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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna |
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Finding the passion with Ben Alonzi
Reported by Frani Heyns
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Submitted 18-08-10 06:49
Discovering that wonderful ‘feel great feeling’ in dance music during his early teens, Ben Alonzi has never looked back. Today his passion for uplifting sounds is reflected in a long list of releases, his own label and regular bookings at great events. Driven by his motto to never give up and put 110% in everything he does, Ben has a number of new exciting initiatives on the horizon – including his first booking at Odyssey on Saturday, 4 September. With only a few weeks to go, I sat down with Ben to find out more.
Take us right to the beginning. When did you first discover dance music?
I’ve always had a real passion for music ever since I can remember. For me the first time I ever really discovered dance music would have been around my early teens. Always loved a track that gave you that so called “feel great feeling” you know, when you hear the track, your foot starts tapping, then before you know it, you’ve cranked up the volume and don’t have a care in the world.
When did you first try your hand at production?
It would’ve been around the time when I was about 16 years old. I brought a Carl Cox game where you had all the layouts, beats, claps etc. Use to get hooked on it for hours. I’d find myself up till early hours of the morning with goggle eyes hence being too close to the TV in the dark, trying all kinds of samples, sounds, beats etc. I then got to know lots of producers around the dance scene who were always more than willing to help and guide me in the right direction.
Who is/was your biggest influence(s)?
I would probably have to say JFK. Back in the day I use to compile demo CDs, post them to clubs, up on line, any way shape or form. I was on it like a car bonnet (laughs). Being a Leicester lad, Passion was always one of my favourite events at the Emporium. I was working in a bar tent one weekend and low behold, JFK was playing in the main tent in Victoria Park, Leicester. For some reason, they were having sound difficulties. I spotted JFK, I must have been around 18 at the time. Kiddie as a kipper, I went over with my demo CD and gave it to him. I was very grateful as he took the time to talk to me. His words I’ll never forget. “Never give up and keep trying, if you want it bad enough and you work hard, you’ll achieve it.” Oh, and he took my demo CD too!
Many of your earlier productions were in collaboration with Steve Allen. How did you meet and why did you decide to form a production partnership?
I was around 23 at the time, a resident at a Nottinghamshire-based club called Fixation at the time. Steve contacted me through email asking how to go about getting a slot at Fixation. Now myself, I’m always happy to help anyone if I can and the team at the time was great to work with there. So I asked if I could give Steve a shot and that was that. In the end, we played back to back and got on great. Same style, same ambition etc. Steve popped the question to me about working and DJing together. To be fair, I didn’t really think about it too much and sort of said, what the hell, let’s do it. Something different and both having each other to feed off made it exciting.
Why did you decide to go your own way?
In the end, working together just didn’t work out. Steve had his own views on how he wanted to handle things and that just wasn’t for me. This industry can be very clicky from time to time and it’s a real shame. To me, music is about passion and most of all the clubbers/people that show their support for me and everyone else. That’s what’s important to me and keep me doing what I love most.
Which track was the turning point in your career?
That’s a great question. Whether the answer will be interesting or not is another. I’ve never really had a turning point in my career to tell you the truth, times move so quickly and sounds in productions are changing all the time. My passion for music has always been about uplifting euphoric trance. As long as uplifting styles are still being produced, my tracks aim to crank up the volume and deliver their best when being played live at events.
You have since built up an impressive list of tracks and played at some of the UK’s biggest venues. When are you at your happiest – in studio or in front of a crowd?
I’ve been very lucky to be honest in having these opportunities throughout my career. I’ve met some fantastic DJs and the best clubbers ever! (Still hope to meet many more!) I would say it would have to be in front of a crowd. There’s no better feeling than dropping a track and seeing the whole room in front of you erupt. When finished, to see clubbers applauding you and showing their appreciation nearly brings me to tears every time. It’s the most overwhelming feeling ever. Wouldn’t change it for the world.
What in your opinion are the most important elements of a well-produced track?
Without a shadow of a doubt, a well-produced track has to have a hooking melody and a great driving beat. Something that makes you feel the track, a melody that you hum over and over in your head. And most of all, makes you want to crank up the volume, get your dancing shoes on and HAVE IT LARGE!
Tell us more about the equipment you use.
I tend to use my CDJs a lot, laptop, fl studio, cubase, reason etc. Sometimes I even push the boat out and dig out my 1210s. I don’t care what anyone says, the sound of vinyl will never be beaten! That’s called proper mixing.
Describe the sound of Ben Alonzi in 5 words.
Passionate, warm, approachable, kind, grateful. (But Ben Really means – Of Gods Right Hand).
Did your sound evolve over the years? How would you describe this evolution?
I would say my sound has always been on the same level. I am though, one of those people that tends to like all music. I love any kind of production that has feeling or a meaning.
You’ve done a lot of recent work with Estigma. Tell us more about this partnership and how do you complement each other’s sound?
Yes, Estigma is a fantastic producer with a huge talent and a great future ahead of him. He’s eager to learn, try new styles and never afraid to produce something he feels passionate about. Estigma’s passion for uplifting styles is never ending. Once again, we found ourselves in contact - he joined my label, Nu Communicate Recordings, for a while and it was a pleasure to have him on board.
Can you highlight one particular event where you’ve played that stands out for you?
No, I could never do that! All events mean the world to me. To have the opportunities to be able to play at events, stand in front of a crowd, drop tracks and see the enjoyment and passion for music in people’s faces. That’s PRICELESS!
One event that means a lot to me for my own personal reasons was the opportunity to play at Passion. Being young and it being one of my favourite clubs, as close friends use to attend, I always use to dream that one day, just one day, I’d hope to get that chance and I did. To be fair though, every opportunity is a highlight.
You are booked to play at Odyssey on Saturday, 4th September. What is your expectation of this party and what can we expect from your set?
I’ve heard such fantastic things about this event, the fact that it has a love and passion for real uplifting euphoric trance music suits me down to the ground. A friendly atmosphere, great support and following, what more could I wish for than an opportunity to be a part of Odyssey. The team behind Odyssey have been superb to communicate with. This is my first appearance at the event – so I can’t wait. They have made me feel so welcome already. I also can’t wait to meet everyone - clubbers and the team! So don’t be shy. I won’t bite. Please come and say hi!
Tell us more about Nu Communicate Recordings. When did you start up and what was the reason for founding your very own label?
There used to be joint partners at Communicate Recordings and that relationship broke down. I wanted to try something NU, Hence Nu Communicate Recordings. There are some fantastic young and gifted producers out there making some superb music. So I wanted to help NU up-and-coming producers come through onto the music scene. It’s a very hard industry at times and very difficult to get noticed - let alone even get your foot in the door. Being a competitive market, this was one of the main reasons why. Nu Communicate Recordings LTD is a limited company, so it offers the security of producer’s work not being taken advantage of.
Can you give us a glimpse into Nu Communicate Recordings’ latest and future releases?
Sure no problem, I tend to keep all releases out in the open. All up-and-coming releases can be found on www.myspace.com/nucommunicaterecordings. New websites are under construction as we speak. So keep an eye out for them! There are some other releases in the pipeline, but I can’t give everything away now.
If you could choose any artist to do a track with, who would it be?
Back in the day, being young and naive, I probably would’ve said Ferry Corsten as he was my number one. Nowadays I don’t really mind, if I receive a sample of a track and feel something for it, then I’m always happy to work with anyone I guess. I tend not to get to much time to produce at present due to other commitments, but nevertheless - if I can I will.
What can we expect from Ben Alonzi in the future?
Who knows what’s in store for me. I guess all I can say is I’ll continue to work hard in what I love the most, never give up, always put 110% in and most of all never lose the passion. And enjoy it without fear or contradiction. You only live once. Life’s too short, so enjoy it.
May I take this opportunity and thank each and everyone for supporting me in what I do. It’s you, the clubbers out there, who give me the inspiration to keep going.
Photos courtesy of Ben Alonzi. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Odyssey presents The Sunset Party
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On:
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Saturday 4th September 2010
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At:
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Ember [map]
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From:
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15:00 - 24:00
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Cost:
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FREE
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Website:
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www.odysseylondon.com
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Ticket Info:
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Entrance is FREE all day
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More:
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With the sun slowly setting for summer, we invite you to join us on a spectacular journey dedicated to uplifting trance. For our September adventure, we’ll celebrate the best moments of summer with an ode to friends, music and your favourite sunsets.
THE SUNSET PARTY
In preparation for this unique voyage, we urge you to wear summer clothes and sunglasses, and send your best sunset shots to info@odysseylondon.com. Throughout the day, we’ll screen a collage of sunsets submitted by our voyagers.
Saturday, 4 September 2010 | 15:00-24:00 | Ember, 99-100 Turnmill Street, Farringdon, EC1M 5QP.
DRESS CODE: Summer gear and sunglasses
Entrance is FREE all day.
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Frani Heyns:
Put your hands in the air for Glyn Waters
Shifting gears with Corderoy
Perfectly Adam White
Getting Crafty with Sly One: Part 2
Getting Crafty with Sly One: Part 1
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Carine on 21st Aug 2010 10:36.57
Frani - good interview.
I'm looking forward to hearing Ben Alonzi play at the next Odyssey.
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