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'It’s going to be pretty intense' at Egg this weekend with Flashmob
Ahead of his London gig this weekend we chat with house don, Flashmob.
He's become one of the hottest names in house music after his huge hit 'Need In Me'. Since releasing that record he's been on a rocket towards the top. He hosts a weekly radio show on Tuesdays following MK & Carl Cox, runs two labels and is pretty much always on the go performing across the world.
Performing here in London, at Egg next Saturday we had a quick chat with him.
How would you describe your current mindset?
I think I am in the best mindset I’ve ever been in... There is more I can achieve of course but I am happy with what I am understanding and how I am growing personally and musically within the industry. Like everything in life you need to get lost to find yourself and there are many bumps that you don’t really expect along the way, and that can change how you thought things would develop.
But that is normal, I understand that now. A manger many years ago told me; “You are good, but you need to cut your teeth.”
I’ll always remember this because I think you never really cut your teeth when you have my mindset, as I am always concentrated on improving my game, learning new things and getting to the next level. I believe you’re never really ready for the next step, you just learn as you go with more experience and confidence I suppose.
Well that seems to work for you as in the past 5 years you've rapidly risen up in the scene, how did you first start out in the game?
I started working in a local radio station, then a network, then private parties and weddings and then in London. My first proper gigs were in the Soho gay scene, never paid gigs. I then opened a DJ agency in Italy and started producing under a different alias until I founded Flashmob.
It has happened very quickly yes, and it’s been a long road to get where I am believe me, but I love it! It’s not easy to stay on top of your game especially after a track with sixteen-plus million hits, there’s a pressure to constantly deliver at that level. People sort of expect another one at that same level for each and every release, and it’s not easy to make those tracks - if it was everyone would be doing it!
But… maybe I have another one in the pipeline... I guess watch this space.
So in your mind, what was your big break through moment?
The biggest break for me is always a mental one, it’s when you understand mechanisms of the market and find the time to grow as a human being first and foremost. I feel that if I had to choose a track that represents that break then it would be 'Brick House'. I guess you’re thinking why not 'Need In Me', but with 'Brick House' I had the courage to leave my previous project and all the hard work I’d put into it with the belief I could make the next step simply with what I knew and had learnt before, and so it was.
Obviously 'Need In Me' had a huge impact on the market that changed my life but I am more interested in how my changes reflect on my music and then on the market than the other way around.
You've been behind some of the best underground hits in the recent years, what track would you say most represents you?
I feel it must be 'Brick House' that represents what I am about - raw old-school house music. I have been experimenting for a year now as many artists that have had a hit like 'Need In Me' do after that... but that path has lead me back to my house music roots and now I'm making what I love the most.
Your music has a clear understanding of the past, has electronic music has always been a part of your life?
It certainly has. I feel this is missing a lot with younger producers. Like many from my era, I started buying vinyls in 1989, the whole of industrial Northern England grew up with house & techno. I grew up with Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Bronski Beat and then discovered the likes of Jean Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield, Vangelis and Kraftwerk. It was an enriching time to grow up musically!
Listen to Flashmob's latest Switch
You run your own label as well?
I have two labels under the same roof. Flashmob LTD and Flashmob Records. The differences between the labels are quite clear and I love them both as I feel you need a bit of everything in this world to keep things interesting.
I started Flashmob Records two years ago and the LTD imprint last year but only in this last year have I pushed them really hard. I am very very pleased to see them grow organically so well and to have the possibility to launch so many new talents at the same time is very rewarding for me.
What do you enjoy the most from running your own labels?
I love it yes. I am very proud to see it grow so fast and every time I see so much good feedback from my piers for young and often unknown producers it feels good. It’s a really hard industry and it’s very hard to be a young producer trying to break through so I like that I have a hand in helping them grow as acts. I never forget that I was once in there position.
You're in London next weekend! Looking forward to being back?
Yes, I’m in London on the 16th of December at Egg alongside Riva Starr and Gorge. It’s always good to hit London, it brings back many memories of when I first lived here starting out life as a DJ. I always think of that when I am driving into the city from the airport for a gig. Those were great days and although I was very poor at the time I always have great memories of how hard I was struggling yet the memories I created. I always loved it no matter what.
Full details and tickets for Flashmob at Egg, this Saturday.
Do you enjoying playing in London?
I like London yes, always a great atmosphere and always the same people following me no matter what club it is, that’s a great feeling for any artist.
Have anything special planned for the night?
It’s one of my pal’s birthday’s so I might go for a drink with him and I have Pioneer Radio and Roland meetings during the day to learn about the new products and then a RinseFM Takeover with my radio show. So it’s going to be pretty intense but I’m looking forward to things.
Let's talk your radio show, you've been on Ibiza Global Radio every Tuesday following the big guns Maceo Plex & Carl Cox!
Yes. Change of a generation I suppose. I admire both these guys very much, they both have created a strong brand/platform for themselves and I’m hoping to follow suit in the coming years. The radio show is now being syndicated worldwide and is in many different countries. We only recently launched but already have a really strong foundation of FM and online shows in over ten plus countries in just under 2 weeks since we began syndicating the show.
When did you start the radio show?
I started this summer in Ibiza when I went in to promote the Solid Grooves event at Vista at Ibiza Global Radio HQ. I was playing with Michael Bibi, Pawsa etc - and the team there liked my vinyl set so asked me if I wanted to host my own show on a regular basis. There was a very strong connection with the Moreno Brothers and then with Anna Tur and things moved forward from there. We launched the new syndication with Groove Armada and Audiojack are next on the show, then two Italian legends - Paolo Martini and Marco Dionigi. When I do not have a guest then I showcase all the music forthcoming on my labels.
If you could play a gig anywhere in the world - where would you like to play?
I’d love to play at Cocorico in Riccione. I played there when I was young and I still think it’s one of the best in the world.
What is the worst job you have ever done?
Call centre and shoe shop in London… not my thing!!
What's the worst trouble you have been in?
I once found an open car in my area and decided to have a little drive around, I didn’t have a driving license at the time, fortunately it was the car of someone I knew in the small village I lived in and that had been a football coach of mine years before, so that’s were it ended and luckily the police weren’t needed.
What would you fill a swimming pool with if it could be anything?
I would fill it with time... I am always out of it!
What's the worst thing you have a reputation for?
If you work with me and you do not work hard then we have a problem! I am pretty intense in my working habitat.
What Ideas changed your life?
Being me, believing in myself, doing things for the right reason, listening to other people, forgiving myself, understanding you don’t always win and you can win even when you lose and finally quality over quantity wins every time.
Funniest person you know?
My wife Alessandra can make me laugh without even saying anything.
If you had to start a new life in a new country, where would you go?
New York City, USA.
What would your hero super power be and what would you do with it?
Have you ever seen Limitless? Imagine having that power to use your brain at maximum power and being able to learn everything super fast, that’s it!
What’s is your life motto?
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.”
Flashmob - online - Facebook - Twitter - SoundCloud
