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Slok Interview

House | Thursday 7th March 2013 | Emily

How did the artist name SLOK come about?
SLOK is a 1972 John Landis low-budget movie, a spoof, where a human ape kills people and puts banana peels around the imaginary town it inhabits. It’s what my family called me when I was jumping, screaming like a monkey and making a mess in the living room. It was a place where there were lots of interesting games for an unleashed child. We had a stereo sound system with a decent vinyl collection, a couple of guitars and electric basses connected with an amplifier, a few synthesisers, a drum set, and many other beautiful things that my older brother prevented me from touching. Every time I did anything to take over that magic room it was just like a little battle. Even if it sounds comical, my passion for music began just like that, wanting to play with those forbidden music instruments again! I am more and more convinced that desire is something that helps a lot to develop our minds, and creativity, it’s an essential function that we are losing just because technology makes life easier without too much effort, and today the main priority for most of the people is just to have installed the latest software version instead of learning the basic procedures to produce music; picture, design, video or whatever. Just because we are slaves of this digital fetishism where only the “Hype” count and that is killing the quality of everything!

What early influences made you want to make electronic music?
During my life I have had the opportunity to listen to so much music and I continue to do it everyday since music is essential to me as it gives me the inspiration to produce brand new material! I’m very open musically and I used to love everything I feel in an instant, it could sound like Jazz, Funky, Disco, Electro, House, Techno, Rock’n’Roll, 90’s Hip Hop, Reggae, Pop, Ambien, Classical, doesn't matter... but surely the most important influence came from all the hours I spent inside the Riccone or Misano Clubs during the 90’s, places where top guys like David Piccioni, Tony Humphries, and many top House music names including some of the best Italian DJ’s like Flavio Vecchi, Ricky Montan those who made their mark in music history producing and playing the best underground club music!

What’s your favourite piece of studio gear at the moment?
It’s still my sound samples archive, my old sound card, my analogue mixer, and the best and essential gear is when my mind is inspired and the magic happens, another great track is born! I often repeat this... I don’t need big special stuff to produce “House Music” tracks.

How would you describe your sound?
Mmmhh...eclectic, but perhaps the most appropriate term is “Contemporary House Music”.

I see we both come from and Jungle drum and bass background, what made you want to make the transition?
Wicked! Wicked! Junglist Massive!!! That style of music was one of my favourites. When I discovered Jungle and D’n’B music I was crazy and totally addicted to the sub basses and the double speed syncopated funky breakbeats mixed with Techno, Jazz, Funky, Reggae elements... At the time thanks to the new underground sounds coming from the UK, I decided during 1999 to move from Italy and go to London and finish recording my second album “Freak 2000” released by IRMA Records. There wasn't any specific reason regarding my “transition”, it just happened. It’s just my natural character attitude, nothing was planned, I just needed a change, I think it’s very healthy for my mind and for my soul... Incredible!!!

You have recently just released Electronic Petz Vol.5 which has some quality music on it, what’s the idea behind the compilation series?
Thank you! Glad you like this various artists album! I’m currently selecting new tracks for setting up the Vol.6 and the concept will be the same as the Vol.5, great music from brand new artists coming from far corners of the globe! I love to discover and support brand new talented acts, and again I will  take care regarding the whole tracklist, to produce an album intro and outro and at least one original track of mine will be included. The release date for the next volume is about June 2013, probably the same week of the label night we are going to arrange at OFF Sonar in Barcelona!

What have you got planned for yourself and the label in 2013?
I have a few new original tracks and remixes that are coming out on cool and different labels such as One Records, Circle Music, Petite Records, Turquoise Blue. Some will feature on a few nice forthcoming mixed CD’s and I’m currently working to finalize the sound of a few new collaborations with some of my favorite electronic music artists: Jonny Cruz and Eric Volta... Moreover I’m working on a mixed CD too, and mainly on my new album “Tha Fat Pasta Grooves Vol.2” that I will release on Electronic Petz probably at the end of 2013.

What’s your current set up like when you perform?
I started to play Jungle music with vinyls because there wasn’t any alternative... but now since I play lot's of my stuff, edits and of course unreleased promos I prefer to play with two CD players, but really, I still love vinyl, I have my little collection in Italy at my parents house. I also love the concept to buy something that will remain not only a plastic object but something that looks more like a kind of masterpiece and connected with lots of memories!

Do you still listen to drum and bass or produce it?
Yes I still love it and I still listen to my favorite old tracks, but it’s been a long time that I’ve not produced, Sometimes I start a real D’n’B track even if I still follow the concept of how the music elements are used and mixed on this kind of music.

What would you be doing if you were not a DJ/Producer?
The captain of a catamaran or simply a crew member, a not really important detail... but maybe a chef, and travel to the best and warmest and beautiful places of the world!

If you were stranded on a desert island and had to take 3 famous people, who would you take and why would you take them?
Scarlett Johansson as wife, Jamie Oliver as chef and BBQ specialist and an expert Rain Dancer, could someone introduce me to Scarlett maybe???!!! Ahaha looks like a good picture eh?!

 

Check out his soundcloud at www.soundcloud.com/slok

Words by Joe Le Groove

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