Double Cheese Records’s main man Luyo saved some time to talk to us about his recent #1 Afro House release, his cheesy named label and forthcoming projects. Already an established name in the Soulful House music community, the italian born DJ and Producer has released an impressive amount of music thru his own imprint and the likes of Quantize Recordings, Tony Records, Global Diplomacy Productions to name a few.
‘Ancestral’, your latest production alongside Mike Clark, is currently #1 on Afro House chart on Traxsource.com and it has been for 3 weeks in a row. Did you expect it to do so well?
I expected it would have done well from the first feedbacks I received but i couldn’t predict so much love from the afro house community! Even tho i did experiment in the past year or so with afro house beats and vibes, It’s actually my first 100% afro house single. I received many messages of appreciation and i feel very humbled and blessed by the huge support of fans and colleagues.
How did the track came to life?
It all started with Detroit house Don Mike ‘Agent X’ Clark sending me a real dope naked drums mix, which I thought we could have tried taking forward adding some music to it. Technically I come from Soulful House music experiences but Afro house sounds have been a strong part of my DJ sets for a while. I wanted to unleash that diversity I run through my DJ sets also production-wise and I just started to release ‘deeper’ music alongside my signature soulful remixes.
What you think are the ingredients of the track that made it a success?
What really stands out for me are are Mike’s groovy percussions, the rhythmic chords and the vibraphone solo. The fact that lasts more than 11 minutes is something that makes it diverse and put in a different light too, and makes it a passpartout for all situations when you need a long mix (yes it happens!) The reason behind its long-lasting in the first place is that I needed a long track to meditate and dance to for shamanic rituals.
How would you describe your sound? Is there any specific studio tool or instrument you use that makes it personal?
I guess it’s more my production partners than my equipment that have a central part in my productions. I wouldn’t be doing what I do without the key inputs of music master and piano virtuoso Peter De Girolamo – www.pdgmusicstudio.com – and the top work behind all mixes and masters done by my studio partner and sound engineer wizard Aki Bergen – www.dellingerstudio.com -. In this very track were essential the inputs of co-producer Mike Clark… without his good energy and on-point inspiration it wouldn’t have done so well! I’m looking forward to work with him to the follow up.
If you could only choose one piece of your studio equipment what would you pick?
Recently i bought myself a Maschine Mikro and I’m hooked to it. The way I approach drum sequencing is completely different now and gives me more flexibility and creativity. The possibility to phisically play the drum sounds instead than programming them gives more feel and humanity, which is essential to build a groove.
A question you probably get a lot: why the name Double Cheese Records?
I launched the label almost 5 years ago. At the time my favorite labels had very serious names and logos and I wanted mine to stand out from the others. The name is provoking and it’s a memento to take it easy and have fun! It came from my wife describing how happy she was as a child eating double cheese pizzas in california… I wanted the label to give that same excitement you would get from a child going crazy for a pizza lol!
Great! So what’s in the pipeline for the future, as a DJ and a producer?
In January we celebrate 5 years in the business as a label so i’m planning some surprises. Between Summer and Fall look out for Trance legend York making a debut on the label with ‘We Are Free’, a soulful tinged dance/pop crossover, which will include a deep afro mix from myself and an amazing video, my collaboration with italian afro house Don MoBlack on ‘Calabash’ and with spoken words artist Rescue Poetix on ‘Breath’, DJ Spen’s remix of Jodadj’s ‘7 Mile Soul’ and more heat from the likes of Luciano Gioia, Kyle Kim, Suges, Cee El Assaad, Mauritzio, Lee Wilson, Kelvin Sylvester and more.
In July i join a huge lineup of some of my favorite DJs for Mark Di Meo’s summer festival at Cala Sveva, Termoli Italy, it’s gonna be great fun and music by the sea. I’ll stick around Italy for the whole summer, and after that it’s all about Amsterdam ADE! I join forces again with good friend and great artist N’dinga Gaba and his seminal Global Diplomacy Productions throwing a party unifying the labels’s artists and sounds.
What would you advice to a young producer willing to make it in the music production business?
In my opinion you have to build on solid ground so I suggest to listen to lots of music before starting to make your own. You have to know your history because i believe time’s a spiral: it doesn’t come back in the exact same way as before as in a cycle, but many elements do return as in a code you can read if you have the key. So it is in the music business and sounds wise. Also knowing different genres can help personalizing your sound: travel, explore, meet people and share your passion with them, best things must be shared with others! Knowledge, passion, devotion and patience are keys too, and if you want to do it seriously, no B plans allowed!
You can preview and buy the promo copy of ‘Ancestral’ by Luyo and Mike ‘Agent X ‘ Clark on Traxsource
