First Listen: We Catch up with Joseph Capriati and Stream New Album Track 'Basic Elements'

It was back in May 2011 that we first introduced you to him on this very blog, but it doesn’t seem that long ago that Joseph Capriati was launching his career and making his Farringdon debut. Now, just a few short years later he’s performed grand scale DJ gigs the world over, from Las Vegas to his native Napoli, and he’s powered his production to a conclusive point in his second full length artist album, due for release later this year. Ahead of his latest techno voyage in Room Two this Saturday, we caught up with the Italian born producer to fill us in on his take on the USA electronic music movement that his latest tour endeavour has exposed him to, while he offers up an exclusive first listen to new album track ‘Basic Elements’. STREAM: Joseph Capriati - Basic Elements You are back at fabric this weekend and finally we have found the time to catch up with you properly. What are you looking forward to most about playing Room Two? It is always a highlight of my year to play fabric, it is without doubt one of my favourite clubs to play anywhere in the world. The venue, the sound, the crowd, the staff - everything is always perfect and I know every fabric gig is going to be one of the ones to remember. The last time I was booked at fabric was on NYE and I got to play the midnight set which was great fun. Of course on any other weekend of the year I am usually playing later than midnight but the club was already packed by the time I arrived around 11pm. I had to leave kind of early though as I had to fly to Spain very early on NYD so this time I am looking forward to playing the closing set and really letting go musically. The sound in Room 2 is perfect for Techno - so heavy and intense - and I always feel such a great connection with the crowd even though the DJ booth is tucked away in the corner of the room. There is always a very special atmosphere in that room and I am sure Saturday will be no exception. Cari Lekebusch plays before me too so I will be sure to get there early to check him out. We have been hearing for a while now that there is a new Joseph Capriati album coming soon. What is the latest news on that project? By the time I arrive in London the album should be finished! It has been a bit of an extended journey to get to this point but we are nearly at the end. I started collecting tracks last Summer and most of the music was written by Christmas but I have been so busy touring this year that it has been literally impossible to find those last few days in the studio to wrap everything up. I have been very close to finishing it for a few months now which has been frustrating, but this is a common story for a DJ/Producer, and ultimately with an album you have to take the view that is ready when it is ready. You make an interesting point about the whole DJ/Producer set up. How would you classify yourself in terms of that balance? I am definitely a DJ/Producer. DJing is my main passion and I am honest enough to say that I am not the best or most natural producer ever. I do enjoy making music and I like to think that even though I might not make too many tracks or remixes that there is a high standard of work throughout my back catalogue, but DJing is my first love and what I am best known for. You have been generous enough to allow the fabric Blog a world exclusive on streaming the track 'Basic Elements' from the album. Why did you pick this track? It feels like I have been talking about the album for a while so I thought it would be a good idea to actually put some of the music out there to let people get a taste of what is to come from the album. I would say that while I am obviously really happy with all the tracks I have written so far, 'Basic Elements' is probably my favorite and I also think it neatly sums up the vibe of the whole album, as much as is possible from one track. I wanted to do something a little bit different with this album. Nothing too drastic, it is still a Techno album, but I wanted to get across the different sides to my musical self. So there are lots of melodic moments, a few electronic tracks, some more tech house flavors as well as the big techno sound that I am best known for. For me, 'Basic Elements' sits somewhere in the middle of all these influences with its funky bassline, drawn out pads and driving groove. For those who may not be so familiar with your back catalogue can you pick out what you feel to be the top 5 most essential Joseph Capriati productions to date? OK, wow... this is difficult putting things in some sort of order but I would say this gives a good idea on which tracks have been the most significant for me so far in my career: 1.The Gallery 2. Save My Soul 3. Solar System 4. Congenial Endeavor (w/ Adam Beyer) 5. C'est La Vie We saw that you just spent the whole month of March in USA. Everyone seems to be very excited about how the electronic music scene is developing over there but how was the tour for you? The tour was an amazing experience but a lot of hard work. It was the first time I had been on such a long tour - 12 gigs in 4 weeks - and while I was extremely well looked after by all the promoters and friends I have in USA, it was still hard to be on the road for that long. I found that I missed the really simple things like watching a movie on my couch or having my favorite things in the fridge. It sounds silly but these are the things I missed the most. In fact, when I did finally get to have some proper downtime at a friends house, when I was about two weeks into the tour, all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and relax. I was the most boring house guest! As far as the scene in USA goes, I only had positive experiences with good venues, proper sound-systems and informed and energetic crowds everywhere I went. I think for me the most surprising thing was how consistently good the shows where regardless of which city I was in. Of course I expected places like New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles to be comparable to the shows I do in Europe, and they were, but my shows in Denver, Washington DC and New Haven were great too with an amazing underground energy. Even Las Vegas with all its glitz and glamour managed to throw a really good party with an underground feel which showed me that there is a very real and genuine passion for underground electronic music, and especially Techno, in the USA. I really can't wait to go back and I am already looking forward to my next tour and to seeing how things continue to develop over the next few years. What plans do you have for this Summer? Will you be back in Ibiza? My summer is already looking packed with some really exciting festivals like Awakenings, Monegros, Tomorrowland, Aquasella, Electrobeach and Mysteryland plus a couple of surprises which I cannot say anything about right now. I can however confirm that I will be back in Ibiza on 8th June for the Amnesia opening party and then I start my summer residency for Marco Carola's Music On events one week later, with the first of 8 shows I will play in the Amnesia main room throughout the summer. An Ibiza residency?! That must be a dream come true? Yes, it is a big moment for me for sure. Like most people my age I grew up seeing the amazing parties happening in Ibiza and hearing about the history that electronic music has with the Island. Then when I got the chance to go myself I felt touched by the magic of the place and so it is a real privilege to get to play in Ibiza so much this summer. Especially at such an amazing club like Amnesia and especially for Music On. Last Summer they really surprised everyone with how good their events were, week-in-week-out, and that really is down to the hard work and effort they put in along with the musical vision Marco has for Music On. I have a huge amount of respect for what they managed to achieve last summer and I am excited and proud to be part of their second season in Ibiza We could not let this chance to speak to you go without asking you about the 12 hour set you played recently in your home town of Naples. We saw the Be-At.TV footage and it looked incredible. Now you have had chance to reflect on that show how did you rate the experience? It is difficult for me to put my feelings on this event into words. It still feels like a dream, even though it was two months ago and I have watched the footage back myself many times. So much about the event was special for me. It was the first time I had played 12 hours. It was the first time the famous Metropolis Club in Napoli had been sold out with just one DJ on the line up. It was the first time my family had seen me play in front of 6000/7000 people. It was the first time I had all my closest friends and colleges gathered together at one gig. The list goes on... but even now when I think about it I just remember the amazing atmosphere that everyone created that night. It really was like a football crowd going crazy but for hours and hours! All in all it was a very emotional experience for me and something I will remember forever. Joseph Capriati will be DJing in Room Two this Saturday with Terry Francis and Cari Lekebusch, for more info and tickets go here.