South West Seven on Sccucci Manucci!

Hey folks
Our latest track is out now on the excellent Sccucci Manucci label. Check out a preview of the track below or click on the Scucci image on the right to get your copy on vinyl! DO IT!!! :)


What
Have I Got To Do by South West
Seven

Seven Music on Twitter

You can now keep up to date with the latest news via our Seven Music Twitter page. Why not follow Seven Music and Scope too...

Click on the logo to access...

One Day In Chicago!

Chicago. The Windy City. Chi-Town. The home of House Music and House Music legends. Larry Heard, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Jamie Principle, Lil Louis, Marshall Jefferson, Derrick Carter etc (need I go on?). It’s even the place where the phrase ‘House’ was born. Named after the music that people heard Mr Knuckles spinning at famed Chicago nightclub, The Warehouse. 

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were on our honeymoon in the States. Taking in 3 cities neither of us had visited before. New York , Boston…and most importantly, sandwiched in between, Chicago!

I had decided early on in our plans that one of the things I had to do there was to check out a record store or 2. In particular, Gramaphone Records, which has been the go to music store for DJs in Chicago since 1969. Arriving late on a Sunday (after spending the afternoon on a damp Navy Pier), I had less than an hour to take it in. And obviously have a little dig myself.

Gramaphone Records

I have to say the staff were more than helpful. Firstly Oscar helped me find a couple of records I was after and pointed me in the right direction of the Deep House section. And after having a quick listen to a few vinyls, we then also met the lovely Tracey before we left. Both were happy to accommodate and have a chat, even though the clock had just crept past closing time. So I would like to say a big Thank You to them both for making my first (and hopefully not last) visit to Gramaphone a memorable one.

The next day we met up with Large Records owner, Jeff Craven. Having emailed back & forth the last few months, it was great to finally meet in person the man behind one of the most important House labels to come out of the US . And such a nice bloke he is too! He offered to show us around the real Chicago neighborhoods, away from the tourist traps of the city. So after a quick bite for lunch in Logan Square (where Jeff broke the news that he had just signed the new Scope album!), he took us to the trendy Wicker Park area for some clothes and record shopping.

It is said that Wicker Park is not what it once was, and has lost some of its appeal. But I definitely found the place to be very cool, with cutting edge fashion boutiques & gritty street art. We took a short stroll along North Milwaukee Ave and Jeff recommended some shops to check out. Including the excellent Saint Alfred, which has a very slick selection of  some of the finest tees and trainers ive seen. Including their very impressive, and exclusive own range. 
After a quick coffee in a place kitted out in 80s memorabilia including a full size Delorean in the window, we had a quick look in Reckless Records before hopping on the L train back into the city.

To finish off a great day…Jeff invited us to join him & his wife Marla at long time Chicago club, the Boom Boom Room that night. Where Gramaphone records boss Mike Serafini was playing one of the many residency spots he holds in the city. And what an enjoyable and memorable experience it was. Mr Serafini spinning a quality selection of old skool funk, disco, a cheeky edit or 2…moving into some sexy soulful deep house! The club was by no means full, but was busy enough to keep the atmosphere simmering nicely. And the people on the floor were giving it their all and getting into it regardless. Some people were dressed up. I thought it a little early for holloween but its seems it’s a regular thing. We had some guys dressed as nuns on the dancefloor. A warewolf by the toilets. Then we also had some entertainment in the form of a girl dancing with a strobelight come hula-hoop, live percussion and some break dancers! 

Mike Serafini layin down the vinyl!

The only shame was that we had an early flight to catch to Boston the next morning. So had to leave just as it seemed the atmosphere was about to reach boiling point. To say Boston had alot to live up to is an undertstatement. And needless to say, it came nowhere near the heights reached of Chicago . Not just down to the city itself, but also to our very own personal tour guide who made it all the more special. So we would like to say a big Thank You once again to Jeff and his wife Marla. They certainly showed us how its done in Chi-town, and it wouldn't have been the same without them! I'm not sure when ill make it over again, but hopefully it wont be long...

South West Seven September Mix

Here's our latest mix for you all to check out. And we've lowered the tempo for this one. Gettin into some sleazy downbeat disco edit action! Including some great promos we've been sent of late in the form of Nicholas on his excellent No More Hits label. Young Russian producer Volta Cab on Fiakun. And The Tortoise from Melbourne (there is def something funky in the water down there!) brings us another fine slab of sexy downbeat slo-mo house on Kolour sublabel Undertones. Enjoy...


01. 78 Edits - Please Stay - 78 Recordings
02. Nel Oliver - Dream On (The Revenge edit) - Z Records
03. Toomy Disco - Outstanding - House Of Disco
04. Mushrooms Project - Phalcon Crest - Bear Funk
05. Tiger & Woods - Curb My Heart - Running Back
06. Nicholas - Can You Understand - No More Hits
07. Ramboiage - Pretty Baby - Sccucci Manucci
08. The Tortoise - She Took The Tortoise Home - Undertones US
09. Roman Fleischer - Can't Get Enough - Development Music
10. Volta Cab - Loved By The Sun - Fiakun
11. Social Disco Club - Portuguese Revenge - Eskimo



South West Seven - September 2011 Promo Mix by SW7 Blog Mixes

Waffles & Dinges Videos

Check out the new vids for our Waffles & Dingles release...

Waffles & Dinges (Original Mix)

Waffles & Dinges (Huxley Remix)

Waffles & Dinges (Andy Hart Remix)

Waffles & Dinges EP lands this week!

So this week sees the release of our latest EP, Waffles & Dinges. We're particularly excited about this one. And  we have some heavyweights onboard for remixing duites in the form of Tsuba's in form Huxley & Melbourne Deepcast supremo Andy Hart!
The track will be released this week in all the usual spots. Check out previews of the EP below...


South
West Seven - Waffles & Dinges EP by Seven Music

Seven Music Pres. Huxley at Love And Death Inc, Belfast

Not content with having Huxley remix the latest Seven Music release. We have also invited the man to play at our very first Seven Music label party! Also playing on the night will be young Belfast DJ/producer Chilf (Chris McCormick), who made his debut on the label with his Suave Bastard EP just this month. And obviously our good selves! Check out more info and confirm your attendance on Resident Advisor or our Facebook page...

 

Seven Music 006 with Huxley & Andy Hart!

We are now at release numero 006 on our label Seven Music. And we are excited to welcome onboard a couple of our favourute producers of the last year to remix our latest track. The 'Waffles & Dinges EP' contains 2 new originals from ourselves. With the title track being remixed by none other than Huxley (Tsuba) & Andy Hart (Melbourne Deepcast). Both men have done a stellar job and we hope you all like them as much as we do!

 The EP is released on September 5th on Juno and other online stores. Keep an eye on our Soundcloud page for previews of the tracks!

South West Seven Live In The Mix July 2011

We've put another mix together for you all to check out. Hope you enjoy!

Playlist..

1. Psychemagik - Carnaval De Tracoso - House Of Disco
2. Francis Inferno Orchestra - Sun Up - House Of Disco
3. Space Ranger - Plastic Romance (Bonar Bradberry Remix) - Lovemonk
4. Autodeep - For So Long (South West Seven Remix) - Umalu
5. Roman Fleischer - Can't Get Enough - Development
6. Roy Ayers - Running Away (Hartjam) - Unknown
7. Plage - Plage (Compuphonic Remix) - Different
8. Mario Basanov - Lonely Days (Downtown Party Network Remix) - Need Want
9. Skipworth & Turner - Thinking About Your Love (Kiko Navarro Remix) - Basic Fingers
10. Tomas Malo - Otter Funk - Mochi
11. T Ski Valley - Catch The Beat (Deetron Remix) - Peppermint Jam
12. Marc Smith feat Kevin Knapp - Stepping Back - Chillin


South
West Seven Live In The Mix July 2011 by SW7 Blog Mixes

Nicholas - No More Hits 014

There are many who are doing the disco re-edit thing at the minute. But few who are doing it with as much guile and craft as Italy's Nicholas. Now onto release number 014, his vinyl only label No More Hits continues to delve into bottomless crates of rare funk, soul or disco. And re-create hidden gems in a downbeat house style which few can match. Primarily it seems a platform to release his own music, NMH has also brought in the services of like minded producers in the form of Daniel Solar, Turbojazz, LTJ, G&D, Simoncino and Buzz Compass.

Here, Nicholas steps up with a varied 4 track EP that continues the to hit the spot.
To start things off we have 'Can You Understand'. Funky wailing guitars, chuggy beats, lovely strings and a vocal (and backing vocals) with alot of soul. I cant spot who this samples but what I can say is that the vocal reminds me somewhat of legendary soul group The Spinners, which is obviously a good thing!
'If This World' technically isnt a re-edit. But instead takes a classic vocal by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell and places it over early 90s style house beats. Dreamy pads are layered into the mix and complimented by high strings to create a very smoothe & soulful deep house track.
Back to re-edit territory and 'I Know A Place'. Again, like the opening track, this is very funky, has a great vocal and an enegetic feel to it with some cracking horn sections. The vocalist talks of a place 'way across town' where the people know how to get down. I dont know where it is but I want to go!

All 4 tracks on this EP are every bit as good as each other. But the one Ive chosen to feature just pips the other 3 at the post for me.
'World Of Confusion' is an edit of Undisputed Truth's 70's psychedelic funk track 'Ball Of Confusion'. And at  85 BPM the track is comfortably the slowest on the record. It chuggs along with a heavyness and soulfulness that is hard to ignore. And I really love the vocals on this one. The female vocal urges you to 'Let the music sink down into your soul', and to 'let the music take your mind'. While the male vocal declares, 'Funky music sure nuff turns me on'. Well, I cant argue with that! Further into the track and muffled delayed funk/rock style guitars replace the vocals to create a funkadelic collage that will take you to another place...a seriously good edit, check it out!

NMH014 - Nicholas - Can You Understand by Nicholas

Check out all the tracks on the EP over at Nicholas' Soundcloud page. Or head over to Juno or check other good record shops and pick up the 12''.

What We Do EP out now!

Just a quick post to tell you all that our 'What We Do EP' is now available in all the usual places. The 2nd release on our very own Seven Music, we offer up 3 original tracks from ourselves and a sublime remix from Hannover duo, Autodeep !!!

Head over to our Soundcloud page for a preview...or click the image on the right to buy.

South West Seven In The Mix!

Get your ears round this brand new mix from us. Including some sexy new tracks from Huxley, Tuff City Kids,  Mic Newman, Tanner Ross, Mudd, John Talabot, Voices Of Black, Leif, Tigerskin & also some duo from Belfast called SOUTH WEST SEVEN!

South
West Seven In The Mix - May 2011 by SW7 Blog Mixes

What We Do EP vids!

Check out the cool vids of our 'What We Do EP' now up on YouTube. 

DiKSO - Super Sound Single Volume 5

So it's about time we got some music reviews up, hey?
And for starters we've decided on the latest offering from one of our favourite Vinyl only labels, Berlin's DiKSO. I first discovered DiKSO when they released their debut EP almost a year ago. And having around the same time started buying vinyl again, I knew this would be a label I would come back to time and again. When I heard the beauty of a track, 'Never' by Nicholas...I knew I had to own it!
And the 3 releases since have been equally as impressive, giving us great tracks by some of the best Nu-Disco/Slow Groove/Disco House (whatever u wanna call it) producers in the business.

Now on to their 5th release, and it doesn't dissappoint...

Duff Disco gets things going on the A-side with probably my pick of the EP. 'I Won't Forget' is a lushious warm slow house groover and typical of what we have come to expect from the Duffman. Underpinned by thick rhodes chords the track grows with some slick filtered vocal samples in the break. Building towards the end with some 303 style action to finish things off.
Next up is We Play with 'The Music We Play'. This is the funkiest track on the EP. The intro launching straight into Daft Punk/Zapp & Roger style vocoder vox.Then moving into the guitar bassline which keeps the funk factor going. Some spacey synth stabs and sweeps complete the job. Really nice track!
On the flip Larse takes us to a cheesier place with 'So Much Fun'. This one is a little heavy on the diva style vocals for me. For those of you that love that shit...this is the track for you!
Lastly DiKSO founder Andi DeLuxe closes the EP with 'Boobsie Collins'. A really nice track, and back into the same territory as Duff Disco. The pace drops and the feel is deep, slow-groovin & discofied. Andi works a sample up through low a pass filter, laying over some tasty disco hats. Leading us into the break where vocal samples are added before slamming back into the groove!

U can listen to previews of the new EP over at their soundcloud page here. Also their blog is def worth checking out. There you will find not only some great podcasts, but some free edits to download!

The 12'' drops in early June so keep an eye out for it!

Seven Music...I FEEL THIS!

This week sees the launch of our very own label, Seven Music!
Obviously we are very excited at the prospect of running our own imprint. And looking forward to bringing you more quality music in the future not only from ourselves, but also some familiar names within the scene. There will also be an interest in breaking new talent, from sunny Belfast and beyond!

On that note we introduce Seven Music 001...a cracking 3 tracker from Sydney Young.

The 'Lost In Philly EP' is a great way to kick things off. The main mix of 'Lost In Philly' takes centre stage with its paranoid hypnotic bassline and disco diva style vocal samples.
While an alternative take, 'Dub In Philly' eases the main mix into calmer waters with soothing keys and melodic arp sounds.
On the B-side, 'Whats Happening' moves to deeper realms with its heavy sub bass, low toms and vocal samples encouraging you to 'Feel This'...

The debut release has already garnered some favourable feedback from some of house musics finest. Including Graeme Clarke (The Revenge), Chris Duckenfield, Trickski, Nick Harris (NRK), Leo Zero, Milton Jackson, Moodymanc & Craig Smith...to name a few!


You can listen to the tracks on our Soundcloud page here (u can also check out previews Seven Music 002);

Seven Music Soundcloud

To purchase the EP head over to the below links;

Beatport

Whatpeopleplay

South West Seven Welcomes Pete Herbert!

After his excellent remix of our own track 'Mels Pockets' on Carry On, we thought it would be good to get to know the London based DJ/Producer a little better. Pete Herbert is a man who needs little introduction. Having produced under various aliases and collaborations; Cuica, L.S.B. and Reverso 68...Pete has made quite a name for himself on the UK house scene over the last few years.

Just back from being on tour, he's kindly agreed to an interview for our wee blog! We give you, Pete Herbert...

So we hear you're touring the southern hemisphere at the moment. Where are you currently and how have things been going?

Yes actually just back from my pan-asian adventure, which was amazing! great gigs in Australia and Bali, and the perfect time to go, escaping the London winter..

I'm sure the majority of our readers will know quite a bit about you, but for those that don't and the rest of us who want to know more, where did it all begin musically for you?

Pirate radio stations in London were a big influence on me back in the day, and swapping cassettes with friends at school... then heading up to the west end of London on a saturday to get the latest import 12's from shops like Groove and Beat Street - hip hop, house and rare groove was mostly my thing then...

You've released some quality music over the years under various monikers, such as Cuica, L.S.B and Reverso 68. Looking back, which project or particular tracks are you most proud of?

I'd have to say at the time of doing them all i was really happy, and in the results generally. Early Reverso 68 tracks we did around a great time with the whole new dare-i-say-it balearic thing happening, and our early LSB edits were a real buzz to do, make them during the day, then play them out that evening..

You started your own label Maxi Discs a few years ago. How has that been going and what's lined up for the label over 2011?

Yes i started up Maxi Discs with Dicky Trisco who also runs Disco Deviance amongst some other fine labels.. It was originally with a view to release our own productions with the dancefloor in mind, and also to get on board some other likeminded producers/friends.. Coming up are some releases from the very talented Marius from Oslo and some new productions from me and DT.

What are your personal thoughts on the ever popular debate of 'Vinyl vs. Digital' and how does it affect you as a producer aswell as a DJ?

these days i'm playing CD's, which came about more from a travelling point of view, and not having to lug huge bags about...but also to be able to play new tracks straight away, rather than wait for the vinyl release.. Though there's something to be said for playing off vinyl thats quite special.. and my take on it all is that its all about the end product. If someone plays a great set, i'm not bothered if its played off a laptop, vinyl or spoons!!

Your recent productions have an amazing and very distinct sound. What's your studio set up?

Pretty basic really... A mac book, and a bucket load of plug ins!

Speaking of productions, you've just remixed our new track 'Mels Pockets'. How did you approach the mix?

Loved the original track, and just thought i could hear an uptempo version of it straight away...added to the vocals that were really atmopsheric, and tried to make it something i would play in my sets.. which i have.. quite a lot!

* Finally, some quick fire questions to round of:

Tea or Coffee? tea junkie.

Sushi or Sandwich? it should be sushi, but i'm a bread junkie too.

Sun or Snow? Sun for sure.

Walk or Cycle? i havent riden a bike for about 20 years!

Jeans or Trousers? Edwin jeans.

Berlin or London? The east end of London is the place i love to leave on trips, but i'm always happy to come home to.

NYC or Tokyo? Never been to Japan..one day.

House or Techno? definitely not tech house.

Rock or Classical? Classical Fm in the car.

CD or Vinyl? Cds when it comes to moving house.

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South West Seven Blog Mix 2 - South West Seven

We are working to remedy the lack of mixes up on the blog since our initial post. We hope to have a new guest mix/interview up very soon.
In the meantime, here is an all vinyl selection i put together over the weekend...
It  includes tracks from the dam near faultless Untracked Recordings, who's sleeve artwork on each release is as delightful as the music! Pete Herberts Maxi Discs label, a track from MCDE's brilliant recent double 12"...and a  seriously excellent remix from Boston-bred duo Soul Clap on Under The shade.

Enjoy...


01. System Status - Downtime (Untracked)
02. DJ Nature - Everyone (Golf Channel)
03. FILIPSSON / ULYSSES - Gotcha (Jackoff)
04. Alkalino & Blacklodge - Breaking Bad (Dikso)
05. Discomendments - Sleeping Giant [Pete Herbert Mix](Maxi Discs)
06. Andy Ash - Dance (Foto)
07. Motor City Drum Ensemble - There Is A Truth [Feat. Stee Downes](MCDE)
08. T.B-Knudens & D. Savi - Cheatin (Underground Quality)
09. Francis Inferno Orchestra - Meet Me In Salt Lake City [Soul Clap city remix](Under The Shade)
10. Souled - Changin (Fresh Minute)
11. A&O - Whats A Name (StiloveformusicUS)




South
West Seven Blog Mix 2 - South West Seven by SW7 Blog Mixes

Mels Pockets OUT NOW!

Our latest release 'Mels Pockets' is now on sale. You can pick up the 12" by following the link on the right. The release includes 2 MASSIVE remixes from Pete Herbert and Ooft!
Alot of positive feedback and support has come from the likes of Charles Webster, Cottam, Roberto Rodriguez, The Unabombers & Ben Watt, who played the original on his Buzzin Fly podcast!!!

OOFT!’s Top 5 Non-Dance Albums

Scottish Deep House maestro OOFT drops by the South West Seven blog to let us know what artist albums have truly inspired him over the years!

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I always find this type of thing really hard to do as there’s so much great music out there, so for this list I’ve stuck strictly to 5 albums that I’ve felt a strong emotional connection with upon listening. Be it 80s pop from my childhood to obscure acoustic picks, I think the thing that binds this group of albums together is the sheer musicality, and I hope if you’re reading this you’ll give them an airing.

Fleetwood Mac – Tango In The Night [Warner]

We’ll start with one that was always on in the house when I was growing up. Tango In The Night was the ‘Macs second-biggest selling album after Rumours and is jam packed with power pop songs like Big Love, Everywhere, Family Man, Little Lies and a whole host more. I’m a sucker for that polished 80srecording-studio sound which this epitomises and it’s still a great party-starting album.

Marvin Gaye – Here My Dear [Motown]

Recorded as part of Marv’s divorce settlement (his ex was to get part of all future profits) this was meant to be a quick job but turned into some serious personal deep-soul shizz (track titles such as Anger, You Can Leave But Its Going To Cost You and Is That Enough give you an idea!). This contains two of my all-time favourites: A Funky Space Reincarnation and Time To Get It Together as is an often overlooked but great album. Check out the recently remastered expanded edition for even more strung-out cosmic takes on all the tracks.

My Latest Novel – Wolves [Bella Union]

This one sits funnily in my collection as I’m not generally a huge fan of “Indie” music. Add to that the fact that I went to school with one of the guys in the band and didn’t really like him too much its surprise that I ever listened to it full stop. However I’m glad I did as Wolves is a beautifully-musical selection of songs which ally personal lyrics with pretty out-there folky, emotional instrumentation. The band has been struggling to break through to bigger things for several years but here’s hoping they do. You always want talent to rise to the top.

Fat Freddy’s Drop – Based On A True Story [Sonar Kollektiv]

Hailing from New Zealand, this was FFD’s debut album and is a great selection of reggae-infused songs with great vocals from lead singer Joe Dukie. This one always gets played during the (somewhat short here in Glasgow) summertime and is the perfect accompaniment to overcooked meat from the barbecue and a mild case of sunburn.  

Emiliana Torrini – Fisherman’s Woman [Rough Trade]

Fisherman’s Woman is a haunting, painfully-beautiful collection of acoustic songs from the Icelandic songstress Emiliana Torrini. I think she makes a living from writing Pop songs for people like Kylie but this album is so moving I wish she recorded herself more. It was released in 2005 but it’ll probably sound even better in another 10 years time.

South West Seven Welcomes Roberto Rodriguez

Bienvenue! Welcome! 歡迎! Willkommen! Benvenuto! 반갑습니다! Seja bem-vindo(a)! Bienvenido!

Hello and welcome to the South West Seven blog! We're not quite sure the world needs another blog, but it's gonna get one now anyway..

Through the coming days, months and years we'll be aiming to bring you the best content possible! Not just a monthly mix, but sought after and exclusive mixes and interviews from the cream of the DJ & Producer crop. We'll also be adding our own reviews on our favourite CD & vinyl releases, general musical musings, plus anything we think you need to know about. Such as recipes, get rich quick schemes and how to improve your libido.
    

So sit back, relax and enjoy the South West Seven blog! 

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You're one of the most well respected artists in the Deep House scene, with productions on some of the finest labels such as Freerange and Compost. Many will know you from your hit record 'Ride With Me feat. Max C' on Compost, but where did it all begin for Roberto Rodriguez?

It all started 24 years ago back in 1987 at the lovely balearic island of Mallorca. I was having a summer holiday there with my grandma. I was a music fan already back then so i went to this small kiosk for tourists that also sold cassettes. In one stand i saw a black cassette that had a yellow smiley face on the cover. I put it in my walkman and as soon as the music started  i was blown away. As soon as i got back home to Finland i started up my Commodore Amiga home computer and started making my first acid tracks with a tracker software.

I was really hooked on producing and getting better and better. I knew what i wanted to do in my life.

During the next years i slowly mastered the software and started djingand even doing live gigs in warehouse parties. The obvious next move was to break out of the limitations that the crappy 80´s computer had and move on to the real world of music. The first ever synth i bought was a TB-303. From there i started building up proper gear. Surely it wasn´t as easy for us those days as it is nowadays when you can just buy a relatively cheap laptop and load it with tons of software and plugins.

I became good friends with Jukka Kaartinen - who btw originally sold me the 303. We joined forces and built a small studio for ourselves. Made tons of tracks of different genres during the years. Until in 1998 Tommi Grönlund of Sähkö Recordings got a hold of our demo cd. He was planning a new sub label for Sähkö [Keys Of Life] together with Harri Hännikäinen and they thought that these deep house tunes would be perfect for the first release. So in 1999 my first ep called Heartbeat saw the light of day.

Some of your earlier productions have bordered on Techno, but over the last year or 2, you seemed to have slowed things down a lot and focused on a deeper and groovier sound with a lot of 'Disco' influence. What sparked this change of direction?

I don´t see it as a change in direction. To me all dance music is the same. Maybe that comes from the fact that i was there witnessing the birth of all these electronic dance music sub genres. Jungle, Drum & Bass, Trance, Electro Techno etc. And back in the days it wasn´t unheard of if you had all these genres under the same roof in a party. Maybe even in the mainroom. 

My first ep was pure Deep House. After that was released i released another one but after that i released only downtempo stuff for many years (from 2000 - 2005) The reason for this was that in 2000 - 2001 i wasn´t really happy about the direction house music was going. I was quite bored with it actually. But after we finished the Track n Field double album 'Marathon' in 2005 there was lot of interesting stuff happening in techno and house. The scene and the music had turned back in to something i felt really interesting. As a music maker i always do the music first for myself but when you live and breath the scene and the music, you get influenced by it and sort of evolve with it. So it seams that sub 120 bpm stuff is the current state of that evolution for me. But that doesn´t stop me from making more faster stuff as well.

You're about to launch your new label 'Serenades'. Please tell us more about it.. How the idea or concept came about and the direction you want to take the label?

I´ve had the dream of my own label for a long time. So as it started to look like it could became a reality, i knew instantly how i would like to do it. Or how i wouldn´t want to do it. There are tons of new labels coming every month even in house music. And most of them make a new release every month. Sometimes even every two weeks. What that says to me is that these labels have no quality control. They are putting quantity over quality. Its not possible for a new label like that to have that many special music laying around to release it every other week. 

So what i want to do is not to release these disposable pointless tracks that no one will remember in two months. I try to keep a very strict quality control. If that means that i only release one or two releases per year, so be it. Quality over quantity. Thats the way it has to be. 

I don´t have any particular style for Serenades. So if its indie rock/ pop or disco/ techno/ house it really doesn´t matter. Everything in the realm of my musical taste and under the roof of good nighlife styles is possible. As long as its quality and is able to 'touch' the audience and give them a good feeling. Surely it will mostly be dancefloor oriented, but that doesn´t always have to be the case. Perhaps one day Serenades will release a Pop album which is far away from the dancefloor. All is possible nowadays.

Which artists have influenced you the most over the years?

There are so damn many. Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Robert Hood, Kerri Chandler, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson & Quency Jones, Kevin Saunderson, Kerri Chandler, Joe Smooth, Lil Louis, I:Cube, Coldcut, LTJ Bukem, Adam F, Nightmares On Wax,  KLF, Orbital, LFO, Richard James, Depeche Mode, Radiohead etc...the list goes on.

Your productions have great depth and musicality. What equipment do you use in the studio to create such a 'sound'?

My current setup is built around an early 2008 Mac Pro 8-core with Apogee Duet audio interface.

I work on Logic 9, but sometimes i do stuff with Ableton Live or Protools.

As for outboard synths i currently only have Oberheim Matrix-1000, Roland JV1080, Yamaha DX-100, Novation Drumstation and TR-626.

I mix everything in the box but as the warm analog sound of the early days is locked in my head so tightly, i think i know how to replicate that in an all digital environment.

I´ve always said that it doesn´t matter what gear you have. The only thing that matters is how you use it and make the most of what you´ve got. You can do an amazingly creative track only with just one synth.

What set up do you use for DJing?

Nowadays i play with EKS Otus controller with Traktor 3 which is run on MacBook Pro 17". I´ve been thinking about upgrading to a four track controller and a newer Traktor.

If you had the opportunity to run a 1 of club night and budget wasn't an issue. What club or venue would you choose and what DJs or live acts would you have play?

If i´d plan a one night party for this coming weekend it would probably go something like this:

07pm-08pm Murcof LIVE

08pm-10pm Radiohead LIVE

10am-02am Dj Harvey

02am-04am Lil Louis

04am-05am Robert Hood LIVE

05am-10am Derrick May

And all this would happen in my living room.

Who is the best DJ you have ever seen play in a club?

That would probably be Derrick May, Lil Louis or DJ Harvey. 

What tracks or artists are currently exciting you?

There are a few artists that have really impressed me lately. Marcus Marr, James Blake and Jamie Woon to name a few.

Truly exciting fresh music.

House music wise 2010 was one of the best years ever. I don´t see why 2011 wouldn´t be as good or even better.

Here are some of my current favorites:

Hercules & Love Affair - My House

The Gathering feat. Chez Damier - In My System (The Revenge Remix)

Jakob Corn - Dance Away

Bassfort - The Street Is My World (Piano Mix)

Snna - Pastoreando (Nacho Marco Remix)

Tom Trago - Lost In The Streets Of Nyc

What are your thoughts on the Digital music format.. What pros & cons do you feel it has?

Even though i love and prefer vinyl sound in a sound system, I have nothing against digital music. But i´m most passionately against mp3´s or any compressed formats. I don´t understand why people would buy music in a format that is not the best quality they can get.

Surely back in the days when we had slow internet connections and small hard drives, the smaller size of the mp3´s was a valid selling point. But really, in 2011. C´moon.. If it was up to me all digital music sold would be 24bit 96khz minimum. People who buy mp3´s often use the same argument that the audience doesn´t hear the difference. That maybe true when you play in a venue that has a crappy sound system with poor acoustics. But what happens when you get to play in a club that has excellent sound? Even better than the best sound system we have today. Wouldn´t you rather have your track collection in the best quality possible in that situation? Even if you don´t hear the difference, you would know that you´ve done all you can to bring the best quality to people.

You have a very Spanish sounding name, so people may be surprised to hear you're from Finland. What's Finland like, particularly Helsinki where you live?

Finland is a clean, very organized, sometimes a bit stiff. Its also a very beautiful country with a lot of nature around. During the summer time its lovely here. Not too hot and not too cold. Everything´s green and there is daylight for almost the whole day. But during the winter time its the total opposite. Dark, snowy and damn cold.

Music wise i´m very proud of Helsinki. It´s a relatively small city with only 600 000 people and yet we have many club venues (Two of them with Funktion One) and lots of other venues and parties going on all the time. The quality of the programming and the dj skills of dj´s here is amazing for a city this size.

What's your favourite city in the world?

Tough one....hmm. Berlin, Barcelona, New York...if i´d had to pick one it would be Berlin. Just love the liberal urban laidback vibe there. It feeds creativity.

As an international artist you've travelled extensively over the years, so im sure you've sampled many different cuisines. What's your favourite food?

Food is my other passion in life besides music so i always try to have a taste of the local cuisine.

One of the most suprising cuisines i´ve had the chance to taste was in Georgia. I had no expectations when i was going there but i was totally blown away by it.

Its really unique but it still resembles something from the mediterranean sea. 

Still as having tasted some excellent Italian, Greek or French food, i´d say my favorite cuisine is Spanish. There is nothing that can beat that food for me.

Like us SouthWestSeven boys, we know you like a beer. What's your favourite beer?

I certainly love a good beer, but i´m really no expert. Finland has some nice beer, but in general its quite bland. I prefer a beer with a little more taste. I really enjoy Weisbier in general. 

The people from south germany sure know how to make beer.

Now for some 'quick fire' questions to finish off?

Tea or Coffee?

Coffee

Sushi or Sandwich?

Sandwich

Sun or Snow?

Sun

Walk or Cycle?

Cycle

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs

Jeans or Trousers?

Jeans

Berlin or London?

Berlin

NYC or Tokyo?

New York

House or Techno?

Both

Rock or Classical?

Rock

CD or Vinyl?

Vinyl

South
West Seven Blog Mix 1 - Roberto Rodriguez by SW7 Blog Mixes

01. Terje Bakke - Tango Orange (Roberto Rodriguez Reprise) [Soulfooled]

02. Butch - Amnesia Haze [Bouq]

03. Roman Fluegel - How To Spread Lies [Dial Records]

04. Tom Trago - Lost In The Streets Of Nyc [Rush Hour]

05. Penner & Muder - Speak Your Mind (Axel Boman Instrumental) [Mood Music]

06. TJ Kong & Russ Gabriel - Celebration feat. Robert Owens (Heavenly Dub) [Large]

07. Death On The Balcony & Ste Roberts - Emmanuelle´s Party Bucket (Henry Gilles Remix) [Fullbar]

08. The Gathering feat. Chez Damier - In My System (The Revenge Remix) [Silver Network]

09. Steve Bug - My Sweet Vital Angel [Ovum]

10. Paris Underground - Hardcore Deep House [My Love Is Underground]

11. Loleatta Holloway - Dreamin (Pol On Edit)

12. Bassfort - The Street Is My World (Piano Mix) [Freerange]