| |
It’s a mystery why this Italian chap isn’t huge already. Michele “Phonat” Balduzzi first piqued our interest – or rather grabbed our interest and give it a big phat slap in the face – with his remix of The Young Punx’s Rockall back in ’06. It was a seriously fresh-sounding, euphoric electro track that stood out a mile from the increasingly generic crop of the time, bubbling over with innovative little touches, huge melodies, and a structure that keeps you hooked ‘til the very last minute – and it laid down his musical ethos in a bold fashion. More stunning Young Punx reworks came on singles Your Music Is Killing Me and Fire last year, with the Phonat Frees His Mind version of the former, he displayed a strong skill for working outside his previous parameters – as again exhibited on breathtaking new single Learn To Recycle (which switches tempo 3 times).
We predict that 2009 will be the year he joins the big guns of the scene and perhaps even starts producing for some more established names. His sound is unique, and his technique faultless. Herve, Pete Tong, John B and Norman Cook are all fans, and so should you be. Go get some!
How and when were you first infected by dance music?
I reckon back in 1997, when I saw for the first time Daft Punk Around The World video on MTV. The vocoder voice (I didn't know what a vocoder was at that time...it was simply a robot voice!) kept spinning into my head for months.
When did you start producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
I started messing around with PCs and programs almost 10 years ago, when I was a child. But I become serious about producing in 2004. I always enjoyed spending hours and hours making noises but only in the last couple of years I've came up with tunes I was 100% satisfied with. Must be said, I'm quite a perfectionist so on one hand I'm never happy with my works cause I always find something that could be improved.
What have been your personal favourite productions so far?
My latest single Learn To Recycle'. It’s a weird crossover track which change tempo twice and goes from hip hop to house and then into drum & bass. And basically the sounds stay the same through the whole track!
Where does your name come from?
It’s a modified version of the tag I use to have when I was doing graffiti some years ago. I started playing around with letters to experiment different shapes and I came out with Phonat. I liked it so much that I kept it as the artist name for my productions.
Who would you most like to work with?
I'm working with The Young Punx at the mo and I'm really excited about the stuff that is coming out! But one of my favorite artist now is Siriusmo, he's a bloody genius.
What have you got in store for the coming months?
My debut album, which should be finished by Xmas. Hopefully.
What can we expect from one of your DJ sets?
Fidget house, electro, big mash ups and anything that will make you headbangin'.
If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be?
Well, given the fact that I don't have the skills to be a professional basketball player... A tramp I reckon.
Which other producers and DJs do you really rate?
Pirate Robot Midget, Breakbot, DatA, Kavinsky, Yuksek, Surkin, Teenage Bad Girl to name a few.
Send To a Friend
|
|
|
 |
|
|