Lance D - Interview

Before I get into my interview with Lance D, I should mention that I'm a huge fan. While I don't have all his material, or a signed record under my pillow, I buy his releases immediately, unheard, and every time I'm pleased.
After speaking with him, I can say that aside from being an amazing producer, Lance DeSardi, a.k.a Lance Nuance (also operating under Curb Feelers and Undercover Agency) is a nice guy.
I would describe his sound as funky deep tech-house. Choppy strings and synths float over funky basslines, while tight kicks and percussion drive the track forward. It is perfect music in the mix with 5am house, tech-house and (slower) techno.

Let's see what Lance had to say about this:

DHN - How would you describe your sound?

Lance DeSardi - I would say ... I try to make it a mixture of everything … house stuff and techno ... I've got lots of influences, and try to bring it all to the table.

DHN - Who would you list as your influences?

LDS - As far as older stuff, I like Madonna, Sly and Robbie… got into tech through industrial; like Ministry and Nine Inc Nails.

DHN - As a DJ, what artists' records are crowding your box right now? Who is producing the sickest music right now?

LDS - Everything from the Classic camp, Pepe, JT [DonaLDSon], Joshua, Global Communications, Morgan Geist … 80's revival stuff is really good right now; one of the few good trends that's come out recently.

DHN - As a producer, do you prefer to collaborate or work alone?

LDS - It depends … depends on the person. JT taught me how to use the studio; engineered my first record … been working with him forever. Sometimes it's hard, you're in the studio and come to a crossroads and you don't agree on the direction ... I've just started working with James Curd from the Classic Camp; very cool. I've also got a new record coming out on Lowdown with Warric Cameron.

DHN - You work with Cpen as Curb Feelers and with JT DonaLDSon as Undercover Agency. You've done remixes for Naked Music and Seasons (2nd Shift) among others. Apart from these pursuits, what artists would you most love to remix or collaborate with?

LDS - I'd like to work with the metro area guys.

DHN - When working on an original production, where to you find inspiration? Do you flip through sample banks or take a long walk on the beach?

LDS - It's funny … it depends. Most songs if I use samples, I chop them up so you can't tell what they are. But I've been trying to work with fewer samples. To answer the question, I guess sometimes if I've got a block, I'll just clean the house. (laughs) I like to clean.

DHN - What kind of gear do you use? Where do you get those sweet choppy synth sounds and funky basslines? I'm looking to steal all your secrets here.

LDS - My baby is the JD800, though now I'm mostly computer based with Cubase… thinking of getting into reason now that I can sync Cubase with it.

DHN - What event would you look back on as your 'break' - maybe a big DJ gig or having one of your tracks picked up?

LDS - I started DJing before I ever went to a party or anything. There was a radio show in Dallas and they were mixing industrial, 80's and stuff, so I got turntables and started mixing myself because I was curious about it. Then I actually went to a party and was like, Wow; first time I ever played was with JT and Sandy Rivera [from KOT] - that was amazing.

DHN - It seems like half of the DJ/producers at the moment also own a label (or two) - do you have any desire to go this route?

LDS - I do, in the sense that I want to start my own label to do my own thing, I wouldn't want to put out other people's stuff. If I go that route, I would do it only because I want an outlet to avoid A&R people controlling the music. Sometimes people have to hear the music in context, but they have a sound they're looking for. Maybe you have 4 tracks you that go together but they only want one of them. It would be nice to have total artistic freedom.

DHN - While your productions are deep and funky, there is somewhat of a 'tech' edge in there. Certainly when you DJ, this really comes out. Any desire to start producing harder, more 'techy' or minimal beats?

LDS - I just go wherever it goes… (laughs). I don't really have a plan when I start working on a track, whatever starts to come out, that's the direction I'll go in. To answer the question, not so much, but for a while I wanted to do some more tech-oriented stuff. I love early Derrick May stuff, but if it goes there, it goes there. I'm not going to sit down and say, I wanna do some banging techno.

DHN - Is there truth behind the rumors of collaboration between you and Dan Bell?

LDS - I worshiped their early minimal shit [7th city]. I spoke with John Tejada about that, who knows?

DHN - Lance DeSardi, JT DonaLDSon, Jamie Thinnes … the list goes on. All from Dallas and all ending up in Cali pioneering a specific house sound. Any startling theory, hypothesis, or general insight regarding the Dallas connection?

LDS - Something in the water… (laughs)

DHN - What was the best gig you've ever played?

LDS - In Seattle, a Dialect party. Miami last year was great, but nothing compared to Hazy Days Collective in Dallas and the parties we did. Sean Holland ran it, and he started Fair Park records.

DHN - That's where you started putting out tracks as well …

LDS - "Choice cuts" was first record put out.

DHN - OK. And for events… what was the worst?

LDS - Any rave.

DHN - That's priceless. So would you ever want to play live at an event?

LDS - I would, but I'd want to do something that is really live, and when I have songs that I think are good for that format… it would be almost a disco act. I'd want to be playing everything live on the synth; plus have a singer, musicians…

DHN - Ready for the silly questions? What is the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

LDS - Escargot - my dad wouldn't tell me what it was- he finally told me…

DHN - What is your favorite food?

LDS - Indian food…

DHN - Big curry fan?

LDS - Ah, curry's ok but I like the sauces.

DHN - Describe your 'happy place'….

LDS - I like to skateboard, so a concrete place with ramps and some good music playing in the background.

Special thanks to Lance, and to JT as well for putting up with my phone calls.

Interview by Scottie Blazin'