DONNY: 35 Years In Music Exclusive Interview

Desde o anúncio de que o projeto Remixers United iria ser encerrado em seu 10º volume, tivemos a ideia de que a cabeça do projeto, o talentoso Donny deveria ser homenageado por sua obra, não apenas com Remixers United mas como um reconhecimento pelo grande remixer que ele é. 

Aqui temos uma entrevista exclusiva com Donny, revisitando diversas etapas de sua vida como um remixer, são 35 anos de experiência e história.

A entrevista é a primeira parte dessa homenagem, no Sábado será lançado Donny's Definitive Collection, uma super coletânea, aguardem. 

Donny, obrigado pela parceria e amizade durante todos esses anos.

35 Years In Music Exclusive Interview

INCO:    How long have you been remixing?

DONNY:  That’s difficult to answer.  The years start to blur at my age.  I remember going to dance clubs – probably 1984 or 1985.  I found myself fascinated with the music that the club DJ played.  I was used to hearing popular songs as they appeared on the artist’s album.  But the versions the DJs played were different.  Although they were more “extended” versions (12-inch singles) they were different than what was played on the radio.  My curiosity peaked and I knew I wanted to get more involved.

INCO:  Is that when you started remixing?

DONNY:  First, I became a DJ at dance clubs to understand the remix format better.  But yes…that was when I first experimented with remixing.

INCO:  I would love to hear some of those old remixes from the mid-1980s.

DONNY:  Oh no, you wouldn’t, lol.  They were horrible.  Of course, at the time, I thought they were amazing!  But I can look back at them now and realize they were very bad.  I consider them to be parts of learning stages.

INCO:  I bet you remixed a lot of Madonna mixes in those early years.

DONNY:  Honestly, I didn’t mix Madonna until several years later.  I was a fan of hers, yes, but I found myself mixing other artists, like Samantha Fox, Pet Shop Boys, Dead or Alive, Eurythmics, and other artists.

INCO:  When did you begin mixing Madonna?

DONNY:  Probably in the mid-90s.  My skills were still not the best, but slowly becoming better.  I edited songs with cassette tape.  I used a sampler device for special effects and stutters.  My remixes were often “extended” remixes with a drum introduction and drum exit.

INCO:  When you and I first connected, you had already found a strong fan-base.

DONNY:  Yes, I remember you telling me that I had fans.  I did not realize that.  I always kept to myself.  Computers were not part of my life for a good amount of time during my early remixing.  So, I was very surprised to hear you tell me I had fans.

INCO:  When I think of Madonna remixers who have been around for a long time, your name is included.

DONNY:  I told you I was old!  But when you told me I had fans, I thought, “I must be doing something right.”  Which is odd.  To this day, I am never satisfied with my remixes.  I find flaws in everything.  I compare myself to other remixers and say “I’ll never be like him or her.”

INCO:  You are too hard on yourself.

DONNY:  I don’t like drawing attention to myself.  I’m humble, I guess.

INCO:  Was I the first person to reach out to you, as a fan of your work?

DONNY:  Yes, you were!  I also remember a person or group called MPAP.  They contacted me as well.  I made a couple of Donny compilations for them.  And you: over the years, I have provided you with some Donny compilations.  But only when asked.  Like I said, I’m too humble to put myself out them on my own.  And I’m fine with that.  When I released the compilations in Remixers United, rarely did I put my own track as the lead single.

INCO:  I appreciate the compilations you provided me.

DONNY:  Sometimes, though, I have an idea for a project and I get overwhelmed.  So much so, that I never complete the project.  Do you remember the compilation “Madonna A to Z, part 1”?  That’s a good example of an unfinished project.  I never made part 2.  But I would love to do that in the future.  And I made an ambient Madonna compilation.

INCO:  I remember that.  Together, we started a CD-single collection based on those tracks.

DONNY:  There you are!  Another example of forgotten and unfinished projects.  I believe we made three CD-singles with the intention of making several more.  I am so sorry, Inco, for letting you down.

INCO:  Don’t stress about it.  I am happy with what was finished.  This was, of course, before Remixers United.  Do you want to talk about RU?

DONNY:  I’m not sure there’s anything about Remixers United to tell you.  I have shared its history so many times, there’s nothing new to share.  But sure, here it is … in the shortest way possible to express it.  10 years ago, I gathered remixers from around the world to make new Madonna remixes.

INCO:  Why did you decide to stop releasing RU compilations?

DONNY: Because I had a goal of completing 10 years – a goal that I met this past Christmas.  And now I have more free time to do other things.

INCO: What other things?  Are there any projects you wish to tell about?

DONNY:  I now have time to focus on remixes of Madonna and other artists – at my own pace.  I have time to improve my remixing skills.  I would like to make Madonna remix videos – and learn how to do it better.  I want to remix for famous singers, professionally.  I would love to hear my music on the public radio.  Years ago, a local radio DJ played a mix of mine (Open Your Heart) and I almost wrecked my car in excitement!

INCO:  That must have been exciting.  Are there any other moments in your 35 years in music that you could share with me or your fans?

DONNY:  A year or two ago, I had a remix of mine included on a maxi-single that charted on the Billboard dance charts.  That is an achievement that I am certainly proud of.

INCO:  You should be.  And I am proud of you, Donny.  That is why I wanted to put this compilation together, to provide fans with a brief history of your music career.

DONNY:  When you told me about it – and how my good friend William Vipond Tait would be making the artwork – I actually teared up.  I thought: I am not worthy of your admiration.  But it showed me just how much I am loved by you, William and others.  When I think that I am not a good remixer, I now look at this new compilation that celebrates me – and I believe that you must see something there.  Something that I cannot see yet.  Thank you so much Inco and William for this tribute.  You are amazing friends.