Hot on the heels of his groundbreaking Balance 008 CD release and another drop-dead-gorgeous Kiss FM 100 mix, I had the pleasure of speaking to Desyn Masiello. There is no doubt Desyn is one of the hottest properties in the current dance scene and this is reflected through the huge amount of positive press he has received in ‘05, along with much chatter on the ITM forums and beyond. Speaking to the man himself is like a breath of fresh air. He talks with great passion and enthusiasm, and despite a frantic schedule, he’s genuinely likable and generous with his time. On a tour of Australia during November and December, Desyn provided an insight into how Balance 008 came to life, along with an obvious infatuation with the 80s, and his plans for future collaborations and releases. One senses his journey is only beginning.
Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for the readers of ITM.
My pleasure. I’ve just got out of bed, had a gig last night.
Where are you now, which country and city?
I’m at home in London at the moment.
Do you get much time to socialise with friends when home in London?
Yes and no. I’m so busy in the weeks, when I’m at home I spend most of my time working. But a lot of my friends are in music (producers, etc.) so we have very similar interests and lifestyle. We often catch up, share knowledge and generally just enjoy each other’s company.
I received my copy of Balance 008 a few weeks ago. Love it!
Thanks a lot. I’m really happy with it.
I’d like to know how your Balance008 project with Aussie label EQ came about. Can you tell me when you were approached and what your reaction was? Did it take long to commit?
I didn’t get approached directly, but got a call from my manager saying Balance had asked. It took a week to think and yeah, I definitely wanted to do it. It was really important actually, because at the time I felt I haven’t really released much commercially and nothing I felt really represented me as a DJ. I saw Balance as an opportunity to represent music I really love and two CD’s was a great opportunity. To be honest, I also kinda honored and greatfull. I saw it as a big risk on their behalf, going for me rather than a big name DJ. I mean I’ve done heaps of DJ sets such as the BBC Essential Mixes and Kiss100 and these have lifted my profile a lot. There are also heaps of my DJ sets floating about the net and I’m often not really sure who records them. Sometimes clubs ask, but other times they just appear. I’m not too fussed.
Do you get a lot of feedback on your BBC Radio 1 Essential Mixes and Kiss 100FM mixes?
I’ve had some great feedback about the recent Kiss mix with people emailing me saying really nice things. When they go on air it’s actually a massive mission, always trying to produce something of meaning and quality, it’s a big challenge keeping on my toes looking for new records night and day. I’m an obsessed maniac! Sometimes I don’t leave my house 2 or 3 days. You really have to dedicate yourself. For a DJ finding an amazing record is what it’s all about, knowing you’re going to be introducing it to people, seeing smiles on faces. However after 10 years DJing, I’ve now reached a point where I have an urge to get involved in the creation production side. I feel I’ve achieved a certain level in DJing and can maintain this.
In terms of putting together the two CDs, what was your process? Does it start with you selecting a style or overall feel you want to achieve, or do you let the tracks dictate that?
Originally, my plan was to choose my favorite records, sit down in spare time and work out how to put together tracks. However the week before it was due all I had was bits of CD’s and sheets and sheets of paper…pieces of a jigsaw puzzle but nothing final. Believe it or not but I threw it all away, got some of my fav tracks, stayed up all night with a few drinks and a good friend and put it all together. I did it as if I was in a club, selecting great starting tracks for each CD, then building a journey. There were minor changes afterwards, but it was 99% done.
The 80s references on disk 1…this seems to be a real trend in music releases. Is there a particular affinity you have with that decade, and how do you feel it compares to say the 90s?
Yes there 80s were terrific. I feel it was the pinnacle of musical excellence, with the best producers with the highest level of musical talent releasing music. It was the best of two worlds really because the producers were releasing music representing great human soul and melody, but with electronic sounds. Unlike now, where people at home can make music on their computers and often with very overcooked sounds, the 80’s had the best producers using synths with that big fat 80’s riffs and harmonies…it was definitely more about the people than fancy effects. There’s still some great music coming out now, but the sparse nature of the 80’s music allows the listener to use their imagination and fill the gaps. I really love it!
In terms of other DJs, is there anyone we haven’t heard about that you see as bursting onto the scene over the next few years? Maybe someone you have within your own labels?
I’d have to say Rowan Blades, Danni Bonnici and OMID16B are the main guys over next 5 years. Being a DJ, I listen to a lot of people’s tracklists, and get a good feel for the direction music is moving in. These 3 + Matt Roberts (even though he hasn’t been DJ’ing recently) are the most influential in their musical direction. They are really trying to do something different.
I sound like a careers counselor, but…what does the future hold for you? I’m sure the readers would love to know if there are any new compilation projects in the pipeline, remixes, etc.
There are a couple of offers but I can’t really say who they are from. I’m likely to do something smaller. I’m very aware of what can happen when a DJ or artist goes off on their own path, I tend to think that I can do something much more interesting in a collective way. There is talk of a SOS (one of my collaboration projects) CD, it’d be a DJ collective kind of similar to what Tyrant was. We’ve been touring together and doing parties such as Pacha, so there may be a disk we complete by the end of the year with a view to releasing a double CD around April ‘06.
The Idiots…what were you thinking when you came up with the name?
Let’s put it down to a good idea at the time.
Seriously though, Teardrop is a terrific tune. Do you have plans to explore this side of things in the future and can you ever see yourself doing a full artist album?
Yeah, the name was the idea of a friend and he flat out refused to change it. At least it shows we’re down to earth! Initially it was a bunch of guys sitting in a studio twisting knobs, however I see it being more of a band and it has grown from the initial 3 members, to more including Rowan Blades. We’re very close friends and trust each other with everything, material, knowledge. We share a very similar vision of music direction. To date, we’ve produced 4 – 5 releases and some remixes. Just at the moment it’s difficult, because we’re located 1,000’s miles apart in Australia, South England, Wales & London. It’s a slow working group right now. A full artist album is not something I’m thinking about doing now. I’d only do that if I felt I had a gift or ability that is really something outstanding and new. I see The Idiots as a better vehicle than going solo, because we’re putting minds together and can do much more than just one person. For example, I feel this has been the case with some of the greatest rock bands.
Thanks for your time and congratulations for your terrific Balance release. Have a great tour!
No worries…a pleasure. Cheers.
Balance 008, mixed by Desyn Masiello, is out now through EQ/Stomp. Desyn continues his tour of Australia this weekend:
Fri Nov 25 – Sweetchilli, Sydney
Sat Nov 26 – Honkytonks, Melbourne
