Interview: ImanoS hits New York

1 Posted by Live For The Drop Staff - 3 April, 2012 - Interviews

Live For The Drop’s own got the opportunity to sit down with up and coming DJ and producer ImanoS; a chance to find out the man behind the booth, and also talk about his new exclusive remix for Dragonette, “Let It Go”, available exclusively today on Beatport.

L4TD: When did you begin producing and what inspired you to do so?

ImanoS: I started producing when I was in my early teens I think. I was making hiphop in FruityLoops trying to make sounds similar to a lot of my favorite hiphop producers at the time. It was just something I wanted to mess around with for fun and when I got a bit older in college I got more into dance music and that is when things started to change.

L4TD: Currently, who are your biggest influences? Have your influences changed over time since your start up?

I: I have a lot of influences.. They definitely do change as the sound changes. I’d say all time some of the biggest influences are Dirty South, John Dahlback who’s old tracks are sort of timeless for me. Right now big influences are Nicky Romero, Gregori Klosman and other Electro names. But I’m listening to all genres…Rusko’s new album I’d say is my latest inspiration and a lot of the new Diplo more mainstream productions also.

L4TD: What song, remix, or work of music are you most proud of doing this far?

I: It’s tough to say.. I was really pleased with how the Niki & The Dove remix that Faustix & I did turned out and happy when I got to see Adrian Lux play it in my hometown, Vancouver. There are a few upcoming remixes and tracks I’m really proud of and think lots of folks will like them as well. I’d say some of the upcoming singles are really powerful and well thought out and you guys will have to stay tuned to hear them!

L4TD: Who would you be most honored to work with on something new?

I: Too many to count! I was really flattered when John Dahlback asked to sign our single, ‘Ill Wait For You’ last year. Some guys I really admire and would love the the opportunity to work with would be Diplo, Nero, Dirty South just off the top of my head. Don’t think a day goes by where I’m not listening to a track where one of those artists are involved.

L4TD: With your new move to NYC – what made you chose this city?

I: Don’t know if the move is permanent just yet, but going to be kicking around working on a few things. I use to live in the city and went to college there for a bit. My best friend from college lives in the Village and were going to be working on a non music related project together so that played a big factor in me deciding it would be fun to be in NYC for a bit.

L4TD: Can we look forward to any upcoming shows/possible residencies?

ImanoS: Yeah! There will be some shows upcoming. More east coast dates will be announced in the near future, but I’ll be playing at Splash in Boston on April 14th and on the Electric Cruise in New York City on May 11th.

L4TD: Your new remix for Dragonette comes out tomorrow – “Let It Go.” Can you tell us how this opportunity came about and the feelings & emotions behind it? What this song might have in store for coming times?

I: I’m a huge fan of Dragonette and I’ve really been into their sound for a while. ‘Hello’ was an absolute smash, but I really dug their solo work and loved Martina’s voice on ‘Fire In Your New Shoes’ with Kaskade. I happened to get in touch with someone involved in Dragonette’s management team and mentioned that I had heard the ‘Let It Go’ clip recently and liked it a lot. They told us they liked our sound and gave us an opportunity to remix ‘Let It Go’. We got to work on it immediately and it turned into this melodic track with this heavy drop that just makes you want to go wild! It’s just the beginning of some of the remixes we’ve done that you will all get to hear within the next coming months from Faustix & I.

L4TD: As we dwindle down this interview: any big things that you have planned ahead? Collabs? (specially: when will your collab with Lucy Taylor will be released – we’re big fans)

I: There should be a couple nice singles just in time for the summer that I can’t say much about…We’ve just finished up some remixes for some artists we’re fans of that you’ll get to hear very soon as well. As for the collab with Lucy that may be a little bit further down the line, perhaps near the end of the summer. Don’t worry though, this summer is definitely going to be filled with new music and hopefully we’ll be able to get out my debut solo single or EP - still working all that out. I’m also going to be starting a new record label soon called Less Records with a few friends that I’m really excited about. So there is a lot stirring and coming up really soon!

I: Just wanted to say thanks Live For The Drop for the interview and hope all of you guys like the new remix!

Dragonette - Let It Go (Imanos & Faustix Remix)

This is Mookie, your captain speaking. I know just yesterday I pledged allegiance to the LL remix, but that was prior to the Faustix & ImanoS release. I recant my previous statement, as this Imanos & Faustix is my favorite remix; the boys highlight Dragonette’s vocals in a way Luke doesn’t, but provide a drop that devastates equally as much. The piano-y buildups are just what Mother Nature ordered, providing a calm both before & after the storm/drop. On behalf of the Drop Team, we’d like to thank ImanoS for the interview and encourage him to keep producing jamtastic bombs. And jamtastic is not a word we use lightly around here.