Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson of Solu Music Records, New York City, Usa. The Official Interview

Name:Howie Caspe
Age:24
Sex:Male
Born:Born in Brooklyn NY
Living:Living in NYC, recording in Wantagh, Long Island, NY

Name:Dano Nathanson
Age:26
Sex:Born in East Rockaway NY
Born:Male
Living:Living in East Rockaway, recording in Wantagh, Long Island, NY

1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game?

HC - Dano and I have known eachother for about 3 years now. We were doing a lot of live stuff in NYC. I play keyboards and sing, and he plays guitar and sings as well. We did a lot of old R&B, Funk, and Soul, covers and originals depending on the project. Keeping a live act together is a ton of work, getting people the studio, and to the gig, and paying everyone…

DN - We basically wanted to start a project where we would basically rely on only each other. We got in the studio, started throwing stuff down, and it just kinda happened. We brought in KimBlee, who we knew from earlier projects, and pressed the records. It's pretty simple actually, and it works for us.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

HC - As far as Soulful House goes, we're both inspired by the soul and funk artists of the past. Al Green, James Brown, Otis Redding, Etta James. Dano's been listening to the deep stuff forever, and he really got me into it. I have a really eclectic musical taste, I'll listen to anything depending on the day. Dano's the same way, but he definitely has stronger roots in the deep stuff then I do.

DN - Right on, but he's always got new rap & hip-hop stuff… We check it all out.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

HC - I never really looked at musicians as heroes, I always kind of looked up to them as colleagues, as people who did what I always wanted to do.

DN - that's right, but I really loved James Brown and Etta James.

HC - Yeah, and I always loved the B-52's…really….

3. You are a Dj/Dj Producers(First and Formost!!). However, what was the first club or music venue that you played, that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time? Can you play any musical instruaments yourself?

DN - This is actually something a lot of people confuse. We are both actually musicians/composers/producers first and foremost. DJing is something we continue to do and hopefully we'll be able to tour doing it eventually…

HC - Dano plays guitar, bass, keys, he sings, he does it all. Very few people realize that we write and play on all of our tracks. I cover keys, bass, congas, whatever we need to have, whatever we hear, we find a way, but we also know our limitations, and we would never do anything half assed. We know so many amazing musicians, so we have them come down and play on the record. But for the most part what you hear from Solu right now is written, produced, arranged, and performed by Dano and myself.

4. New York's legacy with the formation of House and Garage music is strong. It was one of the first cities to lay claims of inventing the music. However, of late, New York City, is only gradually getting back to its love affair with music. Is that fair to say this? Why did the peoples of New York in your opinion turn its back on Soulful House in the middle 90's( In your opinion!!)

DN - New York is one of the birthplaces of house music. There have always been those here who have loved it and pursued it, and followed it. Many of them were here in the beginning, and remain here now…

HC - I think that a lot of new people have discovered soulful house through disco, r&b, and hip-hop. These genres all contain the same elements of movement and style. The music is made to move you, and house is definitely moving a lot of people.

5. You have your own label these days. Why the need to set one up. Was it always a dream to have your own label? Was like too much hard work to start up in the first place? Who's idea was it too start up Solu Music.

HC - Solu was an idea that we kicked around for a while. Originally it was going to be a production company for live original acts. Then that all changed and we decided to start a label in order to establish ourselves as writers and producers…

DN - It gives us the freedom to release whatever we want, whenever we want. Right now we're only doing tracks by us, but we plan producing other artists in the not so distant future.

6. What styles are you looking to cover on the label now that you have it up and running on Solu Records?

HC - Definitely deep, soulful, sexy house.

DN - And whatever else we're feeling, Afrika's and afro-house track, and we really love doing the chillout lounge stuff.

7. You released the single called "Fade", featuring KimBlee this summer (2001) via your own label. Has caputured the imagination of all those that heard it around the world. Who wrote the lyrics? More important then that can you tell us a little more about KimBlee - who is she??

HC - The music and lyrics to Fade were written by myself and Dano. KimBlee is an amazing vocalist who we knew from an R&B project we were doing. She's a very petite girl, but then she opens her mouth and BAM!! This amazing, warm, beautiful sound comes out.

DN - Tell him about the meltdown.

HC - I actually, well, we actually deleted all the vocals by mistake. We had to have her come back and do another session, she sounded even better. It was an amazing experience… The track is being re-released on January 8th. We licensed it exclusively to Wave, it will have the previously unreleased Earth Mix. It's very exciting for us and for KimBlee.

DN - KimBlee's also featured on the B-side of Afrika on Sunsets, our first release of a chillout track.

7a. Keeping on the musical side of things. Do you do your own writing of your own material these days, rather then approaching musicians or dj/producers to come up the tunes themselves. Or do you do the whole thing yourselves?

HC - Right now we're doing it all ourselves, but we'll be getting involved in co-producing / writing, remixing, and producing other artists soon.

8. Of late the city of San Francisco, Usa, is making a huge international name for its self with regards to singles releases that were similiar sounding to "Fade". Labels such as Naked Music and Pan Handle come to mind here. Traditionally, Soulful House and Garage music is usually made within Chicago, New York and New Jersey, and to a lesser extent Baltimore and Washington D.C within the Usa ( I haven't forgotten you!!). Are you glad that people from all walks of life are rediscovering this music that the Usa invented all over again..?

HC - Its great to see this music that we love getting some more attention. Its tough in the states because the major labels have a lock on radio, so you really have to fight to get the exposure that is more easily obtained in places like London, where dance music is much bigger.

9. You have done a few parties within your area of New York playing the type of music being made on your label. How did they go? Much of a turn out? When is the next one?

DN - We've been throwing release parties and they've been going really well. Turnout has been amazing, and I think that people are looking for this type of vibe. There are more and more Deep House parties showing up every week, and that's great for the music…

HC - Ideally we want to have a night, whether its once or twice a month. Ideally one party in Manhattan, and one in Brooklyn to spin our favourite tracks that are out, and showcase some of our new material.

10. I don't know if you have heard any of it as yet, but its huge over here in England. What are your thoughts on the music known as Uk Garage/2-Step Garage music that is busting out of the England, and notably London at the moment? The music has bulldozed its way into the Soulful House and Garage music framework. Its the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. What are your views on the scene and the music culture ( If you have heard any of it?)

The Arftul Dodger and M.J.Cole have bought the music forward for 2-Step Garage music. Or you may have heard of the younger and up and coming Breakbeat Garage dj/producers such as Solid Solid Crew, Pay as go Crew or the Heartless Crew. What are you thoughts on the music?

HC - The stuff that MJ Cole is doing is phenomenal. I actually saw him spin at the Bowery Ballroom, opening up for Musiq Soulchild. The place was a bit cold when he started, but people were dancing there asses off by the time he was done. There's one really chill track on the album that gets me every time, I think its "I See".

DN - Yeah, that's a beautiful track, and Sincere is amazing. The music has a different feel to it, and that's what I love about it.

11. London, England, is awash with Pirate Radio stations at the moment? Which means it gives young and talented Dj's and new artists via the records that are played over the airwaves, a chance to be heard by the public at large. Is there such a set up where you are based in the Usa, that is geared towards black dance music in New York city? Am Radio in the Usa - has a large listentership I am told. Do you think that this could be your Pirate Radio set-up if people where to copy the Uk version of Piarate Radio that is based on Fm? Do you listen to Am broadcasts in the Usa?

HC - Pirate radio in the US is a Federal Offense, there's not a lot of outlets. The biggest outlet is college radio, otherwise its dealing with everything the major labels want you to hear. There's a couple of radio shows that focus on House. Jeannie Hoppers Liquid Sound Lounge, and New York University's the Candy Store. Its tough to get on radio in the states…

DN - There are more opportunities for internet broadcasts in the states than actual radio.

12. The BBC corporation seems to be championing the cause of dance music in the Uk. Now with plans of a new National digital radio coming into place in the year 2002; Is this only a case of dance music being fashionable so that the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these soul, drum and basss and garage shows in fear of getting left behind? What is the situation where you are based in the Usa. Any talks of a national station for black dance music coming in the future??

DN - No idea, we don't really have a national radio station. We have thousands of stations in each location, and its tough to figure each one out. It would be cool to have that kind of venue though.

13. More on England, I'm afraid. Craid David is the name, and from all reports he seems to be doing well in the USA. At the start of his career he made quite a few singles with the group called The Artful Dodger ( Southampton, England.) He's album called "Born to Do it",( Rnb' and Soul album directed, with a few Uk Garage cuts on it - made with the with the Artful Dodger) has gone Platinium in the Usa.Are you impressed with England's newiest International star. What are you thoughts about this artists. Have you heard anything from him musically?

HC - I honestly haven't listened to the album that much. I through it in once, and I wasn't into it. But, a lot I have to listen a bunch of times before I know if I really like it or not.

DN - Didn't really do it for me either.

14.The Masters at Work Production team ( New York, Usa) are still going, and are probably New Yorks Finest. Have you ever seem them play out in your city before? Are they someone that you wouldn't mind working with to create more Soulful House cuts?

HC - Masters at Work is a great team.Kenny Gonzalez and Louie Vega are pioneers and revolutionary…

DN - Obviously it would be amazing to team up on a project with them.

15. You are still Dj's. What labels do you look out for? One that you tend to head towards even though you still have a open mind to music (with regards to Soulful House and Garage music.)

DN - Labels like Naked Music, Kickin, Defected, and Wave are always putting out great tracks…

HC - Also Compost, Air Tight, Distant, and Solu Music.

16. As Dj's, do you prefer using styles that sees you blending tracks in, rather than chop and mix from one track to the next with records?

HC - It depends on the track, sometimes the smooth mix works…

DN - Other times, just chop it up.

17.Coming from New York city and moving in the circles in which you do. You must have come across quite a few Vocalists, Musicians and Dj/producers of all shapes and sizes. Who would you say to keep an eye out for. Is there someone out there that in your opinion will be huge in 2002?

The amount of talent in NYC is amazing.One vocalist that we're extremely excited about is Ariah. She is the vocalist on our third release (still untitled).It should be out the first week of April, 2002.She has an amazing voice, and an amazing presence. Hopefully everyone will love her as much as we do.

18. The Winter Music Conference is coming up ( March - 2002). Are we going to see Solu Music representatives there. Have you been to the Winter Music Conference before?

HC - Dano and I have never been to the conference, and we're extremely excited for this year. We'll both be going, and we're trying to get involved in some events that are going on. We'll see what happens. It'll be great to finally meet all the people we talk to, but never see. We'll also be really starting to push our third release (which is actually loop 1 from our site, if you've been there), that's the track featuring Ariah. We may be doing some stuff live.

19. New York City and Washington D.C, recent tragedies (*Sept 11th and Nov, 12th, 2001) have made us all reliase that life is precious and should be enjoyed to the full. What is the state of mind of most New Yorkers at the moment?

HC - New Yorkers are the most amazing and resilient people in the world. New York gets this bad rap as being a tough town, and a place where people would rather spit in your face, than give you directions, but people that live here have an undying love for this city, and it has only become stronger by the horrific events of September 11th. New Yorkers are moving around, doing what they need to do, what they love to do, and what they want to do. I think we're all just more alert than we ever were in the past.

DN - So true…

20. Christmas (2001) has come and gone, and its traditionally the time when dj's across the world get most of their work. Did you get booked to play out anywhere? Or did use this time to get a well earned rest?

DN - We've been working parties solely for Solu right now. We're trying to build a presence here in NYC, and to really get a couple of good nights going and also new tracks that should be ready for the shops any day now!!.

21. Have you got any advice for any aspiring Record label producer, DJ , Club owner or Dj/Producer within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

DN - Try to do it your way, its possible, don't get locked into other people telling you how to make your music. Then its not your music…

HC - Totally, make your own rules, but make sure to know who you're talking to, what you're talking about, and that you are talking to the right people. The right people loving your tracks can do amazing things. Oh, and don't erase your tracks…

Interview conducted by Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson of Solu Music Records, New York City, Usa

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson of Solu Records. If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.