The Pondering Blonde

Double Trouble Productions Interview with Alex Kenji

Where and how did the music career of Alex Kenji begin?
The first time I met electronic music was somewhere between 1992 and 1994. I was discovering dance music with Snap, Corona, Haddaway, Digital Boy and a lot of heroes I used to support by going to see their shows in a nearby discothèque here in Pisa. Then in High School I started to make rock music but in 1996 I became tired of rock, metal, death metal and bands. I chose to quit performing with bands (I was a drummer and synthesizer player) and began wanting to start to understand how to make electronic music, I did this by listening to Drum’N'Bass, Big Beat and Acid Jazz.

What have you been up to so far in 2009?
Well, so far I have played all over Europe in countries such as Tunisia, Germany, Ukraine, Spain Cyprus and Brazil. Last year I produced a lot of tracks, but for this year I’m feeling I need to spend more time over the studio to make something new.

What is it about the Electronic Dance Music Culture that keeps you transfixed?
Pure and simply House Music; I can never get enough.

You’ve released and produced music under many guises, Combo, Green Sugar, Orange Love, to name a few. Do you feel this gives you more freedom to be experimental with your sound?
Well when you produce some tracks have just got something, you can’t explain it and some you just don’t feel it; that’s why I use to make a bunch of tracks, doing a selection to ‘filter’ into the several project names I run as well.

Although you like to jump genres, your music has a definite ‘Alex Kenji’ sound to it- how would you bottle and sell it in a few words?
Tricky question: let me think….positive, bouncy, house music with something rhythmical inside; it could be Latin, even Flamenco, classical house, vocal, a bit of tribal… All of those give me nice vibes though!

How has growing up in Italy influenced the sound and emotion you put into your music?
Italy was a big part of my musical foundations growing up. There was a very good ‘underground’ sound covering all genres, starting from rock to house and progressive and this is still the case here today.

What is the party scene like in Italy?
Well I must answer ‘I don’t know’ because my life goes around my house and my studio; I don’t go out especially to a club and I never used to get many gigs here in Italy. But I think in the main cities like Milan, Rome and Northern Italy there is a good clubbing scene but nowadays I hear about Puglia (South East) cities like Taranto, Bari etc, they seem to have a vibrant scene.

Tell us about you track Adelante- it did incredibly well on the charts and on beatport download.
Firstly thanks for your kind words. Well, Adelante it’s the rawest tribal track; it features an uplifting flamenco guitar solo, and of course ‘the soul’ of the track is the solos; don’t know how to describe it but it’s simply my favorite. Also, tracks like it, A Lot Of, Volviendo Loco, UP sold very well on beatport: all these singles reached +25,000 downloads totally and the latest ones are still doing great.

You travel around the world on a monthly basis- which are you favourite countries to play in and what is it about the scene and culture you enjoy?
To play: Europe because it’s close to my studio and I can get to any European country quickly as opposed to going to America or similar. To enjoy and play: Brazil, I think is the place where I live my dream. I love it.

What boxes do you still want to check- what festivals and events would you like to play at?
I love to play everywhere! I would like to play over in Japan or even Australia, South Africa or Northern Europe as well.

Do you have to have quite a stamina to keep up with this industry? The new music, the new artists etc… and how do you balance it with the normality’s of life?
Haha! Honestly I simply do not balance; I see my life as kinda boring: I wake up and I start to listen to music, then make music, then hang out with my dog and most of the time nothing else except Music! Except the summer then I love go to the beach.

Any chances of you releasing an artist album soon?
Maybe. I already thought about it. I got some ideas I still need to work on…very ‘daft punk’ style; anyway it would be my 3rd album though (1st ‘Supersensationaldisco’, 2nd ‘Cyborg’ both on 9records)

What is in store for the rest of the year- what are you plans for Euro summer domination?
This summer, I plan to make some tours over South America, Australia, and Europe. Musically talking, a bunch of remixes are coming: starting from my remix of the new Chris Lake single, a remix for Alex Gaudino, a remix for James Brown, Dj Pierre, Giorgio Giordano, Presslaboys; an original mix is coming as well called ‘DOWN’ and new one will come soon!

Lastly, how do you say, “I want you tech house sex’ in Italian?
Ahahahaha… Voglio fare sesso tech house… or something like that!

Rhythmatic Presents… The Next Level with Alex Kenji

It’s time to have the bash of all bashes, to celebrate everything worth celebrating and do it in pure rhythm divine style! Rhythmatic and OXFAM fuse forces for one incredible night to bring you; Rhythmatic “The Next Level’ at Egg nightclub, London on the 14^th April 2009! Rhythmatic events aim to provide the beat loving audience with a familiar house party atmosphere, cutting edge music and that little extra something special to make it a night to be revelled with, and this spectacular night promises to deliver just that- covered in a whole bunch of feel-goodness!

We doubt you need to hear more than ‘Lets Party for Poverty’ to inspire some seriously document-it style dance moves but here goes: Rhythmatic have it’s finger for the freshest underground talent and so pulled all the stops to bring you a crème-del-a-crème selection of riveting music from some of the globes most talented electronic musos! We’re too excited to announce our special headlining guest; Beatports No 1 chart-topping golden boy- Alex Kenji! Also special guesting is fellow Italioso, Luke Dzierzek, currently blowing up dancefloors around the world, and of course- Rhythmatics finest residents guiding you to the extreme end of revel with a cause!

Rhythmatic events are famed for their dash of why-the-hell-not over the topness and so other exciting antics set to blow up all around the venue include the grand launch of OKO recordings, Rhythmatic resident Betoko’s long awaited record label come up for air! The bad boys of Double Trouble themselves, Kiri and Kostas birthday celebration- come down a little early for wino and snacks with the team! A full frontal fashion show- yes, we have a beavy of beauts lined up and ready to rock some serious party frocks! As well as a visit from a very special wireless toy- hmmm! Now there’s a little teaser to twist your mind with! Best you come on down to see all the cavorting for yourself!

So, in the spirit of all things that glitter not being gold- we’re talking about the beautiful and simple little- and big- things that make our lives extraordinary- let’s spend an evening of giving back! Proceeds of the night go to OXFAM- they’re fighting for the right to be heard, and you have a right to hear great music! Now there’s a good reason to party hard! The Next Level begins here…

PARTY FROM THE HEART

OXFAM

OXFAM has long established itself in the UK as a purveyor of goodwill and positive energy as it fights the good global fight for poverty. Oxfam jams a foot in despondent doors around the world, providing health, food, education, crisis relief aid and most importantly; hope, to those who need it most. Their annual music event OXJAM receives a legendary response from the music loving youth culture as they haul out top entertainers to ‘let the music do the talking’ by performing, and connecting and communicating the important global issues we face today. OXFAM saves lives, campaigns for change and the right to be heard! And as you know, it’s the little difference that makes it!

YOUR MUSO’S IN THE MIX:

ALEX KENJI

Alex Kenji, aka Combo aka Orange Love aka Green Sugar aka Yoshie Chandler aka Itchy Bit- whatever you want to call him, the man of many names- and sounds- is a electronic music force to be reckoned with! Alex has been producing, dj’ing and for 10 years and regularly performs in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, The UK, Russia, Ukraine, Portugal and Switzerland. Alex has honed his craft to an impeccable degree, mixing up a fresh and edgy selection of house, tech, electro and techno, sparing no change-too much for the deserving feet that find his dancefloor. His tracks often feature in Pete Tong’s essential selection on BBC1 and his labels 303Lovers and Hotfingers have sold over 50 000 units since their launch in 2007.

LUKE DZIERZEK

Luke’s incandescent electronic sound has made massive impact on the Dance scene the past two years. He came out with his big basslines, groovy-as-hell rhythms and soon counted the likes of James Zabiela, John Digweed and Nic Fanciulli as fans; dropping his tunes at clubs all over the world. His forward thinking productions have pinned him as one of the finest up-and-arrived talents of the decade! Not taking his foot off the pedal, he’s remixed UNKLE, Minilogue, Spencer Parker and Chris Lake among them and banged a new gong in dance history when he became the first artist to have 5 tracks in the DJ Download Top 10 at the same time. Luke’s also proven he can rock the box at top clubs all over the world and launched his first label and club night, FLING in 2007

RECORD LABEL LAUNCH

OKO RECORDINGS

After a series of successful productions released on Toolroom, Eukatech and Wow! Records. Betoko launches his own sound-child, OKO recordings. OKO is already set as a force to be reckoned with; focusing on taking genres of house, techno and everything in between to new depths of underground. The first release on the label; a collaboration between Betoko and Spanish producers Ivan Escura and Toni Varga, is already breaking decibels in some of London’s darkest pulsating rooms. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Betoko moved to London in 2002 and his productions have earned playlist respect from the likes M.A.N.D.Y, Gregor Tresher, Martinez and featured on albums by Sven Vath and Steve Lawler. Mexican Tech House has arrived- spread the word!