This is “Apulian Strings” by Innocent Soul, the third vinyl release from See-Saw, featuring four gorgeous sample-house themed tunes. In at the top spot is “Apulian Strings”, an uplifting disco infused track making ample use of a soaring, anthemic string sample alongside a stomping beat and heavy bassline. Up next at the A2 position is “Get Do It”, with a looped vocal sample and super catchy bassline that takes things in an altogether funkier direction. Kicking off the B side and keeping the funky vibe alive is “Don’t Be Shy”. A cool yet quirky track that cleverly uses a nifty 2 beat sample, an unexpected yet pleasing vocal refrain and irresistible beat. Rounding things off is “My House Is Funky” which, as the name suggests, has a distinctly house fueled flavour, featuring synths and samples in equal measure. The perfect end to this magnificent EP.
We have had the pleasure of interviewing him and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music? Does your training come from the Internet?
I’m from Bari in Apulia (South of Italy) and since I was really young I loved play music as Dj, at the beginning hip hop, R&B mixed artist like Snoop, Notorius or 50cent, this about my 15/16 years old. After the high school I went to Sound Engineering University, where I learn some skills about the art of production.
During this period I had the possibility to test myself and try different kind of sounds, we were between 20 people more or less each one with a different idea of which kind of sound we wanted to develop , till founded my way. Around my 20 years old i finished the university and moved to barcelona where Innocent Soul was born.
During this period I had the possibility to test myself and try different kind of sounds, we were between 20 people more or less each one with a different idea of which kind of sound we wanted to develop , till founded my way. Around my 20 years old i finished the university and moved to barcelona where Innocent Soul was born.
Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?
As musical inspiration I really love the U.S. Sounds for example Lerry Heard, Ron Trent, Paul Johnson and many others, as life inspiration I think Vega could be the main inspiration’s figure for me because made music and made gig from 30 years no stop.
How would you define your sound? And how has your sound evolved so far?
My sound is recognizable because usually I used to do an House Drum (120/130BPM) using my MPC accompanied by a Disco Sample, then I look for a cool Bass and some other sounds to complete it. Step by step I’m managing to expand my studio buying some vintage synths to reach the sound that sign the history, as Larry Heard or Ron Trent but in my way.
What can you tell us about your last job? What inspired you? What do you want to transmit?
What can you tell us about each track that makes up your latest work? What concept do you want to convey?
Since the covid period I’m living in Apulia and I didn’t expect to find this happiness, after a long period between Barcelona and Milan.
My goal is to convey happiness and lightheartedness in every track.
My goal is to convey happiness and lightheartedness in every track.
«Apulian Strings» express the Apulian life style, trying to transmit the tranquillity we feel here constantly, the violine sample make you feel happy when the violine explode and merge with the beat.
«Get do it» make the people dance also played at low volume, simply a funky flow.
«Don’t be shy» it’s made for lazy people, the «do it» vocal it’s is made to wake up who listen the track.
Reagardinf «my house funky» I’ve to be honest with you, when I’ll prepare my self for a big gig I play it, give me energy and make me focus at the same time, my shower track. Whit this Ep i wanna trasmit some good vibes for the listener.
How are you living the current situation due to COVID? Has it affected your work a lot? Do you think there is hope? Do you feel that the underground scene will continue to persist?
The covid period has been tough because as I Dj I need the people dancing my music, I prefer the fisical EP than only digital production and of course I love to make dj set. During this period I released some music on digital store hopping people could play it home having no occasion to go in the club. The underground scene isn’t easy but when you drop some nice nice party is difficult to forget.
What projects are you working on right now?
Actually I’ve good news, I’m working with various artists, the new set up in my studio permit me to expand also my musical view an give me the possibility to do more «experiments»
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/innocentsoulmusic
