From his studio in the Dutch-speaking Flemish region outside Brussels, Italian-born DJ-producer Junior Jack talks house music, the tight-knit family relationship he has with the Defected label and why this weekend, he and Kid Crème will definitely be rocking Australian clubland.
Because following the cancellation of more than one Australian tour in the past few years, many punters rightly have some doubts whether the pair will indeed make it Down Under. But this time Junior Jack, AKA Vito Lucente, explains in his thick Italian accent, “Even if I have to come with an ambulance, I will be there. In the past because of much traveling, not eating well, not sleeping well, I was very weak and very ill [but] this time I am preparing myself; I will be there,” he assures us.
Known as much for world-famous productions such as Stupidisco and E Samba and remixes such as that of Shakedown’s At Night as he is for his energetic DJ sets alongside Kid Creme, Vito has enjoyed another big year in 2007, releasing the feel good dancefloor anthem See You Dancin’ and Rocktron/Life as well as maintaining a hectic DJ schedule that included several appearances at Defected’s weekly Ibiza residency at Pacha.
As he explains of his DJ sets alongside Kid Creme, what the crowd wants the crowd gets, and Australian punters should expect no different. “When we play, it depends on the crowd in front of us because we go with a lot of different styles,” he says. “Sometimes we play more hard, kind of techno tracks and when we see the people enjoying, we keep playing that. If we see the people want a more soulful, more tribal sound, we play it more. The aim is to make the people enjoy; we’re always trying to do our best.”
Both Junior Jack and Kid Creme have enjoyed a long-running relationship with revered UK independenthHouse label Defected and, as Vito explains, it’s the sense of family and mutual respect that keeps the relationship productive. “We became kind of a big family. We’ve been working together for about six years and we know each other very well and I love that,” he says.
“I like working with people who respect each other; the Defected team are amazing professionals. Simon Dunmore is not just a boss. He’s not just a guy behind a desk who signs cheques; he’s a real music lover and for him it’s music first. There is no bullshit and I love that. It’s very rare to find people very passionate about what they do, just for reason of the art.”
It’s this commitment to music and respect that has seen Junior Jack release a number of singles and remixes on Defected, in addition to Junior Jack and Kid Creme’s now classic 2003 In The House compilation. As Vito explains, in 2008 the relationship will again bear fruit in the form of his second artist album, to be released with Defected and Belgian imprint Play It Again Sam. “I had such a bad experience with major companies that I like to work with independents, because it’s like family and I love that,” he says.
The yet-to-be-titled album, the follow up to 2004’s critically-acclaimed Trust It, will, as Vito explains, be adventurous, but don’t expect Junior Jack to jump on the electro bandwagon. “For me I’m doing what I feel. I’m not going to disappoint people who supported me with the first album. I’m quite excited with the material so I think it will be ok and I think the people who followed me from the beginning will enjoy it.”
At one point, our discussion strangely turns to Belgian politics. Being a country caught in a political deadlock at present, it’s conceivable the country could soon be partitioned. Thankfully though, it’s a brief diversion because, as Vito puts it, “politics is too complicated for me. Like always, I think that the people outside see the situation in Belgium being more difficult than what it is in reality,” he says.
“They are never going to separate Belgium into two parts but it will take a little bit of time to sort out; there is no panic here.” Well thank God for that!
Check out Junior Jack and his partner in crime Kid Crème at the following dates…
Fri 14th December: Brisbane, The Met
Sat 15th December: Sydney, Home
Sun 16th December: Gold Coast, Bedroom
Fri 21st December: Perth, Capital
Sat 22nd December: Melbourne, Famous
And check out the sexy clip for this year’s See You Dancing...
nanoloop says...
hope they have learnt to mix