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Rosabel, Ralphi Rosario & Abel
Aguilera, is this Fireball “first” and propers are to be
given to them for it. What better way of letting readers
know what they are about than to ask for an interview?
You don’t know how surprised I was when they actually
agreed to it. If you are looking for Biography
information you can log onto
www.thefireball.com. If you are looking for what
makes these guys tick, read on! |
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Abel and
Ralphi in the studio |
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Being a fan of both artists separately
for well over 10 years, I was a little nervous going into
this interview. Once I stepped through the doors at Red
Tacones studios and saw the knowledge, professionalism,
smiles, and fun that these two men exude, I realized it was
going to be a good time. I hope the readers enjoy this
interview as much as I did. |
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CE: Chris Eterno RR: Ralphi
Rosario AA: Abel Aguilera |
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Rosabel
interview: |
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CE:
Gentlemen, thank you so much for making time to meet up. I
know your schedules are busy. |
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RR & AA: No problem! |
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CE:
I’m not going to cover the basics because most fans
know your Bio’s or where to find them. What I would
like to ask is where it was and when that you two
meet? Most people don’t know how Rosabel came to be. |
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AA: Whoh! It was during
1235……The old Paragon space in Miami. |
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RR: I believe 1989 because
the club was closed during 1991. |
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AA: It was during the
winter music conference. We hit it off and kept
close friends until around 1994 when we recorded our
first track. |
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CE:
What was your first track? |
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AA: It was called “The
Whore” (laughs) |
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RR: “La Puta!!!” Which did
really well in South America. We were shocked it did
that well. |
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AA: It was based on nasty
messages I would leave Ralphi for not returning my
phone calls! |
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RR: He had called me and
was saying all this nasty stuff on my answering
machine in Spanish and I though it was so
interesting. So I took my microphone and put it next
to the machine. I took it, cut it up, chopped it,
and when I called him back I didn’t talk to him I
just played the track over the phone. He was like
“Oh my god I need to be careful what I’m saying!” |
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AA: Yes! He cut me! (smile) |
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CE:
Without giving away any trade secrets how do you two
construct a remix production in the studio? What is the
working process like? |
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RR: In terms of programming and
engineering…….that’s my forte. I’m also playing along side
another programmer……..Craig…downtown. We kinda collaborate
on keys together. It’s me, Craig and Abel working together
to decide what works with the sounds. After Craig is gone,
me and Abel really take it apart and determine musically
where it’s going to be. |
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AA: It’s the arrangements…….the
agreement on the sounds that should come out together. Right
now, when you walked in we were battling with a sound that
we aren’t too fond of. It’s pretty much putting 3 brains
together to find the perfect sound that match the vocals. |
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RR: I like to spend time on the
keys. Drums are so easy for me now so I like to spend time
making sure that it’s designed right, that it’s stacked
right, that the sounds work together as opposed to working
against each other. It takes a lot of time. |
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CE: You have re-mixed for a
variety of artists; Gloria Estefan, Donna Summer….You
know your repertoire. Is there any artist that you enjoyed
re-mixing more so than any other? |
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AA: I would have to
say…….remix-wise, Donna Summer is one. With
re-mixing and original production I would say Jeannie
Tracey and Debbie Jacobs. Due to the fact
that all 3 are legendary. They are really down to earth.
It’s an honor to work with people who musically have
brought us to where we are today. |
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RR: I
think every Puerto Rican gay boy danced to “Don’t You
Want My Love”. IT’S TRUE! I remember going to
a friend’s house and they would be in the garage
Hustling to “Don’t You Want My Love”! So every time we
heard it out on the streets we were like “yeah!” |
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AA: In my case when I was a
kid, it was seeing lesbians Hustle to Donna Summer’s
“Spring Affair”! See, I grew up on Donna Summer. |
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RR: HIDE YOUR AGE, HONEY! HIDE
YOUR AGE!! |
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AA: I SAID I WAS A LITTLE KID! |
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RR: FUNNY, I didn’t hear that
part. (laughter) |
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AA: It was really knowing the
fact you grew up on these artists, you never knew you
would be working with them. |
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RR: Nobody really thought
this. I mean I never would have guessed it. I thought my
career would have been over a long time ago. I thought
my career was over after Hot Mix 5. I thought it was
over because there was a lot of politics involved at
that time then suddenly, BOOM…..here you are working
with these artists. |
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CE:
Collaboratively, as Rosabel, what was your favorite
project upon which you have worked? |
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RR: As an original production?
I would have to say “Don’t You Want My Love”. |
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AA: Yes, definitely. It has to
be. That was something that was a pride and honor. |
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AA: It WAS scary. Because
you have to beat the original classic. So if this
classic was a hit, your production how has to kick
that one’s ass. |
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RR: And the best thing was
when he called me and said “I found her. I know where
she is and I can have her fly down to Chicago and
re-sing it” That was it right there. |
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AA: What was even better is
when we picked her up at the airport. It was like OH MY
GOD!!! |
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RR: Right? Here we go! I was
like “OK, I’m NERVOUS NOW!! WHAT DO I DO!?!?” I think it
really helped out that after she did her session we had
the background girls come in and do theirs. As soon as
the background singers did their session then it really
started to make sense. But it was really hard to try and
make it sound good. I didn’t fall in love with it right
away. I didn’t fall in love with it until at least a
year after it was released. It took an 8 month duration
with all the mixes? |
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AA: Yea….It took a long
time. I remember that we came back, scratched the
whole thing, and started fresh after the first mix.
That was because of a show I had to do at the
Coliseum at Gay Days. And because of that show that
Power Infiniti did, it became the biggest hit of the
summer all over the country. It was number 1 for 2
weeks. It was the song of the year. Still today when
we play it…the screams are there. |
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CE:
Upon which projects are you currently working?
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AA: We just finished
Pat Hodges “Love Revolution” which is currently
doing very well. It’s in the top 10 already. It’s a
great record. Various artists at the moment for a
compilation we are doing for the Fireball. (Smiles)
there are tons of surprises on this CD. There is
a lot of stuff that’s been out which we gave our new
touch to. We’re not saying that they are re-mixes….. |
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RR: These are exclusives
for the compilation. One of the things for the
compilation is a song written by Debra Cooper and
Tony Moran.…..I’ve been a fan of Debra’s for such a
long time. Tony Moran gave us the privilege of using
the song exclusively for the compilation because we
are re-mixing it. |
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AA: We had a lot of
supporters on this project. It’s going to be fun….A
great special CD. |
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CE: What
do you have planned musically for your DJ set at Fireball? |
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AA: ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY!!!
ANTHEM ENERGY AND A TON OF RED BULL IN STOCK!!!!!!! |
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RR: Last year lacked the
“hands in the air” attitude. We missed that. The
room lends itself to that. It was great but we
missed it. Every time it started to happen, there
was a bust in the bubble. The momentum wasn’t as
strong as it should have been. I mean, I think that
room could have TOTALLY been worked upside down.
I’ve done a lot of special things preparing for that
night. |
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AA: To me it’s an honor to
come back. I ended it at the Uptown. This is a very
strong thing for me to say, but that gig is in the top 5
of my DJ career of parties that I’ve done around the
world, and I’ve been around quite some time. The Uptown
Fireball that I did is still up there to me. I’m looking
forward to this one because now it involves my partner
here with me. And I’m back! |
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RR: When you say partner you
need to stress “working partner”! |
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AA: Yea, (laughs)
let’s get that straight: “working partners!”
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RR: That’s right! We need
to stress that because people will turn it around
and be like “Oh my god, they are actually going out
with each other!” Well, we’re not! After all, I’m
not a lesbian! |
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AA: That’s right! We
ain’t no lesbians here! After all, would you go
to bed with your sister? I don’t think so!
(Laughs) |
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CE:
This word is thrown around often to describe you two
separately and together: Legend. You probably have read many
ad, articles, and posters introducing you as “The
Legendary Ralphi Rosario, The Legendary Abel Aguilera, The
Legendary Rosabel.” What enters your mind upon hearing
“the legendary” and then your names? |
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AA: To me it’s an honor to know
that I have captured such a worldwide audience. I’m
grateful, and it only makes me work harder day by day to
make sure that I keep that name and to keep the audience
happy every night. Most people who don’t know me think “Oh
it’s just Abel. We’re in for pots and pans all night” where
as some people do know me and my style and know how I can
adjust to certain parties or events. So when they say
legendary Abel there is a feel for what they may get. They
understand. But for a newer audience, they just have to be
at the right place at the right time hearing me adjust that
sound to experience “The Legendary Abel”. This Fireball
is going to be the legendary Abel. |
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RR: For me legendary means not
only passing through so many stages in my career, I
think it also means professionalism. So when you say
legendary, it’s really professionalism. You know that
somebody is working hard at their craft and has done
many things to prove that time and time again. |
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AA: One more thing I want to
add that Ralphi can relate to when you say legendary:
Back in the day, our DJ sets were based upon a journey.
How you start the night, how you bring it up, and how
you bring it down. That’s where the professionalism
comes in. Our old fans know what the journey is all
about. It’s the most beautiful thing about being a DJ
….taking people on that journey. |
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CE:
Most of your work is done at Red Tacones Studio.
What does Red Tacones mean? |
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RR: Red Tacones are red
high heels from hell!! They’re ‘come fuck me’ pumps.
We’re talking EXTREMELY high, ok? Ten inches or more
if you please. To me those red heels symbolize hot,
sexy, whorish, tramp-ish, but just fun and
frivolous. They describe to me mostly “sexy”. I
think a pair of women’s heels are very sexy. Not
that I would wear them. I’m about to dangle a pair
in here somewhere, though. |
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AA: Uh huh!!! Chris, let me
take you to his closet! (Laughs) |
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RR: I don’t think so!!!!! |
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CE: What was the most fun you two
have ever had spinning together? |
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RR: The best time that I ever
had with Abel was in Miami….Friday night at Icon. 5
thousand people. I opened. I was the first one to go on
because I wanted to enjoy the rest of the night. People
just POURED into the room It was SO amazing but it was
so hot in there that the humidity kept triggering the
fire alarm and that kept lowering the sound system all
night. We were fighting against that. Also we worked
with Carlos Pertuz, and Eddie X that night. We
called ourselves the uncut posse that night. Here we are
these Puerto Rican guys spinning and we were throwing
out spoons and lids onto the dance floor. |
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AA:
It was a foreskin
fest! HA! |
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RR: It was a lot of fun and
one of the best times I’ve had in a while. |
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AA: I never have a bad time
when I’m spinning with this one here (points to Ralphi)
but one of the best was Winter Party @ Salvation in 1998
with Bette Midler. It was my birthday and it was
me, Ralphi and Bette Midler in the booth. That was one
of the best. That was also the event ……….here’s a promo
push for Tommyboy records (Laughs)……..that we played
Amber’s “Sexual” for the first time. We were the first
ones to roast that record in front of 3000 boys that
night. |
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CE: What’s your favorite song
of all time? Ralphi first. |
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RR: My favorite song of all time?
Has to be……..believe it or not…… “Under the Milky Way” by
The Church. I think it’s by The Church. But my favorite
dance song, which is still one of my favorites to play out
of the disco era is Janis McClain’s “Smack Dab In The
Middle.” |
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AA: My all time favorite was a pop
song……a ballad. |
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RR: DON’T TELL ME HEATWAVE’S
“ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!!” That would be too straight. HA! |
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AA: No, this was actually a
song that made me cry because it was released at a time
when I lost my Grandmother…..Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me
Softly.” And my favorite dance record is Jackie Moore’s
“This Time Baby.” That to me is a hair raising disco
classic. |
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CE: I’m going to say the titles of
some of your re-mixes: you say the first word or words that
come to your mind: |
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Hanna
Jones – You Only Have To Say You Love Me.
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RR: Marshmellow FLUFF!
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AA:
FAAABULOUS! |
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Jeannie
Tracey – Keep the Party Jumping |
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RR: OOOOHHH!!!!!!! |
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AA:
Extraordinary! |
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Jeannie
Tracey – The Power |
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RR: WOW! |
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AA: Oh My God!!!! |
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Donna
Summer – Con Te Partiro’ |
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Kim Sozzi –
Are You Feeling Me |
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RR: EEEHHHH!!!! |
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AA: Sexy!!! |
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Jennifer
Holiday – And I am Telling You |
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RR: Ehh Ok. |
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AA: Yea, it’s OK. |
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Debbie
Jacobs – Don’t You Want My Love |
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RR: Delicious |
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AA: All I can say is
LEGENDARY |
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RR: Intense |
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AA: VERY intense |
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Cher –
Different Kind of Love Song |
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RR: OH MY GOD!!!! |
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AA: What an honor |
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Pat Hodges
– Love Revolution |
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RR: Let’s go out!!! |
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AA: Let’s have a cocktail
and chew some gum!!! |
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CE:
Is there anyone with whom you still aspire to work? Be it
original production or remix? |
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RR: I have 2. One is Debra
Cooper, which is about to happen on the compilation.
I would still love to sit down and write something with
her. The other person I would be dying to do remix-wise
is George Michael. |
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AA: WOW! You picked the same
person I would have. I would say George Michael as well.
He’s an Idol. |
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RR: He needs that kind of
work. He IS an Idol. |
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AA: He’s a fantastic male
vocalist |
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RR: He’s probably the ONLY
male vocalist left out there that I would do. |
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AA: I was also thinking of
Jimmy Somerville because of his falsetto. |
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CE:
Ralphi, Chicagoans have been listening to you at Berlin
for 10 years. You will soon be playing Soundbar on
Sundays also. Abel, many Chicagoans don’t know about where
it is you play other than circuit events. Where do you play
regularly in your hometown? |
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AA: Right now I’m not playing
anywhere specific in Miami. I’ve been touring around
the country since Salvation closed. As a resident at
Salvation for 6 years I really wasn’t allowed to do many
things. I was kind of tied down to the club. I’ve been doing
special events in Miami now: Crobar, Level,
Space…..different places in Miami getting back to my city. I
just finished Allegria over New Year’s weekend which was
just flawless. I would love to do Space again. It’s an
awesome place…….a very underground type of club……lends
itself to the afterhours crowd. I’m looking into that for
some time around March. |
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CE:
Personally, what DJ do you two like to hear spin? |
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RR: Personally, if I’m in Miami I
love hearing Victor Calderone at Crobar on Sundays.
He has learned how to work that room. When Abel comes to
Chicago I love to hear him play. I like listening to him
because we have the same kind of ear. |
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AA: I would have to say one of the
people who inspires me into being unique and original…..to
listen to in New York is definitely Junior…..for his
originality. He is the most original DJ there is. If I want
to go out dancing I love Victor Calderone. But if I’m in
Chicago, it’s all about Ralphi. Not because of our business
relationship, but because this is his town. This is
Ralphi’s hometown and if you visit Chicago you have to hear
him play. |
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CE:
What remixer or producer currently is making you LIVE? |
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RR: Right now? I don’t have one,
unfortunately. There hasn’t been anyone out there other than
Peter Rauhofer that has made that much of a difference.
Don’t get me wrong, I respect a lot of the work out there
and I respect a lot of my colleagues out there, but there
really hasn’t been anything that I’m falling over saying “oh
my god!” |
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AA: I would have to say the ones
right now for me are Friburn & Urik, Peter Rauhofer, and
Angelo Kortez out of DC. |
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CE:
From where do you draw your musical influences? |
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RR: I travel a lot over seas
to Europe. There is much serious House music going on
there with a lot of serious lyrical content….Serious
songs with a lot of melodic stuff, whereas over here
there is a lot of electronica and a lot of raw drum
work. I like the combination of those two. I polish the
hard edge of the drums combined with the musical
aspects. |
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AA: My influences are
American. I’m involved more with the Circuit, and the
Circuit is pretty much just an American thing. I travel
to Brazil too. But my overall influences are very Latin.
Brazil, Miami, New York are all very Latin based areas.
People like the Latin flavored sound. |
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RR: That’s in our blood. It
goes without saying. |
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AA: Yes, but there are certain
areas that I can’t do a Latin sound. You have to watch
your crowd and see what they are moving to. That’s very
important. When I play a song that we’ve done I have to
stop, ignore everyone around me, and watch that dance
floor to see EVERYONE! I watch if they are dancing. How
they are dancing. Are they “hands in the air” or are
they just moving. That’s why we play a lot of our stuff
out first before we release it. We like to test our
stuff on the masses, so to speak. |
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RR: I can’t stress that
enough. You have to read your crowd. That’s part of the
job. As with anything you are playing, you have to see
if they are getting into it. |
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CE:
Last question: What advise do you have for new, or up and
coming DJ’s or re-mixers? |
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RR: KEEP YOUR DAY JOB!!! It’s
taken me 20 years to see any repercussion of what I did back
then. You don’t know with this business one moment from the
next what is going to happen. It’s like acting. If I had a
dime for every time someone ran up to me and said “GOD, I
love your work” I’d be a millionaire. But compliments aren’t
going to get you to survive and be creative at the same
time. |
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AA: I say be yourself. Be true to
your love of it and be your own person and style. Also, SKIP
THE EGO. I see a lot of up and comers who need to leave that
at the door. |
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