Dez anos se passaram desde que ouvimos as primeiras demos para Peace/Dance.
Anos se passaram.
O álbum será lançado amanhã.
PEACE / DANCE INTERVIEW WITH DONNY
INCO: This project has taken years to make!
DONNY: Indeed it has. I remember having the idea in 2013 to make a compilation of my favorite songs that were not Madonna and release them in two formats: ballad and dance remix. I made a few “audio clips” of the idea and sent them to you at Holiday Share in 2014.
I: But you actually did include Madonna.
D: Yes, I couldn’t help it. I love Madonna. I had to do one Madonna song in the end. I knew it was going to be “Like A Prayer.”
I: I remember hearing the preview clip of Like a Prayer. The music you used in 2014 was completely different from the final version.
D: Yes, it was. In 2014, I selected specific music for it. And I loved it. But now it is 10 years later and I cannot locate that music again. So I started over and tried something completely new.
I: Tell me more about your inspiration for the project.
D: A few years before, I made a Madonna compilation of ambient mixes, completely downtempo and “chill.” It was released through Holiday Share. After that, I made CD singles for some of those ambient mixes and included dance mixes. I liked the idea of doing that for other artists – peaceful mixes and dance mixes – all on one compilation.
I: How did you determine which artists would be included on the compilation?
D: I don’t recall. I’m sure it had to do with what songs I was enjoying at the moment. I always loved Enigma and Sandra, so of course they would be included. Lauren Christy’s “Satellite” was so beautiful to me. I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a dance mix of it?” Dana Glover sang “Start All Over Again” in the television show called Desperate Housewives, and I remember hearing it and thinking, “That is so peaceful.” I liked it enough in 2014 to want to include it. And I had just watched the second season of the TV series “SMASH” where I heard Krysta Rodriguez singing the incredibly beautiful track “Reach For Me.” I knew I wanted to include it.
I: In 2014, the recording artist ATB was not included on the compilation.
D: Correct. Originally, it was going to be a single CD, with the first half “Peace” and the second half “Dance.” There was no room for any other artists. But eventually, I decided to split it up into two CDs, one for each style of sound. Knowing there would be extra room on the CDs to include other artists, I reached out to you to suggest some artists and titles.
I: Yes, I remember that. It was during Covid, and the two of us started thinking about what other tracks could be included.
D: That’s right. And then recently, you suggested ATB’s song “Autumn Leaves.” I listened to it and agreed it was the perfect way to end each CD.
I: The idea started in 2014 and was completed ten years later in 2024. Why did it take so long to finish the project?
D: Because of distractions. As you know, I take on MANY remixing projects. And most often, they are Madonna related for my Facebook page Remixers United Productions feat. Madonna. Time after time, the Peace/Dance project was put aside and forgotten about so that I would have time to make other remixes for Madonna. But the Peace/Dance project was always lingering in my mind, begging to be finished. And in 2024, I allowed myself time to finally finish it.
I: And at the end of ten years, you kept the original track list (plus the ATB song).
D: Yes, why not. The desire to hear different remixes for the original track list was just as strong.
I: I’ve listened to both CDs on this compilation and love it. Especially the ATB song. Do you think you’ll do another Peace/Dance compilation? Perhaps Volume 2?
D: I doubt it. This 10-year effort was exhausting to make. But then again, there’s an old expression: “Never say never.” So you never know. It could happen, but I wouldn’t count on it.
I: What’s next for you? What projects do you have coming up?
D: That’s a good question. I have another project that I started YEARS ago – longer than the Peace/Dance project. Do you remember I released a Madonna compilation called “Madonna: A To Z, Part One”?
I: Yes, I do! You remixed 13 songs for part one. Songs that started with the letters A through M.
D: Yes, The first track was Animal, the second track was Broken, the third track was Cry Baby. Etcetera. I always wanted to finish that compilation with part two, tracks N through Z.
I: I wondered if you were going to release the second half.
D: So I would like to do that in the near future. HOLIDAY SHARE released the original part one in 2011.
I: Does this mean Madonna A to Z, Part Two will be your next release? When can we expect it?
D: I’m not sure if it was be the very next release. There are plenty of other projects that I want to work on as well, including the next Dream Tour, which was put on hold for Peace/Dance. But, I promise you, A to Z part two will be sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.
I: Your fans will be looking forward to it. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. You are very busy!
D: Thank you, Inco. You too are very busy. One day, I should interview you!
I: You are very kind, lol. Now you can relax. Talk again soon, my friend.
D: Indeed, we will. Peace out.
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