBPAGE: http://lennyfontana.com ✚ FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/lennyfontana ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/lennyfontana ✚ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LennyFontana ✚ YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/c/LennyFontanaOfficial ♫ FOLLOW TRUE HOUSE STORIES® ✚ WEBPAGE: https://truehousestories.com ✚ FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/TrueHouseStories ✚ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/truehousestories ✚ YOUTUBE PODCAST: https://youtu.be/59m1nA6G2yo ✚ SPOTIFY PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/0G85MLUrHGJ3EgWlTnEwlE #MerlinBobb #TrueHouseStories #LennyFontana #MusicDocumentary
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DISCO DONNIE # 114 Donnie “Disco Donnie” Estopinal, Founder & CEO of electronic music promoters Disco Donnie Presents. Disco Donnie is considered one of the godfathers of U.S. electronic dance music, evolving over the past 27 years to become one of the top dance music promoters globally. From his early days in the 1990s New Orleans dance scene, Disco Donnie coupled eccentricity with ingenuity to create elaborately themed parties that charmed patrons, garnered an international following, and unwittingly became a catalyst for a national debate over the First Amendment right to expression. Donnie will discuss how he built DDP and its commanding influence on developing electronic music in North America, as well as the state of electronic music following the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Nick Hussey started his Dj career at the infamous Hacienda after parties at the Kitchen in Manchester before a successful career Djing at some of the world's most famous clubs from Moscow to Miami, Italy to Ibiza. Many Mancunians will remember Nick from his residencies at Prague 5, Berlins, Loaf and Paradise Factory as well as his music productions and remixes. Nick Has produced many Manchester artists including Ultracynic, Bowa, Luvdup, Rhythm of Life, Rachel Mcfarlene, Part-E, Emotion, Sweet Mercy and many more Nick has recently been the resident Dj playing to 5000 a night at the huge Zero Gravity Beach & Night club in Dubai and Plaza Beach & Awqa Mist in Marbella. He is currently signed to Defected Records,CR2 & King Street New York as an artist. Check out him giving you all the inside trek.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CINIMIN # 112 Born and raised in the small town of Benoni, South Africa, The Cassim brothers Kyle and Austin have been obsessed with House music since they were young boys. Growing up in a household driven by dance, disco and house music it was inevitable that they would become Djs. But being a Dj wasn't enough - they wanted to play their own music - music that they believed in, music that awakened their souls. Thus, in 2015 CINIMIN was born. A House music duo that would headline the likes of Ultra South Africa, H2O Africa, Rage Festival, Sabor Festival (Mozambique) and close to all night-clubs and events in Southern Africa. In the last 4 years they have won a DMA (Dance Music Award) for ‘best dance record of the year' and they have had not one, but 4 top 40 radio hits. Their recent hit “DURO” reached number 6 on the national top 40 on 5fm - South Africa's most loved commercial radio station. There are many dance Djs and producers around the world, but what makes CINIMIN really stand out is their infectious energy and passion on stage. Whether they are playing to 50 people or 14000 people, they have this way of connecting with the crowd. Their synergy and relationship behind the CDJs is unmatched. The way they move in synchronicity and play with the crowd is something you have to witness in person. If you have ever heard a CINIMIN record before you would know that it was made with one purpose in mind - TO MAKE PEOPLE DANCE! Every track that the boys write is made with the intention to make the dance floor shake!
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CRAIG BARTLETT # 111 Craig Bartlett has been on a mission to spread the Soulful House message all over Wales and beyond! LAMERICA has grown in popularity since its inception in 1998. LAMERICA has built up a reputation for promoting real house music. The glamorous house night has gone from strength to strength. The vibe is friendly, educated, and second to no one! The music policy is real house music, from sweet soulful house to urban jackin house and everything in between. Founder and still promoting and dj'ing at every event Craig Bartlett 54 years young. Craig Bartlett began DJing in 1990, being a Resident at the only two nights dedicated to house music in Cardiff at the time. In 1993 when a brand new concept "Spice Of Life" was born Craig was asked to be involved. This night changed the face of clubbing in Wales introducing the city to a wider audience and it also meant that guest DJ's knew where it was, (Cardiff that is). Craig has since played all over Wales and West. Craig has been fortunate enough to travel extensively spreading his Soulful House Ethos around the world at such places as Club 13 and Propaganda, Moscow, Club Terrarium, Bon Bon, Estonia, Poland, Norway, the Ukraine and Babylon, Izhevsk, King Karmehena Club, Frankfurt, Denmark, Take 5, D club, Switzerland, Club Goa, Rome and Soul on the Beach for the past three years at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. More recently Columbia, Brazil, Switzerland, regularly appearances in Ibiza at the infamous Space Terrace, Es Paradis, Bora Bora, Pacha, El Divino and Es Vive Hotel. The people who have influenced Craig over the years and who have ultimately led him into the DJ profession are MAW, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso, Larry Levan, David Depino, Ron Hardy, Danny Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez and Joey Llanos Tony Humphries, Bobby & Steve, Terry Farley, Lenny Fontana, and Rocky & Diesel to name just a few. Craig has been very fortunate to play alongside a lot of his idols and feels very lucky to have his dreams realized. Come listen to him share his story of the last 25 years and what it takes to strive to be at the top and keeping the winning formula.
Paul Ibiza is the man responsible for bringing the world the legendary records label Ibiza Records, he is the promoter that organized cutting edge events Fantastic Ibiza, Jungle Splash and MC Convention to name but a few. More recently Paul aka Digital Niyabinghi has been producing “Jungle Dub” and taking his Digital Niyabinghi Sound System on tour. Although Paul could be labelled as a Producer, Promoter, DJ, Label owner, Paul simply describes himself as an entrepreneur within the music industry. Paul got started in the rave business in 1988 around the time of events such as Sunrise and Genesis were putting on raves in fields and warehouse in the London region. Although Paul actually got started in 1988 his journey started way before in the early 80's in the days of Soul II Soul and Paul Anderson among other house and warehouse parties which is where Paul was first influenced by the Reggae and Soul played at these parties then known as or “Blues” or “Shebeens” (Shebeen being the Irish term for an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold without a licence). In 1989 Paul was involved in organising the ‘Freedom to Party' rally in Trafalgar Square which aimed to relax licensing laws in order to allow nightclubs to stay open longer. Paul then started promoting the ‘Fantastic Ibiza' raves in Goods Way, Kings Cross with DJ's such as Carl Cox, Colin Dale, Kenny Ken, Grooverider. Many of these weekend long parties were attended by upwards of 3000 people and did not always have an entry fee but rather the money was made by donations and drinks sales. After the Police attention was getting excessive due to overcrowding both inside and outside the venue in Kings Cross, Ibiza records was born in 1989 after Paul went to the Balearic Island of Ibiza and ended up breaking his leg. While Paul was immobile he started learningPaul Ibiza how to produce music using Cubase on the first Ataricomputers capable of sequencing music along with an Akai S950 sampler and Spirit mixing desk. Soon Ibiza Records would set up their offices and studio in Hornsey, North London. When Ibiza records first begun they were making Techno, Hardcore and House types of music, coupled with Dub & Reggae influences the music now known as Jungle emerged which Ibiza Records was championing along with labels and artists such as Shut up and Dance, Rebel MC, Reel 2 Reel and a Guy Called Gerald. Ibiza Records went on to establish a number of successful spin off labels such as Boxbase, Highly Blessed, Hard Plastic, Three Lions, Kemet, 3rd Party, Limited-E. Paul also opened up a record shop ‘Ibiza Records' in Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London in the early 90's. In 1994 Jungle Splash was born and still continues to this day. Paul's vision for Jungle Splash was to showcase the best of Jungle music much like an exhibition for the scene. Jungle Splash has moved from many venues over the years such as The Rocket complex in Holloway, Roller Express, The Mass and is currently held at Jamm in Brixton, London. In 2003 Paul promoted the MC Convention event convention under the ‘Highly Blessed' brand in conjunction with Mc Shabba and Skibadee. The event met with some resistance from some people that thought putting the focus on the MC's as opposed to DJ's was bound to ensure that the event would flop. To the contrary, all tickets to the event at the Stratford Rex sold out and MC Convention toured Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and Essex. Paul's latest innovation is the new sound he calls “Jungle Dub” and has been touring with his own Digital Niyabinghi Sound System which goes back to the roots of Jungle and Dub. The Sound System features artists such as Winston Runtingz, Uncle Dugs, Junior Dangerous, Ragga Twins, Potential Bad Boy, Terry T, MC Moose, Beefy and Daddy Nature and of course Paul ‘Digital Niyabinghi' himself.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ STEVE SILK HURLEY # 109 Steve Silk Hurley also known as J. M. Silk (for "Jack Master Silk"), is an American club DJ, house music producer, and songwriter. From 1985 to 1988, he had four top-10 singles on the US Dance chart, including the number-one hit "I Can't Turn Around", all released in collaboration with Keith Nunnally as J. M. Silk. With "Jack Your Body" (number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play), he topped the UK Singles Chart in January 1987 as a solo artist, while one of his later compositions, "Work It Out" from 1989, brought him his fifth top-10 record on the US Dance chart (at number three). To date, Hurley's last charting single is "The Word Is Love (Say the Word)", also known as "Silk's Anthem of Life" by The Voices of Life, which peaked at number 26 in 1997 in the UK. Steve Hurley is a four-time Grammy Award nominee; two times as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical (in 1999 and 2000), and twice for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical (in 2002 and 2003). Come listen to a real life legend share his life in the music industry.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ TERRY SPAMER # 108 You wouldn't normally expect a club night in a northern UK city to be an hotbed for the emerging UK house music scene, but Deja vu in Hull was hailed as a pioneer of house music in the UK by legendary clubbing bible Mixmag, it was also named no1 club night in DJ Magazine and has received many accolades over the years and was voted by clubbers the best night in the north. Deja Vu has now been running for over 30 years and even today manages to secure the hottest talent around. Bookings in the last few years have included Patrick Topping, Camelphat, East End Dubs, Hot Since 82, Jackmaster, Darius Syrossian. Seb Zito, Sonny Fodera, Solardo, Luik Van Dijk, Dimitri from Paris, Waff, Alan Fitzpatrick, Ben Hemsley, Wheats, Rossko, Wheats, Skream, Lauren Lo Sung, David Penn, Ben Sterling to name but a few. They've also hosted house music royalty such as Masters at Work(Kenny Dope & Louie Vega), David Morales, Sasha, Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Todd Terry, Marshal Jefferson, Bob Sinclar, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Kerri Chandler, Sandy Rivera, Lenny Fontana and so many more. Terry Spamer is the man behind the brand and its success. Listen to him share what he did over 30 years to make Deja Vu become one of the most talked about party brands in the UK and Ibiza. Staying power speaks volumes and he is not finished yet. He is working on producing high quality large events today in Hull.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ DISCIPLE # 107 "The Beat The Scene The Sound" follows DJ Disciple and his story of how DJ's, Promoters, Fans and others from a diverse communities transformed House Music from a DIY project into an international sensation amidst the tumult of 1980s and 90s era NYC. Disciple and many other DJs sought to regain a footing in the USA, but that only became possible with the rise of commercialized EDM. This book shows what is possible when you bring people together and what can unravel when you split them apart.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ GEORGIE PORGIE # 106 There's a certain type of DJ/ artist to emerge from Chicago, having been raised around the rawest and purest forms of House and Dance music. These roots cement themselves within the cities‘ residents, and form a continual source of inspiration for those who seek it. George Andros or Georgie Porgie or GP as he is known across the globe, is no exception. An accomplished DJ, Artist, hot singer songwriter, record producer, an independent dance music recording mogul and one of the hottest dance-music remixers to emanate out of Chicago, Illinois. There is no disputing the fact that Georgie Porgie is a multi-talented international recording star who owns the longest running dance labe in America! Georgie's contributions to the Dance industry earned him the title of “The Ambassador of Dance Music.” Billboard Magazine in 2010 named Georgie Top 10 Dance artist of the Decade. He has had over 35 #1 records in over 18 countries and has sold millions of records through out his career! Georgie has produced and remixed some of music's most prolific names including Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, Barbara Tucker, Mary J. Blige, Dawn Tallman, Linda Clifford, The Chi-lites feat. Marshal Thompson and Suzanne Palmer to name a few. His own productions like “Life Goes On”, “Love Is Gonna Save The Day”, “Sunshine”, “Can You Feel The Sound” , “Love One Another” and many more have earned him Global success! His Mix Show can be heard in over 20 Countries around the World! Currently he is touring the World as a DJ and a Singer which brings a whole new element to the decks and stages. Very simple...Georgie is the REAL DEAL! Come check out him share his life with us on True House Stories….
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ RICKY MORRISON # 105 Ricky Morrison has been breaking beats since it all began in '86. Genuinely one of the most influential producers & DJ's in the UK house scene from its original days in the early eighties. He is also one half of the dance music production and remixing duo, M&S. Their biggest hit was ‘Salsoul Nugget (If You Wanna)'. He has earned a reputation for delivering big performances and big records, and is set to release a wave of new material in 2020/21.In 1984 a young Ricky Morrison began spinning at London's infamous ‘Dance Wicked', promoted by SOUL II SOUL, and went on to be resident at ‘HIGH ON HOPE' with the legend that is now Norman Jay MBE. Two of the UK's most seminal dance clubs was a hell of a start and Ricky established a name for himself within the exploding house scene that developed into the monster it is today. Ricky has gone on to play at many of the best clubs in the world, on every continent, and very much has a style of his own that stands him out from the crowd, a style that saw him play the main room at the Southport Weekender five years in a row as the event was returning to its soulful roots in the late 90's. Also a regular at the Ministry Of Sound, Fabric & Pacha, Ricky developed a sound for the big rooms these venues offered that filled the space without betraying his soulful roots. This made Ricky a valuable commodity as the US House scene took off and many promoters of previously underground events began taking over the High Street needing a DJ that could cross over the soulful sound to a bigger audience. Ricky's style is unique and unlike the majority of the UK's soulful house fraternity, often described as a US sound with a British twist, and anyone who's heard him play will associate with this summary. He was so influenced by the sound coming out of the US that, in 1991, he quit his day job as a computer engineer and opened London's legendary ‘Catch A Groove Records' in Soho and this exclusive access this gave him to new material simply added to his effectiveness and reputation. Ricky has played alongside an almost comprehensive who's who of the DJ superstars that shaped today's dance music. DJ's he has played alongside include…Tony Humphries, Louie Vega, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Kenny Carpenter, Todd Terry, Erick Morillo, Terry Hunter, C.J Mackintosh, Danny Rampling, Tedd Patterson, C&C Music Factory, Roger Sanchez, Pippi, David Harness, Paul Trouble Anderson and much much more!
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SAM DIVINE # 104 Sam Divine is a DJ that knows exactly what to play and when to play it. The hours she spent rifling through vinyl in the warehouse of Chemical Records, where Sam once worked as a house buyer, gives her an insurmountable understanding of the genre. Having played nearly every club in Ibiza – including residencies at Ushuaia, Amnesia and Sankeys – and landed at top-end festivals, there are few who can offer a house music education like Sam Divine. Last year, she racked up over a hundred gigs and is well on track to exceed that in 2017, having already hit up the likes of Europe, North America and Asia. And her reputation for energising a dancefloor has been acknowledged by her inclusion in Pete Tong's Selector Series for Radio 1. A late starter, Sam took up DJing at 21 – learning to mix in her mum's garden shed. Her breakthrough came soon after with a DJ competition and landed her first residency at a club in Weston-super-Mare, where she was also the main booker, while also working in record stores. In 2005, after swapping Bristol for Ibiza, Sam became a vital component of San Antonio's west end (where this year she makes a triumphant return as a resident for Defected at Eden) and has spent every season on the White Isle ever since. During this time, Divine also began working with Defected, who in 2009 signed her to their artist roster. A weekly warm-up at Mambo ensued, opening for legendary names like Kenny Dope and Frankie Knuckles, as well as hosting the weekly Defected Radio show that currently holds the #2 spot on iTunes in the UK Music Podcasts chart. The real turning point, however, came when she played We Are FSTVL in 2013. “I dropped a mix the night before and everyone went mad for it; the tent went from nothing to one-in-one-out within half an hour,” she explains. “After that, the bookings just went nuts.” With her tireless work ethic, this summer, Sam will play Tomorrowland, Eastern Electrics, Defected Croatia, SW4, and Creamfields. This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of La Vita, the annual DJ charity night that she helped to launch and has so far raised £35,000 for Breast Cancer Research. Sam also launched her own label D-Vine Sounds back in 2015, which this year she will showcase with a stage at We Are FSTVL, dates in Ibiza and a boat party at Defected Croatia. Recently, Sam has also begun to flirt with production; her first major release, a remix of garage anthem ‘Flowers' with production partner Curtis Gabriel, hit #1 on both Traxsource and Beatport. Last year's ‘Confessions' was her first release on Defected, while her ‘Sam Divine In The House' compilation featured further productions and went #1 on iTunes' Dance chart. This summer she dropped ‘In Da Nation' EP with Cassimm on DFTD. Sam Divine's work ethic has seen her more than earn her stripes on the scene. A dedicated army of fans now spreads across the globe as her uplifting house sets captivate audiences everywhere she takes to the booth. With an unwavering love of music and tireless dedication to her craft, Sam is living proof you can achieve pretty much anything you set your mind to – and no one can hold her back.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOBBY SHAW # 103 Bobby Shaw's start in dance music began in 1977 as a bartender in the highly successful discotheque, The Barefoot Boy. There he became close friends with DJ Tony Smith and was fortunate to experience and hear the likes of disc jockeys Roy Thode, Vince Michaels, Larry Sanders, and Wayne Scott, to name a few. During this tenure, he also got to know dance promoters such as Ray Caviano, Ken Friedman, Billy Smith, Alan Mamber, Starr Arning, and Rita Heyer. In 1978, Shaw's passion for music led him to seek a job within the dance community and he was able to land a mail room position for Ray Caviano at TK Records. While at the label, Shaw assisted on notable acts as Voyage, Peter Brown, The Ritchie Family, T Connection, Beautiful Bend, KC and The Sunshine Band, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, Anita Ward, and Bobby Caldwell.Bobby's old mentor, Ray Caviano, was rewarded with a custom dance label, RFC Records, which was distributed through Warner Bros. Records and Shaw joined him in 1979 as a regional promotion person. Although Caviano was later dismissed from his role, Shaw stayed on at WB until 1984. While there, he promoted future dance music classics from Gino Soccio, Change, Kraftwerk, Laid Back (discovering and mixing the classic 12" White Horse), The Time, Prince, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Janice McClain, Stargard, Talking Heads, and the Tom Tom Club. Perhaps most noteworthy though was his relationship with Madonna as he helped guide her through the early stages of her career with Michael Rosenblatt and Mark Kamins. Shaw helped set up Madonna's early club gigs and was her promotion person for the early masterpieces Everybody, Physical Attraction, Holiday, and Burning Up. In 1984, MCA Records' executives Richard Palmese and Jheryl Busby took notice of Shaw's work at Warner Brothers and they created a national dance music promotion manager's position for him. He remained there until 1998 and during that time span he became the first corporate vice president of dance music promotion at any label. Shaw's experience was the backbone for bringing such luminaries as Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Dan Hartman, Bronski Beat, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, Fine Young Cannibals, The Jets, Londonbeat, Colonel Abrams, and Tracy Lords to the dance floors of the world. In addition, Shaw became the only record company executive to ever win the AIR competition as he took that honor in 1986. In 1999, Shaw started his own promotion company, Bobby Shaw Promotions and he is doing it still today. As well he is involved with a Weekly Twitch Show under the name BobbyPromo. His shows are quite delightful and each show is like a history lesson when you listen to the music he chooses and you experience watching him.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MELBA MOORE # 102 Melba Moore began her recording career in 1967, cutting the track "Magic Touch" which was left unreleased until 1986. In later years it became an enormous track on the Northern Soul Scene, eventually leading to Moore performing it live in 2009 at the Baltic Soul Weekender 3 in Germany north of Hamburg. In 1967 she began her performing career as Dionne in the original cast of the musical Hair along with Ronnie Dyson, Paul Jabara and Diane Keaton. In 1975 Melba Moore signed with Buddha Records and released the critically successful R&B album, Peach Melba, which included the minor hit, "I Am His Lady". The following year she scored her first significant hit with the Van McCoy penned “This Is It “, which reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top-20 position on the R&B chart, and top-10 in the UK, becoming her biggest success in that country. In 1976 she scored her third Grammy nomination with the R&B ballad "Lean on Me", which had been recorded originally by Vivian Reed and later by Moore's idol Aretha Franklin who recorded the song as a B-side to her 1971 hit “Spanish Harlem". The song is most notable for Moore's extended long note at the end. In 1983 she re-recorded the song as a tribute to McCoy, who had died four years earlier. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Moore struggled to match the success of "This Is It" with minor R&B/dance hits. However, her hit 'Pick Me Up, I'll Dance' released in May 1979 produced by McFadden and Whitehead and released on Epic Records did have considerable UK disco success, reaching UK chart position 48, along with a further hit that same year, also produced by McFadden and Whitehead with a cover version of the Bee Gees' hit “You Stepped Ito My Life”, which reached the top 20 on the R&B charts and 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1982 Moore signed with Capitol Records and reached the top 5 on the R&B charts with the dance-pop / funk single "Love's Comin' at Ya”, which also hit the top 20 in the UK (on EMI America EA 146) and became a sizable hit in some European countries for its post-disco sound and followed by "Mind Up Tonight", which was another top 40 hit in the UK reaching position number 22. A string of R&B hits followed, including 1983's "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied" and "Love Me Right", 1984's "Livin' for Your Love", 1985's "Read My Lips"—which later won Moore a third Grammy nomination (for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), making her just the third black artist after Donna Summer and Michael Jackson to be nominated in the rock category—and 1985's "When You Love Me Like This”. Moore has been married once and has a daughter. Melba Moore was engaged in a four-year relationship with television star Clifton Davis during the early 1970s. Davis later admitted that the relationship failed due to his drug abuse and mistreatment of Moore. In September 1974, Moore married record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins. Moore and Huggins divorced after 17 years of marriage in 1991. In 1999, Huggins filed suit against Moore claiming that she had publicly defamed him by stating that he abused her economically. Melba Moore has described herself as a "born-again Catholic” and listen to her share the rest of her story right here on True House Stories.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT KOOL BELL (KOOL & THE GANG) # 101 Robert “Kool” Bell is one of the founding members of the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards. A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. This legendary man will share his life with us on True House Stories and as well promote his new Champagne Brand called Le Kool. Listen to share the inside story of the how the band started and everything in between. He is an icon and you will hear how he discovered new talent and helped launched them into the stratosphere.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ KATHY SLEDGE / LEGENDARY LEAD VOICE OF SISTER SLEDGE # 100 Kathy Sledge joins Lenny Fontana on our Special 100th Episode (The legendary lead vocalist of Sister Sledge), which is a triumphant celebration. Watch and listen how she shares what her work life was like in the beginning of her career and the balance of family life in "The First Female Band" to ever do it, and they became a huge success. You will even hear how Kathy talks about the particulars going on in her family, with the control over the usage of the name Sister Sledge and how she was forced to stop singing the iconic songs for over 20 years. You all will know her as the lead singer of those familiar tunes such as “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, “Frankie” and “Lost In Music” Now you can listen to her share her story starting from a young child to today. When Kathy hears the word “No” she thinks of what's next and repositions herself to succeed no matter what. Kathy Sledge is the youngest and a founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that was formed in 1971. After achieving success beginning in the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Kathy embarked on her solo career in 1989. Kathy Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music Club Play Chart, including “Take Me Back To Love Again", which hit #1 in 1992. Now get a history lesson on how "We Are Family" does not apply to family harmony.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ EDX # 099 Maurizio Colella talks about his life in the beginning of his career around the 1990's as a young aspiring hip hop DJ that fell in love with Techno and American Garage House Music. He played around with music in high school and with growing up in Switzerland he was able to experience the huge DJ talent coming into play gigs in his city. This aspired him to want to make records and DJ in the night clubs helping to shape the EDX brand that would become famous later around the world. Over the past few years, EDX has made a name for himself in the international EDM scene, headlining the world's finest clubs and festivals to crowds in excess of 60,000 – from Miami to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, São Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Taipei, all the way to Sydney. The chart topping Switzerland-based DJ/Producer has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Axwell, Benny Benassi, Kelis, Deadmau5, Armand Van Helden, Bob Sinclar, Kool & The Gang, Kaskade, Armin Van Buuren, Steve Angello, Dubfire and many others. His remixes have been consistently featured on various DJ charts such as the DMC Buzz, Cool Cuts and Beatport and was even ranked in the TOP 3 of Beatport's Best Progressive House Artist alongside Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz. His involvement in the music industry began at an early age, but it is his consistent work that has made EDX an exemplary success story. He launched his weekly radio show ‘No Xcuses' on SIRIUS XM's Electric Area Channel and spent summer 2011 holding a residency at the world's number one nightclub – Space, Ibiza. EDX has continued his success into 2012 with the release of his debut album, ‘On The Edge'. He has spent about 2 years working tirelessly to create this 14 track magnum opus featuring some of the most incredible vocalists in the genre; including platinum selling artist Nadia Ali, Sarah McLeod, Tamra Keenan, Hadley, Sam Obernik, John Williams and Jerique. ‘On The Edge' has already resulted in the hit single “Give It Up For Love” feat. John Williams and future anthem “This Is Your Life” with Nadia Ali. With ‘On The Edge,' EDX's musical vision finally came to fruition, yet he still aspires to evolve as an artist and further his already prolific career. In 2013, EDX has manifested new dimensions in his production without diminishing the strong connection to his roots. In his collaboration with Leventina for their track "The Sun," and their remix of Helvetic Nerds' "Blood Pressure," EDX brought out a more clubby style that was widely supported by some of the most esteemed artists in the industry: David Guetta, Afrojack, and Avicii, among many others. In the midst of his work with Leventina, he pleased new and old fans alike by revitalizing the classic EDX progressive sound on songs such as "Sunset Miracles"(Spinnin'), "Touched"(Toolroom), and "Blessed"(Toolroom). Additionally, his most recent offering out on his own Pinkstar Records label, “Hazed,” has led him to explore sonic frontiers fit for the new age of dance music. The highlight of his career was winning a Grammy Nomination for his remix. Listen to EDX share his life story right here on True House Stories.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MR.C # 098 - PART 1 The original OG of Holloway Road in London Richard West shares his life from the beginning. West was born in London in 1965. He started MCing in the London clubs aged 16 and earned a reputation as a fast-talking, vivacious rapper working with LWR radio's Ron Tom, Jasper the Vinyl Junkie and Jazzy M. He joined with Colin Faver and Evil Eddie Richards to become resident rapper at Camden Palace. Mr C recorded his first house track with Eddie Richards as Myster-E, "Page 67", which was released in August 1987. This inspired West to become a DJ in late 1987. He has since organized, promoted and been resident DJ at: Fantasy (1988), Base (Dungeons 1989), Release (1991), Harmony (1992), Drop (1993), Cyclone (1994), Vapourspace (1994 and 1995), Flavour (The End, 1995 and 1996), Subterrain (The End, 1995–2002), Superfreq (worldwide 2002–present) and Super Disco Freq (LA, 2010–present).
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MR.C # 098 - PART 2 In December 1995 Richard West aka Mr C opened the night club The End in London with Partner Layo Paskin[ (of Layo & Bushwacka) and AKA bar three years later, which had its 23rd anniversary in December 2018. West is founder and owner of Plink Plonk records, co-founder of End Recordings and co-founder and owner of the Superfreq label. He has recorded under the names Myster-E, Unity 2, Nu Jacks, Bass Bureau, Mantrac, Somnambulist, Animus Amour, Killer Loop, Mr. C and Tom Parris, Mr. C and 16B and the Sycophant Slags. West is best known as frontman of The Shamen with whom he achieved a string of top 10 hits including “Move Any Mountain" and the UK number 1 hit “Ebeenezer Goode”. In 1995 he created the mix album Fantazia DJ Collection 3 – Back to the Old Skool.He has also released mix albums Psycotrance vol 1, X-Mix 6 on Studio K7, Sunterrain 100% Unreleased on his End recordings imprint and most recently Superfreq Express on his Superfreq label. West now records solo as Mr. C and collaborates as the Sycophant Slags with Francis Harris aka Adultnapper, as the Indigo Kidz with Affie Yusuf, with Apendics Shuffle and with Omid 16b. Mr C has released on Poker Flat, Wagon Repair Records, Get Physical Music and Adjunct Audio. He has released a solo EP titled "I'm Gonna Give You Some" and the albums Smell The Coffee and Incidents. He has collaborated with Affie Yusuf, Omid 16b and Apendics Shuffle.[He has remixed for Mikael Stavöstrand and David Scuba, Francis Harris, Xo Chic, Joint Custody & Affie Yusuf. His "Soulfuric" track was released on Alola and his "Liquid Acid" track was released on DJ Pierre's Acid 88 album on Afro Acid.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 1 Jim Shaft Ryan begins his journey from school learning how to play the Bass Guitar, the same Bass Guitar Paul McCartney played. Jim and his brother Michael start a band and the dream was to become Rock Stars. As chance would have it they begin to start to sell clothing in their own Boutique Shop in Birmingham. While involved in the fashion side of the business early on, they are approached by promoters who are selling tickets for Rave Events. The Ryan brothers start selling tickets to these huge events which spark the idea for them to begin putting events on as well. Learn how Jim begins with his Dj Career and how The Chuff Chuff brand is born in the mid 1980's.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 2 Jim Shaft Ryan has championed house music since the late 80s with his legendary Chuff Chuff And Miss Moneypennies parties. He has travelled the world 50 times over spreading the message of his beloved house music. He has held a residency in Ibiza since 1995 and has released over 20 compilations. He is responsible for a successful record label, legendary club nights, a Dj Agency and eventually owning the club where Miss Moneypennies use to host the Saturday night in Birmingham. He is back on the scene with a new release on the Miss Moneypennies Record label. He has thrown his hat into Remixing again and setting up dates in his diary for Dj touring. So there is no stopping this legendary DJ.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIQUE DIAL # 096 - PART 1 In 1988 Erique Dial aka E-RAZE played keyboards & made the samples on what may be considered his most successful work, RAZE "BREAK 4 LOVE" a single which sold 3 Million units world wide Re released 5 times by Champion Records between 1988-1994 breaking Top 30 each time. He comes from a very well educated background of musicians from the likes of Parliament and Vaughn Mason. Erique Produced & co wrote RAZE's "All 4 Love" the final RAZE single in 1990 fea. Lady J & The SEC which went straight in at 28 on the National Chart. Erique Produced & co wrote "Let It Move U" under the name ESTB fea. MC Principal on the Famous Rap Hits Compilation, ZYX Records, Germany which featured LL Cool J, MC Hammer & SNAP moving 500,000 units. Listen to him share his story right here on True House Stories.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ERIQUE DIAL # 096 - PART 2 In 1991 Erique Dial played keyboards on The Adventures Of Stevie V's “Jealousy" In 1992 Eric Robinson enlisted Erique's help on the 1st solo album for Martha Wash formerly of the "Weather Girls" and C & C Music Factory. Erique co-wrote and arranged "Hold On Part 2". Produced and co-wrote Oooh-Aaah with Leee John for the Imagination LP "The Facination Of The Physical" in 1993. In 1996 Erique became the musical director for Byron Stingily X lead vocalist for Ten City. Performing "Everybody Get Up" & Feel Mighty Real" on Top Of The Pops, MTV & CDUK, touring until 1998-99. In 1998, Erique was featured on Loop Da Loop "Hazel" on Manifesto / Mercury Records.The song hit No. 20 in Europe and the UK the video was on rotation on MTV, The Box & CDUK . In 2011-13 Erique Dial aka E-RAZE moved to Barcelona, Spain playing select venues like La Terrazzza, BLVD, The Ocana, where he holds a residency "BROKE 4 LOVE" every 2 weeks Cera 23, Zentruas, Moog & Family. Living in London since Jan 2015-2020 Erique has played sets at Promised Land, Labrynth, Memory Box Parties, Detached Boat Parties ,The Egg, Heaven, The Garage, House Of Wolf, Union Club, Diversion Parties, Sqaut Life, The Wick, OTC Festival and plays the London Underground scene to the present. He is right now working on songs for Juliet Roberts and co writing with Loose Ends.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FISH GO DEEP # 095 - PART 1 Fish Go Deep are Irish house dons Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson. As DJs, the pair have been spinning records together since the late eighties, holding down a residency at “Sweat" in Cork for over a decade until November 2001. These days you can catch them at their weekly Go Deep residency in Cork in between guest slots at club nights in mainland Europe, South Africa and North America. As Fish Go Deep, their productions have been released on Defected, Innervisions, Brique Rouge and Gourmet as well as their own imprints Ork and Go Deep. In 2006 they had their biggest record to date, 'The Cure and the Cause', a collaboration with vocalist / lyricist Tracey K which was licensed to UK house stable imprint Defected Records.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FISH GO DEEP # 095 - PART 2 Greg Dowling speaks about all things in dance music. From his time at Sir Henry's in Cork City Ireland to the beginning of production work and beyond. He breaks it all down in this in-depth interview about the creation of Fish Go Deep and the back story of his whole life in the music business. Fish Go Deep are an Irish production duo consisting of Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson from Cork City Ireland. They have been releasing house records under this name since 1997 and in 2006 reached number 1 on both the UK dance chart and indie chart and also reached number 23 in the singles chart with their track "The Cure and the Cause”. Both Dowling and Johnson played an integral part in the emergence of house music in Cork City between 1988 and 2001, and ran the "Sweat" night at Sir Henry's, which attracted acts such as Kerri Chandler, Arnold Jarvis, Lenny Fontana, Laurent Garnier, Dj Deep, Jerome Sydenham, Roger Sanchez, Glenn Underground, Boo Williams, Cajmere, Gemini, Derrick May, Kevin Yost, Migs, Rasoul and Fred Everything.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS) # 094 - PART 1 In this episode on True House Stories, watch Tom Silverman share his humble beginnings from his time at college to becoming The Musical Director of the radio station up in Maine and making his way down back to New York City to collect all the promos from the record labels. When he graduated from school with his degree, he tried to land a job in his trained profession but destiny had another road for him. Here he talks about starting Dance Music Report with a $5,000.00 loan and learning his way through the disco business and as well helping to shape the next parts of the music business through his column.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS) # 094 - PART 2 Tom Silverman explains different parts of the disco business and what led him to creating the New Music Seminar. Along the same time he begins to work out how to run a record label while helping out the owners of Importe 12. While he is writing his columns for Dance Music Report, he learns about a hip hop dj that was playing this eclectic sound of funk and rock all mixed up in The Bronx Area. He pays a visit to meet DJ Afrika Bambatta, and the rest is history. Tom loved what he witnessed and asked Afrika if he would like to make a record from all the tracks that you are playing in your set. At that precious moment Tommy Boy Records was created. We stopped the interview early as Tom promised he would come back and speak more about his life in the music industry. When he returns he would like to have all the topics the audience would like to hear about when he returns once again for another sit down as this will be scheduled soon.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOBBY & STEVE (GROOVE ODYSSEY) # 093 - PART 1 Acclaimed DJs, pioneering promoters, long running radio presenters, record producers and business partners in the iconic Groove Odyssey brand, Bobby & Steve have reached legendary status in the soulful house and disco scene. Marking 34 years in the industry in 2019, the duo is also celebrating 10 years of their brand Groove Odyssey with partner Michael Hughes. With a residency at the world-renowned Ministry of Sound and Groove Odyssey hosting the main stage at the mighty 51st State Festival as well as their 3rd year of the GO Ibiza weekender and further dates being announced, this is set to be a remarkable year for Groove Odyssey. In addition to this, their eagerly anticipated debut artist album will be released at the end of 2019, and includes collaborations from Leroy Burgess, Duane Harden and Barbara Tucker amongst others. And with their long running prime time show ‘Groove Odyssey Sessions' on HouseFM.net, Bobby & Steve are in demand now more than ever. In 2016 the connoisseurs of house were honored to be invited as the first international guests to play at the Chosen Few festival in Chicago, where they were presented with a lifetime achievement award in front of 40,000 house heads. On this momentous event they were quoted as saying “to play and receive that award in Chicago where House music began, was truly an overwhelming spiritual experience”. Pioneers of soulful house since 1984, the inimitable twins Robert and Stephen Laviniere were born and bred in London's East End. They started their career at a time when the landscape of London's nightlife was changing forever, and the rare groove movement was on the cusp of explosion. The boys were instrumental figures in the eighties warehouse party scene, playing their favorite soul, funk and disco music alongside fellow stalwart DJ's such as Norman Jay, Paul ‘Trouble' Anderson, Jazzy B and Trevor Nelson. In 1985 Gordon Mac's (then pirate) radio station Kiss FM launched. A mouthpiece for the scene, Mac approached the twins, offering them a weekly slot and for over ten years their trailblazing Zoo Experience show was the stations longest running specialist show. Broadcast each and every Friday night between the hours of 10.00 pm and 12.00 am, it was a hotbed of exclusive tracks and remixes. Not only did their show give many of today's most recognized DJ's and labels their first opportunity to be heard on the UK's airwaves, in turn it allowed their faithful listeners the opportunity to hear new releases from significant UK and American labels, DJ's and producers. Alongside their radio show, the twins began their, now somewhat legendary, Klub Zoo night, originating at Munkberry's and later at the Soho Theatre. Famed for its mix of classic soul, disco and rare grooves, devoted followers would flock to the club each week to hear their favourite Salsoul, Prelude or Philadelphia International tracks. However, a trip to New York at the tail end of the eighties marked a major turning point in the futures of Bobby & Steve.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOBBY & STEVE (GROOVE ODYSSEY) # 093 - PART 2 A visit to Larry Levan's world renowned Paradise Garage club in 1987, just three months before the club closed its doors forever, gave them their first taste of a new sound, later dubbed 'Garage' music, a sound which American jocks such as Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humphries were championing. Evolving from the more soulful and gospel parts of disco, US garage music, with its soaring vocals, intricate melodies and jazzy instrumentals, captured the ears of the twins. They had found their sound - dance music that still contained their beloved soulful influences. Klub Zoo was instrumental in planting the UK roots for what became more commonly referred to as ‘house music'. Inspired by what they had witnessed in NYC, Bobby & Steve wasted no time in launching their iconic new brand ‘Garage City'. Hailed as the UK's most established house night it was renowned for playing the best in soulful, funky and uplifting US garage, this side of the Atlantic. Joined regularly by the biggest names from the house spectrum such as Masters at Work, Kerri Chandler, Tony Humphries, Eric Morillo, Todd Terry and Danny Tenaglia, to name but a few. Telstar Records released various Garage City compilation albums mixed by Bobby & Steve and to mark its ten-year anniversary Defected Records released a ‘10 Years of Garage City' album also mixed by the duo. The iconic club Fabric in London hosted its 10th birthday party. Garage City also enjoyed successful seasons at Ibiza super club Es Paradis. The growing success of house music alongside their outstanding reputation as both DJ's and promoters placed them in high demand throughout the nineties. Bobby & Steve were regular guest DJ's at the biggest club nights across the globe. They founded their ‘Summervibes Dance Weekenders' which were a sell out each time and launched their own record labels producing their own tracks as well as for artists such as Leroy Burgess. They were in high demand on the remix side, reworking tracks for the likes of Faith Evans on behalf of P Diddy's Bad Boy Records. In 1997 they were nominated for a MOBO Award and in 2001 they travelled to Asia to DJ at the MTV Asia Music Awards party. The new millennium brought about a new chapter for Bobby & Steve and in that same year they launched their new night Soul Heaven at the Ministry of Sound as well as a weekly Ibiza residency at the illustrious El Divino. At the Ministry launch night, the twins joined by Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez played to over two thousand party people with a further one thousand queuing outside. The brand went from strength to strength with Defected Records releasing a ‘Soul Heaven' compilation mixed by the Bobby & Steve. In 2008 alongside their business partner Michael Hughes, the new powerhouse ‘Groove Odyssey' record label and club event was created. Ten years strong, the brand's label is churning out original releases and compilation albums to critical acclaim. The Groove Odyssey club night holds a residency at the Ministry of Sound with guests including David Morales, Louie Vega, Dimitri from Paris, Terry Hunter and Joey Negro with further dates being announced around the country and further afield. 2017 saw Groove Odyssey embark on a white isle adventure and their hugely successful GO Ibiza weekender, has been running for three years now and kicks off the island's summer season in May with the line-up for 2020 soon to be released. The five-day event hosts hundreds of clubbers from around the globe alongside an unrivalled line up of the biggest and best DJ's from the house music fraternity. In 2020 life takes a big change with the Covid Pandemic hitting all, in the early part before the lockdown began both Bobby and Steve contracted Covid. Listen to the story unfold how they both coped with the virus and how they are today.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VOCAL BOOTH WEEKENDER EDITION # 092 - PART 1 with Lenny Fontana, Victor Simonelli, Eric Kupper, Maurice Joshua & Sunlightsquare In October 2022 DJ Andy Ward organized a gathering called Vocal Booth Weekender. Andy had asked if I would come and have a discussion panel at his event. We lined up some of house music's top talent. Each one of these guys on the panel are giants in their own right. We all spoke in front in of a live audience. Dj / Photographer Colin Williams recorded the discussion and now we are blessed to present it to you on True House Stories. The panel of luminaries are as follows Victor Simonelli, Maurice Joshua, Eric Kupper and Sunlight Square.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VOCAL BOOTH WEEKENDER EDITION # 092 - PART 2 with Lenny Fontana, Victor Simonelli, Eric Kupper, Maurice Joshua & Sunlightsquare After a long weekend of Dj Gigs at Vocal Booth Weekender in Villajoysa Spain, the artists that were invited all sat together to partake in live discussion for True House Stories brought to you by DJ Andy Ward. Listen to Victor Simonelli, Maurice Joshua, Eric Kupper and Sunlight Square share part of their life story coming up in the music industry. Each one of them are a huge part to the dance music business as we know it today. It iss never that often thatyou get all of these titans together in one room to have a full and deep discussion like this. Due listen carefully as there are golden nugget tidbits that may help you personally in your business and life.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ BORIS # 091 - PART 1 DJ Boris NYC.. It's all about the music. New York stalwart and beloved DJ, Boris, lives by that statement each and every day. He is a man wearing many hats; one as a touring DJ, another as a producer dynamo and lastly as a label boss of Transmit Recordings. A career forged over decades of long nights in the Big Apple's most revered rooms. From the infamous Roxy to Crobar to the once dominating Pacha NY on 46th Street, Boris maintained a following so devout, so loyal they were truly ‘Believers'. Pioneering a music movement in a city filled with those who have so little time to pay attention, Boris has been a production powerhouse when not performing for the masses. He's been tapped by industry leaders such as Carl Cox for his label Intec, Dubfire for his label Sci-Tec, Paco Osuna and his Mindshake records, amongst countless others.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ BORIS # 091 - PART 2 DJ Boris ability behind the decks and in the studio has not only made him a New York favorite, but his music has taken him places all around the world ranging from the shores of Playa Del Carmen to the magical White Isle known as Ibiza. Known to many as the ‘DJ's DJ', Boris has had the career most DJs can only wish to have. The trends, they may change but the New York native has stayed true to his drum driven sounds and created his own niche in the wide and vast world of electronic music. Taking bits and pieces from every part of the globe he visits, Boris always maintains a piece of home in his music. Even though his career spans nearly three decades, the journeyman DJ has yet to falter. We currently find him playing leading to destinations across the globe and his music is in high demand with forthcoming releases many sought after labels, Boris will is constantly on the tips of the younger generation's tongue. Why? Because talent, like wine, gets better with age.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CRAZY P # 090 - PART 1 Todd and Baron formed the band after meeting at the Nottingham University. The band's sound incorporates soul music, disco and house music. By 2002 the band expanded to include bassist Tim Davies, percussionist Mav Kendricks, and vocalist Danielle Moore. Todd explained the origin of the band name: "A flat mate of mine had a record called 'loco pinga' which roughly translates to Crazy Penis, we were going to call ourselves loco pinga but once we told people that, they liked crazy penis better for the shock value.” They were signed by Manchester label Paper Recordings and have since released six albums and several singles, starting with "Digging Deeper" in 1996. They built up a strong fanbase in Australia where they have toured several times.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CRAZY P # 090 - PART 2 Crazy P (formerly known as Crazy Penis) is an English electronic group, formed around 1995 by Chris Todd and Jim Baron. Their track "There's a Better Place" samples the song “Pure Imagination" from the movie Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Their track "Stop Space Return" was released as iTunes UK's single of the week on 28 October 2008. The band began using 'Crazy P' exclusively in 2008 with Moore explaining "We wanted to grow, and keep growing, so there was no point in cutting our nose off to spite our face by keeping the original name.”
He began his DJ career in the early 1970s, playing soul music, with residencies at the likes of The Monica, Wings, Goldmine & Flicks. It was at Flicks where he started playing house music. He then became resident DJ at Spectrum, and it was his success there alongside Paul Oakenfold that led to him becoming one of the tour DJs for U2. Listen to him share his humble beginnings
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ COLIN HUDD # 089 - PART 2 Ever since dance music first swelled up in the UK, Colin Hudd has been riding the crest of the waves. Beginning his monumental journey, with humble beginnings working as a mobile DJ from 1971 to 1976, This laid the foundations of his DJ career today. Colin began a residency in 1976 at ‘The Monica' on Canvey Island, a year later gaining another residency at ‘Wings', Gravesend End. After passing an audition, Colin moved from ‘Monica' to ‘Goldmine', a residency he kept until 1981. In those days Colin had already established a respected reputation among the soul and funk clubs of the time. He had been a regular at Canvey's legendary ‘Goldmine' and was still on a high from winning the ‘Blues & Soul Club' DJ award. His profile gained momentum enough for him to be noticed and given his now legendary run at ‘Flicks' which ran from 1978 through to 1987. But, from as early as 1986, when the rest of the world was still listening to soul and the new romantics, Colin had already started leaning towards an entirely new genre of dance music. Little did he know that the music he had recognised as something more than a ‘fad' would become the global phenomenon it is still today; House Music. Colin has always been ahead of his time. From when he discovered house music in 1986 when he was advised to leave this new ‘noise' alone and stick to the soul that had worked so well for him, but, going with his instincts; he found himself pioneering a dance revolution. His technical ability and creative foresight enabled him to go on to headline landmark clubs such as Heaven, Legends, Ministry of Sound, World Dance, Pure Sex, and Spectrum/Land of Oz. Even bigger events were round the corner. His residency at Spectrum found him working alongside Paul Oakenfold a man he remains good friends with today. By that time house music had begun to take hold and Colin and Paul found themselves playing to packed dance floors night after night, Leading to Colin and Paul supporting U2 on their Zooropa tour. It was inevitable that Colin would turn to producing his own music. He worked as the Manic MCs and Audio Deluxe, whilst remixing PP Arnold, Billy Idol and a host of other well-respected artists.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BENNY SOTO # 088 - PART 1 For Benny Soto, it began, as it has for many New York club land veterans, with a visit to 84 King Street in downtown Manhattan. He says, “I had already been going out, but the first clubbing experience that really mattered was the Paradise Garage…just walking in there, it looked different, it sounded different, it felt different. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was home.” For Soto, then a poor kid from the South Bronx, the Garage opened up a whole new world. It was through the club that he met, and befriended, the late Keith Haring, eventually serving as the iconic artist's studio assistant. It also expanded his aural horizons: “Because of the way that Larry Levan played,” Soto says, “I became more musically open-minded.” But perhaps importantly, the Garage provided an avenue for escape. “Back then, I didn't have much joy in my life,” he admits, ‘Clubbing gave me a way to get away. Places like the Garage, though they were primarily gay, were so inclusive; it didn't really matter who you were, what mattered was the freedom that you could find there.” And that feeling—that passion for freedom, both musically and personally—would set Soto on a path that has led to a lifetime in club land. He had no idea that it would also lead to a career, but even in those early days, he recalls, “I was very curious. If I was at a club, I would be checking out the sound and looking at the lights, trying to see how it all comes together -it was like a Broadway show, except the show was the crowd itself.” Eventually he secured a gig doing odd jobs at another iconic address, 6 Hubert Street, only blocks away from the Garage. The spot had once housed Area and Club Shelter; during Soto's time there, it was Vinyl, home to the iconic Body & Soul. It was Body & Soul resident Danny Krivit who convinced Soto to take the next step. “He said to me, ‘I think you should be a promoter. People like you, and you have great energy. You'd be good at it.' Of course,” Soto adds, “I had no idea what ‘being a promoter' even meant!” Listen to him tell you what he learned and how you should be..
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BENNY SOTO # 088 - PART 2 Benny Soto quickly learned, and learned from one of the best; the late, great super promoter Rob Fernandez. “The first big thing we did together was Roger Sanchez at Vinyl. I can even remember the date: 2/2/02. I was learning so much—contracts, dealing with managers, hospitality riders, everything.” Soto continued working with Fernandez until his sudden passing in summer of 2015—but at the same time, he was gaining the confidence to branch out on his own. Danny Krivit was an early partner (2002), teaming up with Soto to launch what became the still-vibrant 718 Sessions; another stone-cold vet, DJ Harvey, was an early accomplice as well. From its inception, until its closing, Soto was an integral part of the promotion and bookings team at the now revered, and recently closed, Output in Brooklyn, NY. The dates started coming fast and furious—flash forward to today, and Soto, who currently spends his time promoting shows around NYC and juggling various independent projects, is in the very top tier of NYC's party wranglers. So what's the next step for a guy who's spent the better part of his life in dance clubs? DJ'ing, of course! “I've been going out and listening to DJs for 30 years,” he says, “and after that amount of time, I think you almost have to learn something. You gain a sense of what to do.” But as anyone who has spent time in the DJ community knows, there can sometimes be attitude toward those perceived as usurpers. “Sure, there's been a bit of controversy, like people asking, ‘Oh, so now you're a DJ, too?' I just answer, ‘No. I'm Benny Soto.' I've given my life to music, and this is just another layer of that life.” Nowadays, you can find Soto opening up for superstars or holding it down at after-parties, often spinning back-to-back with his fellow dance-music lifer, Nervous Records label head Mike Weiss. “Very few people have the legacy that Mike does,” he says. “I mean, the Nervous catalog…those were some of the songs that shaped the sound of global club music.” But Soto's got his own musical identity as well. “I love to play music that feels good to me, that matters to me, that say something to me. Danny Tenaglia said the best thing to me: ‘You have to listen, and you have to find the candy.' And that's what I try to do—find music that's special, that can take you to a different space.” Watch his life for Act 3 “The Final Curtain Call"
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DR PACKER # 087 - PART 1 Dr Packer is an alias of West Australian DJ/Producer 'Greg Packer' set up for Remixes & Edits of mainly retro music such as 70's , 80's , 90's Soul , Disco , Funk , Hip Hop & Reggae , Greg although known more for 'Liquid Drum & Bass' regularly plays sets of 'Old School Funk , Disco , Hip Hop Etc' purchasing his first record in 1982 at the age of 10 'Grandmaster Flash - The Message' whilst still living in the UK (Northampton England) Greg grew up listening to his mother's disco records (had no choice really) as a child in the 70's it wasn't uncommon to hear music such as 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' or 'And The Beat Goes On' played in the house so the disco thing really was his first introduction to music , records became his life and has collected approx 25,000 over the years... Shortly after whilst still living in the UK Greg was exposed to a record label called 'Street Sounds' ran by 'Morgan Khan' he began collecting the 'Electro Series' and 'Street Sounds Series' and a regular follower of 'Mike Allen's - Capitol Radio' show in London , he was a full blown 'B-Boy' and Hip Hop Junkie , he even won a breakdancing competition in 'Lowestoft England' back in 1985. Moving on to the 90's shortly after emigrating to 'Perth Western Australia' Greg purchased his first pair of decks in 1989 making this year his 28th year behind the decks , in 1991 he won the WA DMC's and defended the title in 1992 but by this time Greg preferred Club Dj-ing and longer sets rather than a 5 minute scratch battle routine... Greg then moved onto 'Jungle & Drum & Bass' music in the early 90s and often regarded as a pioneer of that sound in Australia winning many awards and went semi global touring (UK , Europe , Asia , New Zealand & Australia) several times playing alongside heavyweights such as 'LTJ Bukem & Carl Cox' to name a few... In 1998 Greg took up production and set up his own studio running his own label 'Interphase Music' He produced over 100 tracks & remixes under the name 'Greg Packer' and was signed to many other labels in the UK & USA including LTJ Bukem's 'Good Looking Records'
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