Questions by D. Painter

Answers by Alex Kenji

At the end of 2008 all the bloggers were gushing over the same over played handful of producers to continue their reign and dominate in 2009.  While many of those individuals did not live up to the hype, a number of artists and trends flew in under the radar to surprise the masses (see Major Lazer,  AC Slater, and Nu Disco).  One such artist has been Tech House producer Alex Kenji who set up residence in the Beatport top 10 alongside fan favorites like Wolfgang Gartner and Laidback Luke with songs including “Adelente” and “Up”.  Hailing from Tuscany, Italy Kenji has set out to dominate the difficult to define Tech House genre with the help of his business partners at the 303Lovers and Hotfingers record labels, ultimately selling over 100,000 singles on Beatport alone since launching in 2007 (a hugely respectable feat in the Dance music business).  In between gigs in Europe and Brazil, Kenji spoke with Hipster Overkill’s D. Painter about his current success.

Hipster Overkill: You have been living on Beatport.com’s top 10 through out 2009.  Congratulations on your current run this year.  How has this impacted your career?

Alex Kenji:  Well first, thanks for your kind words, I really appreciate that.  Speaking about my career, of course 2009 [has been a] kinda magic year for me because my name has more foundation in the House music scene due to my working very hard, and I’m still doing it.  I made roughly 23 remixes this year so far, remixing [songs] from James Brown, Alex Gaudino, and Tocadisco to Sharam (Deep Dish), DJ Pierre, Milk & Sugar, Francesco Diaz, Oliver Klein and a bunch more.  As well, I'm booked [to do a lot] of parties all around the world practically once a week.

H.O.:  2008 going into 2009 you seem to have discovered a trademark sound with a unique rhythmic drive that allows listeners like myself to hear your music and say “that sounds like a Kenji tune.”  What made you stick to this template for all your current hits?

A.K.:  I think I used this kind of rhythm and will keep [using it] just because it's quite easy to understand, but of course, [I am] trying to make some other different bass lines too!

H.O.:  Italy is currently a hotbed for dance music, especially Electro.  What classic and current producers/DJs can you credit for building the dance scene over there?

A.K.:  Alex Gaudino, Crookers,  Joe T Vannelli, Dusty Kid, Riva Starr, Manuel De La Mare, Marshall (aka Luigi Rocca).

H.O.:  How do you fit into the scene in Italy and what cities around the world appreciate your style the most?

A.K.:  Oh tricky question, i actually don’t fit in Italy.  I don’t usually play over here and I don’t go out partying because I’m always too busy thinking of my stuff.  Anyway, I’ve played in every corner of the world except South Africa and Asia and I've [received the] best reaction over in Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto.  [I get a] nice response over in Melbourne and Sydney as well; London, Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, and Mexico City were very nice gigs.

H.O.:  Some DJ’s like to tour but find there is too much temptation on the road.  Do you enjoy the touring lifestyle?

A.K.:  I’m quite lazy about that.  I don’t usually go out so much while touring.  I prefer doing something concrete like remixes or even new tracks as well, but, some times especially when I’m over in South America I enjoy hanging out with some friends.  I love tropical Moods!

H.O.:  Sometimes it feels like Dance/Electronic music has too many categories.  Tech House is a category that many big name producers contribute to but the audience may not fully know what it is.  Can you give us your definition of Tech House?  What draws you to create songs in that genre?

A.K.:  I think since Tech House is a modern sub-genre of House music it allows producers [to give] it various shapes, moods and colors.  You can [make] it  tribal or even more housey, techno, or something else.  [It is] like a nice compromise where you can put anything into it.

H.O.:  With tracks like “Up” and “Jack That Body” you play around with moving towards making Hip-Hop influenced Electro but don’t go there in the way Crookers or other hard edge producers do.  It keeps the songs safely within the style people expect from you, but do you ever want to completely go outside of your genre and move into other categories?

A.K.:  Oh no, I don’t think I will do it ‘cause I’m mainly influenced by House music.  I made Electro from 2005 to mid 2007 and it was quite different compared to now-a-days.  Finally, I’m back to my original love, which is funky ethno bouncy House music!

H.O.:  Festival season is over for this year, will you be going on tour or heading to the studio for the rest of 2009?

A.K.:  Like i said previously, I’m getting many gigs all around the world.  I will go one month playing all over Brazil this November (top gig will be XXXperience Festival in Sao Paulo with Bodzin and many others maybe 30,000 people),  then I will be doing a tour in the U.S.A. which will touch Austin, Orange County and Hollywood/L.A.  Also Mexico, The U.K., Malta, and NewYears Eve in Brazil.