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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022! | | TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022! | | A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London! | | Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide! | | DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022! |
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Paradise City 001 preview: interview with Mauro Picotto
Reported by littlemissgenki
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Submitted 11-11-04 15:20
Italian dj and producer Mauro Picotto is one of the busiest men in the industry, regularly touring the globe and producing prolifically under a number of guises. Recently named by DJ Mag as number 27 in their top 100 DJs poll, the launch of his Meganite brand took Ibiza by storm this summer. Thanks to tracks like 'Lizard', 'Iguana' and 'Komodo' topping dance music charts all over the world he's also known as the lizard man — and evidently many of his fans have tattoos in very special places as a result! Next month he's coming to London to headline Paradise City — the Antiworld Indoor Festival — on December 4, so HarderFaster managed to track him down as this very special event gets closer.
For those that don’t know you, how long have you been making music? What inspired you to learn to mix? To produce?
I have always been obsessed with music particularly records. Nobody was really mixing records like we do today, so I tried to learn. It gave my an edge over other DJs.
Were you a raver or a clubber? If so, do you still go clubbing or raving?
I was a raver, I bought tickets and drove to the biggest events in Germany and Amsterdam. I have been lucky as I have headlined the same shows, it was a dream of mine.
Do you class yourself as foremost a dj or a producer? Do you prefer playing parties or spending time in the studio?
First a dj, always a dj.
I’ve seen your style described as techno, elsewhere as genre crossing. How would you describe you music? What styles or genres do you consider your music falling under?
To me it is all electronic music — I know people like to say it’s this style or that style of music, but to me it’s all electronic.
Are there any tracks you’re working on at the moment that you can tell us about?
At the moment I am still touring America, but when I’m back I can go into the studio I will have more material.
What djs and producers do you rate at the moment?
Chris Liebing has had a great year, but also many others.
How does the scene in the UK compare with that of Europe? Is it very different playing to a UK crowd?
Not really, certain countries prefer a certain style but I play the same wherever I am. The people in the UK have a lot of knowledge about music.
You’ve played at some amazing festivals and clubs over the years. What was your favourite and why?
Until last year I couldn’t answer that because there are so many, but the best ever event I played was in the jungle 100 miles from Medellin Colombia. There was 5000 people in a clearing, the backdrop was a cliff face with several natural waterfalls and giant multi coloured parrots flying about at sunrise. It was a very special event.
Do you prefer playing large festivals or smaller clubs?
Both have different qualities a club is obviously more intimate, which I like, but also festivals have that concert atmosphere.
Vinyl or cd? What do you think of recent advances in dj technology?
I think it’s good, I’ve used CDs for years as it’s easier for a producer to burn their track onto.
Do you enjoy touring or is it hard being away from home so much? What do you do to entertain yourself on the road?
Touring is the hardest part of being a DJ. It’s a great privilege to visit so many countries but all we see is the airport — the hotel — the club then back to the airport for the next city.
How many records do you own? Do you still go record shopping, or buy music off the internet?
Thousands and thousands, yes I still go record shopping and record companies send me promos.
Your Meganite brand is hugely successful, particularly in Ibiza this year. What is the concept behind Meganite? I’ve read that it was ‘created as an electronic music lifestyle’. What does this mean in reality?
It’s about DJs playing what they like without being pidgeon holed, I feel it works well.
If you weren’t a dj/producer, what other job could you see yourself doing?
No idea.
I’ve seen The Album described as a single, double and triple album. What is it?
To me it’s just my album, I don’t know how others see it.
What do you think of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll? Did you vote this year? If so, who for?
I think it’s a good idea, I did vote but like my politics, it’s a secret.
A lot of djs go to some extreme lengths to try and get votes for the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll. How do you feel about DJs doing this?
I think it’s funny, if people put the same energy into DJing they would get the places they wanted.
What’s with the lizard obsession? Will you play 'Lizard' at Paradise City on December 4th? Please . . .
Sorry — haven’t played it in years.
Finally, what advice would you give up and coming djs and producers keen to make it in the industry?
Always be original, believe in yourself and never take no for an answer.
Thanks again for your time! Looking forward to seeing you play at Paradise City on December 4th!
Thank you and best wishes,
Mauro
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Other Features By littlemissgenki:
HeatUK (The DVD) – From The Backyard To South West Four - World Premier Preview: Interview with SnowBall Productions
Paradise City 001 Preview: From free parties in pubs to private jets—interview with Antiworld promoter Enrico Sorbello
Blatantly Brisk: interview with Paul Nineham
Never Enough Maria: Interview with the Queen of Hard Dance
48 Hours in Amsterdam Preview: Interview with Clubbing Travel Specialist Kirk Field
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Grazie to play at Paradise City!!! Tara you are a star...one more fantastic interview for our collection!
