Entrevista con Rolando en el foro de technotourist.org
DJ Rolando interview for LemonSound
Hi Rolando, first Id like to thank you warmly for this interview.
Youll be next April in Paris at the Studio 287 for a huge party, what can we expect from you ?
..a journey; probably some sweet funky house throwing some techno classics into the mix. maybe some electro and some new material thats fresh
..Sebastian Legers 1979 ep.
You visit Europe regularly, what places are you in loved with ?
I actually live in Europe now with my wife in Edinburgh, Scotland. So I guess Id better say thats my favourite ! but I am looking forward to being in Paris again.
Sadly you're not enough playing in France but Belgium is one of the place where you appeared regularly, how do you feel about the lack of dates in the first country and the smashing crazy audience of the second ?
Actually over the last year I played in Strasbourg, Bordeaux twice, Lyon, Marseille, Juan les Pins, Brest twice, Toulouse , Montpellier twice, and this will be my second time in Paris. Belgium I played two times only!!!! So I guess you could say France is a second Home I love the energy of the crowd who come and I love your food!!!
You grew up in one of the most famous city in the music industry, Detroit. Can you tell us what it was like to grow up in this city ?
Tough - but not in the way you think. The Hispanic community is close and they look out for each other it was a little harder for us because my parents died when I was young and so we (my two brothers and two sisters) relied on each other and family to look out for us. We did okay despite everything.
Do you still live in Detroit ? no.
The Motor city techno is now recognized in a museum in your city, lots of artists like you & your pals are considered as masters or genitors of techno Music, you're part of the history now ... but what really happened nowadays in Detroit ? The Scene, The parties, the newcomers, ... ?
I havent been part of the scene in Detroit since just before I joined UR. My brother and I were well known in our own right but the shit was brand new then ..they dont make em like they used to. Everybody else moved to LA!!!
The only thing that has been going on for me in Detroit for the last few years is the festival now organized by Kevin Saunderson.
How do you explained that your music is more recognized and also celebrated in this continent than in others ?
Thats not true I play in Asia: Japan, Indonesia, Singapore etc South America, Mexico, Australia havent played Africa yet though. Its crazy -They know my Music. It still amazes me the idea that some kid in Brazil knows who I am .. thats more than I could have ever imagined.
As you play worldwide what's the next "place/land to be" for Electronic Music ?
It is always the place I least expect the small towns that most people wont have heard of and they know it ..they love the music. I have played in Opatija in Croatia, Waterford in Ireland, Brest and a tiny place in Scotland called Bridge of Allan ( blink and youll miss it) and the people were so friendly - in the words of Liam Gallagher they were mad for it and I would love to go back.
So in terms of the place to be, I guess the underground is back.
Your name is linked with Underground Resistance, can you tell us a bit more about this organization and how did you met Mike Banks ? I met Mike through a mutual friend in the early nineties.
I think lots of journalists asked you this question but here in France & Belgium we are a lot confused so Could you explained us your decision to leave the UR Crew, as this label is one of the most respected worldwide, lots of people & fans (like me) really wants to know exactly what happened ?
It was time to go. I should have moved on years before but didnt
the problem came with the Los Hermanos album they didnt consult me in Its production and removed my writing credit for songs Gerald and I wrote together. Check it out on BMI.com (
http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?bl ... ROLAND%20R) website look me up see what I wrote. Then they hijacked the label we had together Los Hermanos and have replaced me with two Hispanic kids from LA. I am in Scotland they are in Detroit I guess they figured I wouldnt notice??! But seriously it was getting old being told who I could and shouldnt deal with who I should work with, where I should DJ and it was suffocating me. I want to collaborate with a lot of people that mike wouldnt entertain and the politics, egos and the snails pace at which things got done
life is too short. Remember Jeff Mills and Rob Hood moved on
Such a decision must have been really hard to take, how do you feel about this separation now that months have passed ? it's a bit like when McCartney left the Beatles but hopefully you're not in a rock band !
Legally it is still unresolved but thats only a matter of time.
Since the word went out I have received a lot of support - I got a lot of emails from other Artists and Labels once the news was out there and the Freedom to work with other people and labels is now there. Anybody who has tried to do business with UR in the past, be it licensing, remixing or trying to do an interview!! knows what I am talking about. Its a real relief
A weight off my shoulders and the chance to grow musically.
Will you still spread the message as a militant and politically engaged artist ?
Umm they are about as militant as Benny Hill. And politically thats stretching it .. they have issues with those who arent black and any other view that Mike has expressed isnt mine. I read quality newspapers and like to think I have a social conscience.
I know that Underground Resistances leitmotiv is to stay underground and not to be on the front pages of magazine but do you plan to promote your work more and more in the medias in the coming months ?
I have always personally believed that it isnt good to be out there all the time people get bored of you. make yourself visible when you have something to say and something to promote
..
Everybody who loves techno music has heard about you through your album, Revenge Of The Jaguar, can you tell us more about this album, how have you created it ? How long did it take ?
You mean the remixes? It was created to stick it back to Sony/ BMG. It worked.
Do you think youll be able to communicate through other style of music like House music for example ?
I play house and make house music. my music is easily translatable and when you have the likes of Roger Sanchez and Jeff mills playing it, that surely says it all.
How can Electronic music evolve and reach more people around the world ? Do you think radio support is the only way to show the world the music we love ?
I think its there already. Lets face it if Tiesto can open the Olympic Games
world domination is ours
Are you ready/motivate to start a new label to release your new songs, it seems so harder now to run a label according to lots of independent label owners, how do you feel about this ?
I intend to have another label. I think it has always been difficult for independents because the money isnt there but I hope to release on other labels too not just my own.
Maybe you'll release your news stuff on existing labels ? With which one are you closed enough or even impressed now to work with ? I am open to offers from big and small I have received interest from both and as soon as its all ready we will see what happens.
What are your projects for the future ?
I want to do more remixes and another mix cd. I have some juicy tracks lined up to shop around labels and I will also hope to be collaborating with some old friends and some new ones too!!
Last question, can you tell us a funny thing that happened during one of your gigs ?
I guess I should have been happy for the attention but Im married;)
. This girl crawled on her hands and knees behind me when I was mid mix at my last gig in Brest she sank her teeth into my ass. I screamed like goofy.
When will we have the chance to hear an album from you ? what about a live tour ? it would be so nice to see you behind machines and not turntables
with my move from UR it might not be as long as you think!!! If I were to do live Id want more than machines.
Arno P. for
www.lemonsound.com
... y para CS, buena entrevista con Carl Craig, se nota que se siente a gusto en Fabric
