What a few months it’s been for Danny Minchella AKA Rogue D. With a fresh start as an individual producer (he was previously a part of the hugely successful Flashmob) the Italian has gone from strength to strength off the back of some upfront underground music. Kickstarting things with a free EP the widely lauded Old Song the talented producer picked up huge support in an instant with the likes of Adam Beyer, Maya Jane Coles and Joris Voorn all making approving noises. We caught up with the main man to see just what makes him tick these days and how he’s been getting on as a solo artist. He’s also kindly dropped a brand new mix for our Prima Lux series. Enjoy party people!
Danny! What a pleasure to have you back at When We Dip, now under the guise of Rogue D.
1) Tell us a little bit about your new project. Did it all kick off with your Old Song EP last year?
Hello Marcus and to all When We dip’s staff, thanks for this opportunity.I started this new project Rogue D in may 2015 promoting this Live Edit/Reedit “Old Song EP”. It wasn’t an official release, I’ve just sent the promo to all the djs I have in my promo list and the feedbacks were amazing.. I’ve got very nice supports from Dennis Ferrer, Jamie Jones, Soul Clap, Josh Wink, Alan Fitzpatrick to name a few. Maya Jane Coles played both tracks at Enter @ Space Ibiza live streaming on BBC Radio 1 with Heidi & Miss Kittin.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKWp0Ak_v0
2) Are you enjoying experimenting with some new sounds?
I’m always enjoying, trying and looking for new sounds with both hardware & software.. Now I’m concentrated in doing a very raw saturated kind of house & detroit records, it’s what I like right now.
3) What are the plans for Rogue D, will you be touring or is this a studio project?
As you know is always very difficult starting a project from scratch and starting playing so for now it’s a studio project but, as I have some releases on Rawax & Toy Tonics, I’m thinking to approach an agency.
4) Some massive support already on your tracks from the likes of Maya Jane Coles, Adam Beyer and Jamie Jones, what do you think makes your music so appealing to other djs?
I think is always a good thing having the respect and support from djs like them. One of the most important thing for me is having a dj that support your music and gives you that boost to get the attention of other djs and promoters.
6) Your love of the studio is renowned, what new toys have you been playing with recently?
I know you know that! Yes I have a passion for hardware instruments but for now I’m working well with a very selected instruments like Maschine (that I’m planning to replace with Ableton Push 2), a Roland TR8, a Moogerfooger MF101 (that I use to filter samples and/or to give drive to drumlines (TR8)) and a Turntable (to rip samples!). I’m also planning to buy some selected modules for my first modular system.
7) We’ve heard rumours of a Defected sample pack, what’s important when making a good sample pack?
Yes! I have, for now, 5 samples library that will be released from april on Defected. I think people will like those libraries as they have a particular sound especially 2 of them called: Transistor Renaissance 9X9 & 8X8 edition.
8) You’ve wasted no time putting together your own label Rogue Limited, what’s it all about?
Rogue Limited is the platform were I’m going to do what I want to do with no pressure from nobody. It’s not a label with a specific musical genre.. I will release what I like. The first 2 releases will be from me under the alias of “dannie” that is an alias I’d like to use for a kind of slow house/detroit sound. I’m still thinking on the third release as I have a lot of music ready but I’m still not sure on what to release first :) It will be distributed by DBH Distribution that is the same owner of Rawax Records, Robert Drewek.
9) A huge acid banger on the way via one of our favourites Toy Tonics, what was the inspiration behind this one?
Yes the one you heard on soundcloud it was a Luca Cazal Remix that has acid sound, it was played by Luke Solomon on his Classic Music Company radio show, that I like very very much. The 2 originals are very raw and underground sort of detroitish sound with saturated chords and sampled drumline. The EP will be released this summer.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/rogued1/roguedzshouselucacazalremixradio-
preview
10) It looks like you’re going to be a busy man over the next few months, anything we’ve missed out on?
I think we missed the most important thing: My release on Rawax. Rawax is, without any doubt, my best record label ever. They released artists like Kevin Saunderson, Ricardo Villalobos, Fred P, Gari Romalis to name a few. The release is called “Resampled”. It’s a sample based record and it’s coming with a remix from Bosconi’s headmasters Minimono, that I think are one of the best Italian producers ever. I still don’t know exactly when the release will be out but it will be probably before the summer.
LINK: https://soundcloud.com/rogued1/sets/resampledinclminimonoremix
11) Lastly some quickfire questions for you:
A) Who’s your star on the rise?
For the music I follow, the ones that for me are on fire are The Analogue Cops (both Marieu & Lucretio as single artists as well), Mr G. (That is and ever will be my favorite producer and live act), John Swing, Minimono and all the Bosconi crew and many others.
B) Where are we going to find the best party?
I don’t know exactly what’s the best party right now but I have to mention one of the best ideas with HILEVEL music quality that is 180gr. It’s like a boiler room but it’s an outdoor streaming dj set in the middle of a fruit market, it’s simply WOW! You can see what they do here:
https://www.facebook.com/180gr.it
C) One thing you want to see more of?
I just one to see more quality music out there!
Thanks a lot guys for this interview and keep up the good music!
Danny
Rogue D: Facebook // Soundcloud