How did you find the process of setting up your own label Kenja Records, and where does the name come from?
I had a dozen of tunes that were waiting to be released elsewhere and I was getting frustrated with release schedules that were given to me by the labels. As I work in the studio full time, I quickly came to danger of overflowing myself with lots of tunes that will potentially never be heard by anyone with a little or no outlet for what I was doing at the time. Setting up Kenja was extremely easy. Once I made up my mind it took me three days to get online distribution and set up the first release date. I always wanted to call my label ‘ Kenja’. I think it’s a great name as it has an Exotic ring to it. Makes me think of Three S’s , Sun, Sand and Sea!
Your latest, and the fifth, release from the label is: Bem Bem. Can you talk us through how you produced the track?
I produced ‘Bem Bem’ at the end of last year and it was waiting for the right vocal to come along . I had an old acapella sent to me by my Spanish friends who had recorded a singer called Diana in Ibiza 10 years ago! The guitar sample came from the same recording. When I heard those parts I got really inspired. All I had to do is to find the right place in the track and make those parts fit.
You are based in Southampton. What’s the club scene like there and can you tell us about your residency at Junk?
Giving birth to UK garage in late 90s, Southampton has always had great love for four to the floor groove ! This is a perfect city for House music and I’m really lucky to be born here. Junk club was pioneering the scene from the very start and has featured the biggest names from the genre from all over the world. They are a truly great platform for someone like myself. I’ve got a great opportunity to showcase my musical vision and play the records I believe in.
What plans do you have to expand the label?
I have big plans to expand the label. I have few artists that I will be introducing in brand-new releases in the very near future. I’m very exited for Kenja.
How important do you think it is to Produce as well DJ to help establish yourself?
Producing and Dj’ing is absolutely vital if you want to break the scene. There’s so much of great music out there and it’s really hard to get noticed. Going out and performing your own music in front of people is the only way in. The more you do it the better you get at it. I work in the studio pretty much every day and when I’m not there I’m planning my Dj sets. I take it very seriously because I love it.
Can you tell us about your influences, how did you learn to Mix and Produce?
My first musical memories came from my dad who was an organiser of illegal raves back in the early 90’s. He use to take me everywhere he went. So by the age of 10 I had seen every field and warehouse in Hampshire. I remember really liking House when I heard it for the first time. Waking up to the pair of Technics decks in the morning and lots of FX racks stacked right next to my bed was my childhood!
I had my first spin at around 10 years old and at 14 I had my first gig. Production came later. I had some work at a local recording studio as an apprentice. That was really helpful as I picked up few tricks from the guys and gradually learned how to put the record together in my own home environment. My musical preferences are still being influenced daily. There’s so much great music out there that inevitably imprints my taste so when I’m producing my next record it naturally snicks in.
https://soundcloud.com/dj-ronnie-spiteri/sets/cant-stop-this-ep-preview
Where can people hear you play next?
I’m playing at Junk club every fortnight. Junk is the place where I can try out my new records and experiment with my sets. Otherwise I’m on Sonar Festival in Barcelona the weekend of 21st of June.
https://www.facebook.com/DjRonnieSpiteri?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/djronniespiteri
http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/ronniespiteri
https://www.facebook.com/kenjarecords?ref=hl
http://www.residentadvisor.net/record-label.aspx?id=12121
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