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hah We have our own superstar! Respect to Carlo Lio! (pg. 16)
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| kotsy |
| quote: | Originally posted by Shaya007
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would love to see him rip a vinyl set :toothless |
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| Shaya007 |
| quote: | Originally posted by kotsy
would love to see him rip a vinyl set :toothless |
same here...I can't wait for Gift, that's the next time we'll see Vinyl in Full effect |
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| kotsy |
| quote: | Originally posted by Shaya007
same here...I can't wait for Gift, that's the next time we'll see Vinyl in Full effect |
I saw it last night at maison :) |
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| MSZ |
| hmm i find it a little odd that carlo doesnt post once in this thread to say a thank you for all the support or something. im sure he says it in other ways like that free party he did, but still, its not that much to ask. oh well :) |
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| kotsy |
| quote: | Originally posted by MSZ
hmm i find it a little odd that carlo doesnt post once in this thread to say a thank you for all the support or something. im sure he says it in other ways like that free party he did, but still, its not that much to ask. oh well :) |
doubt he's even been in here
I think the other threads he has posted in have been sent directly to him |
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| kotsy |
| quote: |
Carlo Lio seizes control of Dubfire's record label SCI+TEC Digital Audio today with the release of his much anticipated 'Colors' EP.
His third release on the record label is part of an unstoppable emergence that has seen the producer and DJ go from playing in local Toronto clubs, to become one of the brightest new names in North American techno.
Everyone wants a piece of Carlo Lio today. "This year has been extra special," says the affable DJ and producer. "I've been able to be a lot more picky this year, and choose exactly what I release and who I work with. That has allowed me to drop quality music consistently," he says.
It is just gone 10AM, and yet Lio is bright and bubbly, and speaks with the confidence of a man who knows exactly where he is going. Unusually for a DJ, he is a "morning person".
Sven Väth's Cocoon Records, Britain's high profile Cr2 imprint, Carl Cox' Intec, and Nic Fanciulli's Saved label have all signed Lio's music in 2010, but it is SCI+TEC that has become his home-from-home for his devastatingly dark techno throbbers.
And so our conversation begins.
When did you first come across Dubfire's music?
ince day one. I've been a fan of Deep Dish for as long as I can remember, and then when he went solo, I was straight onto his new sound.
How would you describe the working relationship that you guys have?
He's an amazing guy and very down to earth. I love the SCI+TEC and Bullitt family. They are nothing but proper, and there's no place I would rather be.
How involved is Dubfire, when you send him music for his label?
I send him anything that I do, whether it's demos for the label or even stuff that I've done for other people. I always get great feedback. Sometimes it's constructive criticism, or sometimes it's just as simple as the word "perfect".
What sort of constructive criticism has he given you in the past?
For releases on his label, he might ask me to tweak stuff or make a track shorter, and his changes are always for the better. They only ever make the tracks more powerful.
Does he ever share studio or production tips with you?
No, we never really talk about the studio side, our discussions are only ever about the music. He definitely has an amazing ear for music. He has also educated me about the music business, the way labels work, and other stuff outside of production. He has given me lots of tips in that department.
'Colors' EP is your third release on Dubfire's SCI+TEC label. Why do you think your music resonates so much with him?
I think the music I make is very cross genre, it applies to a lot of the techno and tech house DJs, and even house guys. He sees that in my music. I definitely have that hypnotic type sound that he likes to play in his sets.
What's the idea behind the colors that you chose?
Now this might sound a bit weird, but in my mind for some reason, when I hear a song whether it's pop or techno, I associate it with a color. It's just like a feeling that I get, and for sure it is a little strange [laughs]. Certain tracks click a certain color in my head, and these three happen to be my favorite colors.
From a DJing perspective, what's the difference between the EP's Red, Black, and White cuts?
White is more suited for midnight. You could play it anytime between 11 and 2AM really. Black and Red are more late night, and have quite dark atmospheric tones.
Out of your three EPs, which one would you say you put the most artistic thought into?
I think with each EP my sound has definitely grown and matured. My first SCI+TEC release was made more as a track that catered to Ali and his sound, and now I've developed and found a happy medium, a sound, that we both love.
'Colors' touches on three different types of techno. One of the tracks is full on tech house with groovy bass and hypnotic synths. One is big room and dark techno, and the other links to my tribal roots, with lots of percussion, and a driving kick drum.
You can certainly hear your evolution as an artist over your three SCI+TEC EPs.
My sound has matured a lot over the last couple of years. I try hard everyday to evolve. I get sick of me, very quickly, much quicker than most people do. So I constantly seek to change my sound.
If you listen to the music I've released over the last two years, there's a lot of variety. The thing is, in this day and age, there are so many consistent producers making great music, and I love all those types of genres, so I don't want to be labeled as techno or house. Not being pigeonholed will contribute to my longevity as an artist.
That's a very mature attitude, perhaps even business savvy?
Well, I always think of the bigger picture. I never think of the moment. Right now, in electronic music, there's something of a standstill in the music that is being released.
How so?
It's getting more and more generic, more and more loop-based, and the market has been flooded by loads of similar-sounding tracks. I don't ever want to fall into that category. It's important for me to try and evolve at a faster rather than the scene evolves.
So you want to always be one step ahead of the scene. But are you ever concerned with record sales?
No, I am much more concerned with the quality of the music. Sales was never the number one priority for me. I am more concerned that people like my music, than having a Top 10 track.
Getting into the charts on Beatport was never a huge concern. If it sells, that's a bonus. I'd rather have great names playing my music.
Which DJs are great names, to you?
Oh all the guys that have been a big inspiration to me, like Loco Dice, Dubfire of course, Carl Cox, and Nic Fanciulli. All of these DJs have influenced me, and I will never get bored of the feeling I get when I hear that one of them is playing a track of mine in a club.
What else influences you as an artist?
Definitely traveling. I am quite new to this whole traveling thing, and it really only started for me this year. I suddenly found myself thrown into a country that I had never been to before, playing in a club to a few hundred or a few thousand people. It's a rush. You learn a lot about how to feel out a crowd, and see what they like.
Which country was the most inspiring to play in?
Anywhere in Europe, I think. As a DJ, there's a lot more freedom to play what you want over there. I can play deep, and more hypnotic in Europe than in my home city Toronto, for instance.
Why do you think that is?
Toronto is a great city, and we get lots of big name DJs coming through, so don't get me wrong, I love Toronto. But we do have a little bit of a close minded crowd here. Sometimes you get the freedom to expand your sets in the way that you want, but sometimes when I want to play a bit more deep or experimental it may not work as well as I hoped.
So what do clubbers in Toronto like?
We are more of a hands-in-the-air city, and we love fast BPMs and big breakdowns. At least, more so than in other places that I've played. I love this city more than anything, I'm just happy I get to experience all these other countries too.
What is the most exciting gig that you've ever played?
I'd say, the opening set at Carl Cox' night in Ibiza's Space nightclub. The energy of the club was just so different to any other place that I'd been to before. For me to be able to play for three hours from 11pm till 2am and stay at 123 BPM is very special. You can't do that often in Toronto. I felt I had full freedom there. The crowd are very open.
Why do you think Ibiza is so special?
Ibiza is one of a kind. The atmosphere, and the energy is very open. The island sees every type of DJ and sound roll through there in the summer, so people are very educated about electronic music in Ibiza. You have a lot of freedom and people really appreciate the art, as well as the music and the DJing.
Finally, what's coming next for you?
I'm currently working on a remix of Dubfire and Oliver Huntemann's 'Diablo' for Cocoon, and I've just done a remix of a Samuel L Session track for Material Series. I'm also working on a rework of a Nic Fanciulli and Stacey Pullen collaboration.
Sounds like a pretty spectacular end to 2010.
Most definitely. This year has been amazing.
(Words: Terry Church) |
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| randallpink |
| LOVE this guy! his productions and sets are always flawless. when i heard he replaced umek at footwork i wasn't even mad! it was probably the best replacement for umek that they could have possibly got and i had a great night! Carlo has become an inspiration to me and i wish him all the best. Doin toronto and canada proud!! :) |
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| WittyHandle |
| Finally got my mitts on Pusher. Love it. |
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| Spin Laden |
| quote: | Originally posted by MSZ
hmm i find it a little odd that carlo doesnt post once in this thread to say a thank you for all the support or something. im sure he says it in other ways like that free party he did, but still, its not that much to ask. oh well :) |
Carlo, stay off TA :p |
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| jchung52 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Spin Laden
Carlo, stay off TA :p |
lol don't worry he does. I could find the quote but I'm too lazy.
ps nice interview |
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| PurpleHaze |
| Amazing read. Thanks kotsy! Really shows Carlo's true colors ;) |
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| Nick Cenik |
My favourite producer - hands down! His music is incredible; basically every release he puts out is amazing. He's friendly too and always seems to find the time to get back to me when I contact him.
With a doubt, Carlo is my biggest inspiration as an artist! |
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