Explore every episode of True House Stories interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana
Dive into the complete episode list for True House Stories interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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26 Jan 2022
Mark Farina interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 075 (Part 2)
01:15:16
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MARK FARINA # 075 - PART 2 Mark Farina speaks about his club life and getting a job at the record store in Chicago. He makes his alliance with Derrick Carter and Stacey Pullen.
Shelter Club gives him his first residency in Chicago and the rest is the history.
He then works hard to become one of the few DJ’s that travel around the USA and Canada for the last three decades. He has plans to keep rolling forward and never stop.
Fish Go Deep interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 095 (Part 1)
00:32:20
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FISH GO DEEP # 095 - PART 1 Fish Go Deep are Irish house dons Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson. As DJs, the pair have been spinning records together since the late eighties, holding down a residency at “Sweat" in Cork for over a decade until November 2001. These days you can catch them at their weekly Go Deep residency in Cork in between guest slots at club nights in mainland Europe, South Africa and North America.
As Fish Go Deep, their productions have been released on Defected, Innervisions, Brique Rouge and Gourmet as well as their own imprints Ork and Go Deep. In 2006 they had their biggest record to date, 'The Cure and the Cause', a collaboration with vocalist / lyricist Tracey K which was licensed to UK house stable imprint Defected Records.
Phil Fuldner interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 118
01:47:44
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PHIL FULDNER # 118 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
One of Germany's longest-serving DJs and producers, Phil Fuldner is a Kosmonaut. In other words, he belongs to that elite group of performers -- such as Tom Novy, Eniac, and DJ Moguai -- who've signed on with Germany's ultra hip Kosmo Records label.
Fuldner first hit the big time in 1997 thanks to the single "The Final" -- a remake of the old "Captain Future Hymn." A massive success on dance charts all over Europe, the release was a tandem effort with DJ Moguai, with whom Fuldner has had a long association dating back to the pre-Kosmo times.
In 1998, he had a go at covering the retro-classic "S-Express" -- the theme to the S-Express TV show -- and the result was yet another dance chart topper in Germany. During the next couple of years, Fuldner was busy in the studio producing and remixing a host of popular compilation albums, working with such big names as Timo Maas, Judge Jules, and Yves Deruyter.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ MARSHA STERN & ROBBIE LESLIE # 031 - PART 2
ROBBIE LESLIE A bona fide legend in the Music Industry, DJ/Remixer/Producer Robbie Leslie has been in the nightclub business for 40 years. One of the First Generation DJs, Leslie started his career on Fire Island in 1975… an auspicious beginning. From there he moved on to New York City, where the list of clubs at which he regularly performed reads like a ‘Who's Who’ of Big Apple nightspots: Studio 54, The Saint/Saint At Large, Roseland Ballroom, Palladium, Underground, Private Eyes, the Red Parrot, 12West and the Ice Palace. He has made numerous guest appearances at clubs in Dubai, Berlin, Budapest, Moscow, Sydney, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Toronto, St. Maarten, Punta Cana, Cancun, and San Juan. For twenty years he has been the Resident DJ for RSVP Cruises and Vacations. Other notable residencies include the Copa of Fort Lauderdale and Key West and Twist in South Beach. As the disc jockey for New York City's Pier Dance of 1989 and 2004, Leslie played to a record breaking crowd of over 12,000. He topped that number in 1997 while playing the post-parade celebration at San Francisco's Embarkadero – 20,000! Recently he was honored by the industry and his peers with the National Hi-Energy D.J. of the Year Award, sponsored by Dance Music Report. He received the Dixie Award for D.J. of the Year in 1993. In October 1999 Leslie was presented with the third annual DJ Music Award for his lifetime contribution to the world of dance music. And in 2013 he received the FIP Historical Preservation Society's inaugural History Maker Award. Robbie can now be found on the airwaves with his weekly SiriusXM Satellite Radio broadcast of "Robbie Leslie Presents" which airs Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Robbie Leslie currently performs internationally and at special events Coast to Coast. MARSHA STERN moved to NYC from Florida at not quite 22 years old, to begin a career in the music business. First as a publicist (Howard Bloom Organization, Inc.) then as a record promoter (Ariola Records USA) and a record producer (Midnight Rhythm & The Joe Long Sound), all before her first introduction to lighting in 1979 via the New York City nightclub and discotheque scene. It was during those early years (specifically 1977) when she met DJ Roy Thode at the Ice Palace 57 which had recently been opened by Jimmy Merry, also the owner of Fire Island’s seasonal Ice Palace Cherry Grove where Roy was the house DJ. It was DJ Sharon White that introduced Marsha to Roy just after the IP57 had opened. Sharon and Roy had been dear friends for years, both from Long Island, before either of them had migrated to NYC. A deep loving friendship ensued between Roy and Marsha after that initial meeting and to this day remains one of the most significant relationships of her life. Recent years have found Marsha returning to her musical roots, working with SiriusXM on a variety of special broadcasts, consulting on Altimeter Films’ “Studio 54 - The Documentary” and most recently contributing to Brooklyn Museum’s “Studio 54: Night Magic” exhibit, which is currently on tour in Toronto, Canada. Marsha continues to maintain her presence in the lighting world as well and she recently did a webinar for Harman/Martin Professional Learning Sessions, available on YouTube.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ FREDDY TURNER # 030 (PART 1)
Growing up in a family of 8, all day Freddy Turner was exposed to music by groups such as The Supremes, The Temptations... Learn about how Freddy Turner’s career in the fashion industry began, and how moving to NYC, enabled him to meet icons such as Eveyline Champagne. Despite this full-time career in fashion, Freddy’s passion was music and he went to his local record ‘Rock n Soul’ shop religiously. Hear the story of Freddy Turner’s first track which went on Top of The Pops and reached #14- Hear the story of why this track was pulled down. Leaving fashion in 1992, Freddy took on DJing full time and played at some incredible venues worldwide- Switzerland being his main stay. DJing, record producing and working on vocals and working at Mixmag, Freddy was 100% a face on the scene. Listen to how Freddy, Dwayne Harding and Barbara Tucker produced one of the biggest tracks ever “Stop playing with my mind@ - Daryl .........was invited to record vocals. Experiencing a very competitive industry, hear about how Freddy encountered the pitfalls of working in the music industry. Discover the pitfalls of record contracts and how it affected Freddy’s career. What are Freddy’s plans for the future and listen to his take on new music that are being re-edited without permission.
Dave Beer interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 081 (Part 2)
01:37:24
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DAVE BEER # 081 - PART 2
In this episode you will hear Dave Beer explain the faced post-warehouse party world with the DIY ethos of a punk direction helping to create Back To Basics in 1991 which it was named literally to represent what the club was set out to do.
Partners Beer and Alistair grew tired of the acid house scene and wanted to put on parties, where alternative music to the rave scene was played. Through Back To Basics, they made club nights fashionable, and throughout the 1990s it was one of the most desirable places to go, causing road blocks in Leeds city centre. At the time, Back to Basics had a strict, sometimes controversial and inconsistent door policy which made it one of the hardest clubs to get into. Beer personally greeted all 80 clubbers on the opening night and those who were refused entry due to their dummy sucking or poor choice of trainers were encouraged to try harder next time. Its opening night was held on the top floor of The Chocolate Factory, which was later renamed, The Music Factory.
Weeks two and three of Back To Basics saw the crowds double in size until it was attracting 1,000 clubbers every week. By Nov 1992 at the end of its first year, Dave and Alistair found themselves on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, looking out to a packed auditorium as they picked up the DMC and Mixmag Award for Best Club in the UK. Over the next 20 years from 1991 to the present day, Beer toured Back To Basics all over the world from Australia to the USA and held club residencies at Home London, and Space Ibiza.
He was responsible for nurturing and discovering the talent of Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada giving them some of their first gigs as unknown artists. Beer was also responsible for bringing international talent into the UK for the first-time including Danny Tenaglia, Doc Martin, Josh Wink and Frankie Knuckles.
Back To Basics holds numerous awards from the music and events industry and has gained worldwide recognition thanks to its forward-thinking music policy and loyal following. Today it is considered a "household name" in UK clubbing and Beer continues to be "the life and soul" of the Basics party. Listen to breakdown the next 20 years in this episode.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CRYSTAL WATERS # 071 - PART 1 Crystal Waters a true icon in house music speaks about her humble beginnings from a young child and being exposed to some of the greatest musicians because of her dad who was a famous jazz musician.
She toured with her dad as a young artist and was able to get an education of what it is like to be an artist. As she finished college she takes a job with the State, at the Parole Board.
Hungering to write music she hooks up with a keyboard player and they begin to start writing demos on a 4-track recorder.
She then proceeds to go to a music conference in her hometown and is attracted to the Basement Boys because of their leather jackets that they were sporting at the time.
She hands them her cassette demo and the rest is history. "Gypsy Woman" is created and a deal is signed.
Crystal Waters shares with us how her life changed from that moment the single dropped and became a huge pop hit.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ALISON LIMERICK # 053 - PART 2 Alison Limerick appeared at ICA for a vocal live where music producer from the band Brooklyn Funk Essentials Lati Kronland witnesses her musical abilities and made it his business to find out her personal details, makes contact and asks to work with her.
They go into the studio and work together on a few tracks and because of his of understanding of Alison’s vocal range and abilities, Lati asked Alison to sing ‘Where Love Lives’ - a track that Lati wrote and produced and has been the mainstay of Alison Limerick's life as well as all of the lives she touched in clubs worldwide, “Where Love Lives!!!!! Listen to how this tracks changes her life forever and the music industry.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ LEROY GOMEZ (SANTA ESMERALDA) # 127 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Santa Esmeralda is a French-American disco group formed in the 1970s. The group had hits with its remake of the 1960s hits "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "House of the Rising Sun". Santa Esmeralda featured original lead singer Leroy Gómez in 1977-1978 and singer Jimmy Goings from late 1978 until 1983. Gómez rejoined the group in the 1990s.
DJ Norman Jay (MBE) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 008
02:39:03
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ NORMAN JAY # 008
This episode has to be one of those incredible interviews. Norman Jay MBE walks us through his life's path from a young boy discovering music from his father and then to become the very popular and well sort out DJ in the 1980s and even through today.
His story is moving and there may eventually be a full movie made about it. Tune in to catch this True House Story (Lenny Fontana) by one of UK's Elder Statesman.
Dr Packer interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 087 (Part 2)
01:02:27
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DR PACKER # 087 - PART 2
By The year 2013 Greg began mixing entire sets from CD therefore searching for music online , he started picking up re-edits, a certain artist stood out to him known as the 'Late Nite Tuff Guy' he loved the way the original songs were beefed up and sounded fat on a club system but the original vibe was still there , also these edits were quantised perfectly meaning you were able to beat mix them flawlessly unlike playing the original vinyl...
In August 2013 Greg Produced his first two edits under the name 'Dr Packer' which was 'Keni Burke - Rising To The Top' and 'Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That' unsure of what to do with them he sent them to 'Fingerman' he instantly played both of them on his show and suggested to send more his way , this was the push he needed to continue what was initially a bit of a fun experiment... Labels Such as 'Defected , Glitterbox , Z Records , Masterworks , Disco Dat , Hot Digits & Midnight Riot' have all shown plenty of love for the doctor and most recently 'Salsoul' records have requested 2 EP's to be be released officially so things wont be slowing down anytime soon...
Most releases so far have reached the number one position in the sales charts on most of the online stores and received support from DJs such as Dimitri From Paris, Joey Negro, John Morales, Greg Wilson, Late Night Tuff Guy, Simon Dunmore to name a few.
👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!/
02 Nov 2022
Bobby & Steve (Groove Odyssey) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 093 (Part 2)
01:31:13
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOBBY & STEVE (GROOVE ODYSSEY) # 093 - PART 2
A visit to Larry Levan's world renowned Paradise Garage club in 1987, just three months before the club closed its doors forever, gave them their first taste of a new sound, later dubbed 'Garage' music, a sound which American jocks such as Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humphries were championing.
Evolving from the more soulful and gospel parts of disco, US garage music, with its soaring vocals, intricate melodies and jazzy instrumentals, captured the ears of the twins. They had found their sound - dance music that still contained their beloved soulful influences. Klub Zoo was instrumental in planting the UK roots for what became more commonly referred to as ‘house music’. Inspired by what they had witnessed in NYC, Bobby & Steve wasted no time in launching their iconic new brand ‘Garage City’.
Hailed as the UK's most established house night it was renowned for playing the best in soulful, funky and uplifting US garage, this side of the Atlantic. Joined regularly by the biggest names from the house spectrum such as Masters at Work, Kerri Chandler, Tony Humphries, Eric Morillo, Todd Terry and Danny Tenaglia, to name but a few. Telstar Records released various Garage City compilation albums mixed by Bobby & Steve and to mark its ten-year anniversary Defected Records released a ‘10 Years of Garage City' album also mixed by the duo. The iconic club Fabric in London hosted its 10th birthday party. Garage City also enjoyed successful seasons at Ibiza super club Es Paradis. The growing success of house music alongside their outstanding reputation as both DJ’s and promoters placed them in high demand throughout the nineties.
Bobby & Steve were regular guest DJ’s at the biggest club nights across the globe. They founded their ‘Summervibes Dance Weekenders’ which were a sell out each time and launched their own record labels producing their own tracks as well as for artists such as Leroy Burgess. They were in high demand on the remix side, reworking tracks for the likes of Faith Evans on behalf of P Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.
In 1997 they were nominated for a MOBO Award and in 2001 they travelled to Asia to DJ at the MTV Asia Music Awards party. The new millennium brought about a new chapter for Bobby & Steve and in that same year they launched their new night Soul Heaven at the Ministry of Sound as well as a weekly Ibiza residency at the illustrious El Divino.
At the Ministry launch night, the twins joined by Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez played to over two thousand party people with a further one thousand queuing outside. The brand went from strength to strength with Defected Records releasing a ‘Soul Heaven’ compilation mixed by the Bobby & Steve. In 2008 alongside their business partner Michael Hughes, the new powerhouse ‘Groove Odyssey’ record label and club event was created. Ten years strong, the brand’s label is churning out original releases and compilation albums to critical acclaim. 2017 saw Groove Odyssey embark on a white isle adventure and their hugely successful GO Ibiza weekender, has been running for three years now and kicks off the island's summer season in May with the line-up for 2020 soon to be released. The five-day event hosts hundreds of clubbers from around the globe alongside an unrivalled line up of the biggest and best DJ's from the house music fraternity.
In 2020 life takes a big change with the Covid Pandemic hitting all, in the early part before the lockdown began both Bobby & Steve contracted Covid.
Listen to the story unfold how they both coped with the virus and how they are today.
👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!
17 Nov 2021
Ray Pinky Velazquez interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 069 (Part 1)
00:32:44
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ RAY PINKY VELAZQUEZ # 069 - PART 1 Ray Pinky Velazquez gets his start from his father being the manager of an equipment famous Electric Shop called Leonard's Electrics back in the 1970s.
The owner of the Brazilian Disco called Ipanema spoke to Ray's dad and Ray's father advised the owner to try his son out for the DJ position.
Well to say the least Ray went to the tryout and the rest is history.
Come listen to this legendary Disco DJ tell it all.
DJ Boris interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 091 (Part 2)
00:34:43
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ BORIS # 091 - PART 2 DJ Boris ability behind the decks and in the studio has not only made him a New York favorite, but his music has taken him places all around the world ranging from the shores of Playa Del Carmen to the magical White Isle known as Ibiza.
Known to many as the ‘DJ’s DJ’,
Boris has had the career most DJs can only wish to have. The trends, they may change but the New York native has stayed true to his drum driven sounds and created his own niche in the wide and vast world of electronic music.
Taking bits and pieces from every part of the globe he visits, Boris always maintains a piece of home in his music. Even though his career spans nearly three decades, the journeyman DJ has yet to falter.
We currently find him playing leading to destinations across the globe and his music is in high demand with forthcoming releases many sought after labels, Boris will is constantly on the tips of the younger generation’s tongue. Why?
Because talent, like wine, gets better with age.
Georgie Porgie interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 106
01:56:36
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ GEORGIE PORGIE #106 There’s a certain type of DJ/ artist to emerge from Chicago, having been raised around the rawest and purest forms of House and Dance music. These roots cement themselves within the cities‘ residents, and form a continual source of inspiration for those who seek it.
George Andros or Georgie Porgie or GP as he is known across the globe, is no exception. An accomplished DJ, Artist, hot singer songwriter, record producer, an independent dance music recording mogul and one of the hottest dance-music remixers to emanate out of Chicago, Illinois.
There is no disputing the fact that Georgie Porgie is a multi-talented international recording star who owns the longest running dance labe in America! Georgie’s contributions to the Dance industry earned him the title of “The Ambassador of Dance Music.”
Billboard Magazine in 2010 named Georgie Top 10 Dance artist of the Decade. He has had over 35 #1 records in over 18 countries and has sold millions of records through out his career! Georgie has produced and remixed some of music’s most prolific names including Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, Barbara Tucker, Mary J. Blige, Dawn Tallman, Linda Clifford, The Chi-lites feat. Marshal Thompson and Suzanne Palmer to name a few. His own productions like “Life Goes On”, “Love Is Gonna Save The Day”, “Sunshine”, “Can You Feel The Sound” , “Love One Another” and many more have earned him Global success!
His Mix Show can be heard in over 20 Countries around the World! Currently he is touring the World as a DJ and a Singer which brings a whole new element to the decks and stages.
Ben Liebrand [Grandmix] interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 024 (Part 1)
00:49:08
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ BEN LIEBRAND # 024 - PART 1
True House Stories’ of Ben Liebrand with Lenny Fontana gives a fascinating insight about how the music scene has advanced since the 1980’s and the reasons why. Ben Liebrand grew up in the Netherlands and played such a huge role in the way the music scene advanced and continued to build over the next 4 decades. Learn in this interview about how Ben’s fascination for technology and amazing ear for music and why it was so pivotal in the advances in DJing and music production. Ben’s passion for technology and belief on creating his music from scratch without the involvement of external input is the reason he is so creative and has led to over 800 incredible productions and remixes.
This is a truly fascinating interview about Ben’s input in changing the entire music scene helping it to progress throughout the last 40 years and still be pivotal to today’s sound. Discover how Ben Liebrand’s career started by chance in a club in 1978 and how he progressed very quickly to playing peak slots in clubs in Holland due to his discovery of beat matching which is still how DJs play today.
Discover how Ben worked on remixes with amazing bands such as Michael Jackson, Salt-n-Peppa, Pet Shop Boys and The Human League.
Lenny Fontana uncovers the story of how Ben Liebrand’s skill for beat matching led to DJing on Dutch radio and how this new technique was so pivotal to how music is played on radio and in clubs to this day.
Ben explains the differences between producing original tracks versus remixing, and his stance on different genres of music throughout his lifetime.
Ben fully embracing digital progression and gives his about his opinions about analogue versus digital evolution. Such a huge instigator due to his never-ending excitement for advances in technology and equipment, Ben explains his excitement about why he embraces this.
Ben has been working in the industry for 42 years now and it is clear to see how he played such a huge part in the evolution of music taking us through 4 decades of multiple musical genres and hoe he adapted to these changes but has also experienced many pitfalls along the way.
Tune in to find out all about these tough times and how Ben is still such a huge leading figure in the industry.
Chad Jackson interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 073 (Part 2)
01:32:37
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CHAD JACKSON # 073 - PART 2 Chad Jackson in this part talks about his start with his new professional DJ work in the clubs. He begins in the northern part of the UK and is given the chance to take over from DJ Greg Wilson.
As he explains it the baton was passed on to him and he is focused on making his Radio show an incredible listening experience on Radio Piccadilly Manchester. In 1986 he decided to sign himself into the DMC World Competition which landed him second place for that year.
In 1987 he is asked to come back but the winner from 1986 decides he does not want to partake in the competition and then Chad is decorated as winner.
Since now he is the winner officially this gives him a huge chance to travel the world bringing him to New York City and meeting the heads of Def Jam and all the people in the musical community.
He even finds his way to production and remixing with "Hear The Drummer Get Wicked" and works toward the University tour and becomes a lecturer on production and remixing. Today he works at all the festivals around the UK and the world.
Chad Jackson interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 073 (Part 1)
00:32:45
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ CHAD JACKSON # 073 - PART 1 Chad Jackson sits with Lenny Fontana and discusses in this episode how he started his life in the music with piano lessons.
He also was dancing a lot at all the big events in the northern scene. He begins his music career as a record collector and following the dj's. He befriends Manchester DJ Greg Wilson and the rest is history.
Bobby & Steve (Groove Odyssey) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 093 (Part 1)
00:31:00
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BOBBY & STEVE (GROOVE ODYSSEY) # 093 - PART 2
Experience show was the stations longest running specialist show. Broadcast each and every Friday night between the hours of 10.00 pm and 12.00 am, it was a hotbed of exclusive tracks and remixes. Not only did their show give many of today’s most recognized DJ’s and labels their first opportunity to be heard on the UK’s airwaves, in turn it allowed their faithful listeners the opportunity to hear new releases from significant UK and American labels, DJ’s and producers. Alongside their radio show, the twins began their, now somewhat legendary, Klub Zoo night, originating at Munkberry's and later at the Soho Theatre. Famed for its mix of classic soul, disco and rare grooves, devoted followers would flock to the club each week to hear their favourite Salsoul, Prelude or Philadelphia International tracks. However, a trip to New York at the tail end of the eighties marked a major turning point in the futures of Bobby & Steve.
👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!
29 Sep 2021
Jazzy M interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 062 (Part 2)
01:50:38
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JAZZY M # 062 - PART 2 Jazzy M talks about his record shop called OHZone Records and the beginning days of his record label. He also shares the background story of Richie Rich "Salsa House" and the signing of Orbital "Chimes" to his label OhZone.
Jazzy shares the background story of Ministry of Sound and him being a big part of the start of it all. He sets the record straight in so many ways.
Grooverider renamed Jazzy, "The Godfather Of UK House" The story is deep and full of so much rich dance music history.
Paul Oakenfold [Perfecto] interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 133 - True House Stories®
00:59:35
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ PAUL OAKENFOLD [PERFECTO] # 133INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Lenny Fontana sit with the man himself DJ Paul Oakenfold on one of the most respected shows in the game True House Stories. He shares with us some of the things that helped start him in the business and how his life took off both here in the USA and back in the UK. When it comes to a career the magnitude of Paul Oakenfold it’s hard to encompass one of the true legends of electronic music into just words.
For over 3 decades he has elevated and shaped an entire genre and remains one of the leading forces in the global music scene today. His most recent works have taken him from the DJ booth of the worlds hottest nightspots and festivals to the studio producing soundtracks for Hollywood blockbuster movies. His diversity in artistry and ability has earned him accolades from critics and fans alike. Garnering him not 1 but 2 Grammy Nominations for his works.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ CERRONE # 048 - PART 2 Cerrone wraps up the interview by sharing his memory of being introduced to Dick Clark on American Bandstand and how that changed his life in such a huge way. He also talks about when he stepped into producing theatre shows and writing for many superstar artists.
He truly is in essence a huge success and he talks about his role as now the DJ more than the drummer.
Mike Dunn interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 080 (Part 1)
00:32:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MIKE DUNN # 080 - PART 1
Chicago house music legend Mike Dunn, has been DJing and producing music for over twenty years.
Hailing from Englewood, Chicago, Mike started out DJing at the local block parties that took place playing disco, funk, soul and prototype Chicago house tracks.
I was one of the first cats bringing two reel-to-reels and spinning with them at the parties.
I was bringing out two Pioneer 707s, doing the Hummingbird, Jacks, The Courtyard, etc. I’d bring a drum machine, too.
I would make tracks right then as the party was going. Way before my guys Daft Punk and all of them were doing live gigs, I was doing that at the basement parties – just bringing drum machines and doing everything live.
Michael Procter friends interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana Special Show # 005
01:32:10
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MICHAEL PROCTER FRIENDS SPECIAL SHOW 2021 # 005
We celebrate the life of one of the most recognizable voices in soulful house music, Michael Procter. Babou who runs her group page called Babou's House shares her life experience with him as the entertainer, the father of their daughter and his best friend. She was also responsible for his management. Babou shares this special interview with Dj Spen, Tony Carassco, and Keith Kemper.
23 Mar 2022
Ken Walker aka Ken@Work interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 079 (Part 2)
00:46:09
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KEN WALKER AKA KEN@WORK # 079 - PART 2 Ken@Work develops a strong following playing six to seven days a week.
He starts to work in the music industry with Central Station Records and begin his first start putting together the compilations.
He earns awards for his edits and productions. His achievements are many including ARIA certified platinum & gold albums (over 20 major compilations and mixed CD releases via Sony, Universal, Warner Music, Vicious Vinyl & EMI).
Countless national tours supporting both local & international acts including: Prince, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire, Brian McKnight, Pink, Nelly Furtado, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Barry White, The Brand New Heavies, Soul II Soul, Kool & The Gang & Incognito.
Ken is also a past recipient of the prestigious Ravage Australia testimonial award for excellence & achievement in the Australian Dance Music Industry.
For the past 5 years, Ken has mixed & produced the weekly Radio Show "Blow Ya Speakers' which reaches to all corners of the globe including New York, London, Milan, Athens, Paris, Berlin & Madrid airing on 21 radio stations and streams via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Iheart Radio & Tunein Radio.
He has new releases forthcoming on Midnight Riot, Over The Top, Spa Club, Springbok Records, Purple Music and 2 Eps for Irma Italy.
Tom Silverman (Tommy Boy Rec) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 094 (Part 2)
00:30:24
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS) # 094 - PART 2
Tom Silverman explains different parts of the disco business and what led him to creating the New Music Seminar.
Along the same time he begins to work out how to run a record label while helping out the owners of Importe 12. While he is writing his columns for Dance Music Report, he learns about a hip hop dj that was playing this eclectic sound of funk and rock all mixed up in The Bronx Area.
He pays a visit to meet DJ Afrika Bambaataa, and the rest is history.
Tom loved what he witnessed and asked Afrika if he would like to make a record from all the tracks that you are playing in your set. At that precious moment Tommy Boy Records was created.
We stopped the interview early as Tom promised he would come back and speak more about his life in the music industry. When he returns he would like to have all the topics the audience would like to hear about when he returns once again for another sit down as this will be scheduled soon.
Ricky Morrison has been breaking beats since it all began in ’86. Genuinely one of the most influential producers & DJ’s in the UK house scene from its original days in the early eighties.
He is also one half of the dance music production and remixing duo, M&S. Their biggest hit was ‘Salsoul Nugget (If You Wanna)’. He has earned a reputation for delivering big performances and big records, and is set to release a wave of new material in 2020/21.In 1984 a young Ricky Morrison began spinning at London’s infamous ‘Dance Wicked’, promoted by SOUL II SOUL, and went on to be resident at ‘HIGH ON HOPE’ with the legend that is now Norman Jay MBE.
Two of the UK’s most seminal dance clubs was a hell of a start and Ricky established a name for himself within the exploding house scene that developed into the monster it is today.
Ricky has gone on to play at many of the best clubs in the world, on every continent, and very much has a style of his own that stands him out from the crowd, a style that saw him play the main room at the Southport Weekender five years in a row as the event was returning to its soulful roots in the late 90’s. Also a regular at the Ministry Of Sound, Fabric & Pacha, Ricky developed a sound for the big rooms these venues offered that filled the space without betraying his soulful roots.
This made Ricky a valuable commodity as the US House scene took off and many promoters of previously underground events began taking over the High Street needing a DJ that could cross over the soulful sound to a bigger audience. Ricky’s style is unique and unlike the majority of the UK’s soulful house fraternity, often described as a US sound with a British twist, and anyone who’s heard him play will associate with this summary.
He was so influenced by the sound coming out of the US that, in 1991, he quit his day job as a computer engineer and opened London’s legendary ‘Catch A Groove Records’ in Soho and this exclusive access this gave him to new material simply added to his effectiveness and reputation. Ricky has played alongside an almost comprehensive who’s who of the DJ superstars that shaped today’s dance music.
Kathy Sledge (Legendary Lead Voice Of Sister Sledge) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 100
01:32:56
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ KATHY SLEDGE / LEGENDARY LEAD VOICE OF SISTER SLEDGE # 100 Kathy Sledge joins Lenny Fontana on our Special True House Stories 100th Episode (The legendary lead vocalist of Sister Sledge), which is a triumphant celebration.
Watch and listen how she shares what her work life was like in the beginning of her career and the balance of family life in "The First Female Band" to ever do it, and they became a huge success. You will even hear how Kathy talks about the particulars going on in her family, with the control over the usage of the name Sister Sledge and how she was forced to stop singing the iconic songs for over 20 years.
You all will know her as the lead singer of those familiar tunes such as “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, “Frankie” and “Lost In Music”.
Now you can listen to her share her story starting from a young child to today. When Kathy hears the word “No” she thinks of what’s next and repositions herself to succeed no matter what. Kathy Sledge is the youngest and a founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that was formed in 1971. After achieving success beginning in the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Kathy embarked on her solo career in 1989. Kathy Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music Club Play Chart, including “Take Me Back To Love Again", which hit #1 in 1992.
Now get a history lesson on how "We Are Family" does not apply to family harmony.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ BYRON STINGILY (TEN CITY) # 018 [PART 1]
A very raw in-depth discussion with Byron Stingily / Ten City about his career in the music industry. Listen to his stories of his inspirational producing partners Marshall Jefferson and CeCe Rogers. Discover the difficulties faced producing house music in the pop industry.
So many stories, so many memories. Tune in and enjoy the journey of Byron Stingily with Lenny Fontana.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ HIPPIE TORRALES # 044 - PART 2 Hippie Torrales becomes one of the most sought after DJ's in the New Jersey area because of Club Dock's in the late 1970's.
His famous trick was to let two records mix for long periods without touching them.
He is brought in to open the Famous Club Zanzibar in 1979 that was formerly known as Abe's Disco in Newark New Jersey.
As his career spans into the 1980's he begins his remix career and helps make The Clark Sisters Song called "You Brought The Sunshine" on Westbound Records a huge hit through his remix.
He later hooks up with another label in the beginning of the house music movement called Music Village Recordings and produced and write a song called "Your Gonna Miss Me When I am Gone" which went on to sell millions of copies overseas.
He is also responsible for helping Rosie Gaines have a huge dance hit and tours the world as a guest DJ and is still ever strong today. Great story by such a humble artist.
DJ Supa D interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 124
01:18:39
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/DJ SUPA D # 124 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Coming from a musical background DJ Supa D started djing at the age of 13.
He has evolved from genres such as Jungle, Garage and House music where he has been engrossed since 2003 to present day. At 16, DJ Supa D started a weekend job in his local record shop, Wired 4 sound in Hackney, which kept him up to date with the latest sounds. By 2004/5 DJ Supa D started making a name for himself in the underground scene and began djing in
clubs nationally.
In 2006 Supa D was approached to compile his first major CD for Jet Star Records called, ‘Timeless Anthems, (The Soulful House Experience)’. He then went on to bring out compilations with Rinse FM in 2007 and 2010, then with Ministry of Sound in 2009.
DJ Supa D has captivated a wide range of followers throughout his career and continues to do so as he travels the world DJing in places such as Miami, Jamaica, Amsterdam, Denmark, Paris,
Ibiza, Cyprus, Malia, Crete, Antigua and Dubai with many more locations scheduled.
DJ Supa D is also joint owner of a record label called ‘SOTU’, (Sounds of The Underground), which was set up by a close friend, DJ Pioneer in 2012.
The future is looking bright for the label with a few releases circulating the underground House scene and forthcoming releases which are set to cause a storm. DJ Supa D has rebuilt his studio and is currently focusing on his production skills with future releases scheduled to hit the scene very soon, so watch this space because DJ Supa D is back with a vengeance.
Tom Silverman (Tommy Boy Rec) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 094 (Part 1)
00:32:48
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TOM SILVERMAN (TOMMY BOY RECORDS) # 094 - PART 1
In this episode on True House Stories, watch Tom Silverman share his humble beginnings from his time at college to becoming The Musical Director of the radio station up in Maine and making his way down back to New York City to collect all the promos from the record labels.
When he graduated from school with his degree, he tried to land a job in his trained profession but destiny had another road for him.
Here he talks about starting Dance Music Report with a $5,000.00 loan and learning his way through the disco business and as well helping to shape the next parts of the music business through his column.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ERIQUE DIAL # 096 - PART 2
In 1991 Erique Dial played keyboards on The Adventures Of Stevie V's “Jealousy".
In 1992 Eric Robinson enlisted Erique's help on the 1st solo album for Martha Wash formerly of the "The Weather Girls" and C & C Music Factory. Erique co-wrote and arranged "Hold On Part 2". Produced and co-wrote Oooh-Aaah with Leee John for the Imagination LP "The Facination Of The Physical" in 1993. In 1996 Erique became the musical director for Byron Stingily X lead vocalist for Ten City. Performing "Everybody Get Up" & Feel Mighty Real" on Top Of The Pops, MTV & CDUK, touring until 1998-99. In 1998, Erique was featured on Loop Da Loop "Hazel" on Manifesto / Mercury Records.The song hit No. 20 in Europe and the UK the video was on rotation on MTV, The Box & CDUK . In 2011-13 Erique Dial aka E-RAZE moved to Barcelona, Spain playing select venues like La Terrazzza, BLVD, The Ocana, where he holds a residency "BROKE 4 LOVE" every 2 weeks Cera 23, Zentruas, Moog & Family.
Living in London since Jan 2015-2020 Erique has played sets at Promised Land, Labrynth, Memory Box Parties, Detached Boat Parties ,The Egg, Heaven, The Garage, House Of Wolf, Union Club, Diversion Parties, Sqaut Life, The Wick, OTC Festival and plays the London Underground scene to the present. He is right now working on songs for Juliet Roberts and co writing with Loose Ends.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ FREDDY TURNER # 030 - PART 2
Growing up in a family of 8, all day Freddy Turner was exposed to music by groups such as The Supremes, The Temptations... Learn about how Freddy Turner’s career in the fashion industry began, and how moving to NYC, enabled him to meet icons such as Eveyline Champagne. Despite this full-time career in fashion, Freddy’s passion was music and he went to his local record ‘Rock n Soul’ shop religiously. Hear the story of Freddy Turner’s first track which went on Top of The Pops and reached #14- Hear the story of why this track was pulled down. Leaving fashion in 1992, Freddy took on DJing full time and played at some incredible venues worldwide- Switzerland being his main stay. DJing, record producing and working on vocals and working at Mixmag, Freddy was 100% a face on the scene. Listen to how Freddy, Dwayne Harding and Barbara Tucker produced one of the biggest tracks ever “Stop playing with my mind@ - Daryl .........was invited to record vocals. Experiencing a very competitive industry, hear about how Freddy encountered the pitfalls of working in the music industry. Discover the pitfalls of record contracts and how it affected Freddy’s career. What are Freddy’s plans for the future and listen to his take on new music that are being re-edited without permission.
Booker T interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 119
01:50:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ BOOKER T # 119 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Grammy Nominated Booker T is one of the UK’s most prolific and respected House music producers and DJ in the industry, who has
enjoyed widespread success on the commercial and underground scenes. Since his first forays into House music back in the Late 80s, Booker T has delivered a steady stream of quality releases and top artists remixes as well as firing up the decks at some of the world’s best clubs. As one of the UK’s finest producers, Booker has given the dancefloor some incredible vocal anthems including LZ Love “See The Light” on Slip N’Slide and Kathy Wood’s “Give Me Joy”, and his remixes of Usher, Sounds Of Blackness, the All Saints’ worldwide smash “Never Ever”, which won him ‘Remix Of The Year’ at the Underground Dance Awards (1999, and Jody Watley’s “Off The Hook” are still being played today.
Versatile, passionate and always looking to innovate, Booker T, writes his own rules in production and keeps if fresh on the decks with his latest Exclusive productions, edits and remixes. There is so much more to this man. come sit with us and learn what it takes to rise to this fame.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ BIRDEE # 033 - PART 1
By no means a newcomer - but a fresh face on the disco scene, Birdee has been extremely active in the last few years - releasing and remixing on labels such as Glitterbox, Big Love and Hot Sunday, dj’ing around the globe, and even picking up an award for best break- through dj at London’s Fabric.
His music is supported by a veritable who's who of dance music: dj's as diverse as Groove Armada, Purple Disco Machine, Horse Meat Disco and Claptone have all been spinning his tracks, while radio support has also been outstanding - as a matter of fact, Pete Tong recently opened his show with Birdee’s breakout single Start The Weekend. Behind the decks, he is equally at ease playing a big festival stage as he is playing an intimate club: recent shows at Xoyo in London and Exchange in LA have been a testament to his ability to adapt to the crowd whilst never compromising his sound.
After releasing debut album Then Came The Sun in 2019, a collaboration with legendary singer Barbara Tucker and a successful tour of Australia in 2020 - Birdee has started the year topping the Traxsource Nu Disco charts on two separate occasions. His next single What You Need is released on Hot Sunday at the end of February.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DARRYL PAYNE # 066 - PART 2 Darryl Payne pound for pound one of the best dance producers to come out of New York City.
He gives the inside scoop to what it takes to make it. He dealt with it all the biggest powers in the music business and dealing with the mafia and all.
The story is a life lesson.
He still doing it today making new songs and pushing his streaming service.
He is a true legend and that is why he is the staying power.
Danny Tenaglia interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana Special Show # 006
03:13:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DANNY TENAGLIA SPECIAL SHOW 006 Danny Tenaglia starts his beginnings in Williamsburg Brooklyn listening to Motown, Rock and Philly International sounds that was being played on the radio during that era. Born in the 1960’s and one of the younger of his siblings he lived through the musical changes of the1970s and music to him was everything.
With his aunt inspiring him with her piano playing he tries to learn different instruments but he finds it is not for him. So, he starts to work out on how to be a DJ. Through his older brother he is able to start playing at a neighborhood bar with a dance floor and this is around 1975-1976. His older cousin brings an 8-Track tape mixed by Queens DJ Paul Casella, this is where Danny Tenaglia decides to call the number on there to reach out to him and asks to meet him. Paul becomes an important mentor by showing Danny the ropes of what it is to be a DJ from mixing and hunting for the right music at certain record shops in Brooklyn. Listen to Danny share how his first jobs experience as a teen.
15 Jun 2022
Man Parrish interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana# 085 (Part 2)
02:19:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MAN PARRISH # 085 - PART 2 Man Parrish first release was "Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don't Stop)" issued in 1982, which has later been featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto, which sold millions of copies. It was sampled in Sway & King Tech's 1991 song "Follow 4 Now", from their second album, Concrete Jungle.
His biggest chart success in the UK was his recording of "Male Stripper” under the artist name Man 2 Man, which peaked at No. 4 in the UK Singles Chart. He eventually signed with Elektra Records via David Bowie's manager Tony Defries who also managed his music career, but was dropped from the label in 1984, when they decided not to release the album he had recorded for them. Elektra signed him for dance music, his manager wanted him to create pop-rock.
Man Parrish has mixed, produced and worked with various artists such as Boy George, Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper.
He later served as the road manager for the Village People and Crystal Waters.
In 2010s, Parrish was in negotiations with Pink Biscuit Records and was scheduled to release a record via Southern Fried Records, the label owned by Fatboy Slim.
Parrish started his own label instead. From 2000 to 2015, he created the longest running underground New York City club party, at the CockBar called Sperm. In 2018, three pieces of his musical works were accepted into the Museum of Modern Art’s MOMA permanent collection in New York City.
Film scores for Behive, (a modern dance film), The Jones's, (an indie art film) and his 1983 music video for "Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don't Stop)".
In 2018, he also did a sound performance – installation for MOMA PS 1 titled The Box, asking the question: Is Sound Considered Art?
Maurice Joshua interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 051 (Part 1)
00:39:47
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ MAURICE JOSHUA # 051 - PART 1 Maurice Joshua Grammy Award Winner for best remixer sits down about his life in the music industry.
Starting from learning how to play Woodwind Instruments during his school days to becoming a Club DJ and forming a partnership with Hula Mahone.
He takes us on his journey from the start of producing records for Trax Records Chicago, to writing his first huge hit called "This Is Acid" under the artist name Maurice.
Touring the USA as a successful recording artist and the world for three solid years. He comes back to Chicago and begins his remix career under ID Records and Steve Silk Hurley. Listen to him share the success of what it took to become that sought out Remixer / Producer.
J Kriv aka Jason Kriv interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 011
01:53:16
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ J KRIV # 011
This episode Lenny Fontana are joined by Jason Kriv one of the founding members of the House Music Band Tortured Soul on Central Park Records take us on his journey in the music business.
Finding and making his mark as a successful record producer, remixer, and dj.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DARRYL PAYNE # 066 - PART 1 Darryl Payne with his six decades of music tells it all right from his start in 1976 and helps tell a story how he battled the beast of the music industry.
A true David and Goliath story in the real life.
He began his career working for the discos in New York as a promoter and with his experience as a drummer he started to go into the studio and create demos in the beginning of the disco era.
Come listen to him lift the hood and tell it all.
Man Parrish interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 085 (Part 1)
00:30:10
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MAN PARRISHDJ MEME # 085 - PART 1 Man Parrish talks about his early beginnings from being an adopted kid living in Brooklyn to beginning to find his way into music.
Parrish is a native New Yorker] of Italian descent. He attended the High School for the Performing Arts and the Academy for Dramatic Arts (NYC) as a teenager. He moonlighted as a non singing, onstage "extra" role in several operas at the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan.
Parrish left home at the age of 14 and was a member of the extended family that converged nightly at Studio 54, Anvil and other night spots around NYC. His nickname, Man, first appeared in Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. Andy Warhol gave him the name "Man".
His early live shows at Bronx hip-hop clubs were spectacles of lights, glitter, and pyrotechnics, which drew as much from the Warhol mystique as the Cold Crush Brothers.
Steve Raine interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 077 (Part 1)
00:32:48
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ STEVE RAINE # 077 - PART 1
True House Stories sits with Steve Raine the sheep farmer, who turned into one of the greatest club promoters of the 1990s.
He created a brand known worldwide called “Hard Times” Steve will walk you through his journey on how he found house music and what it did it to him.
It was so life changing that he wanted to recreate the first night experience over and over, launching a club night in the North of the UK.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MR.C # 098 - PART 1
The original OG of Holloway Road in London Richard West shares his life from the beginning. West was born in London in 1965. He started MCing in the London clubs aged 16 and earned a reputation as a fast-talking, vivacious rapper working with LWR radio's Ron Tom, Jasper the Vinyl Junkie and Jazzy M. He joined with Colin Faver and Evil Eddie Richards to become resident rapper at Camden Palace.
Mr C recorded his first house track with Eddie Richards as Myster-E, "Page 67", which was released in August 1987. This inspired West to become a DJ in late 1987. He has since organized, promoted and been resident DJ at: Fantasy (1988), Base (Dungeons 1989), Release (1991), Harmony (1992), Drop (1993), Cyclone (1994), Vapourspace (1994 and 1995), Flavour (The End, 1995 and 1996), Subterrain (The End, 1995–2002), Superfreq (worldwide 2002–present) and Super Disco Freq (LA, 2010–present).
Victor Simonelli interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 032 (Part 2)
01:32:01
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ VICTOR SIMONELLI # 032 - PART 2
Brooklyn NYC DJ Producer Label Owner and Remixer Victor Simonelli talks about his humble beginnings at Shakedown Studios and his rise to fame in the 1990s in house music. Come listen to a master of the game speak and what it takes to survive.
John Morales interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 020 (Part 1)
00:45:37
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ JOHN MORALES # 020 - PART 1
Discover how John Morales began producing music at a very young age using a basic tape cassette and looping on this to the equipment he uses today.
One of the most successful producers in the music industry, hear about the trials and tribulations about needing to be inspired to make his music have that special magic, dealing with record labels and how selling songs today compared to how it was back in the day.
A truly fascinating interview by Lenny Fontana.
Mike Dunn interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 080 (Part 2)
01:53:02
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ MIKE DUNN # 080 - PART 2
Word soon spread about his talents and Mike Dunn was booked for various clubs in and around Chicago, DJ’ing with house music innovators such as Ron Hardy, Larry Heard and good friend Armando Gallop.
It wasn’t long before Mike got the production bug, resulting in his first release in 1987, “Dance You Mutha” on Westbrook Records, he also started to produce and engineer for other Chicago artists, such as Armando, Fast Eddie and K-Alexi Shelby.
More house and techno productions followed in the late 80s with Mike’s distinctive vocal delivery and trademark hip-house, acid, production style, to create tracks such as ‘Let It Be House’, ‘Magic Feet’ and “Face the Nation”, sometimes under the name Mike Dunn but also under aliases such as MD Connection, MDIII and QX-1.
He continued to produce and release throughout the 1990s, with releases on labels such as Nervous, Nitestuff and Tribal America, whilst also working with other producers and vocalists such as Syleena Johnson, Byron Stingliy, Mina Jackson, Kool Rock Steady and Kym English to name a few.
Puff Daddy in the late1990s stepped to Mike and signed him to a production deal with the artists he managed and produced in hip hop artists.
Listen to Mike break the P Diddy Story down and take you to the future.
Ralphie Dee interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 038 (Part 3)
02:30:19
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ RALPHIE DEE # 038 - PART 3 Ralphie Dee speaks about meeting actor John Travolta at the set of filming Saturday Night Fever.
The installation of the famous dancefloor at Odyssey 2001 that would make its debut for the first time on the big screen. He also has a small part as an extra in the movie and here he explains how the premier of the movie is announced and how Ralphie's life is about to change overnight.
The club and Ralphie become a household sensation and the stress of being famous begins as the movie hits the theatres worldwide. He also takes us on the spiral downwards as disco crashes and some of the misfortune he experienced over the years and how he worked through it all and made the right changes to survive the times.
He speaks a lot of truth and very candid about dealing with lifelong depression and finding happiness in the end.
Eric Kupper (Director’s Cut) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 019 (Part 1)
00:49:27
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ERIC KUPPER # 019 - PART 1
Tune in and hear about this absolute legend as he worked to produce some of the biggest, most pivotal songs in house music.
Creator of the Whistle Song - Listen to how he worked with legends such as Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Mark Kamins and RuPaul and the stories behind Eric’s legendary productions. Discover how he formed Director’s Cut. Eric Kupper a truly inspiring story that needs to be heard!!
Tune in now and hear exactly how to add that magic into your productions.
👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!/
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VOCAL BOOTH WEEKENDER EDITION # 092 - PART 1
In October 2022 DJ Andy Ward organized a gathering called Vocal Booth Weekender. Andy had asked if I would come and have a discussion panel at his event. We lined up some of house music's top talent.
Each one of these guys on the panel are giants in their own right. We all spoke in front in of a live audience.
Dj / Photographer Colin Williams recorded the discussion and now we are blessed to present it to you on True House Stories.
The panel of luminaries are as follows Victor Simonelli, Maurice Joshua, Eric Kupper and Sunlight Square.
Wh0 interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 128 - True House Stories®
01:10:16
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ WHO # 128 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Lenny Fontana & True House Stories interview UK duo The Wh0, originally masked in mystery from 2018, the deiced to unveil their faces in 2023 on the MistaJam Capital Radio Show and soared to global music success. With a Grammy nomination, and 70M+
streams, they've firmly established themselves in electronic music's forefront.
In this podcast the two members talk about they're upbringing and their entry in the music business. In the studio, Wh0's prowess shines through, producing tracks for Ten City, Anton Powers of Ministry of Sound, Example, Idris Elba, Kah-Lo, and more. The Wh0 Plays & Wh0 Worx Records release music bi-weekly, establishing them as fresh musical tastemakers in the industry. A significant milestone was achieved with a studio session and release alongside the legendary Nile Rodgers from Chic. The Wh0 speak about a very important upcoming
collaboration with Diva Vocalist Kathy Brown who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. UK DJ Mark Knight and ToolRoom records partnered on this release. It was huge dream for the duo to take a classic production and create a new sound to it. The single is called "Turn Me Out” which was released many years prior on Cutting Records. The Wh0 are immensely proud to be releasing this record. Following the tragic news that legendary US vocalist Kathy Brown is fighting stage 4 cancer, they wanted to
give something back to an artist who musically we have all grown up with, and respect greatly. With that in mind, we have decided to release this record with all profits going to Kathy’s ‘GoFundMe’ campaign to help pay for her health care fees. The single was reproduced for the Charity Fund of Kathy Brown. Watch carefully as the duo let secrets out on how they run a successful partnership.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FREDDY BASTONE # 063 - PART 1 Freddy Bastone in part 1 shares his beginning from playing a flying V Guitar and the true admiration of rock music and sharing the appreciation of all types music with his mom and dad.
His DJ career begins back in 1979 with his first vinyl purchase of Herb Albert’s “Rise” and he begins to play at parties and the move to clubs starts to takes off from there. He also shares how his job at Danceteria begins. This is a true NYC story.
Johnny D De Mairo (Henry Street Records) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 070 (Part1)
00:31:44
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOHNNY “D” DE MAIRO (HENRY STREET RECORDS) # 070 - PART 1 Johnny D De Mairo in part 1 speaks about his start from his older sister introducing him to disco music and then in 1979 walking into a roller rink and hearing this music as well at the teen disco.
At that moment he knew his life changed and wanted to be part of this music thing.
He finds Disco and it becomes everything. His young professional career starts as a mobile DJ and it so happens that he asked to DJ at a Sweet 16 for the sister of DJ Danny Cole.
That is the big door opener to his first night club Plaza Suite in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.
He begins as Danny's Light man. One night Danny steps away from the booth at 12am and gives Johnny his first professional break spinning at the club for two hours and everything from that moment changes instantly.
Merlin Bobb interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 115
01:58:23
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MERLIN BOBB # 115 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Merlin Bobb has been a music veteran within the entertainment industry for over two decades, from radio to major labels to founder and CEO of his own music entertainment company.
His remix and engineering work on various hit records, and his track record for discovering and breaking talent in a diversity of music genres has made him recognized and well respected throughout the industry. Merlin developed such multi-platinum superstars as Missy Elliot, En Vogue, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Brandy, and Keith Sweat.
Zomba/Universal Music Publishing, New York, NY Executive Consultant
Artist Branding /A&R 2007-Present Responsible for creating and Securing cross-branding opportunities, corporate sponsorships, endorsements, creative marketing and major events for the companies roster of artist.
A&R responsibilities consist of finding and securing new deals with artist, songwriters and producers. Roun’ Table Entertainment, President & Founder 2005 - Present Established and founded Roun’ Table Entertainment; merged with Cash Money Records. Roun’ Table is distributed through Universal Music Group.
Elektra Entertainment Group, Executive Vice President, Head of A&R 1995 – 2005 Headed A&R department and its roster making Elektra Entertainment one of the top labels in the music industry.
EEG's profit and market share exceeded those of any prior years. EastWest Records, Senior Vice President / Co-Founder / Head of A&R 1991 - 1995 Founding member; Launched one of the most successful labels of the early 1990’s; Key player in the development of the label as a leading pop/urban component of Warner Music Group.
Within two years East Weast was the #1 label for urban/pop music. Atlantic Records, Vice President of A&R / Department Head 1986 – 1991Headed the A&R department, taking Atlantic's urban music department from the #11th place to #1 in the industry. WBLS (107.5), Music Director 1983 – 1986 Helped establish the station to #1 ratings overall in New York.
During the course of his extensive career in the music industry, Merlin Bobb has signed and developed various artists which are considered stars and super stars in today’s popular music arena. These are just a few of the artists and the number of albums his signings have sold. His signings have sold over 45 million.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CRAIG BARTLETT # 111 Craig Bartlett has been on a mission to spread the Soulful House message all over Wales and beyond! LAMERICA has grown in popularity since its inception in 1998. LAMERICA has built up a reputation for promoting real house music. The glamorous house night has gone from strength to strength.
The vibe is friendly, educated, and second to no one! The music policy is real house music, from sweet soulful house to urban jackin house and everything in between. Founder and still promoting and dj’ing at every event Craig Bartlett 54 years young. Craig Bartlett began DJing in 1990, being a Resident at the only two nights dedicated to house music in Cardiff at the time.
In 1993 when a brand new concept "Spice Of Life" was born Craig was asked to be involved. This night changed the face of clubbing in Wales introducing the city to a wider audience and it also meant that guest DJ's knew where it was, (Cardiff that is). Craig has since played all over Wales and West.
Craig has been fortunate enough to travel extensively spreading his Soulful House Ethos around the world at such places as Club 13 and Propaganda, Moscow, Club Terrarium, Bon Bon, Estonia, Poland, Norway, the Ukraine and Babylon, Izhevsk, King Karmehena Club, Frankfurt, Denmark, Take 5, D club, Switzerland, Club Goa, Rome and Soul on the Beach for the past three years at the Winter Music Conference in Miami.
More recently Columbia, Brazil, Switzerland, regularly appearances in Ibiza at the infamous Space Terrace, Es Paradis, Bora Bora, Pacha, El Divino and Es Vive Hotel. The people who have influenced Craig over the years and who have ultimately led him into the DJ profession are MAW, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso, Larry Levan, David Depino, Ron Hardy, Danny Tenaglia, Junior Vasquez and Joey Llanos Tony Humphries, Bobby & Steve, Terry Farley, Lenny Fontana, and Rocky & Diesel to name just a few.
Craig has been very fortunate to play alongside a lot of his idols and feels very lucky to have his dreams realized. Come listen to him share his story of the last 25 years and what it takes to strive to be at the top and keeping the winning formula.
👕OUR NEW MERCHANDISE SHOP: https://www.truehousestories.com/shop-merchandise/#!
22 Jul 2020
Marshall Jefferson interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 001
01:58:04
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ MARSHALL JEFFERSON # 001
In the hot seat is no other than Chicago Record Producer DJ Marshall Jefferson who is known as “The Godfather Of House Music” In this two hour interview he tells you about all his life in dance music and sharing his secrets and rise to fame.
A no holds barred interview conducted by NYC DJ Lenny Fontana with his new weekly program called “True House Stories” Get the popcorn and pour a drink this is worth seeing.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ VOCAL BOOTH WEEKENDER EDITION # 092 - PART 2
After a long weekend of Dj Gigs at Vocal Booth Weekender in Villajoysa Spain, the artists that were invited all sat together to partake in live discussion for True House Stories brought to you by DJ Andy Ward. Listen to Victor Simonelli, Maurice Joshua, Eric Kupper and Sunlight Square share part of their life story coming up in the music industry. Each one of them are a huge part to the dance music business as we know it today.
It is never that often thatyou get all of these titans together in one room to have a full and deep discussion like this. Due listen carefully as there are golden nugget tidbits that may help you personally in your business and life.
Jim Shaft Ryan interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 097 (Part 2)
01:17:13
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 2 Jim Shaft Ryan has championed house music since the late 80s with his legendary Chuff Chuff And Miss Moneypennies parties.
He has travelled the world 50 times over spreading the message of his beloved house music. He has held a residency in Ibiza since 1995 and has released over 20 compilations.
He is responsible for a successful record label, legendary club nights, a Dj Agency and eventually owning the club where Miss Moneypennies use to host the Saturday night in Birmingham. He is back on the scene with a new release on the Miss Moneypennies Record label.
He has thrown his hat into Remixing again and setting up dates in his diary for Dj touring. So there is no stopping this legendary DJ.
On this edition of True House Stories we are joined with a young starlet named Natasha Kitty Kat who is being interviewed by NYC DJ Lenny Fontana on the True House Stories Program.
MIss Kitty Kat takes the time to share with us her life as a teenager and how she found her love for soul and R&B and sharing this with her biggest fan her dad. She has been blessed to play for great events such as Glitterbox, Southport Weekender and many other huge clubs around UK and Europe.
Natasha Kitty Kat is a true inspiration for the woman wanting to take a chance and going after there dreams. A fantastic interview and inspiring.
30 Sep 2020
Mark Lower interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 010
01:56:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ MARK LOWER # 010
This episode Lenny Fontana joined by one of our younger heroes in disco house music, French DJ Mark Lower.
You can listen how he takes us on his rise to fame from a young boy and playing his first ever dance music set at age 12 in a Northern French Club and all the way to signing one of his first big tracks to Nervous Records NYC. A fantastic heart felt warm story.
Tim Lawrence interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 061 (Part 1)
00:32:42
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TIM LAWRENCE # 061 - PART 1 Tim Lawrence the writer, DJ, professor and journalist sits with True House Stories and explains when his path crossed with house music and how he found the soundtrack that would change his life forever during The Summer of Love in 1988.
The Hacienda was the first club he ventured too and loved the pulsating sounds coming from the speakers and from that point he was hooked.
His journey takes him to University in London and finds out about this party at The Gardening Club with DJ Chris Rhythm Doctor playing New York Style House Music all night.
As he is working towards his degree in journalism, he loses his mother and father within months apart but dancing to house would be the pseudo healer.
As he is finding his way through House Music and learning more and more about the players behind it.
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27 Nov 2024
Mark James interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 140 - True House Stories®
00:45:17
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK JAMES # 140 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
With many decades of experience as a DJ and one of Australia’s most progressive promoters and dance music recording artists. MARK JAMES has been synonymous with dance music in Australia since the beginning.
It all started in the 80’s where Mark’s frustration of trying to push dance music to a traditionally rock orientated Aussie market led him to setting up his own club nights and parties. As time went on around 1987 with the birth of acid house Mark finally began to see a light at the end of the tunnel and so did the punters, the turn around had begun. Mark hosted events which included the first of a string of international acts and DJ’s in Australia including INNER CITY, THE JUNGLE BROTHERS, the ID WORLD TOUR with GRAHAME PARK and MIKE PIKERING (M people). Into the 90’s Mark’s djing status had been pushed to the forefront of Australia’s finest with bookings all over the country. In 1990 it was time to get serious about making music which Mark had been dabbling in over the past couple of years with then long time girlfriend GINA G (of “Oh Ah just a little bit” fame).
With Gina on vocals and good friend PEE WEE FERRIS helping on the production tip BASS CULTURE hit the charts with LOVE THE LIFE (used more recently 1998/99 Summer “Coke Cola” ad, and long running theme on Neighbours).
Four singles followed featuring some of Australia’s finest vocalists including KATE CEBERANO, LISA MAXWELL AND SUZI AHERN along with an album all charting successfully in Australia and appearing on “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” no less than three times. I’VE LEARNED TO COPE stayed No.1 on JJJ for thirteen weeks running and featured in the Aussie movie “The Sum of Us” (Russel Crowe) and also broke into the UK dance charts with mixes from ERIC KUPPER. Mark’s own productions kicked off with a studio stint also in 1991 with CARL COX Eternal by Eternal reached No.1 on the Aussie dance charts, a top 40 UK DANCE HIT which even broke the national UK charts at No.73 in 1997 Mark remixed Eternal and hit the UK chart's again this track was one of the late great DJ TONY DE VITS most played records of 1997. Two more Eternal singles followed MIND ODYSSEY released on WARP records and made top 20 (UK dance) and in 1994 with a name change to ETERNAL RHYTHM, Deep Down which was licensed to several countries all with high chart positions (JOHN DIGWEED listed Deep Down in his top ten tracks of the year 1994).The 2000 remix of Deep Down released on Quad UK appears on loads of mix cd's including DANNY HOWLES. Mark also is the MD of Future Entertainment Australia's largest dance event and DJ touring company, touring the likes of Gatecrasher, Renaissance, Trade, Perfecto and every high profile dj.
Jo Mills interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 144 - True House Stories®
00:42:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JO MILLS # 144 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Jo Mills began to gain her extensive musical knowledge during the early 90’s at London’s Mecca for music enthusiasts, Flying Records. Working alongside DJs such as Clive Henry, Rocky and Ashley Beedle lead her to become a regular behind the decks at the infamous Full Circle parties on Sunday afternoons. Soon Jo was playing alongside some of the biggest names in house including Danny Tenaglia, Deep Dish, Tony Humphries and DJ Sneak, to name a few. By the late 90’s it was the dawn of a new era, for DJs, and she began playing all over the world. Soon Jo was regularly playing at some of the greatest clubs of the time, especially in Ibiza, which these days is where she calls home. Having firmly stamped her mark on the island playing seminal clubs such as Pacha, Space and Amnesia she then began her residency for the now legendary Circo Loco. As one of the key players her Circo Loco residency spanned five amazing years and propelled her to the next level.
Jo Mills mixed her first Ibiza compilation for Pacha alongside DJ Pippi in 2001 and followed it up the following year with a Circo Loco debut compilation alongside Cirillo. Jo continues to wow audiences across Europe, South Africa, Asia, Australia, Mexico, South America, Canada the US and even Russia. Annual global tours are regularity due to her ever-increasing popularity, fan base, talent and all-round presence in the house scene.
Over the years Jo’s musical talents have continued to flourish, not only as a DJ but also as a producer. In the production realm she sights the likes of Jamie Jones, Bookashade and Sebo K as inspiration and is currently receiving great acclaim for her own releases. Her collaboration with Tomas Hedberg, on Phonetic Recordings caused a huge stir in 2009, 2010 saw “Lullaby’ released on Back to Basics, while other productions of note include‘Dancing In The Dark, Jo’s collaboration with Matti Schwartz under the 4tune500 moniker and ‘House Arrest’, which she co-produced with Steve Mac for Junior Boys Own Records. Jo’s productions regularly receive rave reviews from a diverse range of artists including the likes of Groove Armarda, Slam, Tedd Patterson, Brother’s Vibe and everyone in-between, beyond and basically all those who love quality house. More recently Jo has teamed up with Gareth Whitehead from Bullet Dodge records, with their first single, ‘Pipe Dreams’ being snapped up by Pacha Recordings with mixes from Denney.
Jo decided t0 take a momentarily break for a few years and decided during the year of 2020 to come back and do it all over again. She is now travelling the world once again and has a residency on the White Isle Ibiza each and every week. She is in the studio producing and remixing and has a huge release set to come out on Defected. Watch out for her she is on a roll.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ASHLEY BEEDLE # 037 - PART 2
In this second part Ashley Beedle takes us behind the scenes of meeting Norman Jay at The Notting Hill Carnival and starting to be booked at his first solo DJ gigs. He explains how “New Jersey Deep” was created and the feeling of hearing his records played at Sound Factory in New York City with DJ Frankie Knuckles thanking him for making such a great record. He also has his first chart super hit with Talking Heads lead vocalist David Byrne with the song called “Lazy” and being invited to perform on Top of the Pops.
✭ VIDEO TIMELINE ✭
0:00 Reggae Soundsystem Life Discussed – Saxon Soundsystem
2:09 Notting Hill Carnival – Palace Square
2:45 Meeting Norman Jay – The Good Times Soundsystem
3:26 Shock - First Soundsystem to play house music
4:27 Mr. C and the first house records
5:30 Jazzy M and writing his book
6:08 Croydon Back in the day and Vinyl Zone Record Shop
8:15 Muswell Hill Shock Sound System Vs Jazzy B Soul
9:29 The Dub Plate's first Dropped “Keep On Movin”
10:40 A young James Lavelle finds the music business
11:47 No Photo or video footage
12:25 Box Boy apprenticeship and learning to become the DJ and work the crowd
14:22 Solo DJ Gigs begin at Queens meeting X-Press 2 , Andy Weatherall, Terry Farley
16:00 Balearic Music - Dj Alfredo - Kenny Loggins
18:12 The Wag Club becomes The Brain Club
18:36 US Garage Music. Movin Records, Tony Humphries, Frankie Knuckles, Kerri Chandler
19:45 Tony Humphries Cassette Tapes
21:00 Jamaica Queens
22:18 Bobby Konders
31:00 Collaboration begins on a new song called Music Express
32:00 Fabi Paras drops the dubplate
33:50 New Jersey Deep and the back story of the sample of Wood Brass and Steel
35:47 Rock and Soul Shop, Walter Gibbons
36:36 Kenny Dope and Louie Vega at Hard Times
37:10 new single of MAW called Mattel
38:23 The Nervous Track
38:59 Giles Peterson – Nuyorican Soul Album
41:27 Ricky Morrison – Catch A Groove Records
46:30 Lazy – David Byrne Talking Heads back story
51:30 Top of the Pops Performance
53:10 The Mavis Album
55:30 Moton Label – Dave Jarvis
56:40 Worldwide FM
57:13 Stepping back from the music
57:44 The Beginning of F-Star Clear & Ramrock Records
59:00 The new studio North Street West
1:00:00 Reforming Black Science Orchestra 29 years later
1:02:00 Clearing Samples
1:03:00 The new vision and sound of BSO
1:04:00 Making the move to London and New York
1:09:30 What are you using in your studio kit these days
1:11:00 The Current Vinyl Business
1:13 :00 The Vinyl pressing and the mastering
1:18:00 Wrapping up
1:20:00 Jo Wallace speaks about keeping it altogether
1:25:00 The End
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12 May 2021
Alex Lowes interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 042 (Part 2)
00:46:12
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ALEX LOWES # 042 - PART 2
Alex Lowes shares with us back in the old days how he would travel to the USA to search for the top A list talent and offer to them to the original Southport Weekenders.
He also touches on his new venture coming up called Beautiful People and his successful Suncebeat parties in Croatia and all the fun times they had at those events. Alex is hopeful that things will start to turn on again in the near future, post covid.
He also reminisced about the Manor Borne days and how all the great lineups he had on those Sunday parties. We wish him the best in his next ventures.
Tony Prince (DMC World) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 021 (Part 2)
00:50:55
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ TONY PRINCE # 021 - PART 2
The Prince who actually meets the king - Elvis Presley!! Tony Prince -he sang and danced with Paul McCartney.
He partied with Queen prior to their 1st album release promo’d on radio Luxembourg.
Tony set up Mixmag and now runs the World Famous DMC World DJ Championships and DMC Magazine.
Soon to set up a brand-new Radio Station - Radio DMC. A ‘True House Stories’ legend interview by Lenny Fontana.
Jazzy M interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 062 (Part 1)
00:31:44
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JAZZY M # 062 - PART 1 Jazzy M the DJ, Record Label Owner and Record Shop retailer shares his history from the beginning of hearing the neighborhood DJ at his local wine bar to making his way as a dancer on the floor.
His next steps are making his way to working at the shop and making his way to pirate radio. He gained a huge following due to pirate radio and breaking all the new house music that was just beginning.
Jon Mancini interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 076 (Part 1)
00:29:29
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JON MANCINI # 076 - PART 1
Jon Mancini is Scotland’s most well-known house DJ. He was the key to the successful Street rave parties at the Ayr Pavilion back in the early 90’s.
He then moved on to the short lived but legendary Kitsch club nights.
He now resides at the Arches for all the Colours events.
He has played alongside every name DJ that the UK has to offer & has featured on Pete Tong´s Essential Selection with a few guest mixes.
Jon hosted the Colours Mix on Friday nights for 3 years on Radio Clyde, and is, in our opinion the best dance radio presenter in Scotland.
Steve Raine interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 077 (Part 2)
01:26:34
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ STEVE RAINE # 077 - PART 2
Steve Raine vowed from day one that Hard Times would bring the USA’s underground House elite over to the UK at a time when they were still honing their skills in their homeland. He came up with the plan around the pool in Miami at WMC in 1992. It was this introduction of what we all now recognize as ‘House Music’s legends’ that lit the Hard Times fire that still burns. Steve is back again with new plans, new parties, new music releases. Watch out there is no stopping him now.
Mark Knight (Toolroom Records) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 137 - True House Stories®
00:50:26
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK
KNIGHT (TOOLROOM) # 137 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
Mark Knight from Toolroom Records sits and shares his
story from the beginning of his musical career. The international DJ Producer Remixer worked his way up from the construction business into his present position with the help of other producers in the beginning. He shares some of his secrets on what drives him to the level of success he has achieved. He has two huge loves music andsoccer and it does not stop there. A true family man through and through. This is an episode not to be missed.
Ultra Naté interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 049 (Part 2)
00:52:06
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ULTRA NATÉ # 049 - PART 2 Ultra Naté explains of how one of her biggest singles called “Free" on Strictly Rhythm was made and her signing her deal with the hottest dance music record label of that time.
She shares with us how hard it can be when a major label basically says to you are on the wrong side of 25, making out that you are too old to be in the game. Well, she took the advice and turned it around quick and in turn built her own empire which ensured her rightful place in the business.
The entire part of the process was handled with love and as she is blessed to have a fantastic management.
Ultra speaks about making the transition into becoming a international DJ and creating her party called Deep Sugar and the success it is. She closes what her music life will be in the next few months to two years.
CINIMIN interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 112
01:08:20
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CINIMIN # 112
Born and raised in the small town of Benoni, South Africa, The Cassim brothers Kyle and Austin have been obsessed with House music since they were young boys.
Growing up in a household driven by dance, disco and house music it was inevitable that they would become Djs. But being a Dj wasn’t enough - they wanted to play their own music - music that they believed in, music that awakened their souls. Thus, in 2015 CINIMIN was born. A House music duo that would headline the likes of Ultra South Africa, H2O Africa, Rage Festival, Sabor Festival (Mozambique) and close to all night-clubs and events in Southern Africa. In the last 4 years they have won a DMA (Dance Music Award) for ‘best dance record of the year’ and they have had not one, but 4 top 40 radio hits.
Their recent hit “DURO” reached number 6 on the national top 40 on 5fm - South Africa’s most loved commercial radio station. There are many dance Djs and producers around the world, but what makes CINIMIN really stand out is their infectious energy and passion on stage. Whether they are playing to 50 people or 14000 people, they have this way of connecting with the crowd. Their synergy and relationship behind the CDJs is unmatched.
The way they move in synchronicity and play with the crowd is something you have to witness in person. If you have ever heard a CINIMIN record before you would know that it was made with one purpose in mind - TO MAKE PEOPLE DANCE!
Every track that the boys write is made with the intention to make the dance floor shake!
Maurice Joshua interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 051 (Part 2)
00:43:16
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ MAURICE JOSHUA # 051 - PART 2 Maurice Joshua shares how he decided to leave ID Records and starts his new venture called Vibe Records with recording artist and partner Georgie Porgie. From there he moves on and creates other sub labels. His remix career flourishes and he sets up his new management company with his manager Connie V, and from there Beyonce and Destiny's Child working relationship begins.
Listen to Maurice tell you how this partnership with him as the remixer and bringing in all the R&B artists developed into this huge success, to the point of winning the Grammy Award for Best Remixer Of The Year.
DJ Boris interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 091 (Part 1)
00:32:09
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ DJ BORIS # 091 - PART 1 DJ Boris NYC.. It’s all about the music. New York stalwart and beloved DJ, Boris, lives by that statement each and every day.
He is a man wearing many hats; one as a touring DJ, another as a producer dynamo and lastly as a label boss of Transmit Recordings.
A career forged over decades of long nights in the Big Apple’s most revered rooms.
From the infamous Roxy to Crobar to the once dominating Pacha NY on 46th Street, Boris maintained a following so devout, so loyal they were truly ‘Believers’. Pioneering a music movement in a city filled with those who have so little time to pay attention, Boris has been a production powerhouse when not performing for the masses.
He’s been tapped by industry leaders such as Carl Cox for his label Intec, Dubfire for his label Sci-Tec, Paco Osuna and his Mindshake Records, amongst countless others.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ DERRICK MCKENZIE # 026 - PART 2 Derrick McKenzie started drumming at the age of six, banging furiously on the kitchen floor with two of his mum's coat hangers, to a beat on the radio.
From an early age, Derrick knew that drumming was the one thing he really wanted to do. At the age of 10, Derrick was inspired by a friend playing in a reggae band. This encouraged him to go out and play his own local gigs.
In the late 1980s Derrick joined a jazz funk outfit called Tranzeyance and later, he went on to play drums in a band called Candyland and were signed by Fiction Records. Derrick McKenzie joined a band called Urban Species, a rap outfit from North London where he toured Europe extensively and also performed in Japan. In 1993 Derrick became the drummer of the world famous JAMIROQUAI. The rest is to be told....
These days, Derrick is working on his own music productions, working and touring with Jamiroquai and also DJ's on his weekly Mi-House radio show - The Rhythm Sessions.
interviewed by Lenny Fontana
Bob Blank interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 057 (Part 2)
01:49:43
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ BOB BLANK # 057 - PART 2 Bob Blank is growing with the Salsa Community and now is being sort out as a hot engineer producer.
As the disco explosion begins Dan Rather from 60 Minutes recorded a video clip at Bobs Studio Blank Tapes which becomes an important segment for CBS Television based around the excitement of Studio 54 and the Saturday Night Fever Explosion.
At the time Bob was also mixing records for DeLite Records, Prelude Records, Patrick Adams, Leroy Burgess and so many others.
He explains how Patrick Adams would write on the fly scores of music at the sessions for the string and horn sections.
One of the top albums he worked on was the group Musique on Prelude which was a game changer for the disco sound.
Bob also talks about how he was instructed by the labels to push the records to sound crazier. He did this alongside the DJs in the sessions by pushing more heavy bass and bringing out the rhythm section in the mix and as well editing new parts giving the listener a whole new version that was perfect for the dancefloor.
Listen to Bob talk about his transition into the Ballroom Dancing world. He has such a dynamite story.
K-Klass interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 012
02:13:56
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ K-KLASS AKA PAUL ROBERTS & RUSSEL MORGAN # 012
This week Lenny Fontana welcome one of the most successful production teams in the UK House Scene. Paul Roberts & Russell Morgan, the dynamic duo and the men behind the succesful brand K- Klass.
A lot of hit song and loads of successful remixes. We learned from them that the journey began from a live band to becoming a DJ/Remix team and back to performing live.
Mark London interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 116
01:32:55
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK LONDON # 116 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Mark London Lewis is considered a pioneer of the electronic music scene since 1988 in the US. His industry credits have earned him a GRAMMY NOMINEE as a producer and band member of INTERSTATE signed to DJ Icon Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold and the industry respect from every aspect of dance music professionals for over 25 years.
Mark’s DJ Destinations have included Asia, South Africa, Europe, South America and every major city in the US. Having traveled the world touring with ICON’S DJ’s Paul Oakenfold & Carl Cox for over 10 years puts Mark’s star power in a league of his own.
Mark’s marketing firm MIXOLOGY AGENCY for the last 15 years has major Cache with leading national brands Bacardi, House Of Blues, Red Bull, Fiji Water and World Famous Nikki Beach. Additional EDM branding has been featured in Documentary’s & TV show via media giants Universal, ITV, Netflix &
Google.
Mark’s also has celebrity DJ status spinning for Industry music Icon Elton John, chef Icon Wolfgang Puck, Actor heartthrob Rob Lowe and legendary band U2 Sundance Film Festival along with Annual LA FASHION WEEK runway events as music director to elite designers.
Mark's relationships within the record business makes him a successful A&R man that has lead to many successful licensing deals with heavy weights Warner Bros, Ministry Of Sound, Global Underground, Perfecto Records & Universal Music. His dance music appeal has claimed numerous Billboard number one spots for artist such as Gloria Estefan, Alanis Morissette and Chaka Khan. Catch Mark amazing DJ Sets LIVE or Online via his residencies from Korea, Miami, Las Vegas, to Hollywood to feel THE BEAT.
Simon Dunmore (Founder Defected Records & Glitterbox) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 117
01:45:30
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SIMON DUNMORE (FOUNDER DEFECTED RECORDS & GLITTERBOX) # 117 INTERVIEWED
BY LENNY FONTANA
A very candid interview with the main man responsible
for some of the biggest house music hits in the game, Simon Dunmore of Defected Records and Glitterbox Recordings. Listen carefully on how he explains his rise in the music business. There are key notes to work and live by that he shares with all of us.
Simon’s journey through the music industry to head of Defected was a journey through various subcultures. While working in a London dry cleaners, being sent to a textile course in fashion college in Derby exposed him to the more electronic, danceable side of the post-punk and New Romantic sound. Venturing deeper into the club scene back in London, he found a new community in the soul scene that would be the canary in the mine for the house music starting to cross the Atlantic. Nights like Nicky Holloway’s Doo at the Zoo and Special Branch (including a trip to Ibiza in 1986) and a pivotal Soul weekender in, of all places, Berwick-On-Sea, lit the flame of a lifelong devotion to the soulful end of house that burns to this day. A DJ since 1983 (“I’d been making a lot of mixtapes, admittedly mostly for girls, when one day I was asked to play someone’s birthday party”), Simon threw himself into DJing and the soul scene: writing for magazines, building a database for his hand-lettered and photocopied ‘London Soul Circular’, organising buses from the suburbs to parties and events around the country. A job at Record & Disco Centre in London’s Rayners Lane saw him receiving promos from labels hoping he would hype their records to influential customers like Record & Mirror writer James Hamilton. Another customer, Cooltempo A&R Steve Wolfe, gave Simon a job doing club promotions, plugging club DJs whose feedback would inform the dance charts that were the bedrock of a track’s journey from record bag to radio play. Soon Simon was suggesting better records to sign or remixes to pursue, and when Wolfe left the label, Simon applied and got his job, later repeating the process when Wolfe left new home AM:PM. In the famously cut-throat and hedonistic 90s record industry, Simon took his time to find the right records to launch his new position with AM:PM, but a string of extraordinary releases including Ultra Nate’s ‘Free’, Alcatraz ‘Give Me Luv’, Mousse T’s ‘Horny’ and MJ Cole’s ‘Sincere’ quickly made his name. When Ministry Of Sound - whose compilation CDs were not just dominating the electronic music sales but also effectively defining the culture - offered him the chance to set up his own label (just as a takeover of AM:PM by Universal was decimating the team he loved working with), the die was cast. Defected Records was born on January 1st 1999 and has now coming on its 25th Anniversary better than ever.
Ken Walker aka Ken@Work interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 079 (Part 1)
00:31:36
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KEN WALKER AKA KEN@WORK # 079 - PART 1 Ken@Work is the alias of Melbourne DJ & Producer Ken Walker.
Ken shares with us his beginnings from starting in grade school as a disco DJ.
His first chance of playing music for a crowd was when his school had a dance and he was put to the task to spin the music. He finds a nitch with a South African DJ living in Melbourne that had all the new promos from USA.
This is how he figures out what direction of music he is going to play and how to mix it. He then is working as a stage hand on the live circuit around Australia and this is the first taste where he works with bands from USA, and Europe.
The Ritchie Family interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 017
02:03:38
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ THE RITCHIE FAMILY # 017 The Ritchie Family were the very first female disco group who have the most incredible ‘True House Stories’ interview by Lenny Fontana to tell. In this episode, they speak very honestly and openly about the trials and tribulations of record deals.
They reveal many unknown facts such as working with legends such as John Lennon no less and how it was touring the world. This is a must watch for all of you that respect and follow the original disco acts. So many unheard before stories about the success of The Ritchie Family as well as the many pitfalls they faced along the way.
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03 May 2023
Sam Divine (Defected Radio) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 104
01:05:16
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SAM DIVINE # 104 Sam Divine is a DJ that knows exactly what to play and when to play it. The
hours she spent rifling through vinyl in the warehouse of Chemical Records,
where Sam once worked as a house buyer, gives her an insurmountable
understanding of the genre. Having played nearly every club in Ibiza –
including residencies at Ushuaia, Amnesia and Sankeys – and landed at top-end
festivals, there are few who can offer a house music education like Sam Divine.
Last year, she racked up over a hundred gigs and is well on track to exceed
that in 2017, having already hit up the likes of Europe, North America and
Asia. And her reputation for energising a dancefloor has been acknowledged by
her inclusion in Pete Tong’s Selector Series for Radio 1.
A late starter, Sam took up DJing at 21 – learning to mix in her mum’s garden shed.
Her breakthrough came soon after with a DJ competition and landed her first
residency at a club in Weston-super-Mare, where she was also the main booker,
while also working in record stores. In 2005, after swapping Bristol for Ibiza,
Sam became a vital component of San Antonio’s west end (where this year she
makes a triumphant return as a resident for Defected at Eden) and has spent
every season on the White Isle ever since. During this time, Divine also began
working with Defected, who in 2009 signed her to their artist roster. A weekly
warm-up at Mambo ensued, opening for legendary names like Kenny Dope and
Frankie Knuckles, as well as hosting the weekly Defected Radio show that
currently holds the #2 spot on iTunes in the UK Music Podcasts chart. The real
turning point, however, came when she played We Are FSTVL in 2013. “I dropped a
mix the night before and everyone went mad for it; the tent went from nothing
to one-in-one-out within half an hour,” she explains. “After that, the bookings
just went nuts.”
With her tireless work ethic, this summer, Sam
will play Tomorrowland, Eastern Electrics, Defected Croatia, SW4, and Creamfields.
This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of La Vita, the annual DJ charity
night that she helped to launch and has so far raised £35,000 for Breast Cancer
Research. Sam also launched her own label D-Vine Sounds back in 2015, which
this year she will showcase with a stage at We Are FSTVL, dates in Ibiza and a
boat party at Defected Croatia. Recently, Sam has also begun to flirt with
production; her first major release, a remix of garage anthem ‘Flowers’ with
production partner Curtis Gabriel, hit #1 on both Traxsource and Beatport. Last
year’s ‘Confessions’ was her first release on Defected, while her ‘Sam Divine
In The House’ compilation featured further productions and went #1 on iTunes’
Dance chart. This summer she dropped ‘In Da Nation’ EP with Cassimm on DFTD.
Sam Divine’s work ethic has seen her more than earn her stripes on the scene. A
dedicated army of fans now spreads across the globe as her uplifting house sets
captivate audiences everywhere she takes to the booth. With an unwavering love
of music and tireless dedication to her craft, Sam is living proof you can
achieve pretty much anything you set your mind to – and no one can hold her
back.
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27 Jan 2021
David Morales interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 027 (Part 1)
00:39:10
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ DAVID MORALES # 027 - PART 1
With a real passion for music in his veins from a very young age, from very humble beginnings, David Morales was destined to follow his dream and took the opportunity to play music at any given chance. David's very first gig was playing at the Loft for Lulu His first regular Djing spot started at Ozone Layer where Lulu was the hostess. Still working a job in a restaurant, David was hands on at promoting his events playing legends such as colonel Abrahams at his shows. In the end he became so busy with his music, it meant quitting his day job. David was fortunate to meet Mike Brady from Paradise Garage and was invited to play at this incredible NYC club in 1983, where he invited legends such as Captain Black and Jocelyn Brown to the party. Having never experienced using turntables which were the regular go to at Paradise Garage, experiencing their capacities completely blew David away. He was hooked. With huge names currently on the lineup at Paradise Garage -no one yet knew of David.... But they soon would!!
In 1989, David first came to the UK for DMC - to his amazement, he was welcomed with open arms by his British fans and was also hugely respected in Italy too. Nicky Holloway and Pete Tong invited David to play at Estoria, only 40 minutes into his set, he was asked to stop playing just as he was getting into his set, for Jomanda to perform!! David set up Defmix productions but with very little direction, experience and to just be landed in the midst of music industry, he had to learn the business very quickly in order to succeed. Remixing is where David found his fortune in the industry. Frankie knuckles and David worked on so many remixes, in fact rewriting entire tracks and even changing the titles of the tracks, David simply received a flat fee and did not gain the recognition he deserved. Mariah Carey “Dream Lover”, was his 1st superstar track remix. At first, he questioned the track due to it being extremely commercial (at the same time rejecting remix work for legends such as David Bowie) this remix became one of the songs David Morales is so famous for. David also had the incredible opportunity to work with Todd Terry, a born musician, no need for any equipment - the SP1200 was the weapon!! Having worked on remixes for Michael and Janet Jackson, you would expect David to be living the high life - the truth is it involved signing non disclosures, bag checks etc. - security was paramount, not quite the fairytale you would have imagined. Working alongside Aretha Franklin-one of David's biggest fears was -how do you give constructive criticism to such an absolute legend? In the words of Aretha - Less is more and more is less. She absolutely embraced his opinion and gained her respect for his honesty. Julio Iglesias was another star that David worked with. Giving his mother a dream come true, David arranged for Julio to call his mother to say ‘hi’ was just one of the many hi lights of working with such legendary musicians. Donna Summer was David’s absolute no 1 idol and working with Jocelyn Brown was, yet another dream come true - to David, Jocelyn was an incredible legend he never imagined he would ever work with. Much to David's dismay he was arrested in Japan during his career. How was that for David?? At 57 years of age - truly mortifying, listen to David's very raw and open account of coping in a Japanese prison where no-one spoke his language and all of his basic rights were taken away. An experience that will live with David forever but taught him about the importance of the simplicity of life - Health and Freedom.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ BIRDEE # 033 - PART 2
By no means a newcomer - but a fresh face on the disco scene, Birdee has been extremely active in the last few years - releasing and remixing on labels such as Glitterbox, Big Love and Hot Sunday, dj’ing around the globe, and even picking up an award for best break- through dj at London’s Fabric.
His music is supported by a veritable who's who of dance music: dj's as diverse as Groove Armada, Purple Disco Machine, Horse Meat Disco and Claptone have all been spinning his tracks, while radio support has also been outstanding - as a matter of fact, Pete Tong recently opened his show with Birdee’s breakout single Start The Weekend. Behind the decks, he is equally at ease playing a big festival stage as he is playing an intimate club: recent shows at Xoyo in London and Exchange in LA have been a testament to his ability to adapt to the crowd whilst never compromising his sound.
After releasing debut album Then Came The Sun in 2019, a collaboration with legendary singer Barbara Tucker and a successful tour of Australia in 2020 - Birdee has started the year topping the Traxsource Nu Disco charts on two separate occasions. His next single What You Need is released on Hot Sunday at the end of February.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ KAYPER # 072 - PART 1 Kayper sits with us on True House Stories and explains how she became a DJ from being a drummer.
She gets her humble beginnings from her brother purchasing two Technics 1200 and just learning on her own.
She even explains how her name Kayper came to be from her school days. She gets a call from a friend who was promoting a student night at Ministry Of Sound and her big break and she is then offered a residency at the club.
One thing leads to another and against all odds she goes against her family to pursue a DJ Career in the UK.
Fish Go Deep interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 095 (Part 2)
00:52:48
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ FISH GO DEEP # 095 - PART 2
Greg Dowling (Fish Go Deep) speaks about all things in dance music. From his time at Sir Henry’s in Cork City Ireland to the beginning of production work and beyond.
He breaks it all down in this in-depth interview about the creation of Fish Go Deep and the back story of his whole life in the music business. Fish Go Deep are an Irish production duo consisting of Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson from Cork City Ireland.
They have been releasing house records under this name since 1997 and in 2006 reached number 1 on both the UK dance chart and indie chart and also reached number 23 in the singles chart with their track "The Cure and the Cause”.
Both Dowling and Johnson played an integral part in the emergence of house music in Cork City between 1988 and 2001, and ran the "Sweat" night at Sir Henry's, which attracted acts such as Kerri Chandler, Arnold Jarvis, Lenny Fontana, Laurent Garnier, Dj Deep, Jerome Sydenham, Roger Sanchez, Glenn Underground, Boo Williams, Cajmere, Gemini, Derrick May, Kevin Yost, Migs, Rasoul and Fred Everything.
Teddy Douglas (Basement Boys) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 036 (Part 2)
00:31:12
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ TEDDY DOUGLAS (BASEMENT BOYS) # 036 - PART 2
In this Segment Teddy Douglas discovers songwriter and diva vocalist Ultra Nate'. The Basement Boys begin to work with Major Labels such as Warner Brothers, Eternal, MCA and Mercury Records. The first trip to London when he signs “Its Over Now” and meets Norman Jay. A music conference and a cassette is handed to the guys and Crystal Waters is discovered. Crystal writes the “Gypsy Woman” Song for Ultra Nate album and it released as Crystal Waters. Dj Danny Tenaglia breaks the record out at the Winter Music Conference and not to far after it goes Gold.
Basement Boys are the hottest commodity in the game and Teddy wants to follow Motown Records and make it a family business with the same.
✭ VIDEO TIMELINE ✭
0:00 Ultra Nate' and Profile Records
1:09 Writing songs for Ultra Naté
2:46 Eternal Records and signing Ultra Naté
4:20 Trip to London and meet Norman Jay
6:10 Discovering Crystal Waters
7:37 The story of Gypsy Woman
10:30 Danny Tenaglia Plays Crystal Waters Promo
12:46 20th Anniversary party Teddy Douglas plays with Danny Tenaglia
14:30 The Dj's that inspired
17:30 DJ and Production grows and Teddy Meets Lenny Fontana
19:10 Your record gets spoofed on a comedy show
20:19 Unsung Hero TV Interview
21:48 Dj Spen and the crew
22:30 Modeling a factory like Motown Records
23:46 Quantize Records
24:50 Remixing and Commercial Records are beginning
26:30 The formula of making successful records
27:22 Letter from Quincy Jones
28:40 Four Major Deals
Kathy Brown interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 013
02:06:58
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ KATHY BROWN # 013
This episode Lenny Fontana are joined with diva vocalist NYC Vocalist Kathy Brown. She has earned a huge name in soulful house music with a string of successful hit records and a story to match. Taking us from the beginning in Gospel Music to R&B and Rap.
She shares how she discovered house music and how she has not looked back since. Kathy explains dealing with the highs and lows of being in the music business and how to stay relevant.
D.C. LaRue interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 005
01:53:36
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ D.C. LARUE # 005
This weeks edition we bring you the vocalist producer and writer, DC Larue.
He is a true diamond from the disco era and he was blessed to be involved with many different artists such as the Disco Queen Donna Summer and to work alongside huge industry giants such as Neil Bogart the owner from Casablanca Records.
His story is the who's who of the disco industry and here shares how his iconic release "Cathedrals" came to life.
Joe Smooth interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 082 (Part 1)
00:31:45
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ JOE SMOOTH # 082 - PART 1 Joe Smooth was a self-taught musician and started creating original music at the age of 12. During his teenage years, he began to make a name for himself as a DJ in the underground Chicago House Music scene. He is credited as essential to the creation of house music as a genre and the revival of the culture surrounding it. During his 20s he became an essential DJ for any viable club in Chicago.
Smooth gained international acclaim with the release of his late 1980s tracks “Promise LAnd" (featuring Anthony Thomas), "They Want to be Free," and "I Try.” He is best known for "Promised Land" which spoke of how humans, as brothers and sisters, should unite in love and thrive in paradise.
Joe Smooth's song has been covered several times and is still played today.
Originally released in 1987, it peaked at No. 56 in the UK singles Chart in February 1989, following the Top 40 success of a cover version by The Style Council.
An album of the same title became available in 1988, and a music video was produced for the single.
A follow-up album, Rejoice, was released in 1990, which featured the hit single "They Want to be Free.”
Tim Lawrence interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 061 (Part 2)
01:31:30
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ TIM LAWRENCE # 061 - PART 2 Tim Lawrence lays out in this part how he begins to work towards writing his first official book “Love Saves The Day”.
Listen to Tim explain how he has no real interest in writing a Disco Book, and since he wanted to write about electronic music, he had to find out what came before. In time he becomes good friends with the men who owned the record shop Dance Tracks NYC.
They in turn get Tim to meet Owner of the famous The Loft - David Mancuso and the story begins from there.
Tim then meets DJ Steve D’ Aquisto and many other industry moguls from the Pre-Disco Era and is handed the blue print to figure out.
It takes a few years and many interviews and a lot of painstaking research to arrive to this masterpiece. He also shares the other books he has written in this episode.
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TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ KYM MAZELLE # 056 - PART 2 Kym Mazelle thru all the internships at all different record labels and working in press and being an intern for Music Attorneys decides to set up her own label called Police Records. In 1987, she worked with record producer Marshall Jefferson on the single "Taste My Love” which she funded and released on her label. The single takes off in the UK and she talks to her good friend recording artist Adonis from Traxs Records, as he just came back off touring in the UK and gets him to introduce her to his booking agent David Levy.
David helps manage her a tour and even gets EMI Records to attend her show, they love what they heard and A&R Rob Sawyer signs her on the spot.
EMI signed Kym to a 5-album deal and they help create the "First Female House Artist" and brings her to the commercial stardom.
The rest is music history, come and listen to Kim tell her giant story.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ BENNY SOTO # 088 - PART 1
For Benny Soto, it began, as it has for many New York club land veterans, with a visit to 84 King Street in downtown Manhattan.
He says, “I had already been going out, but the first clubbing experience that really mattered was the Paradise Garage…just walking in there, it looked different, it sounded different, it felt different. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was home.” For Soto, then a poor kid from the South Bronx, the Garage opened up a whole new world. It was through the club that he met, and befriended, the late Keith Haring, eventually serving as the iconic artist’s studio assistant. It also expanded his aural horizons: “Because of the way that Larry Levan played,” Soto says, “I became more musically open-minded.”
But perhaps importantly, the Garage provided an avenue for escape. “Back then, I didn’t have much joy in my life,” he admits, ‘Clubbing gave me a way to get away.
Places like the Garage, though they were primarily gay, were so inclusive; it didn’t really matter who you were, what mattered was the freedom that you could find there.” And that feeling - that passion for freedom, both musically and personall - would set Soto on a path that has led to a lifetime in club land.
He had no idea that it would also lead to a career, but even in those early days, he recalls, “I was very curious. If I was at a club, I would be checking out the sound and looking at the lights, trying to see how it all comes together -it was like a Broadway show, except the show was the crowd itself.” Eventually he secured a gig doing odd jobs at another iconic address, 6 Hubert Street, only blocks away from the Garage. The spot had once housed Area and Club Shelter; during Soto’s time there, it was Vinyl, home to the iconic Body & Soul.
It was Body & Soul resident Danny Krivit who convinced Soto to take the next step. “He said to me, ‘I think you should be a promoter.
People like you, and you have great energy.
You’d be good at it.’ Of course,” Soto adds, “I had no idea what ‘being a promoter’ even meant!” Listen to him tell you what he learned and how you should be..
Smokin Jo interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 134 - True House Stories®
00:42:01
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SMOKIN JO # 134 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA
True House Stories interviews Smokin Jo the Female UK DJ. Smokin Jo (born Joanne Joseph) is a British DJ and record producer from London, England. She is the only female DJ to win the number one DJ in the world award by DJ Magazine in 1992,.
She began her career in 1990 when she got her first set of decks. In 1991, Jo was given an opportunity to play at London gay club Trade at Turnmills which led to a residency there that would continue until 1993, launching her career. In 1992 she played in Ibiza for the first time, on the terrace at Space in Playa En Bossa, in the same year she was named as DJ Magazines No1 DJ. She also presented the BBC Radio 1 (essential selection) weekly report from Ibiza, between 2002 and 2006. Jo has gigged all over the world, and in every big club night, playing as far and wide as Japan, Germany, Brazil, Greece, USA (including Space in Miami) China and Singapore. In the UK she has played Ministry of Sound, Fabric, XOYO,The Beams, Printworks in London. She still plays in Ibiza for Glitterbox and now she has just finished writing a bestseller called "You Don't Need A Dick To Be A DJ" The book is her personal life story and she has laid out the path for everyone to learn from it as you will find it is very well written.
07 Jun 2023
Steve Silk Hurley interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 109
01:46:08
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ STEVE SILK HURLEY # 109 Steve Silk Hurley also known as J. M. Silk (for "Jack Master Silk"), is an American club DJ, house music producer, and songwriter.
From 1985 to 1988, he had four top-10 singles on the US Dance chart, including the number-one hit "I Can't Turn Around", all released in collaboration with Keith Nunnally as J. M. Silk. With "Jack Your Body" (number 25 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play), he topped the UK Singles Chart in January 1987 as a solo artist, while one of his later compositions, "Work It Out" from 1989, brought him his fifth top-10 record on the US Dance chart (at number three).
To date, Hurley's last charting single is "The Word Is Love (Say the Word)", also known as "Silk's Anthem of Life" by The Voices of Life, which peaked at number 26 in 1997 in the UK.
Steve Hurley is a four-time Grammy Award nominee; two times as Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical (in 1999 and 2000), and twice for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical (inv 2002 and 2003). Come listen to a real life legend share his life in the music industry.
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30 Nov 2022
Jim Shaft Ryan interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 097 (Part 1)
00:31:40
TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 1 Jim Shaft Ryan begins his journey from school learning how to play the Bass Guitar, the same Bass Guitar Paul McCartney played. Jim and his brother Michael start a band and the dream was to become Rock Stars. As chance would have it they begin to start to sell clothing in their own Boutique Shop in Birmingham. While involved in the fashion side of the business early on, they are approached by promoters who are selling tickets for Rave Events.
The Ryan brothers start selling tickets to these huge events which spark the idea for them to begin putting events on as well. Learn how Jim begins with his Dj Career and how The Chuff Chuff brand is born in the mid 1980's.
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ ALISON LIMERICK # 053 - PART 1 Alison Limerick known for being very honest, totally open and with her extremely dry sense of humor makes this show so incredible.
Hear about how Covid has affected Alison and the potential effects this pandemic could have on Alison’s vocal talent.
Alison Limerick was born into a live music family and jazz was the mainstay!
The love of contemporary music all begins with the purchase of the first 7 inch of The Jacksons with the song “ABC” Alison, as a young child, attended dance class that she used that opportunity to sing while dancing for London Contemporary Ballet.
Alison learned by herself how to train her voice by watching others around her to reach her full musical potential.
Rowetta interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana Special Show # 007
02:19:42
TRUE HOUSE STORIES W/ ROWETTA SPECIAL SHOW 007
Rowetta who is considered true musical royalty in our music business. Against all the odds of growing up rough, she pursues a musical career. Her adult life begins very young being married at age 16 and having two kids before she is 18. She tells it all from being a battered young wife to the front lead singer of the Happy Mondays. A very special Sunday Edition and a must watch for women to see that against it all you can overcome any obstacles with faith and hard work.
23 Dec 2020
Louie Vega (Masters At Work) interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 022 (Part 2)
01:20:26
TRUE HOUSE STORIES™ W/ LOUIE VEGA (MASTERS AT WORK) # 022 - PART 2
A leader in global dance music, Louie Vega has painted an award-winning career from a palette mixed with everything from house, salsa and afro-beat, to jazz, hip hop, gospel and soul.
What distinguishes the Grammy winner and 7-time nominee as one of the best living house music deejays is his ability to evolve alongside the times, distill the current musical landscape through his unique taste and put his own timeless spin on his musical creations.
In 2020, his production team Masters At Work with Kenny Dope Gonzalez will revamp their label Maw Records, and will be releasing their full catalog worldwide via digital and streaming outlets. New Masters At Work Remixes for Dua Lipa (Via The Black Madonna’s Mix Tape), DJ Krust (on Crosstown Rebels), and new productions for the Maw Imprint by The Masters At Work. Louie Vega has also teamed with The Martinez Brothers for a second single entitled “Let It Go” with Marc Bassy released July 10, 2020 on the titan record label Defected. In NYC, Vegas' weekly residency night has inspired him to record an album for Nervous Records release coming early 2021 featuring his friends : Robyn, Honey Dijon, Bernard Fowler, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler, Anané, Lisa Fischer, Joe Claussell, Tony Momrelle, Karen Harding, & the super band Unlimited Touch. Breaking down musical barriers and bringing people together through a love of music has always been Vega’s aim; his contributions continue to positively influence global dance music. Join Lenny Fontana as he interviews Louie Vega about his incredible career in the music industry making him one of the biggest names in the business.
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