Interview: MOWGLI

Italian born DJ and producer Mowgli began his career humbly in the north Italian village where he grew up. With few nightclubs to really get lost in and no happening music scene to speak of, Mowgli felt compelled to make his own sounds and made do with a cheap keyboard and sampler. It wasn’t long before he discovered hip-hop, immersing himself in the lifestyle and culture before moving to pastures new in Bologna. Once there, Mowgli indulged in all manner of illegal rave diversions until fixing up and making the move to the London in 2006.

Mowgli has spent the past four years consistently creating high level quality productions spanning many different genres of electronic dance music. His own distinctively groovy sound stands out from the rest, making him one of most sought after producers worldwide - with remix requests and releases from artists including X-Press 2, Santogold, Martin Solveig, Armand Van Helden, Tommy Sparks and Tricky amongst many others.

After starting his own label "DeadFish" back in 2008, the label has gone from strength to strength. Releases like “London To Paris”, “I Want Everything”, “We Think Its Cool” and “Caraibi” have really pricked the ears of the industry and grabbed the attention of the underground house scene.

Supported by radio play from the likes of Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Xfm and Kiss, releases from the label have commanded attention the world over.

Back on the DJ front, tours of Europe have seen Mowgli grace the decks regularly in the best European clubs and festivals. As well as this, tours of Australia, South and North America, South Africa and Asia where always an enormous success and other visits in these countries are planned in the coming year.

2011 will see Mowgli immersing himself in deeper shades of house and techno, whilst still retaining his unique sound and sense of fun that he and the Deadfish label have become known for.
(source: Mainstage Artists)


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Interview: (by Omar Diouf + Alexander Leblanc)


DUKES: When and how did you first get into production/DJ and what still motivates you to do it today ?

I started doing hip hop beats when I was around 15-16 years old with an old sampler and a keyboard. The result wasn't that great of course, but I really loved being in studio and experiment with sounds and I guess its what motivate me still today... I simply need to make music to be happy


DUKES: Who were your early musical influences?

Interview: Masomenos (WTM, Cocoon)

BIO:
The so funky duo Masomenos is a productive partnership between Joan Costes, graphic designer and DJ, and Adrien de Maublanc, music producer and AD. When they met in 2006, they almost immediately started working together, expressing themselves throughout different medias such as image, videos, and sound, finding in Masomenos a great playground for their creativity.

Bon Voyage was the perfect first project as it was a combination of both their specialty (half selection/half production). It ended up being a one hour bootlegged musical journey that brought them enough positive feedback to keep on this path.

Though, they both kept on doing what they were doing before they met: As Joan was digging records and spending time behind the decks, Adrien was building up his studio, and defining his production style.

The next step was to create their own label, as they understood it would be the best way to fully express themselves musically to the universe, but also visually, as this was also important part of their work. They continue to develop this side of their musical activities.

Eventually, Masomenos began getting requests for gigs, and naturally they proposed 2 acts under the same name, Joan doing a dj set, and Adrien playing live.

Though it was a bit complicated in the beginning, they insisted, as it was for them the only way to present what Masomenos IS: 2 individual personalities, inspiring each other with their work, and looking in the same direction.

This duo has given birth to 3 albums, and over 25 eps, opened a shop, and made lots of design collaborations, but that's another part of the story...

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Interview: (by Omar Diouf + Alexander Leblanc)

DUKES: When and how did you first get into production/DJ and what still motivates you to do it today?

Joan: i was working as a graphic designer, doing artwork for a label. Bettino, who owned the label, also owned a record shop, and payed my work with vinyls…i eventually got some decks home and started to play around with my few records. took a while before i could start sharing it. When i met Adrien, we both got in a more clubby direction with our sound. We are now very lucky to play in really great place, and this is what keep us motivated also. When you have the first time this communion with the crowd it becomes pretty addictiv :)

Adrien: I bought my first sampler in 1999. music then was just like going to sport or a psy :)


DUKES: Who were your early musical influences?

Panton- March 2011 Medley

Local-turned-international sensation Panton has cooked up a mini mix of his latest and upcoming releases. I remember hearing a few of these during his set at Igloofest, which was, I must add, one of my favorite sets of the event. Panton never disappoints with his creative, flawless mixing and cerebral, tasteful quality productions. Have a listen, hear for yourself:


  PANTON MARCH 2011 MEDLEY by Panton


Tracklisting :
D-Fine "95" (Panton Remix) - It_Tizz
2 Bears "Work It Out" (Panton Remix) - Southern Fried
Keith & Supabeatz "El Dorado" (Panton Remix) - Southern Fried
Panton "909 Culture" - Southern Fried
Panton VS Keith & Supabeatz "Liquidance" - Southern Fried
Tuff Wheelz "Listen To Me" (Panton Remix) - The Dead Speaker Office

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Now that you're dying to get your hands on his tracks, simply follow the Beatport link below:
PANTON - ALL TRACKS - Beatport

To check out the full 'Southern Fried & Tested 3' release, click on the link below:
Southern Fried & Tested 3 (Unmixed Version)- Southern Fried Records - Beatport

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Links:
soundcloud.com/panton
twitter.com/pantonmusic
myspace.com/pantonmusic 

Interview: Marcin Czubala (Mobilee)

BIOGRAPHY:

Marcin Czubala is not your typical techno artist. He is Mobilee record’s maestro, with a grounding in classical orchestration and an instinct for intricate sound design.

Marcin’s work stems from a broad range of influences, yet always bears his unmistakable signature. From the spare, bleepy minimalism of his debut album Chronicles of Never on Mobilee, to explorations of disco, electronic pop and deep house with Mobilee Back to Back Vol. 5, Marcin’s work is overlaid with undulating grooves that are full of unpredictable twists and inexplicable turns that artfully draw the listener into the suspense.

Hailing originally from Poland, Marcin trained extensively in classical music theory and composition in the city of Poznan. Between 1991 and 1994 he performed in over 300 concerts, including the Nantes Festival, Warsaw Autumn, and performances with experimental music luminary Krzysztof Penderecki. Once he had graduated from music school, Marcin began branching out into the world of DJing and electronic production. He began releasing his own productions that were as equally influenced by his musical past as they were by the emergent sounds of Brighton techno and experimental electronica. As prolific as he is prodigious, Marcin had a myriad of releases for labels such as Neue Heimat and Morris Audio by the time he joined forces with mobilee in 2007.

Marcin hit the ground running for Mobilee, releasing two singles in just six months, followed by Chronicles of Never, which garnered critical acclaim for its wide sonic palette, willful experimentation and dancefloor appeal. From the lithe, dynamic and atmospheric soundscapes of his album debut, through shifts towards housier climes on Loose The Man and Zoo Communale, Marcin has now come full circle, back to live instruments, vocal harmonies and
organic arrangements for Mobilee Back to Back Vol. 5.

Split between curated mobilee cuts and a complete album of exclusive new material, Marcin's approach to mobilee Back to Back is best described by Marcin himself: “CD #1 is my choice of the best tracks of mobilee, it's my presentation of the label's vision and musical diversity. The 2nd CD is a long play album, I have no doubt. The main idea was to make this project very organic, using live instrumentation and working with musicians and vocalists. Genres interact together; it's really beyond a classic compilation concept." From its dance floor groovers, to its ambient soundscapes and across its classic pop arrangements, mobilee Back to Back showcases Marcin’s flair for irresistible rhythms, and his instinct for melody.

Marcin continues to expand his sound with mobilee and through each of his releases. Inspired by
minimal techno and house, but not bound to its bare-bones idealism, he continues to forge a sound that is his alone, in testament to the vision, passion, and love of music that continues to drive the extended mobilee team in all that they do, and all that will come. (source: RA)

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INTERVIEW: (by Omar Diouf + Alexander Leblanc)


DUKES: When and how did you first get into production/DJ and what still motivates you to do it today ?

Interview: Matt Tolfrey (UK, Leftroom)

BIOGRAPHY:

"Growing up in the Middle East it wasn’t until he returned home that his career started in Nottingham with residencies at the historic club the Bomb and more recently at Stealth. Here in the heart of the city’s club culture is where he continues to hold a residency. This quickly led to regular slots at Fabric and further afield in the USA and Germany.

Always keen to experiment with new ideas and take risks he started the Leftroom label in 2005 with his own productions beginning to see releases on reputable labels such as Crosstown Rebels and Skint. Tolfrey sought after an avenue to release his peer’s music and open up opportunities for friends that he believed in.

The first release was entitled ‘The Extended Family EP’ encapsulating the spirit of Leftroom, a place where a core set of artists could grow and experiment with their sound. The Leftroom family now consists of a few key artists now including MarcAshken, Inxec, Eric Johnston and Glimpse.

After remarkable success with the first few releases and securing a homegrown and exceptional roster Tolfrey was asked to commence a label night at T Bar, London’s hub of creativity in the house and techno scene. Hosting nights alongside those of Andrew Weatherall, Ivan Smagghe and Craig Richards allowed Tolfrey to invite and play with friends and muses while sharing memorable dancefloor moments.

As his plan to achieve global domination took firm root, two more sub-labels were born into the family. Leftroom Limited has the purpose of releasing peak-time records while Leftout is a home for lesser-known artists who deserve some attention. He also runs Is This label and has proved his A&R capabilities are pin-point securing one of 2007’s biggest tracks, Ito & Star’s ‘Suduko Kid’ and one of 2008’s biggest crossover tracks, Rocha and Lewinger’s ‘Down Seq’.

Alongside propelling three labels Tolfrey also DJs globally with notable gigs for Sunday School for Degenerates in Miami, regular dates at Fabric, Mulletover in Ibiza and Panorama Bar and Watergate in Berlin amongst many. His productions and remixes have been released on Cocoon Recordings, Crosstown Rebels, Get Physical and Saved and he has collaborated with MarcAshken, Inxec, Glimpse, Eric Johnston and Delete.

So how did he come so far so quickly? The answer is simple. Matt is a workaholic with a seemingly tireless dedication to forging his own unique style and bringing life to the scene around him. Drawing on everything from deep house and techno, through to stripped down beats, he's spawned his own hybrid strain of electronic funk. Anyone lucky enough to have already witnessed Matt in action will know that his particular brand of wobbly house and techno has the power to win hearts and destroy minds on the dance floor." (source: RA)

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INTERVIEW: (by Omar Diouf + Alexander Leblanc)


DUKES: Hello Matt ! First of all…we are here to talk about Music, a passion we all share so what I want to ask you is, how did you first get into production/DJ and what still motivates you to do it today?