1). Who is the Joe DiPadova?

I’m just a guy who loves to make music, and play good parties. =]

I’m from upstate New York originally. I’ve spent short and long periods in Phoenix, Boston, Maine, Virginia, Utah and Montréal. Currently up in the mountains in Taos, New Mexico; relaxing and finding peace on many levels. Not sure where I’ll go next, potentially Berlin, South Africa, Australia or somewhere in Asia. Deeply looking forward to the future.

2). Tell us more about your musical journey? What lead to you taking that route than anything else?

It’s a long one, to be honest. Music runs deep in my family, as I came to find out later. Ancestors of mine on my Italian side were first chair in the NY Philharmonic, another in the metropolitan opera. Another played with John Philip Sousa in the navy band. Growing up my grandmother was always playing the Hammond organ in our house, and I briefly studied guitar when I was younger.

We’ve always loved music. I was raised on a mix of classical on my father’s side, and classic rnb/disco/80’s/yacht rock from my mother. First concert ever was Willie Nelson at the Saratoga performing arts center, if that says anything.

Later I got deep into 90’s rnb/early house and some older hip-hop (pre Snoop & Dre stuff), punk rock/indie, and then in the early-mid 90’s came house music in a real way, for me. House then opened my mind to jazz, latin, african, and all of the incredible styles of music we’re able to incorporate from around the world. It’s in many ways been a huge musical blessing for me.

3). Clearly this was all spawned from a love of music. What does music mean to all you?

Well, now I listen to music with a very, very open mind. I search for music across the board, and listen for lessons, things the music can teach me, as well as just interesting new music beyond the box many in house music seem to place themselves in.

Music for me means peace, it means love, it’s a window to that which is greater than we are. It allows people to escape if they desire, or the same song can allow someone to challenge themselves in ways they never have before. Music is completely and entirely subjective, and that’s the beauty. I can make a song which has deep meaning for me in a certain respect, and someone across the world can listen and develop and entirely different vision of the same piece of music, and what it means to them. It’s astonishing!

4). How did you get into the whole music scene? Is it as glamorous as most people tend to think it is?

I began DJing in the mid 90’s, and got more serious about it around 98 or so. I began producing music around that time, but wasn’t remotely good at it. It was horrible, actually. But it was in my blood, and I worked, and worked, and worked to grow. Eventually I went to school for audio engineering, and began working with some incredible musicians, such as my often partner Shea Marshall, who taught me so much in that time. I’ve been releasing music since 2006, with a lot more to come.

DJing was different. Began throwing parties in Boston, continued after moving to Phoenix (though at the time I swore I wouldn’t), and without question I’d say the vast majority of my growth has been there. Boston was a great lesson, and then Phoenix for me was a time of great change. It was a wonderful balance for me.

I don’t see music as glamorous, as much as just good fun with good friends.

5). Which genre of music do you specialise in and which is your personal favourite? How do you get music?

Traditionally I’ve been making and DJing deep house. In the past it was veeeeeeeeeeery deep, and very deep vocal stuff. Eventually I realized people were there to dance, and I got with the program. Now, I like to put many different genres together to comprise my own style. I try to take the music places I don’t see many people willing to go. I like to take risks that in the past would make my hands shake with nerves. In the course of a night you may hear house, vocals, classic house & classic disco, new disco, indie, midtempo, afrobeat, deep techno, and anything else I find interesting, and I mean anything. All of which are completely focused on the dancefloor, no BS, no PC (political correctness), all party.

How do I get my music? I dig. I dig the same way I dug for records in the store - on my hands and knees, going through the bins most people were too lazy to get into, where the real gems lay hidden. That, and I of course get promos, which I’m trying to get better about keeping up with, and good friends clue me into great music when it comes their way. All together, I have more music than I even know what to do with!

6). How do you manage being a DJ and producer? Which one do you prefer? Do you still find the time to relax?

I love doing both. The thing that drove me crazy was also promoting my own events, which I still do, and one still HAS to do, but I’ve cut down dramatically the sheer number of events I even think about tackling. When I decide to do an event now, the recipe has to be just right, and the result is often incredible. It keeps me motivated to do more without getting burned out.

DJing and production go hand in hand for me. DJing a good party is always a rush, and at this point it’s so easy to make music that it’s hugely relaxing for me. Production, as well as what I consider my musical candy, edits. But not BS edits where the music is slightly rearranged with a few sprinkles on top. I mean where I add real instrumentation, vocals, percussion, etc, and make something very different. Not necessarily better, that’s not the aim, just different, and fun. The key is that the hard work and real talent was already put into the original, so an edit can be an easy hour (or ten) or so of just relaxed creativity for me. I put a huge amount of time into most of the songs I make from scratch, or remixes. More than most I think, I’m obsessive to be honest…but even that is starting to change. The more I do, the faster I get.

7). What is the biggest event you’ve ever performed at? What would be your ultimate performance and where?

Largest event would be an outdoor thing for a few thousand people in AZ, and I would also consider it to be one of my DJ horror stories. haha! Generally, playing around the US and canada, the parties I play tend to be in the 100-600 person range. Not big, but often great events. A friend who played my party “ONE” told me once, “the great thing about a small room is you can’t lie to them, and they can’t lie to you.” He was right, if you do well, people will be rocking. If not, the room will be empty in the blink of an eye. It’s been great training for me over the years.

Ultimate performance? It would be a world tour, joined by all of my great musician friends I’ve worked with over the years, and the DJs I love and respect right there with me, each able to play very long sets. The “ONE” tour, or festival tour…we’ll even get people to drink our famous “ONE Tea”. Shit will be mental!

8). Give us a breakdown a day or night in the life of Joe DiPadova? What’s the preparation like, leading up to an event, and what happens afterwards, what food you eat?

Well, I make sure to masturbate furiously before any event or gig, preferably backstage in front of the promoters. HAHA! I’m kidding, I guess I don’t really know how to answer that. I organize my music, I like to grab a good, light dinner (sushi!), and most of all I like to stay relaxed. If I walk into the room in a great mood, people can feel it. It’s palatable.

Afterward, I like to grab a bite and kick it with everyone, and then just relax in the hotel. Sounds like a great night to me.

9). Is the music industry your only source of income. Are there any other ventures that you are involved in?

I’ve had my hands in different things over the years, but music is really all I do. Gigs, events, releases, remixes, etc. I do some things on the side, consulting for venues in different ways, some audio engineering gigs now and then, but music is my bread and butter.

10). What about time with family and friends – How do you manage that?

It can be difficult at time. I’ve sensed some friends can get upset with me that I don’t always go to their house parties, or go out in general. As much as I’ve wanted to, I’ve always felt I’ve needed to focus, and keep working. Eventually I’ll be able to relax, but no time for that now, as much as I love them to death.

Parents and family…it’s been a difficult road for them to see what I’ve been doing, and where I’m going, but they’ve slowly become more and more supportive over the years. I think now we’re better than we’ve been in a long time, because we’ve been able to spend some more time together in the last couple of years, which makes me deeply happy. Family is incredibly important to me, more so as I grow older.

11). Given your insight into what’s fresh on the music scene, what do you think the trend for new year will be? Has the economic climate affected your pocket?

The economy has absolutely affected things. People still need to go out, for sure, but here in the US 10% of the population is unemployed, and another 7.5% are under-employed, or looking for work. We would be idiots if we didn’t realize that absolutely has to be having an effect on us.

Trends? I’m not sure, to be honest. I can’t see any huge changes for our music on the horizon this year, other than my schedule getting much busier. =]

12). How many groupies do you get?

All the hot ones. See relaxing in the hotel afterward in #8. hahaha!

13). Have you had any awkward moments with fans? Have you performed at an event that made you go ”WTF???”

I think everyone has had those experiences, especially as a working DJ, but in general I’m lucky to have amazing experiences when I play. I look forward to it each and every time, and if that changes, I’ll stop. As of now, after…16 years or so, I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

14). Did you always know you’d end up where you are today? Do you have any qualifications under your belt for any studies you may have completed?

Well, as I said earlier, I graduated from the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Arizona for audio engineering. It’s helped me immensely, but I’ve had to do a great amount of work beyond school to get where i am, and have more to go yet.

To answer the first part, yes.

15). You’ve achieved so much, what’s in store from Joe DiPadova? What aspirations do you have?

Thank you for saying, I sill have a long way to go. My aspirations, teaching myself to play keys properly, and finding a place to live somewhere beyond the US, at least for a time. It’s calling me.

16). Are you interested in any collaborations with artists in South Africa?

I am. My partner in Montréal and I have already done a remix for a newer group of great people called Jenerik Soulz, their song called “Room Service”. I’d like to do more remixes, and as I meet people potentially work with some. In reality I wouldn’t mind living there for a while and getting to know the SA crew. There seem to be some incredible people there now.

17). Who do you regard (aside from yourself) as a producer or performer that’s making strides in the industry?

Todd Terje, Lovebirds, Prins Thomas, Lars Behrenroth, Jojoflores, Aroop Roy, Bradford James, Trentemøller, Julius ‘the Mad Thinker’, Floating Points, Henrik Schwarz, Dennis Ferrer, Nickodemus…these are the cats I see doing great things. I’m sure I’ll kick myself for forgetting some also.

In South Africa in particular, Liquideep and the Bass, Breaks & Beats crew, Jenerik Soulz, Black Coffee, Culoe de Song & the Baainar crew are all doing good shit.

18). How may budding producers or DJs get in touch with you should they be interested in working with you?

Hit me up on facebook. I’m cool speaking with anyone.

Contact Details:

www.one-az.com
Facebook
SoundCloud

19). In terms of the music you make, are there certain music programs you use? What is the secret to the sound you make?

Logic is my love. Used ProTools for years, but it can’t touch the creation ability of logic. Nothing out there does, except potentially Nuendo, but I haven’t used it enough to be sure.

The secret of my sound? Passion.

New releases/remixes coming very soon on:
Deeper Shades Recordings, Gotsoul Recordings, Seasons Limited, Aid to the SouLLess & RMA

Buy links for music on soundcloud player. Edits on soundcloud may be downloaded for free.

Click to listen to Joe DiPadova’s Latest Set (Register to download the 2nd Hour)