Call & Response: Barletta
Since I last spoke with Barletta, he has become one of the most profilic producer/remixers out of Toronto in this half of the "aughts". With over 120 tracks/remixes/edits to his name, I can't think of anyone who's been busier.
Barletta's work has caught the ear of Tremendous Records - the fresh, new Montreal-based "future pop" label founded by Grandtheft (one half of the amazing Team Canada DJs duo) and backed by local indie jaugernaut Last Gang.
Tremendous is releasing Barletta's kickin' new single "Whisper" in style tomorrow night at Wrongbar. I spoke with Barletta about the new sound of his new single, sexy stuff and moving out of Scarborough. There's also free guestlist spots!
blogTO: Did you have fun at Pop Montreal? What did you do before/after your shows?
Barletta: Pop Montreal was insane, a week of excess to which my liver was surely not pleased. The Barletta warm up/wind down strategy is always as follows: Red Wine.
Your new single "Whisper" is great. A little more "melodic" and not as hard as most of your previous material. Is this a new sound you're moving toward, or a slight detour?
I wouldn't say it's much of a detour, so much as it's a musical progression and a maturity that comes with producing music for a long time. Styles and trends always change and finding yourself musically, in the haze what's "hot" and what isn't, is the healthiest thing for me right now.
How did you hook up with Grandtheft and Tremendous Records?
My manager knew [Grandtheft] through Team Canada and they're association with Last Gang Records. We had been in talks for doing some releases, and once they put the go-ahead on the EP, everything just clicked into place proper.
The video is pretty racey. Were you surprised when you first saw the final cut?
Suprised? Not at all. I think the video is brilliant. The best $8 CAD ever spent.
Last time we spoke you were using Ableton Live Light for your tracks. What are you using these days - software and hardware?
I'm still on the Ableton tip, but now I actually own a legitimate version of 7! I still make all my music out of one-shots and sample packs, studios are a waste of time.
We spoke in July 2008 and you lived in Scarborough. Do you still live there?
Haha, no way dude, I picked up and left the badlands for the dirty city. It was the best decision I ever made. Being right in the thick just feeds the creativity and desperation.
Where do you live now? What do you like best about it?
I basically live right beside Circa. Some of the shit I hear/see on a nightly basis is hilarious. Drunk [people] with sausages trying to hail cabs at 4 am while the police are on horseback galavanting through the street riots. Priceless.
What can people expect to see/hear/feel at Wrongbar this Saturday?
Sweaty Sex in Stereo.
CONTEST: The first five people to post their favourite Barletta remix/edit will be put on the guestlist for the party tomorrow night. Good luck!
Pink Mafia and Tremendous Records present: Barletta's Whisper EP Release
w/ Grandtheft, Nasty Nav
Saturday, October 10
Wrongbar
1279 Queen Street West
Doors: 10pm
Cover: $10
Call & Response is a series of Q&A's featuring bands/DJs from or playing in Toronto. Photo: Kavin Wong/sharkvsbear.
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