To The Future and Back: An Interview with Danny Tenaglia

September 2, 2008 1:41 PM
by

[Interview conducted by Michael Maryanoff]

Danny Tenaglia is a name that has always been synonymous with house music. Internationally, he is known across the world for his ever-evolving sound and musical style. In Miami, he is known for his legendary 14 hour-long marathon sets.

Even though he has enjoyed legendary status for such a long time, he will soon be taking his career to a new plateau. He has recently snagged a residency at Space in Ibiza, kicking it off with his first studio album in six years, Futurism. The release of this album marks somewhat of a shift in Tenaglia’s career towards a big-room techno sound. But that doesn’t mean he his abandoning his current sound. While some DJs might throw away their old style in favor of a new one, Danny Tenaglia will just be adding it to his already enormous crate.

CoolJunkie recently got the chance to speak with Danny about his new album, his Ibiza residency, and what Futurism really means.

CoolJunkie: Aside from your Space residency, album and tour, what do you currently have in the works?

Danny Tenaglia: Isn't that enough??! (laughs) I'm riding the wave after a lot of preparation for Space and "Futurism." It's very gratifying.

CJ: Most big name DJs nowadays will play two hour sets, but you are famous for your WMC marathon sets. What is so appealing about playing for 14 hours straight?

Danny Tenaglia: Marathon sets are very special, and we've tried in recent years to make them even more special, saving them only for events like Miami. Two hours will never be enough to take a crowd on a real journey, but with 14 you can take them there and back again! For my residency and other tour dates, I try to find a happy medium.

CJ: What kind of preparation goes into a set like that?

Danny Tenaglia: The way I live is marathon preparation. Always being open to new music and absorbing it like a sponge. In the immediate sense, it's getting all my CDs together and making sure I can navigate them quickly.

CJ: Tell me about your new residency in Ibiza.

Danny Tenaglia: It's a completely amazing 7,000-person party where I get to play whatever I like and can invite all the DJs I love to play with me.

CJ: On the cover you are depicted as a robot and the name of the album is "Futurism," is that just a title or is it also a concept for the album?

Danny Tenaglia:"Futurism" is definitely showing a more techno side of me and is reflective of how I've been playing big rooms lately.

CJ: Why have you decided to shift toward a techno sound on this new album?

Danny Tenaglia: It's not a shift as much as it's an incorporation. The most exciting new sounds out there are of a techno/electro bend.

CJ: You haven't made a new album in six years, so why have you decided that this is the right time to release one?

Danny Tenaglia: Its timed properly with my Space residency and I really felt like I had something new to present.

CJ: Does this mark a shift away from house in your live performances? Can we see a more electronic and less organic sound from you in the future?

Danny Tenaglia: I don't know if I was ever necessarily organic, but you'll always see everything. Like I've always said, my style is tribal tech-house-trance, with a modern yet classic approach.

CJ: Does the release of this album mark a new stage in your career?

Danny Tenaglia: I guess every major project marks a new stage, but Space is more of a revolution for me than "Futurism." I've done mixed compilations before, but an Ibiza residency? That's new.