DotDotDot

People who rise above the simple act of playing records to create something magical are what I call Quality DJS. People who are born to play to a crowd, to heighten the senses and inspire reaction and emotion in both clubbers and their peers are the origin DJS. People that create a palpable sense of anticipation when they take to the decks because the crowd knows they are in for a ride are the DJS who set up the trends. People that balance the atmosphere on a knife edge… and then drop you off, pull you back up and throw your senses to all points of the emotional compass are what I call “superhero” DJs.

I am presenting you an interview of a man that represents all those things together in one body.

Paolo Mojo: a DJ since 1991 who had a hand in nearly all aspects of the dance music business.

Misti: Welcome Paolo.
You’ve had quite an illustrious career thus far. When did it all begin?

Paolo Mojo:
I used to DJ from a really early age.. i was always the kid selecting the music at house parties for the family making tapes off the radio etc. i played the piano as a kid… it just grew from there. i only started taking it seriously about seven years ago though.

Misti: Did you teach yourself how to beat mix?

Paolo Mojo:
Yes I did

Misti: How did you do it? You bought decks?  Or decks found the way towards you?

Paolo Mojo:
I had a car accident actually when I was 13. I didn’t have any serious injuries but I got a payment from the court, but I couldn’t touch it till I was 18. I bought my first equipment with that money

Misti: About what time did you go into production as well?

Paolo Mojo:
That came later, I did my first things in 2003.

Misti: When you started out, you knew nothing about the studio…?

Paolo Mojo:
(Laughs) Who knows anything when they start?

Misti: Paolo, you’ve been around a while in the industry now, touring, DJ’ing, producing and remixing. What was the high point of your career so far and how much further do you think you can take your career?

Paolo Mojo: I don’t really think in terms of a high point… always looking forward to what is happening today and tomorrow. That’s what keeps me going on really

Misti : You’ve been up to quite a bit over the past year. In the past months you have performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues all over the world. Have you noticed any changes in the clubbing scene worldwide?

Paolo Mojo:
I think certain areas are always strong; places like Japan and South America for me personally are always highlights. Then there is always new places cropping up as well. It’s really pretty universal these days. It’s getting harder to find new countries I haven’t been too, but there are still some I’m yet to see. I’d like to see more of Africa I guess

Misti: “I’m paranoid that one day it might all end,” so says DJ Sasha (Alexander Coe).
Do you get all paranoid as Sasha does about the end of your career?

Paolo Mojo:
Yeah I think that’s a valid point of view actually. I think you have to keep yourself relevant… mainly by putting out music that people relate too. If you’re not doing that you might have a problem these days

Misti: How do you keep up and at the same time keep things fresh not only for yourself but for those who buy and listen to your music?

Paolo Mojo:
Well half my mind is always in the studio when I’m in the club… And half my mind is in the club when I’m in the studio. I guess that’s a pretty good way of describing it. I dont see the two as separate things.

Misti: Do you have any influences? Do you listen to anything else besides electronic music?

Paolo Mojo:
Sure. I listen to a lot of things… baroque classical string music…ambient earth and water plops stuff… classic thrash metal 80s funk and soul, Prince, cheesy 80s pop, pretentious 70s rock, jangly 60s rhythm and blues jazz, late 70s early 80s new wave (particularly fond of this) grunge. I could go on but often i find influences in just general terms, hearing something on the street or a sound on the TV or something.

Misti: “Ron hardy said” was a big success. Eric Prytz’s remix was also awesome. What’s your review about the current track?

Paolo Mojo:
Don’t quite understand this one?

Misti: Why do you believe it made such a big success in the electronic music industry? I believe it does not include any “commercial” sound and it’s a bit different from your other productions…

Paolo Mojo:
I don’t really see it being different to other things I have written really. Maybe it uses a sample? I’m not sure… That’s for others to decide really.

Misti: Give me you top5 tracks at the moment…

Paolo Mojo:
1.    Paul Ritch - split
2.    The mind frame of mind - Frogs with potato and sour cream (jayy remix)
3.    Dustin Zahn - From above
4.    Dzi - Unleash (joel mull remix)
5.    Kabal und Liebe - Childs play

Misti: What artists lately have surprised you with their productions and who stands out for you or who do you think we should look out for?

Paolo Mojo:
Martin Landsky, Dustin Zahn, Joel Mull, Felipe Venegas, Michael ho, Kolijah and Oliver Deutschmannm, Marco carola, Tobias, Paul Ritch, Sasse, Aeroplane, the list could go on and on….

Misti: With the thousands of Producers and DJ’s out there, what in your opinion would it take to make a successful Producer and/or DJ in nowadays?

Paolo Mojo: Just make atmospheric music that people identify with and be able to play it in a club with some presence and skill.

Misti: Where to from here for Paolo Mojo and any surprises or future plans you’re willing to let us in on?

Paolo Mojo: I’m probably going to have a bath soon

Misti: Any music surprises or plans?

Paolo Mojo: Can’t really think of anything. I’m pretty boring really.

Misti: What is a typical day like for Paolo Mojo?

Paolo Mojo:
Get up around 7, drive to the studio, stop at star bucks pick up coffee, work there for a few hours… come home… make a list of all the things I have to do that day…. don’t do anything on the list and forget I wrote it the next day… Go to the gym late afternoon… stop by at Waitrose pick up something for dinner… come home cook it; Then I am around on the internet a lot, interspersed with trips to the airport and stuff like that, bug the mikes from deep dish about working with tractor, send random emails to my management …

Misti: So, Do you consider your self as a “normal” person?  I mean with the whole gigging, producing, touring, fans and stuff…

Paolo Mojo:
Normal person, hmm…does what I wrote sound normal do you think?

Misti: Nope. It was an “ironic” question actually…Would you trade the “publicity” for the “normality”?

Paolo Mojo:
Ah excellent! I’m abnormal then. Well it’s not like I’m Freddie Mercury or anything (I mean apart from the fact he’s dead bless him). I don’t walk into the supermarket and get mobbed by crazy fans; at least not EVERYDAY.
Tell you what I do get.
Miserable old cows with no manners who clearly haven’t been f*cked this side of 1970 who try to barge past you with their shopping trolleys saying things like wakey wakey… get out of the way. I swear this happened today. I said “I beg your pardon”,
She said “I beg your pardon? What sort of language is that do you work in a bank?”.
I said “is there a problem? She said “not with me!”

Misti: Well, I’m sorry about the “lady’s” manners. Anyways, I just believe a public figure cannot be normal. Even if you want to, let’s say most of the times you can’t be….
Paolo Mojo:
I said to her “it must be hard for you”. She said “hard to do what”?
I said “be as rude as you are ugly, but you’re managing quite well love. Merry Christmas!”, and walked off. That felt good.

Misti: Patience is a characteristic of yours?

Paolo Mojo:
No, not really to be honest.

Misti: Have you ever fallen in love with a fan, Paolo?

Paolo Mojo:
I just fell in love with a journalist, does that count?

Misti: Yes it does actually. How many interviews are you giving at the moment?

Paolo Mojo:
Only one today

Misti: Back on the subject! I strongly believe some genres of the electronic music tent to go over a crisis. I believe house music is one of these genres. Do you feel like it also?

Paolo Mojo:
Do you mean house music can survive a crisis?

Misti: First of all, do you believe house music goes through a crisis?

Paolo Mojo: Well it just keeps reinventing itself really; which is nice.

Misti: I am quoting you over a blog “… Plus a lot of DJs get stuck in the rut on playing a sound that works and before they know it, they’ve been left behind. You’ve always got to keep seeking out those edgy records, push yourself and take risks with your music.”
At this point I want to ask you a question which I will ask all DJs.

“Trend makes you a DJ or a DJ makes the trend?”

Paolo Mojo:
Well yeah, I believe that’s true definitely.. What I said in the first part; and I think a little of both applies to the latter.

Misti: Did you like Cyprus when you came here?

Paolo Mojo:
Yes. Guaba beach, right? In the summer. I had fun.

Misti: What do you remember from your gig at Guaba?

Paolo Mojo:
I remember thinking this is really cool because the gigs over and I can go and have dinner and relax haha, rather than the other way around usually!

Misti: What do you think about 100 DJ LIST POLL?

Paolo Mojo:
Well, I never get in it so I don’t think too much about it . J

Misti: AND LAST QUESTION but not LEAST!

Paolo Mojo:
woah woah

Misti: Did you like this interview Paolo ????????

Paolo Mojo:
Yes, I had a lovely time in this interview Miss Stephanie. Come round with your troop of Japanese dancers any day for tea and conversation.
I am feverish with anticipation. It was a pleasure.

Misti: My pleasure. Thanks a lot for this great conversation!

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