JV: What labels do you keep a look out for?
Luca Ricci: I keep an eye on the biggest and the smallest. I like to shop for all
kinds of music; I don't like to stick with one sound only. I think you
have so much good music out there to hunt and I like to DJ at 360°. I
like to be able to change things in a long set, keeping my line but
also to see what kind of crowd I have in front of me.
JV: Name your top 5 all time records.
Luca Ricci: John Lennon "Imagine"
Danny Tenaglia and Celeda "Music is the Answer"
Stefano Greppi "Freedom is"
Quick Sound "Stop Fooling Around"
Luca Ricci ft Monica Hernadez "La Musica vs El Dinero"
JV: How did you get involved with Fatal?
Luca Ricci: Well, I approached Jaimy for a remix on my new project band, Against
the Grain's "Sim City." I admire him a lot as a person and as a producer, and we got together
later in the studio working on original stuff. "Todos Es Aqua" came
out on Fatal and we became good friends and I decided to join my
Aenaria Recordings into the Fatal group (Fatal Music, Drum Mode and
Aenaria Recordings).
JV: How do you like having your own record label?
Luca Ricci: Lots of work! It's fun, and it's definitely a different way to express
your ideas. The greatest thing is to be able to help out new talent in
this business. Aenaria is my own little world to share with the music
industry.
JV: If you could remix one track, which one would you do?
Luca Ricci: John Lennon "Imagine."
JV: When do you start to prepare for a DJ set?
Luca Ricci: Well, it depends. Usually, a couple of days before, I like to edit
music from others beside my own productions. I'm also working on my
live act, so it takes some time for programming in the studio but than
the rest is made on "the flow," feeling the moment and the crowd. Each
gig is a new exam of a different new story.
JV: How do you pack your DJ bag/CD book? In any order, or do you sort them out by label or genre, etc?
Luca Ricci: I don't burn CD's anymore. It's illegal in some countries to play from a CD-R. I keep all my music (that I shop or I receive from labels) in digital;
I keep the receipt so I can prove that it's all legal and not piracy.
I use "iTunes" to organize my music and I'm very happy about it
because I can search a single song easily.
I use Traktor from Native Instruments as software on my Mac PowerBook G4, and different midi controllers and audio cards to spin. I still play from vinyl when I can, although the market is always more digital.
JV: Of all the clubs you have player, whats your favorite?
Luca Ricci: Pacha New York, Q club Zurich, Vaticano Portugal, Pervert Lounge
Mexico City, and Beach Party in Singapore to name a few. To me, it's
not only the venue that makes it a favourite. Most of all it's the
crowd and the energy in the room.
JV: If you could tag team with anyone who would you choose?
Luca Ricci: Hard to say these days. I really don't know!
JV: How do you feel about opening DJs?
Luca Ricci: I support the idea. It's nice to show respect and share a DJ booth
with other DJs, no matter who opens for whom. The music and party is about sharing, it's a community, DANCA LA FAMILIA!
JV: Who's your favorite DJ?
Luca Ricci: Maestro Danny Tenaglia.
JV: Where do you get your records?
Luca Ricci: The internet, Beatport, and all the rest of the digital shops. Also,
promos I receive for Aenaria and from other labels.
JV: Any words to the new DJs that are up and coming?
Luca Ricci: Keep a low profile as someone would say: be humble. It's always about
the music, forget logos and t-shirts! We already have too many "DJ superstar wannabes." Keep one eye on the
future, one on the past- music and technology wise. .And most
importantly- smile from the DJ's booth and drink and smoke less! Ahhh,
by the way: Drugs suck!
JV: What do you use in your studio?
Luca Ricci: Software: LOGIC Audio Pro, Pro Tools, Abelton Live, and all the native
instruments VSTi.
Hardware: Jazz Mutant Controller, Allen & Heath 3d, Virus, Genelec
monitors, and my APPLE MAC G5.
JV: Any news, updates, new productions, events, etc that you would like people to know about?
Luca Ricci: Yes, always keep an eye on my web site, my four
labels Aenaria and Fatal Music
. You can subscribe to our mailing list and forums to be informed on what's up constantly.
JV: Any words to your supporters?
Luca Ricci: Thank you for sharing it!!!!! VIVA LA MUSICA !!! Ciao. Ciao.
Luca goes back to his busy lifestyle of traveling and spreading his version of the gospel of house music. You can see Luca at Porto Santa Island Club festival on August 10th and in Boston at Rise on August 19th.