John Acquaviva

Definitive Recordings

2008.09.16 ::: Words by Andrew Reid

With 18 years in the music industry, John Acquaviva has played for over 2 million people and has appeared at over 5,000 gigs. Always at the vanguard of the DJ and club world, today he is hotter than ever. He is crafting new anthems for today's clubs and clubbers, and working with and introducing a new generation of DJs and artists on his own label Definitive Recordings, as well as other labels such as Blufin & Craft.

John began his international career in 1989 with Richie Hawtin by founding one of the world's best known and influential techno labels, Plus 8 Records. John and Richie not only launched their own careers, but also those of now huge techno figures Jochem Paap/Speedy J, Kenny Larkin and Dan Bell (as the trio Cybersonik). In 1992, Acquaviva and Hawtin also founded Definitive Recordings as an outlet for house music, launching the likes of Robotman, Barada, and Omegaman, along with a host of other house talents. Although then known mostly as a DJ, John was actively involved as engineer, producer and artist in the formative years of these artists and labels.

Last year, 2006, was another huge leap forward. John cemented his DJ reputation by placing at highest new entry in DJ Magazine's annual top 100 - number 22 in the canonical poll of DJ influence and success worldwide. Key to that was his first ever full-on weekly Ibiza residency Acquaholic at Privilege in the '06 season. This year, John goes from strength to strength taking a 5-date residency at Privilege, joining a tight roster that includes techno megastar Adam Beyer for Mauro Picotto's MEGANITE on Wednesdays.

Last year's success with Acquaholic will also feed into John's summer plans with the touring club ELECTRONIC. With John as the focal point, ELECTRONIC is John's way of assembling the best of the established and up-and-coming house generation, handpicked from the best in Europe. A night for true music and clubbing fans, John will headline along with Germany's Karotte, Holland's Mason and Britain's Mike Monday, as well as with the UK's Cheshire Catz, Tommy Four Seven and Big Daddy, Italy's Remo, Spain's Fesco Records crew and Olivier Giacomotto of France.

This is but a part of John's influence on the music industry. A pioneer of new music and ideas, John was one of the first people to take notice and embrace electronic music's digital future at the dawn of 2000. First, John got involved with and championed Final Scratch as a new innovative way for DJ's and artists to connect the digital world with the analog world. Following its success, John subsequently took another big step and helped launch Beatport.com, the biggest dance-music download site in the world.

As well as working in the business behind the music, John also works with an entire community of DJs - not just through ELECTRONIC - but also through writing and collaborating on new tracks. The past year has seen John introduce the world to Swen Weber with one of the years biggest club anthems "First Stroke" (on Craft). John's own already prolific production list has grown to include six top tens on Beatport's main sales charts. This year features new projects with David Amo & Julio Navas (from Fresco) with BUNGEE & ETHANOL. The legendary label Definitive Recordings is definitely back with new breakout tracks such as "Volta" by ROBOT NEEDS OIL (remixed by Olivier Giacomotto), Damon Jee & Olivier Giacomotto's EPs "Deep in the Night" and "Gail in the O," plus upcoming new music from Greg Kobe and a solid group of new artists.

We are pleased to have this Canadian icon take some time to chat with us as our debut artist for O Canada.

Nocturnal: Canadian talent has been making huge waves internationally as of late. In your opinion what other home-grown producers out there are really pushing boundaries or making a big impact on our scene for 2008 and beyond?
John: So many Canadians these days are making waves, and the great thing is that they are young and old, both artists and label wise. We have Mark Mendes, Hatiras, Deadmaus, Adam K, Matt DiMaria, Jelo, Flipside, Hatrax, Hotbox, Definitive Recordings, Bugeyed, Starter, MAR186 and many others really.

Nocturnal: You've also taken on a role of pushing up-and-coming, fresh Canucks too. Do you feel as it's your duty as an established, credible figure in the global scene? Why is it so important to support our domestic talent?
John: It is a duty but also a pleasure to find and help people come up the ranks. For me I do this worldwide, but I am very proud of the strength, scene and sound from close to home.

Nocturnal: How do you vision your dance floor and sound? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
John: For me it is always the next new tune, producer or label. I am a total music junkie always looking for my next fix of beats.

Nocturnal: Have you ever had to take a massive risk musically?
John: Everyday, because I try to constantly evolve. When you have a certain level of success, it is safer to stay the same. If I did not evolve I would still be playing disco records [which I love mind you] and never moved on to techno house or electro house for that matter.

Nocturnal: What's your process in creating new music? What's your most indispensable piece of studio kit?
John: A partner in the studio. I hate working in the studio alone. I would rather do anything but. However, scheduling time with friends makes it palatable, fun and often rewarding.

Nocturnal: What forthcoming releases can we expect from you?
John: I just released Too Cool 4 Skool on Beatport. I pretty much have something planned on a monthly basis. I would tell people to check Beatport regularly.

Nocturnal: You also run your own imprint called Definitive Recordings... what can we expect to see forthcoming from the label side of things?
John: Definitive is back in full stride we have had a number of overall top 10 digital downloads on Beatport and countless genre top 10's with artist like Olivier Giacomotto from France, Kid Dub from the UK and Greg Kobe/Robot Needs Oil from Poland, Matt Herdmann from Canada and Jan van Lier from California, we have a global base and sound featuring the new generation of DJ/producer stars. Again, check them out on MySpace or Beatport.

Nocturnal: As the digital revolution continues to dominate, how do you see it impacting our industry going forward?
John: The internet and digital revolution has changed not just music, but pretty much everything. For underground music, it has been a god send because it was so hard for many people to find or order records in many parts of the world. Basically, it has helped cement the global status and perspective of our music.

Nocturnal: As an early adopter of Finalscratch, how have you seen laptop tools enhance and fundamentally change the way in which people can deliver music to the masses? What do you say to those critical of using the technology?
John: On one hand a bunch of us espoused technology so much we called our music techno in the 90's. On the other hand some djs are luddites and don’t even use email that much. It is always never the extreme case. As a collector of vinyl, I would say that the new generation does not consider or treat music as a tangible commodity. It is there... everywhere, cheap and disposable. We have to live within the context of our times. I don’t travel with records anymore and don’t get all fatherly about how it was like in the old days. My success hinges on what I will do tomorrow.

Nocturnal: Summer means touring... where did people catch you this year?
John: Everywhere...but mostly key Mediterranean dates. I did the opening party for Privilege in Ibiza to start the summer then I toured Brazil for June. In July a date at Space with Danny Tenaglia in Ibiza, countless festivals, with the main one BENICASSIM in Spain [if you don’t know it... you better find out more]. Marbella, Cocorico in Riccione, Tito's in Palma for a couple of dates, Global Gathering in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, then a nice cruise in Toronto for Labour Day Monday. To see all my forthcoming dates you can check www.myspace.com/acquavivadj.

Nocturnal: Lastly here are some quick shots:
Nocturnal: House or techno?
John: Music.
Nocturnal: Sunset or sunrise?
John: Sunrise.
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for performing?
John: Mediterranean... any of the countries.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable item you travel with?
John: My laptop and passport.
Nocturnal: Favourite thing to do when returning from a long tour?
John: Wash my clothes ;)
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for vacation?
John: No where... a vacation for me is not travelling ;) Though I go to Europe with my family a lot.
Nocturnal: After a late night at the club, what do you do to unwind?
John: Lay down and sleep comes rather soon.
Nocturnal: Who's your most treasured relationship with?
John: My wife and kids.
Nocturnal: Most emotional song for you of all time?
John: Many... depends on the circumstance… but I always loved “It Was A Very Good Year” by Frank Sinatra.
Nocturnal: Single greatest moment from your career?
John: Every time I have an emergency landing and live to tell about it. I am on my third attempt to cross the Atlantic and missed a gig due to one a couple of weeks ago in Toronto… but seriously many great moments behind the scenes and on stage. To stick to a Canadian motif... I would say playing for over 25,000 people at Olympic stadium almost 10 years ago for Connected during the glory days of clubbing and parties in Montréal.

::: Related Links

::: www.myspace.com/acquavivadj

::: www.john-acquaviva.com

::: John Acquaviva @ Beatport.com