We sit down with Italian DJ & producer Vito Natoli so celebrate his latest EP ‘Emotions’ on historic UK label Hooj Choons. We discuss his inspirations, the evolution of his sound, equipment, and more…
01. Hi Vito! Great to have you here. How has your year been so far?
Hi guys. First of all, thank you for having me for this interview. It’s definitely been a positive year, full of experiences, musically speaking.
02. Why and when did you start in music? How has your sound evolved since then?
I started looking into the music world at an early age. I used to play alone at home for fun, then I realised that for me it was a real passion. Since then, music has never left my life and it’s been a constant in it.
Listening to music and attending clubs and parties for sure played a key role in my sound evolution, as well as the approach to the music production, defining what I now like and the genre I’m more close to and into.
03. When it comes to DJing – are you someone who likes to get people in a trance, or who likes a sense of fun in their sets, or who likes to shock?
When I play, I tend to transmit positive vibes. I like to leave behind a good memory of my music.
04. And where is your best environment? A small dark club or a huge outdoor festival stage? Late at night for the weirdos or early so you can play slow and eclectic?
I don’t mind small dark club situations, but I prefer the huge outdoor festival stages because it gives me more energy to play in front of so many people. I like playing late at the end of the night so I can fully express myself.
05. Tell us about your new tunes on Hooj, what inspired it?
The sounds were chosen based on what I heard in the clubs and what I like. I looked for similar sounds that struck me, put them together and I developed my EP.
06. How did you come to release on the classic UK label?
I sent an e-mail to Jerry because I thought he might like my material. I had a desire to start my artistic journey with a respected or historic label, and listening to the new stuff Hooj was releasing, I thought my music was in line. And that’s how it all started. It was a great pleasure to work with Jerry and the whole process going back and forth with him was very stimulating.
07. How did getting Mark Hawkins on the remix come about?
When we decided with Jerry to work on a second EP, he asked me what I thought if we added a remix of a track from my previous EP (‘Galactic Chords’) and you can imagine my answer. For me it would have been a great pleasure, first of all to have someone willing and pleased to remix a track of yours, and secondly the remix could have given an extra push to my EP (and also to my career). Imagine for a newcomer what this means.
So, Jerry sent me proposals of remixers and then my choice fell on Mark. Mark is a great artist. He’s been in the scene for over 20 years, is a veteran of nineties DIY parties, and all his releases (including those on AUS, Houndstooth, UTTU and Len Faki’s Juxta Position) are pure dynamite.
What he did adding a fat, crafted, mid-tempo whomp to the proceedings, and those irresistible stabs and explosive breakdown, is pure class. Really happy with the result and to have him on board.
08. And when making music, what are your aims, what sounds are you most fond of? What is the aim of your tunes?
My goal when I produce music is to put my own into the choice of sounds. Chords must never be missing in my productions. When I create and select, I would like to convey my emotion to my listeners.
09. What gear do you use and how important is that to forming your sound?
Basically, I use my laptop and the VSTs/plug-ins for a good percentage of my tracks. I don’t think I need too much stuff. With that I’m able to work everywhere and anywhere. I can easily put down an idea that pops up to my mind in a minute, without having to get to my studio to put my hands on my gears. So far I feel comfortable with this setup.
10. What is the most important thing to get right for you on any production?
The most important thing in productions is that I have to like them, because I think that if I like them, others can like them and people will have fun.
11. What was the last tune/record you bought and why?
The last tune I bought is Jamie Jones’ ‘Lose My Mind’. I really love it and it gives the real summer feel. Easily my summer’s soundtrack, for sure.
12. What track never leaves your bag?
I am fond of Pawsa’s ‘Room Service’ and Michael Bibi’s ‘Got The Fire’.
13. What was the first club you partied in?
Masseria del Turco (Monopoli – Puglia)
14. What was the last club you played in?
Mandarino Club (Puglia)
15. What can we look forward to next from Vito Natoli?
For my future I have clear ideas. I would like to continue this path and above all grow in the world of music because it is what I like to do in my life.
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