Music is truly universal. It allows one man of one culture separated by miles of land and sea from others, to reach out to another artist to come together and work on a new project. It allows that man to travel the world and absorb different aspects of life, seen through different eyes. And it allows that same man to truly express his creativity not just through one but several genres. We are talking about the veteran Benny Camaro. The producer and DJ who hails from Napoli has been in the game for 10 years now, putting out music through labels like Jango Music, IRMA Records, Tiger Records, and Tactical Records, among others, landing on Beatport charts like it's his job. And in reality, it is his job: "I [have] always had music since I was a child and at the same time I studied law and graduated in law. Today, music is my profession, from studio production to live performances around the world. It's nice when you can live with what you like."
Born Benny Moschini, the future globe trekker was one of the few DJs to make it after a formal training in music, similar to Apashe. But it wasn't just his time spent learning the piano and voice that helped him get to where he is. He felt a deeper connection to music: "It is said that the first toy to a child directs you in what you will become in the future. I [was given] a headboard of one octave, and by that time my relationship with music was vital. Growing up I studied and experienced music in all of its forms and generally, I still do today." That relationship explains how he remembers more of the emotion he felt when he heard a House track for the first time more so than the moment he decided that making Dance music was to be his profession. It was the contradiction of something violent yet sweet to Benny that imbued him with the idea of changing people's emotions through music.
Eventually by the age of 16, he had his hands on his first set of Technics (1210 MK & MKII) and was a DJ at two radio stations (Radio Punto Zero and Radio Antenna Campania). For Benny, using analog equipment was a personal benefit since "touching vinyl is like touching the keyboard of a piano and being able to distinguish the notes. But also the technology is important and I deepened learning to use each type of platform and it is wonderful." His positions at the stations also gave his early confidence a boost, especially when he'd hear his mixes while driving in his car. By 18, he was already touring Europe at premier venues.
But Benny would not be content with early fame and success as a DJ. He wanted more out of music. He opened up his ears to the music around him while traveling and found the inspiration to create an experimental Atmosphere Soul/Funk and Afro-American mixture in "Anger" (IRMA Records). A few years later, Benny took on the position of executive producer for his own Rock project, I'm Still Here (San Luca Sound), with the artistic direction of Renato Droghetti and Luke Longhini. Touring more off the album he learned the importance of having a team:
"But if there's one thing I really learned and this is advice to all producers: never go alone anywhere. We must confront and create a strong, well matched team because a team can surprise the world. Behind every director, every movie, every song, there is a talented team that together creates miracles."
In his travels, Benny has had one town dear to his heart. While there are many areas that he's been a part of jam sessions in and grown fond of over the years, Sopot, a small village in Poland not far from Warsaw, has become his "wonderland." The art in the streets from the music to the painting has resonated with his open minded proclivity. And it's also kept in tune with his Dance music. Benny the Dance producer experienced early personal success in the studio by mixing in his various musical influences with Pop tendencies. He may not have had a #1 charting song on Beatport with his first creation (which he finished in one hour) but he did get a rush that he never felt before. Producing and DJing went hand in hand for Benny since music was a major part of his life instead of just a hobby: "Every kind of music is like a feeling... Happiness, sadness, anger. That's why I do not stop only to dance. I want to live music in all its nuances... to the end."
As 2015 is nearing its close, Benny is looking forward to experimenting with new sounds. He wants to work on more "Classic House, Future House but especially Pop Deep House--creating real songs but in a very sensual, Deep [format]." There's even a chance the world will hear a Bossa Nova Dance track from him. As he stays true to his principles of exposing people to new music and providing new grooves for the dance floor, Benny Camaro is poised to win on all levels, locally and internationally.
Last Call
1. What is your favorite movie of all time?A Nightmare On Elm Street
2. As a young DJ, who was the one DJ you looked up to?Roger Sanchez
3. As a DJ, what's your biggest pet peeve?DJs who pretend to be a DJ and instead create damage.
4. What is your current production set up at home?I do not have fixed configurations. I always like to improvise on the moment and see things coming out of my heart.
5. What's your favorite record of all time?At the moment Wamdue Project's "King Of My Castle." Why? Because while I'm doing this interview I am listening and it will always remain the soundtrack of this beautiful conversation.
Keep up with Benny Camaro on his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, website, and Youtube. You can stay up to date on his Hot Wheels radio show by heading here.
Bryan Hahn will travel the world and visit Sopot one day. He's on Twitter (@notupstate).