"Victor Calderone is immensely talented and quite amazing. He never fails to come up with fresh ideas. I love his work and I love working with him." - Madonna

One of the hottest Producers / DJ’s on the scene right now, Victor Calderone has not only spun famously at clubs around the world, but he comes with some pretty heady references having worked with everyone from Madonna to Sting.

If creativity could be bottled and sold, Victor Calderone would be wealthy beyond comprehension. The multi-talented master of musical manipulation has helped redefine the role of the American DJ in recent years, and, in the process, has amassed an impressive array of artistic accomplishments. Equally adept both in the studio and in front of live audiences, a typical night with Calderone on the decks is a journey of rhythmic explorations, where moods are traversed and expectations teased and fulfilled. At home in the United States, Victor spins monthly at Crobar in Miami’s South Beach & at Stereo in Montreal whilst holding down an unrelentless schedule of international gigs and studio sessions.

I managed to catch up with Victor to chat briefly about his life & career to date and his Djing / production plans for 2003.

All respects & thanks to Mitch Clark at Sanctuary Music, for making this interview possible!

MC: Many thanks for your time today Victor, it’s much appreciated!

MC: Can you tell us start by telling us how are you feeling right now?

VC: Hi Myles, well I’m feeling very inspired right now, I’m in such a good place, musically & mentally. I’m going through a transition period right now. I’ve been doing these big music events in the states & my music was a reflection of that – but I myself have darker routes … so I feel that I’m making this whole transition back to what is true to me.

MC: Where are you from originally and where are you based now?

VC: Well I’m from Brooklyn originally and I’m still there now. I grew up in a section called Bensonhurst … I moved not too far from that, I now live in an area called Brooklyn Heights; it’s right by the water, right by the Brooklyn Bridge. I must say that it’s a beautiful day here; it’s sunny out but nice and cool.

MC: Can you tell us how you become involved with the scene and where it all began for you?

VC: Well it began when I first got into Djing … my older brother was a DJ before me, so there was always gear set up in the house; a massive record collection, so I was always mixing records and that’s how I got into it. It became a passion for me, I would just stay at home in our bedroom and just mix all day! I became very addicted to it [and shopping for records!]. My brother took me to my first clubbing experience at the Funhouse; at the time there was a great DJ there. I was 15 years old but my brother knew the door people and so he got me in - and that was it – I was hooked! It was Church for me, I was there every Saturday, religiously, right in front of the DJ booth just waiting for the next new thing to go on. At the time, people like Arthur Baker would walk into his booth and play tracks like “Reel To Real”, “Planet Rock” & New Order … classic records now but at the time that sound was so fresh.

MC: Is there any particular music from that period that sticks in your mind?

VC: Yeah, a lot of great music that inspired me … like Kraftwerk & Georgio Moroder … I would just play their albums from beginning to end. They were so ahead of their time; it really inspired & influenced me in terms of production

MC: When did you start producing your own sound?

VC: Officially, the early 90’s when I was in a techno group called ‘Program 2’, I was doing some techno tracks for a label out in Belgium called R&S Records. At the time, my partner & I were collaborating with Joey Beltram on a couple of projects. We worked on a couple of projects, “The Omen” & the “Human Resource – Dominator” remix. This was really the time when I put out my first official production. I met Joey through the “Energy Flash” track because he was from my neighbourhood; we just wound up agreeing to do some collaborating.

MC: What would you say was your first break into the industry?

VC: My first break … it came a lot later. After a lot of bad deals my partner & I had to put up with, I took a break from the industry, a little hiatus. I took off for about 5 years. I came back into the industry in late ’96 when I produced “Give It up”, my first solo production. I had just gone back into the studio after not having been there for so long, I was just having some fun and I’d say that’s when I got noticed by the people who’s attention I had really wanted.

MC: Looking back, what do you think of your first production now?

VC: Well, it’s still in my record box now and every time I play it, it just destroys the dance floor! I often say that I would love to be able to capture what I was thinking then, now! When I listen to that production, I realise that I have learned so much … but I don’t know … there is something that I captured in that record and it was just special at that moment. It was a certain ‘sound’. I don’t want to compare it to “Energy Flash” but you know … it’s that type of record. To me, “Give It Up” has a sound that you could play today and it would still work.

MC: How would you say your musical style has evolved over the years?

VC: I was always a big ‘tribal-head’, always into drums. I’m learning a lot in the studio every day, learning more about arrangement, writing & programming. So my sound is maturing. In terms of how my sound is evolving, I look at my stuff now and look at the productions that I’ve done in the past and I hear myself evolving; I’m just learning a lot more everyday, more complicated arrangements with vocals. I was always a big ‘track’ guy, I would just go in there working without a vocal. Now I’m working on tracks, which I would say are a lot more musical.

MC: Who have been the biggest influences on your career to date?

VC: My biggest influence? ... Good question. I’m not really influenced by one particular artist or sound, I learn a lot just by Djing & travelling the world. I shop for music constantly and so I’m influenced by a lot of different sounds.

MC: When did you first play out as a DJ? Where was that and did you suffer from nerves?

VC: I had a lot of gigs, but my first ‘real’ gig was at my residency here at The Roxy. It’s funny but a lot of people ask this question, whether I feel nervous before or whilst I’m Djing and I never do. I feel so comfortable up in the DJ box. I never really get nervous; I never have even from the beginning. It doesn’t matter where I am playing or how many people are on the dance floor, it’s just something I feel so comfortable doing.

MC: You’re well known for your remix productions with everyone from Madonna to Sting. How does it feel to have worked with some of the most successful artists of our time?

VC: It feels great! It’s really flattering! When you get hired for a remix, for the most part, you’re hired through the record company. When you have someone like Madonna or Sting that call you personally to tell you that they want you to work on a project, it’s such an amazing feeling! You know the highlight of my career … if I could name one major moment in my career, would have to be when I went into the studio with Sting to work on “Desert Rose”. Sting had called me when he was about to release the single and he asked me if I was interested in remixing the song; he told me that I came recommended by Madonna! I just couldn’t believe that it was Sting on the phone!!

After I did the remix, Sting called me again and said how much he loved the production, the mix and what I had done to the track and that the only thing he didn’t like was his vocal! I had changed the vocal to match the tempo of the record & time stretched the vocals. Sting thought that he could sing it better for the remix. Sting recommended that we go into the studio to add the vocals to my mix – that was such a compliment for me. It was so mind blowing; I could not believe that I was sitting at the mixing desk with Sting in the vocal booth, a pretty incredible moment!

MC: Can you tell us how these collaborations came about?

VC: Sting, for example, had been playing his new album for Madonna. When the topic of remixing came up, Madonna recommended me and that’s when I got the phone call. Sting hadn’t heard any of my work ... it was purely on recommendation.

MC: How much time do you actually spend in the studio on any particular project?

VC: Well I don’t like to spend a lot of time in the studio on any project; I actually like to complete the track within a week or even 4 to 5 days. I like to spend enough time working on it ... but when you spend too much time you can overdo it and over produce … and it can go sour. So, I just like to spend ‘enough’ time on it. When I play it in the studio, feel it and when I’m dancing around; I know I’ve got something good. It’s a real concentrated effort.

MC: Given the opportunity, which artist past or present would you really like to work with and why?

VC: I would love to work with Bjork, not necessarily on a dance mix, perhaps on a real creative different type of track. I just love her sound, her creativity; there is something in her melodies that just pulls me in.

However, from what I understand, Bjork is not big on remixes, but perhaps one day I’ll get the opportunity.

I would also love to do some work with U2. There are not many male vocal projects that I get the opportunity to work on and I feel that Bono’s vocals would really lend themselves well to a good solid dance mix.

MC: Is there any information you can give us on future productions for 2003?

VC: I have a compilation album out now that I’ve just released on the 22nd July called ‘Resonate’.

I also have an artist album that I am working on now which is not really dance, it’s an electronic vocal type project, like the music I listen to at home. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. We’re hoping to release it early next summer, but that really depends on how the project goes .. so I’m working hard in the studio to get it finished.

I’ll also be doing a remix for Goldfrapp for their next single, “Strict Machine”.

I’m also working on a project for Tom Stephan, so you could say I’m quite busy at the moment! Like I said earlier, I’m still trying to make this transition and the stuff that is going to be coming out from me in the future will be more of a reflection as to where I’m at musically right now

I’ve gone back to my routes, to what inspires me as opposed to remixing or producing for a certain record label or artist. So what you will hear from me in the future will really be my ‘true sound’.

MC: Can you tell us more about your influences on the Resonate album and the choice of tracks that you have selected?

VC: The album is very tribal and very percussion driven. There are a number of production teams which are really inspiring me right now such as ‘Chus & Ceballos, Superchumbo and others. There are a couple of cuts from them, which I’ve mixed; bassline driven mixes … there’s also a couple of my own tracks on there such as ‘Deep Dark Jungle’ and ‘Resonate’.

Some of the other tracks on the album ... such as the Underworld track, Oxygen and others are tracks, which are real favourites of mine. I must admit that I’m not a big fan of compilation albums. By the time you’ve worked on it, by the time it comes out and get’s licensed it can be dated you know? So I looked at the project as capturing a moment in time.

MC: We know that “Deep Dark Jungle” is due for release shortly. Can you tell us more about that?

VC: Well the track should be out by the time this interview goes to print. That project started from an acapella that came my way that I had been playing a lot during my DJ sets. Every time I used it I would receive emails the following day asking me “what was that acapella?!” – “What was that song”. So I was getting such a huge response to the acapella that I decided to go into the studio and produce around it.

MC: Your calendar for the summer is packed with international DJ dates, can you give us a quick rundown as to where you will be over the next few months?

VC: I don’t have my calendar in front of me right now so this is in no particular order … I’ll be in Miami, then onto Montreal, Barcelona, Ibiza, Zurich, & London … I know I’m missing a few! *Laughs* I know that I have Israel on the calendar. I also just got a booking for Rio & Japan …… we’re trying to work it so that we’re doing release parties at each gig to promote the album

MC: When we might see you behind the decks in the UK?

VC: I’ll be playing at the Universe in London on the 23rd, I’m really looking forward to it!

MC: Do you have any current residencies, if so where?

VC: I have a residency that’s been going on for about 3 years now at the Crobar, Miami. I have another residency at Stereo in Montreal, which is one of my favourite clubs in the world. The room is really special, the sound system is great and the people are very musically educated. It’s inspiring to play there. The night doesn’t start until 3am and my sets can last as long as 10 or 16 hours … it’s an incredible vibe, a journey … and a lot of fun.

What I don’t have, is a residency in New York right now. New York is in a very bad state right now as far as clubbing is concerned. Hopefully it will all turnaround … Crobar are planning to open a bar here so I may be playing there. There are some crazy laws her in New York right now and the whole non-smoking thing is really having a big impact. It’s a bad time right now.

I did do a massive party in NYC recently at the end of June for the Gay Pride weekend. The party is a massive event attended by about 4000 people. It’s staged indoors … it’s become the party of the year here in New York. You really have to go all out to organise the event, bringing in the entire sound and light system … it’s a big job but so rewarding, people get really excited about it & the vibe is just incredible!

MC: How would you say your musical style differs from producing or remixing for mainstream artists to that which is heard during your live sets?

VC: It differs a lot. When you are producing or remixing for someone like Madonna, the vocals that you are being sent are coming from a commercial project, from a major artist. The stuff that I like to produce has a darker element to it; I’m really into the dark after hour’s thing … so there’s such a difference.

When I remixed Madonna’s new single, ‘Hollywood’ … I had a really difficult time in the studio. I was trying to get something dark and edgy that would work in my set, but I couldn’t because the two were just rubbing against one another in the wrong way. In the end I was happy with the mix, but it was still not something that I could play in my set. The vocal just didn’t lend itself to being this after hours record.

MC: Who are your favourite producers / DJ’s at the moment?
VC: Unfortunately I don’t get enough time to hear DJ’s because I’m working at the weekends, so I just don’t get the time to go out. Other than that I’m working in the studio.
I really like Danny Tenaglia’s style, from the times that I have seen him at the conference in Miami ... that’s the only time I get to take in other DJ’s at all. I also like what I’ve heard out of Danny Howells … I like his style a lot. As far as production … like I mentioned earlier, Chus & Ceballos – they’ve been a big influence on me lately; I really feel what they are doing.

MC: Can you describe some of your best experiences in your career so far?

VC: My best experiences … Djing, one of my best experiences would be the first year I did the Gay Pride event here in New York. It was the first year that we produced the event and I hired a 50-piece orchestra to do a set with at me! At 4am, the curtain went up, we had the song from ‘Brainbug – Nightmare’ – the orchestra performed it live – it was just incredible! I worked on it for 6 months with the conductor planning it all out …. I just didn’t expect it to be as amazing as it was! To hear the crowds reaction is a moment I will never forget. I just wish that I was in the crowd on the dancefloor experiencing it with them! Incredible! It’s definitely one Djing experience that I will never forget!

In the studio – well it would have to be the experience I described with Sting … certainly a highlight for me.

MC: We all know Djing & producing is hard work at the best of times, what do you do to relax? What are your interests outside of music?

VC: I spend a lot of time with my family … I have a new born son, he’s 5 months old. I love spending time with my family, with my wife and just doing the opposite to that which I do for work … I don’t go near a club or a bar … it’s good to have that balance to stay grounded; stay with reality.

Your site, victorcalderone.com, details all of the latest information on your productions and your schedule for this year. How important would you say an Internet presence is these days?

VC: It’s extremely important! It’s been incredible to have that connection for me … after each gig I get a lot of emails. It’s very important especially when touring to have that connection with the audience, to get that immediate feedback. More importantly, is that people have that connection with you; to be able to reach out to you and communicate. It’s essential to know what the audience is thinking, what they are feeling and what’s not working.

In a time when you are evolving, it’s important me to have that reaction. Without the website, I wouldn’t know how people are taking to it.

The first thing I do every morning is to check my emails .. I have a very personal hands on approach through my website, I just love having that contact.

MC: Finally, is there any advice that you can offer to budding producers and DJ’s out there?
VC: I get this question a lot … people want to know how to get themselves out there, how to get gigs etc. What worked for me is to get out there to meet the club owners, the promoters, and just try to get your sound to them, your set, your music. Just try to meet everyone that you can and eventually it will fall into the right peoples hands.

That also goes for producing and remixing … for someone who trying to make a start in this area, go out and get yourself some acapellas, import an acapella into your computer or sampler & do your own mix. Get it out there and keep trying to get yourself recognised.

MC: And to finish ….
… A Quick Fire Round!
MC: Favourite food? VC: Steak!

MC: Favourite drink? VC: Gatorade, I don’t drink alcohol much at all!

MC: Favourite Sport? VC: Snow-boarding!



Victor, many thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to speak with the JJazproJect! Best wishes to you for 2003!