CoolJunkie Interviews Benny Benassi

February 2, 2009 12:38 PM
by CoolJunkie.com

CoolJunkie recently got a chance to interview Benny Benassi, just days before his highly touted Toolroom Knights compilation. The electro music man, who’ll be in Miami for Winter Music Conference 2009, opened up about his upcoming gigs, how he prepares his mix CDs and how he just may end up touring on his bicycle.

CoolJunkie: You have your new Toolroom Knights compilation out at the end of the month, tell us about it?

Benny Benassi: I’m really happy to be working with Toolroom. It’s a label that speaks for DJs and it feels right. It’s a 2 CD mix and I tried to imagine a club set that progresses from an electro house vibe to a more nu-disco, electro-punk vibe. At the same time, I tried to make it appealing to people wanting to listen to it in their cars and at home.

CJ: Which CD do you prefer?

Benny Benassi: I love both, although I’m leaning more and more towards the nu-disco sound like Japanese Popstars, Shinichi Osawa and Boys Noize.

CJ: What gigs have you got coming up?

Benny Benassi: I’ve got lots of gigs coming up including: Sankeys in Manchester, Middlesbrough, Ministry of Sound in London and a tour of the USA.

CJ: Do you have a specific concept in mind when you are preparing for an album?

Benny Benassi: When I prepare a mix CD, I try to use the same concept I use when I do radio mixes. I try to bear in mind that it’s for listening to as well as dancing to. At least that’s what I think when I start working on it, and then instinct takes over!

CJ: It features a couple of your own productions on there – tell me about those.

Benny Benassi: They are two tracks that I love, one which samples Iggy Pop and the other David Bowie. I love contaminating old school pop-rock with electro beats.

CJ: Do you think there is a limit on how much you can interfere with someone else’s music?

Benny Benassi: Where remixes go there’s no limit!

CJ: Who would you like to remix your work?

Benny Benassi: Right now… Shinichi Osawa, Yuksek and Japanese Popstars.

CJ: As an artist you are extremely diverse, do you think that hinders you as a DJ or enhances it?

Benny Benassi: Everyone says I’m eclectic but the truth is I’m confused.

CJ: What makes you groove?

Benny Benassi: If you mean what gets me dancing… I’m really into the Kitsuné, Edbangers and Gomma Records etc.

CJ: Have you ever had to take a massive risk musically?

Benny Benassi: No, luckily my cousin, producer and studio partner Alle Benassi, takes all the risks!

CJ: If you could write a score for any film from the past, which would it be?

Benny Benassi: Can you write film music using samples?

CJ: Who do you think is going to blow us away this year?

Benny Benassi: The economic downturn.

CJ: What piece of kit can you not live without?

Benny Benassi: My Mac.

CJ: What was the last book you read?

Benny Benassi: The Last Lecture’ by Randy Pausch.

CJ: What’s your most treasured possession?

Benny Benassi: My fixed bicycle... It was made in 1946 and I did it up.

CJ: What’s in store for Benny Benassi in 2009?

Benny Benassi: A new studio with Alle, a new company called Basic Music and intense touring. I also want to get fit to ride my bike, as I wouldn’t mind touring on a bicycle.

Click here to hear more from Benny Benassi.