Clubbing institute GOODGREEF celebrates its 9th birthday on Saturday 21st November.  To mark the occasion it’s putting on a party, which will be, quite simply out of this world!

GOODGREEF is going all space-age for the night with a Star Trek DEEP SPACE NINE theme. We caught up with one of the star DJ’s on the bill in the run up to the big event….

Giuseppe where do I start?? For someone like myself who grew up on Trance, a special thanks for taking 5 out of your hectic schedule to chat to TIMC!

For those who don’t know the man that is Giuseppe Ottaviani how would you introduce yourself?
Hello to everyone I’m Giuseppe Ottaviani from Rome Italy, I’m a producer and a live-act in the electronic music field and if you like that kind of music you should check out my website to get some more info and listen to my music: www.giuseppeottaviani.com

How and where did it all begin for you? Am I right to say that you started your musical career at a very early age, in the classical genre?!?
It’s a long story but everything began at the age of 7 when I started to study classical music in a music school close to my city. I moved to electronic music when I was about 14 and I used to be a DJ when I was 15 also having a weekly show in a local radio station. I started producing in 1998 and a year later, together with a friend, we made a very good project called Nu Nrg. We got signed on VANDIT Records (Paul van Dyk’s renowned label) in 2001 and in 2005 I went solo. So here we are!

Do you have any advice for any budding musicians who are thinking of dropping their instruments and music lessons, and moving over into electronic music?  I mean, do you think having a classical music education benefited you to become the artist that you are today?
Well it depends what kind of music you want to play. I mean you don’t necessarily need take music lessons today because technology helps a lot and not all the trance producers have a classical education I guess. Of course my background helped me a lot because for me it’s all about melody so being able to play real instruments allowed me to make my music better and faster than using mouse clicks.

You’ve released tracks on Paul Van Dyks’ renowned record label, Vandit Records. It must have been a pretty good feeling knowing that your music is appreciated by one of the biggest DJs in the world?
Yes absolutely, I feel really honored to stay on board with them. I think that Paul’s support and the great job that all the guys at the VANDIT office made so far really helped me to make my career. They give me the right feeling and with their full management they allow me to think only about the music. I feel very lucky and I think I couldn’t ask for more.

In regards to the appreciation, Id like to thank you on behalf of no doubt countless others for your hit “Free Fall” which every time I hear it brings back good memories! Is their any particular track over the last decade that really stands out for you?
There are two tracks that really mean a lot to me. The first one is Dreamland, which allowed me to get signed on VANDIT, which was the starting point of my career as a professional musician. The second one is Linking People, which marks the starting point of my solo project. Now I have over 14 tracks that stand out for me and all of them are included on my first artist album GO!, that was released in September on VANDIT Records.

Your renowned as a world class DJ and Producer. To you, which comes first, the DJ’ing or the Producing?
I wouldn’t classify my self as a DJ since I only play live shows and I play my music only, so it’s really a concert more than a DJ set. Beside that I really love doing both because first of all I make music in my studio then I need to share it with other people and playing a gig and playing live is the best way for me to do it.

Lets talk about the production side for a second. What software/hardware are you currently using in the studio? And which piece of equipment could you not live without?
Despite all DAWs (digital audio workstations) used in today productions I use a complete analogue setup which sound definitely warmer than making and mixing a track in a box. I mean I use real keyboards like Virus TI, Supernova II, JP-8000, Nord Lead, Korg Triton and 01/Wfd, hardware compressors/limiters and effects. The hearth of my studio is a 32 channels analogue mixer (Soundcraft Ghost). Everything is controlled via MIDI by Cubase 5 on a quad core PC.
I know I’m a bit old school but I can’t see my self making sounds with the mouse using plugins and vst instruments, I need to touch the music with real keyboards, faders and knobs. You know it’s all about feeling with music and this setup gives me the right one.

Ever been tempted to go back to classical?
Yes sometimes, even if I have to admit that now I’m not really able to play classical music like I used to did in the past. You know playing classics requires a daily practice and I don’t have the time to do it now.

Your playing the Goodgreef 9th Birthday in Liverpool alongside the likes of John O Callaghan and Jordan Suckely. That definitely sounds like one not to be missed!
Sure I’m really excited to play there and I have already prepared something special for that gig!

Your fan base stretches all over the world. Which country did you enjoy playing in most and which country has the most exciting up and coming scene?
I actually love to play everywhere, there’s not place better than another one, it’s just different. I mean I really enjoy Ibiza during the summer season for example as all the open-air festival around the Europe and the clubs during the winter. I love Australia because is so far away and I love Berlin because I feel like at home since there I had my very first gig ever. Then I would love to play in Japan because I never been there and I’d love to play in Italy one day when the trance scene will finally rise up.

What do you think the future holds for trance music? And who is the one to watch out for?
I see a bright future of course, I mean music is continuously evolving so maybe it will not be called trance anymore one day but still the electronic music will be big.
I really enjoy what Filo & Peri are doing now, they have a great album coming up on VANDIT Records on November 6th, you should watch out for those guys.

And what does 2010 hold for Giuseppe Ottaviani?
Definitely much more music, new productions, new remixes, and even better live acts. Now that the album is out I’m focused to improve my live show with much more music and longer sets. I’m even working on some video material so check my youtube channel (www.youtube.com/giuseppeottaviani) and my website as well.

Now time for the quick fire round….deep breathes…time starts…..now!:

Best venue?:
Amnesia, Ibiza
Favourite crowd?:
Argentineans were the winners of last month. Can you do better this month?
Classical or electronic?:
I love both of course
Ableton or Cubase?:
Definitely Cubase
CDJ’s or Turntables?:
Turntables
Ibiza or the up and coming Croatia?:
I know Ibiza but I need to play in Croatia first, I can’t tell you now.
Best footballer, Paulo Maldini or Roberto Baggio?:
Roberto Baggio for me
One celebrity you would like to swap places with?:
No, I like to stay in my shoes
And finally, what advice would you give to any young and upcoming DJs/producers?
Keep on pushing on what you believe in and what you like most; try to be yourself and to build your own sound. Put all your passion in what you do and sooner or later something will happen.

Giuseppe, thanks again for chatting to us, you’re an absolute legend!

Was a pleasure, speak soon!

Yours
Giuseppe Ottaviani

Guiseppe headlines the trance room at Goodgreef’s 9th Birthday at Nation, Liverpool on Saturday 21st November 09:

MAIN ROOM – FUTURE TRANCE
JOHN O’CALLAGHAN
GIUSEPPE OTTAVIANI LIVE
MENNO DE JONG
JON O’BIR
JORDAN SUCKLEY
MATT EVERSON

THE COURTYARD – GOODGREEF XTRA HARD
LISA LASHES
ZANY
MARK EG
DUTCH MASTER
ORGAN DONORS
RASCAL b2b HUSTLER

THE ANNEXE – FUTURE HEROES
ROB H
UBERCHIC
SAM WALKER
KRYSTOW DE FIER
THE TECHNICIANS
LIAM WILSON
PAUL CALVY
DJ TONE
STOMP ADDICT

Door Times: 10pm – 5am
Price: £19.50 + Booking fee
Tickets from: http://www.skiddle.com/events/11327758/
Venue address: Nation, Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool L1 4BX
Event microsite: www.goodgreef.com/ds9
Info 07790 774 550 / 0161 727 5290

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