Artist Interview #7: Disfunktional DJs
mp3unsigned August 24, 2012mp3u: It’s been a while since the last interview, but this time I think it’s been worth the wait. Loyal readers, I bring you the sometimes controversial, always entertaining, one and only Ricky Mancini of Disfunktional DJs and Stuff the Disco fame.
Ricky: Word!
mp3u: It was a little difficult to do research outside mp3u as it is hard to find other interviews to refer to… We realise that you don’t really like interviews, so we really appreciate your talking to us today.
Ricky: Yeah, I’m not really the talkative type… I like to have a laugh but sometimes my humour gets misread.
mp3u: I hear ya. Been there and bought the T-shirt!
Ricky: I’ve done a couple of interviews in the past. KMAG been the main one. I actually did an interview on mp3unsigned with Stew. 2006?
mp3u: DeNiro hates doing interviews too, so you’re in good company! Speaking of DeNiro, Mancini is an Italian name, isn’t it?
Ricky: Correct!
mp3u: I could be way off, but considering that music often runs in families, I wonder if you are related to Henry Mancini, four-time Academy Award winning, twenty-time Grammy award winning American composer, conductor and arranger?
Ricky: Who? I can honestly say I’ve never been asked that one before. NOT!
mp3u: OK, just thought I’d ask. He’s something of a legend in the world of soundtrack composition - he wrote the famous jazz-based Pink Panther theme. A DDJs remix of that tune is something I’d definitely love to hear! Mancini vs Mancini LOL
It is was of course impossible to do background research for this interview using your mp3unsigned page alone, not only because almost all tracks are clips, but mostly because you seem to leave some tunes on your page for a short time only. There were some tracks I really loved that I wanted to review for this interview but I couldn’t find them… Considering your body of work is quite huge (judging by soundcloud, reverbnation, house-mixes.com, etc.) is there any reason you have fewer than 30 tracks on mp3u (out of a possible 100)?
Ricky: Yeah, Sometimes I upload something and change my mind about it, and then take it back down.
Other reasons I like to keep my page fresh and take tracks down. Sometimes I empty my page and then upload something new. I tend to work from quite a few tracks and upload them at various stages. Right now I have almost 40 work in progress tracks.
Reverbnation :- I don’t actually use that page…it was set up for a label I’m signed with. I uploaded and left it. Same for soundcloud, I don’t really use soundcloud. I Just upload some tracks for links to sale sites. I don’t use it for feedback.
House-Mixes :- Yeah I use this site, it’s mostly for DJ mixes. All though, again, I do promote clips of released tracks.. I don’t upload for feedback. I only upload there when a track is released.
If I were to upload all my tracks, I would probably need quite a few more than 100. I have over 100 tracks released on various labels. So yeah I would need more.
mp3u: So, you clearly have an impressive online presence. I’d like to talk a bit about DDJs work offline. You are an active club DJ, is that right?
Ricky: Not of late. I don’t really have the free time. Ben, the other guy whom I DJ with, takes most on now. I just mainly do festivals and small venue events. Odd guest slots here and there and pre-club events in bars. I’ve always preferred small intermittent events. Even way back in the early 90’s when I took Djing more serious.
mp3u: So roughly how often do you do gigs these days, and what are your regular venues?
Ricky: It’s hard to say really, I don’t have any residencies. Early 90’s were a busy time for me but I tend to stay in the studio now. Up till recent we also had a weekly radio show. Had to put that on hold for a while due to other commitments.
I do play at Bomfest every year. Well for the last 3 and this year on the 22nd September. Last year we also played at “love music hate racism” festival. That was fun
mp3u: What was the biggest venue you’ve ever played, when you just looked out over a multitude of people dancing to the tunes on your turntables and thought “yeah! this is what it’s all about!”?
Ricky: I’d have to say Bomfest. Massive marquee, awesome sound system. With it been a summer event it’s mainly out doors. Just the DJs and sound system in the marquee and a selection of people who don’t want to be outside. Most the people are outside in the sun.
mp3u: Obviously, you will include your own tunes in your DJ sets, but do you ever slip in a few tracks by other mp3u artists? If so, who? 
Ricky: I’ve dropped quite a few over the years. Most recent ones would be Markoboko, Fluid Breaks, KTA, Martez, Gravity Slip.
mp3u: Any other mp3u artists whose music you like and follow, including those that mightn’t necessarily fit in one of your sets?
Ricky: “Bad Love Junkie” is one of my favourites. His music and song writing is amazing. Just don’t understand how an artist of that standard is unsigned. The world needs to hear this guy. He’s as good as any solo artist out there.
“Alive” A good band. Lots to like about them. Could see this band doing well on the festival front. I think it’s a matter of time before they sign with an indie label.
”Martez” This guy knows his stuff. Again as good as anyone in the EDM field. Been a long time admirer of his work. Genius! Love his sound and he’s a good guy too.
“Gete” Another EDM producer I’ve enjoyed over the years. He’s not been very productive of late. His Techno style is right up my street.
”Markoboko” Like with “Martez” another Artist I’ve admired for a long time. Big fan of his music.
”GravitySlip” When he’s on form, this artist produces quality EDM. I favour his House style the most.
“KtA” Like with GravitySlip I favour his EDM Style. He does produce other genres. Which I enjoy, but it’s when he’s making Dubstep, House & Trance, he’s got my full attention. His Dubstep is up there with the best.
I could be here all day. So I’m just going to give shouts to:
Fluid Breaks, David Joel Carter (Vocals), James Oakwood, Tony Miller, Dave Rave, Essence (Vocals), Hydro Hellsing (Vocals), Ditheramb, Melinda Mohn, etc.
mp3u: I’ve seen quiet a few of your collabs around on mp3u. Who have you collabed with to date?
Ricky: Over the years I’ve had the pleasure to work with quite a few: Melinda Mohn, Essence, Hydro, James Bell (Alive), David Joel Carter, Gav V, Geiger167 (Allan Bell) Mark Holly, Mark S, Chris Shaw, James Lee Shaw (Smalllife), Pidgeman, Wednesday Wilson. I’ve probably missed someone. Sorry if I have 
mp3u: Lastly on this topic, could you tell us what music most influences you, and artists you respect in the world outside of mp3u?
Ricky: Musically anything. I listen to all styles from 60’s to 70’s funk, Hardcore metal to Indie. Old skool hip-hop and breaks. Artists I admire – “Popof”, “Umek”, Aphex Twin. Three of my favourite EDM producers. I’m a big fan of Beck & James Brown, Beastie Boys, Metallica, Oasis. Pink Floyd.
mp3u: mp3unsigned users love to hear a success story. Were you signed before you joined the site, or were you unsigned at first?
Ricky: I wasn’t signed when I joined this site in 2004 but I had signed music.
mp3u: So… What was your first ever release and what label was it released on?
Ricky: First release was an E.P on “Deltra Records” (Sub division of Sony) 1993/4
E.P was called “Fear The Stranger” later re-released on “Area 39 Records” and then on Resurrection Records.
mp3u: Sony? That’s a pretty good start! What other labels are you on now? I believe you own your own label too?
Ricky: Markoboko and myself set up “S.H.A.T.RECORDS” in 2011. A small Indie label (Digital)
I have releases on – “Got House Records”, “4House Digital”, “S.H.A.T.RECORDS”, “Silver Screen Recordings”, “Tantrum Records”, “Baccara Records”, “High Music Recordings”, “E.Music Recordings”, “Volt9 Records”
mp3u: Wow! Obviously a busy man. One thing I’ve always admired about you was your talent for creative song titles. Sometimes they sound like Prodigy type titles - not as in similar to existing Prodigy titles, but titles Liam Howlett would definitely be thinking “I wish I had thought of that!” such as: Skanksville, Shitbox, Glitch that Fidget Bitch, Troll Face, Wub my Ballz, Thirtyone Flavours of Crazy, Skid Biscuits and so on. Do these titles just come to you in a flash of inspiration, or do you usually have a couple of ideas or variations before settling on the best one?
Ricky: Yeah song titles play a big part in the creative process for me. I think a title can make or break a track. I mean, if it’s a great track, you can pretty much call it anything. I do feel a good title completes a track for me.
Most the time my tracks are called “Today” or something relevant like the date or style of music. I normally add a title when it’s about 80% finished. Or before if something inspires me. A quote from a movie or a TV show or just something random I hear or read.
mp3u: Another place I did some research was youtube, where I found some gems. One pleasant surprise was Despondency featuring Essence, which I hadn’t heard before. In her interview she mentioned doing work with you she was really proud of. I guess this is one example?
Ricky: I think Despondency was the first track we worked on and one of my favourite tracks.
We spent quite a bit of time working on a couple of Dupstep tracks. Despondency was released on Gothouse Records. We wrote another Dubstep track, which I plan on releasing.
I enjoy working with Essence. She is easy to work with and best of all she can deal with my diva moments, We have done quite a few track together. Ranging from Deep House, Progressive House, Techno & Dubstep. We have 6 released on various labels and quite a few work in progress.
mp3u: What’s the story behind the video Mental Confusion by Danielle Tunstall, which is accompanied by your music? Did the music come before the video, or the video before the music? Whichever way, it works really well.
Ricky: Danielle Tunstall. Amazing artist. I’m a big fan of her work. We met on facebook via a mutual friend. She asked if I could write some music for a video she planned on making. She wants to get in to making music videos. She’s mostly known for her horror photography. Amazing work. Look her up http://www.danielletunstall.com/
I’m sure you will love her work too.
The music and video came almost at the same time. She had already taken all the shots but hadn’t compiled it to video. She told me the story to the video and said she wanted a Dubstep track. She sent me a few stills from the video for inspiration. I sent her a few ideas “basic ideas” and we just went back and forth till we got what she wanted. Even down to the music in the end credits. That I actually got as a video. So was easier for me to do the music/sounds.
mp3u: You are an artist who has often flirted with controversy. One of the controversial aspects is that you have been very outspoken when you review tracks - if you thought a track sucked you just said so and didn’t beat about the bush. Of course honesty is to be admired, but it probably rubbed the you-scratch-my-back-and-I’ll-scratch-yours crowd the wrong way!
Ricky: HEHEHEHE. Yeah I’m a gobshite. It’s got me in to bother quite a few times. Deal with it !
mp3u: Another source of some controversy is one of your past incarnations MD-1 Project. To be honest, that was before my involvement with the forum - I’ve only ever known you as DDJs - so I really don’t know much in detail about what MD-1 did or didn’t do that pissed people off, suffice to say that whenever anybody mentions it you seem to change the subject rapidly LOL. Any words on this, or do you prefer to skip it?
Ricky: Not sure I know either. I may have pissed a couple of members off and they were high profile members? I don’t really know how to say or explain, as I didn’t know I had pissed anyone off LOL
MD-1 Project was/is my more experimental work. It was my music snobbery stage. Back then I was a purist and hated or couldn’t deal with people using samples and programs like Ejay
On mp3unsigned it was quite a successful period for me. 80+ official #1 tracks. Solo artist of the year 2006 and various other awards. Was a really busy time. The site was quite new and fresh back then. I also had another account “Stella Polaris Project”. Again quite successful. That was more experimental too. Melinda Mohn and myself.
mp3u: When I was researching on youtube, I did find a powerful song by the MD-1 Project alias ‘Dirty Bombs’. It was available in a censored version, uncut version, and Director’s Cut. Needless to say I chose the Director’s Cut… It is a harrowing video showing the reality and brutality of war, and the clear disparity of technical advantage between the two sides in the ‘War on Terror’. Even in the post-Bush years, I don’t believe this message has lost any of it’s power. What can you tell us about this video, or even where you found such startling footage to piece it together?
Ricky: Hours of going through video footage. Really disturbing. I can honestly say making that video took me to some dark places. Some of the stuff I saw will stay with me for life. The song and message needed something strong and I think it delivered.
mp3u: Absolutely. What has been seen cannot be unseen, but some things really need to be seen to be understood.
Thirdly, on the subject of controversy, you seem to have teamed up with another controversial character on mp3u quite a few times - Hydro Hellsing (previously known as Sir Hydro). The combination of your beats and music behind his spoken word vocals is a unique and successful fusion of sound and attitude, which touches some subject matter ranging from bitterly dark, like ‘Come See Me’ to depressingly dark, like ‘Serious Issues’. In one song, Choking Hazard, Hydro talks with no trace of irony about choking someone to death with his microphone cord! Any hint about who that person might be?
Ricky: He probably told me but I can’t think off the top of my head.
mp3u: LOL. Hydro and I get on much better these days than when I first appeared as a moderator. I had the same problem as you, people didn’t get my sense of humour and it was taken the wrong way by quite a few people, in particular Hydro… That was around the time Choking Hazard came out… (hmm… 
) but it’s all water under the bridge by now. 
Ricky: Yeah again, like with, Essence. I’ve enjoyed working with Hydro.
mp3u: Other Hydro/DDJs collabs are not so dark, notably Jack City, Feel Me and so on. Although the lyrics are clearly those of a slick disco dude smooth-talking to chicks, a lot of guys have remarked that they feel this is where you as a pair have found your niche. What do you think? Do you feel your darker collabs or fun flirtatious ones work best? Which type are more successful on iTunes etc.?
Ricky: The Deep House & Funky House tracks are my favourites. He’s got a very sexy voice that suits my more house styled tracks. We have quite a few tracks released together. Choking hazard is one of my best selling tracks. We have other tracks that are still being worked on. I’ve lost count on how many but it’s quite a few.
mp3u: What is your personal favourite track at the moment, out of the tracks currently on your artist page?
Ricky: On my page, I’d have to say “Jack City Ft Hydro Hellsing”. It’s actually one of my favourite tracks. I’d say “Parallel Summation” is also a personal favourite. No longer on my page. It’s a Drum & Bass track. For some reason I just like how that track flows and the amount of work I put in to it also.
mp3u: Here’s a question that will interest all the EDM producers out there: What kind of a hardware/software set up do you use to create your music?
Ricky: I use a combination of both. Sequence with software. Ableton Live 8. Various Midi controllers. I record live instruments with Pro Tools. Guitars, Microphones, My main guitar is a Gibson Sheraton. I use a Boss GT-8 Multi FX. I have an electric drum kit. I have this linked to Cubase via a Kenton Kontrol Freak. A small selection of VST installed. I find having too many slows me down. I kind of know what sounds I want and have. This saves me hours of fiddling around. I have quite a selection but over the years, I’ve started just to use a small selection. Favourite VST - Ni Massive, Ni Battery, Ni FM8 & Nexus.
mp3u: Lastly, the traditional footie question. As you have appeared in pictures wearing a soccer jersey this is probably a moot point, but could you tell us what football team you support?
Ricky: AC Milan & Manchester United
mp3u: Short and sweet answer! Ricky, we really appreciate you taking your time and taking the hot seat. I’m sure our readers will also appreciate getting to know you a bit better. It’s been a real pleasure!
Ricky: Thanks!
Ricky and his son in Ibiza, Summer of 2012.
Comments (3)
Great, in depth interview! Ricky’s page is one that I try to get to often, since his music always seems like it’s got something new to add to what’s going on out there in the world of new sounds. He is also one of those on the site that will tell you the brutal truth, which is sometimes not an easy thing to deal with. But once you face it and deal with it you will most likely see he was right. Thanks for the brutality Ricky! LMAO!!!! Oh yeah, loved your quote on your “diva moments!” LOL!
These interviews just keep getting better. Liked the pics, the questions and answers, and it was nice to learn about Ricky on a more personal level, other than what I could glean from his comments and bits of interactions here and there on the site. Thanks To Admin for another excellent interview. I’m with Erik on Ricky’s candour…it can be…er…. quite “brutal”…will never forget his comment on a collab I was working on…in Ricky’s inimitable way, he expressed his view of the track …”cringe-worthy”…say what? Well, I chuckle now, and that is a reminder that we all have an opinion…whether we should share it?…That’s another question
Great interview!
Great Artist!
Keep ‘em coming!
I like the scratch. One needs to be heard and the way this site is set up, it’s the only way to be heard. We all want to be heard. Some are lazier then others. On another level, meanness is insecurity.