This year has been a great year for House Music! 2009 has brought me some really great gigs, from huge festivals to small events, to some of my regular spots around the world.
There is really no comparison between the USA and Europe. People always ask me about this and all I can say is that there is a much more vibrant scene in Europe at the moment, including the Eastern Bloc in particular. Romania, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany have been very open to my style of House Music lately which has really helped a whole lot in getting my message across. "Funky House Music" is finally back on the scene with a vengeance.
How do you feel you stay relevant when House Music isn't the biggest thing out there or the sound topping most people's charts these days?
I stay relevant by making more music, doing remixes, and staying in touch and keeping my ears open to what is coming through. I don't act like what I did 10 years ago is sufficient enough to keep me going in the always changing and very lost music industry which exists today. Most people are musically lost because of the lack of real talent cutting through the rubbish music that has dominated these last 7 or 8 years. I've never been one to care much about charts and bullshit "DJ ego" contests that only exist to further pollute dance music. House Music has always maintained its underground vibe and that is why it still exists today.
You've mentioned in other interviews and blogs how you're not feeling Electro-House, Minimal, Progressive and the like; however you've recently become good friends with Ricardo Villalobos and been playing lots of gigs with him. How did that situation come about and how does that all pull together for you?
I've been friends with Ricardo Villalobos for quite some time now. We have always crossed paths and now we have been playing the same venues and even gigs together. Ricardo is one of the purest, most talented DJs I have encountered, not because he is a "Superstar" but because he is the real deal, still playing vinyl and pushing good music is his vibe. He plays whatever he likes. Have you listened to his sets lately? They're full of awesome Chicago and Detroit tracks that most people don't know or haven't been introduced to yet.
Yeah, I've said before that I'm sick of Electro and commercial music but I have always said that so there is nothing new there. I'm still a House Music purist; I will remain representing that Chicago House sound until the end of days. The Ricardo/Sneak encounter was put together by a good friend of ours from Romania that had the vision that we could play together, simply because we are both on top of our game and do it for the real love of the craft and music.
I've been known to spot a few people here and there, only because I stay in touch with people and don't act like I'm too good or I'm some "DJ God". I'm very fair about having a listen to other people's music and giving them a bit of direction (if they ask me for it). I don't make or break people - their music and talent does that. I simply play out the hot stuff and get it heard. After all, this is why they send me their music.
If you want what's hot, open your ears and listen. It's out there.
You've always been an open advocate of weed. How much does that influence your music and how so?
No big secret there, I am the skunk burnahh! This is my only vice, besides making beats, and it is a great servant to my musical influence indeed. I love to make beats and listen to them while having a spliff... nothing wrong with that. I can also be straight up and still produce and function. It's not like if I don't have it, I can't do the do. More people should be smoking instead of snorting chemicals that really damage the brain.
Your new album House of House is out now. Tell us about it!
Well, the House of House album is really a collection of music that I made at home in my studio without anybody telling me what I have to make and without any pressure of getting these tracks on the charts. It is truly a very organic House sound that I can only make. From Latin-Tech to Deep House, it is all there - 100% pure Sneak! I have put a lot of work into it and with so many influences from the gigs and places I have traveled these past few years, at the end of it all, it really represents DJ Sneak today. It contains 20 tracks, and a mix of the LP is also there for DJs or just fans to enjoy and get their fix of House Music.
What's going on with your labels?
I'm still pushing all my music through my labels Magnetic and Oomph Recordings. I'm mostly focusing on digital releases because I have a ton of tracks ready to go.
I'm also about to start dropping my entire back catalogue online in 2010. Almost every single Sneak track released in the past will resurface soon, with new remixes and unreleased mixes as well.
I'm still working the labels personally and a lot of the releases will be mine but I'm also releasing some music from new and old school names too.
Anything else you want to plug?
The only thing I really want to plug is that House Music is very much back on the scene and it feels good to see the sound being appreciated once again. I have always been true to House and always give it 100% and a lot of other people are doing the same.
I started the "I'm a House Gangster" campaign to make some noise for the music that I love and there are many "House Gangsters" doing what they can to represent and be heard. Do it for the love of the music not just to follow the trends and bullshit of this industry!
Sneak's new album House of House is out now and available everywhere. Find out more with some exclusive vids of Sneak in the studio and more goodies at SneakTheDJ.com.
:: posted jan 5 by rees urban in features, november 2009 issue
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