Interview: Sondi!

Tell us something about your young age. When did you start making music? How was your first approach as a producer?

I'm actually about to turn 17 in April, haha. I started making music when I was 15 as a producer for my brother, Ronnie $lugz, who was just starting to rap back then. While I was waiting for him to write lyrics or edit vocals, I would be making my own music. I just started making music so that people could have that feel good party hard vibe to. Though I was immature and naive back then and didn't really put much work into my craft.

How would you describe your own style?

My style is definitely New Jack Swing influenced. I love the euphoric 90's and y2k vibes that we don't really get out of music today. Deep Bass, hard to catch samples, smooth percussion, and NES noises are the basis of my songs. Before my music was just made purely to party, but lately I've been feeling in such a lovey dovey mood. I want to make more love song. I want to bring the fun and dance back into love music.

Which are your main influences? Are they mainly from your country, the USA?

Teddy Riley and Tofubeats (from Japan) are the first influences that come to my mind. Teddy's style is exactly everything that I want my music to become: classics. Tofubeats is amazing vocally and production wise too. It was like a dream to work with him on the Summer Dreams album and I would really love to work with him again. Most of the music I grew up to was either from Europe or New York.

Is there something that you want to convey with your music? 

I want to convey a good time. Whether its talking to the girl of your dreams, partying all night with your friends, or even drawing dingos on a Thursday night. I'm tired of the same old “Yeah I’m so hard Oh yeah".

Do you keep on giving music for free? Explain us your opinion about it.

Free music will be with me even if I get Micheal Jackson famous. At the end of the day I'm making this music for everyone to feel good, and if I don't ever make a dime off my music, then so be it. Long as we all get to party.

Your EP 'The Ballad For GINA' is upcoming, also available on CD format on our label. You told us there's a concept behind this release, could you reveal something?

Well other than GINA being an acronym, “The Ballad for GINA” is literally a ballad for the girl that broke my heart. Each song tells like an act of our relationship up until the final scene. I know she'll probably never listen to this, but it's good to get it off my chest.

Have you ever been in Italy? What's the idea you've got of our country?

I have never been to Italy, but I would die to go there one day. I actually thought I going there next summer. Italy is so amazing, such rich culture and amazing food. And don't even get me started on the women and beaches. It's like my earthly heaven. Every time you guys are at 3Monkeys I just sit at home by the window like a loner wishing I could be dancing to Francesco DJing.

You ended up becoming a real ace among our artists. What do you think of our collaboration?

Thanks! I always get excited for the next release. I get pumped listening to the latest EP by good friends like Liquid Pegasus and Leo Grooves. Then there's people that I didn't know and I become the best of friends with them. Its like we're a big family. The compilations are the best because it's always fun to see what everyone did for such a big project. I would love for Midnight Side to have more artist all together.

Sondi!