Scarborough in the house! DJ Barletta is the latest local DJ/producer to make a splash on the new electro scene. His rap-influenced productions and remixes have been blogged about to no end, and they've attracted the attention of big name DJs like Italy's Crookers.

In addition to remixing international acts like The Beastie Boys and Rihanna as well as local talent like Kardinal Offishall and Syntonics, Barletta also has a growing collection of solid original material. When he's not producing popular club tracks, he also writes his own music blog called The Factory Press.

DJ Barletta headlines this week's edition of REMIX THIS! alongside resident/host DJ Medley. Why Barletta? What does he use to make his tracks? Who's spinning them?

Keep reading for the complete interview.

blogTO: Why do you call yourself DJ Barletta?

DJ Barletta: The name Barletta comes from my favourite skater (Louie Barletta) when I was in high school. It was a joke at first, which eventually stuck.

How would you describe your sound using only a noun?

Mud.

I heard you only use Ableton Live Light software and a MicroKorg synth. Why did you choose just that gear for your productions?

I rarely use that MicroKorg, it is actually a terrible synth and is probably better used as a MIDI- controller than as a sound producing mechanism. As for Ableton - a friend of mine introduced me to it and gave me a free CD with the program on it. Used it, loved it, and made it work for me.

Which producers/artists have influenced you the most?

Crookers, The Bulgarian, Kelevra, MSTRKRFT, Syntonics, Geoff K, Bloody Beetroots, Tittsworth...to name a few.

Your tracks are all over blogs these days. When did you finish your first track and how did you first get blogs to notice you?

The first track I did that got blog attention was a remix of Daft Punk's "Harder Better Faster Stronger" that got blogged on Missingtoof. That was a really big help as far as getting my foot in the door in the blog world.

You've been approached by big DJs like Crookers for your tracks. Who else has contacted you?

I have been contacted by Bryan Cox, and also Steedlord has asked me for my stuff for their set.

Who are your favourite Toronto area DJs, producers, bands, etc?

Syntonics, MSTRKRFT, Alias, Nasty Nav....

What's your least favourite nickname for Scarborough (i.e. Scarlem, Scarberia)?

Haha. Scarlem is pretty lame.

What do you like best about living in Toronto? What do you like the least about it?

I love the pigeons, hate the TTC.

Any plans for official releases? Have you been contacted by any labels?

Been contacted by a few labels, plans for releases are definitely in the agenda.

REMIX THIS!
feat. DJ Barletta, DJ Medley
Wednesday, July 9
Andy Poolhall
489 College Street
Doors 10pm
FREE

Call & Response is a weekly series of Q&A's with artists from or playing in Toronto. Photo: DJ Barletta's Myspace page.