So Leon, On the Western side of the World,we have been hearing about your much success with your productions. Can you tell us what we can expect this January and about your new album to be released on Viva Music.?
January and February are usually months rather strange! They are months where I spend most of my time in the studio and on the weekend around the world playing in the clubs! I have just returned from the BPM Festival in Mexico. I played with Steve Lawler, Lee Burridge, Nick Curly, Davide Squillace, daniel dubb at some Viva Music party…was great!
I am finishing my album… 2 tracks are missing, will be an album not only for clubbers, not only techno or house, but also indie, electronic …It’s very important for me to make a beautiful album, and put in the styles of music I like, I am an eclectic artist, then you will find the album in styles such as techno, house, ambient, electro, dubstep … and yes my album will be out on VIVA MUSIC label, is my second family :)
We are also well aware that you are a Movie Star? Actually you have something of a possible Documentary on you that is being made can you tell us about it?
Ahhahahaha movie star :) fun … yes, I made a documentary film last October, during my performance in a important festival of electronic music in Italy – ROBOT FESTIVAL! 2 days of shooting on me and my life, my people, about what I am and what I like about the values ??I believe in, my music, my philosophy of life.
It was beautiful but also very stressful! Should be out very soon, but still I do not know exactly when!
We have seen in 2011, endless amount of production and remixes being put out by you. Can you explain how you are able to provide such quality in your music and unique quality in each track you bring to the table.
I have done many things in 2011. I also did very important things such as “Like this Like That” – “body monster” -”tarpon” they were among the most played songs from the DJs. 2011 was a great satisfaction for me!
I am not in artist’s studio everyday, only when I’m inspired, so I go every once in studios 1 day, stay out 2 days and I do 2-3 tracks:)
This time the quality is very important, because there is too much of it all… So sometimes it is better to make a record of good quality – it’s easy to do a hit but with a sound dirty! My sound is quite dirty, so I am used to working with a few plug ins, I’m not a musician, I have some synth melodies and I can do but it’s hard for me! anyway i try to do always my best…this is the secret!!!
With regards to collaborations are their any vocalist or other producer in 2012 or the future you desire or dream to work with?
There are songs in the album ehheh. There are singers! I still have many dreams to realize … I like to work with many artists … maybe too many :) MICHAEL JACKSON! the best! Now for my album I’d like to do a track with Thom Yorke!!! sounds like a dream :)
Please give us a short synopsis of how you prepare you body and mind for performance and creating productions. Do you have anything you do each time before a show, such as meditate, eat something etc?
I’m always very nervous before any gigs. I eat, but I should not … I always go to the bathroom before any gigs, it’s amazing! I also have different luck with me in my suitcase … so far it’s worked, I think! :)
First of all, my adrenaline rises suddenly, I feel my heart beating strong, it makes me more focused …Then when I get in the DJ booth, I take vodka shots, smoke cigarettes and I’m fine.
Do you see yourself playing in Australia very soon and what event are you look forward in the world such as clubs, festival in the world?
Ehhehehe Australiaaaa:) I love it! I have played at important festivals and clubs in the world but surely there are festivals where I would love to play one day!
There are festivals in Europe such as Time Warp I’d like to play, Coachella Festival in the USA as Wooooo or Movement in Detroit, incredible, or Sunburn Goa in india!
What is your present set-up you use for djing and what technology do you see in 2012 will be thenext wave of innovation for electronic artist?
The technology never stops but my current set up is very simple. I use traktor vinyl with x1 control for the effects and I love playing with mixer allen heat xone92. I got an ipod now and I would like to set-up with traktor, definitely something cool will come out! Today programs like Traktor or Ableton helped the producer and electronic music, it’s not very difficult to track with these programs, just have a good idea and a bit of experience …. that’s why the market is so saturated! Same case for the DJ, all now use Traktor, you’re more creative with that, but the market has almost disappeared for vinyl, and remember that the house and techno were born thanks to vinyl! There are pros and cons…
Do you have a mentor or Role Model and what artist do you feel best that have helped you comer from where you are to where you are going?
There are several. I am very passionate about the history of dance music since the early 70s. I think people like teachers Larry Levan, Danny Tenaglia, Laurent Garnier, but also others such as Steve Lawler, CarlCox, Ricardo Villalobos … Marco Carola & Loco Dice…Sven, Jeff Mills…woooo a lot! jesus!!!!
With the Identity Festival we saw a movement of wisdom of crowd and a huge uproar in Movementwith Leon is America. Why do you think that and believe helped you to standout among the so many artist that played that festival?
I do not know. In America Body Monster definitely helped and my DJ sets were very eclectic …In america there are very few DJs who playdifferent styles … So when a DJ comes from Europe are expecting something big and different, I always brought my music, and it went very well!
Identity the festival was very nice, but difficult, a festival was not really very electronic and techno-house, the only artists we were darker than the Viva Music, but every day was beautiful and different … the audience loved our music!
This festival definitely helped me a lot in the U.S., now I have so many more demands in New York and Miami … I still have this 2012 tour, I love America!
Steve Lawler and Viva Music you are actually about to put out your first album, please tell us about it? what can we expect and any surprise quest?
Steve Lawler really believes in me and I thank him very much and I respect him a lot. LIVE MUSIC is the first album and I’m very excitedabout this
2 tracks are missing, it will be an album not only for clubbers, not only tehcno or house, but also indie, electronic … It’s very important for me to make a beautiful album, and put in the styles of music I like, I am an eclectic artist. You will find the album has many styles such as techno, house, ambient, electro, dubstep … and yes my album will be out on VIVA MUSIC, it’s my second family :)
What are your other hobbies other then Music and performing. What does Leon like to do with hisfree time?
When I was little I loved to do sports … but not anymore!Ahhahahahaha. When I have free time I just want to be with my girlfriend, my family and my dog. I like to do big dinners with friends or watch a good movie at home. I am very passionate about the movies, I love Clint Eastwood and Clive Owen! :)
I’m a very simple person, I like to go to the supermarket, shopping, talking with my neighbour, be with my baby cousin to play with him …!
We have heard that you have a echelon of a Playboy to Women throughout the world. What do you see in your type of Women and what make a women standout to you?
Wow – this is new! I have been engaged for 3 years with a wonderful girlfriend, she is my life … My ideal woman must be simple, be passionate and intelligent … she must love me for who I am and not for what I do! Surely the perfect woman does not exist, nobody is perfect … but I have found love and am very happy! You must always be yourself … the only way you can love and the only way you can find the right person!
Where do you see your career in the next 10 years and to all the followers and upcoming artist what is best advice you can advise to them to build their hearts and careers in Music.
Mmmm 10 years! I do not know … I would like to open a label with my brother Pirupa and help new talented producers! I would love to play the best club in the world every weekend and be loved by the people … I love them! is my energy! I just think that my album will go well and that will appeal to many people! The advice I give new talent is to BE YOURSELF! to do what you feel inside, what comes to you from the heart, to be humble and generous …… not to follow the fashions, to find your way and have a great personality!
What does your Daw Consist of?
SOMETHING SPECIAL SEXY WONDERFUL………LOL!!! :)
What are you plans to play in the USA and your upcoming schedule in 2012?
I will play soon at Evolve with Victor Calderone in New York and inmotion showcase also…and wmc miami viva music party with steve lawler soon all the details!!!
http://housemusicbeat.com/2012/01/house-music-beat-1-on-1-with-leon-viva...
