Exclusive Interview: Jon Pegnato
Some say with the turn of a season the Electronic Dance Culture embraces a genre and propels its popularity beyond its other musical counterparts. Most would agree that the fluctuation in popularity has nothing to do with forces of nature; rather at the center of any successful uprising you’ll find innovative arrangements, ass-shaking beats and unparalleled production. Take multiple EPs of this nature, within a reasonably short time frame, and you have the formula for a dominant dance genre. 2004 found House Music re-immersing within the EDM Culture with strong production from major players across the globe. Enter Jon Pegnato. This Los Angeles based DJ/Producer has been making waves with groundbreaking music and floor filling performances earning him a nomination in URB Magazine’s Top 100 of 2004 and multiple gigs throughout the United States.
Jon was kind enough to accept our interview. Here is a small piece in the life of Mr. Pegnato’
FHM: Where do you hail from?
JP: Los Angeles, CA ‘ USA
FHM: Were you a DJ first, or a producer first?
JP: DJ
FHM: As a relatively new DJ/Producer, you are certainly experiencing a lot of new emotions. With that in mind, what is the most frustrating thing about being a producer in today’s dance culture?
JP: It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. It seems at times, that if you’re not producing a mainstream sound, or kissing ass, then you’re brushed aside as average, or not an up-to-par producer. I guess that is just the way the cookie crumbles.
FHM: Tell us about your favorite gig so far as a performer? Was it stateside, or an international affair? Describe the vibe of the experience.
JP: One of my favorite experiences on the road thus far has been in Grand Rapids, MI. The people there are just dope. They all come in from surrounding cities, to drink, have a good time, and enjoy house music; which is what I’m all about! I find that the vibe in smaller club settings is always a better experience for me, than larger events. I like being able to talk to people, and see them up close. I don’t like being that ‘dot’ on stage. Plus, I love being able to leave the decks to get another beer, or two.
FHM: What are your thoughts/opinions on the current sound of up-tempo funky house? Who are the innovative & driving forces, in your opinion, pushing the sound forward rather than stagnating?
JP: Currently, DJ DLG has been really pushing the envelope with his sound, and I tip my hat to him. He has definitely set the bar high for the new generation of producers. Another big inspiration for me right now is Fuzzy Hair. His production has a certain style that just grabs you and makes you move.
Some other big influential producers at the moment for me are Hatiras, Melee, & Bryan Jones. Always consistent, always solid!
FHM: Tell us about your production/creative experience with Charles Feelgood? How did you two hook up & decide to make a track – Eye Candy – together, which by the way, is a Funkyhousemusic.com summer favorite?
JP: In a world filled with comments like “hey, call me, lets work on something”, or “hey, lets get in the studio one of these days”, Charles is one of the few that actually means it. The day after we spoke about it, he was already blowing up my cell phone eager to get started. After playing phone tag for a couple months, we finally got in the studio and banged it out.
Charles was dead set on remixing Hall and Oats, and the rest is history.
Haha! He is great to work with, and has become a really good friend. He is now a daddy, so finding time for the studio is like pulling teeth!
Or maybe I need to check my voicemail.
FHM: There are a lot of Funky House producers/DJ’s that live in Los Angeles, California. What is it about that city/state that makes DJ’s/Producers want to be there?
JP: I’d say it has got to be the weather. It seems like every big house Producer/DJ in LA spawned from a different city or state. Angel Alanis, Rees Urban, DJ Dan, Donald Glaude, Feelgood, Bad Boy Bill. and the list goes on. Who knows? Maybe LA is like to DJs/Producers what Florida is too retired old folks.
2004-2005 Plan for success – make tracks, blow up, and move to LA!
FHM: How did you hook up with DJ Dan & the “In Stereo” label? Will you be releasing future tunes on this label?
JP: I did a remix for Angel Alanis, on the track “Love Fuck”, which we got a lot of good feedback on, and it got a lot of good play time internationally. Definitely, some of my favorite work from Mr. Angel.
After doing the remix, I starting working closely with Dan, and helping him with the label. Aside from assisting with the A n R for the label, I also did a remix for DJ Dan’s newest hit “Bam”, due to drop this summer. I also have an EP coming out later next year.
FHM: You’ve already worked with leading producers and DJ’s, such as DJ Dan, Angel Alanis, Bryan Cox, and others. Is there anyone out there that you want to work with next?
JP: This year has been a very exciting one. I have already done remixes for Eric Davenport, Kelly Reverb, Granite & Phunk, High Caliber, Mike Balance, Filter Freq, and more. I’m really excited to see what the future will hold. If I had to choose someone to work with, why not Sebastian Leger – Le Puma!
FHM: So tell us how you got your first track signed. Your first release was “Late Nite Binges” which you co-produced with Angel Alanis. Take us through the process.
JP: Once we made the track, Angel shopped it to Donald Glaude & Rick V for their new label – Eden Recordings. It took over a year from the day of signing the track, to it actually coming out in stores. My god did that blow, but it was worth the wait. Patience is definitely something that goes hand-in-hand with this industry. With out it, you’re going to have an aneurism.
FHM: Was “Late Nite Binges” really your first production? Are there any pre-professional releases out floating around online?
JP: It wasn’t the first song I made, but it was actually my first production with Angel Alanis. And yes, there is definitely a lot of un-released material floating around.
There are a couple tracks that I made years ago, that some how ended up on some Russian web site, under some other producer’s name. As messed up that is, its kind of funny. I think they owe me like, 4,500 rubles! Damn them!
FHM: “Late Night Binges” was charted by a variety of heavyweights, and even played on Radio One. Was it a shock to get such a reaction from your first major release?
JP: It was a really big shock. I never expected my first release to get that kind of recognition. It wasn’t until I heard Richard Humpty Vission play it @ Monster Massive; that I knew that I was on to something. It got a lot of international play from Fergie, and was on countless top 10s. It was my way of introducing myself to the production world, but then again, scared me. It basically set the expectations for every release to follow. I was kind of hoping my first release would flop, and be a hit 5 years down the line. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. Ha!
FHM: When working with Angel Alanis. Did you guys work together in person? Can you clarify how someone would co-produce a track?
JP: Angel is actually my former roommate. Rees Urban, Angel, and I used to live in a house together in Studio City. At the time, I was still trying to learn the basics of sound production, and trying to figure out how to make the sound I wanted. Working with Angel definitely gave me a good foundation to fall back on, and I kind of used what he has taught me as sort of my ABCs. With ‘Late Nite Binges’, I picked all the samples, and Angel engineered the track using both of our creative influences. And we were drunk. And it was late, hence the name.
FHM: Of all the studio setups you’ve seen, tell us about the mother of all setups that really turned your head.
JP: My next-door neighbor’s setup is pretty bad ass. He turned his living room into a full-blown quarter million dollar studio. Pro Tools HD, Sony DMX Sound Board, MPC 3000, a wall of out board gear, and god knows how many synthesizers. Too bad he makes hip-hop.
FHM: Some producers, almost immediately, try and start their own record labels to release material on. Do you have any immediate plans to start your own label?
JP: Yes, I do. My label is called ‘District Music’. I have my first release “Soul Phonic”, coming out in July, which is an original production by me, and a remix by the very talented Mike Balance. Following that, I have releases and remixes that would include – Raoul Zerna, Kelly Reverb, Angel Alanis, and more! The politics of selling a track to a label can times be a headache. Solution, start your own!
FHM: How do you describe your style?
JP: My style is always changing, so it’s hard to put a label to my style. I make everything from bangin’ house, to techno, and whatever else sounds good at the time. I just always make sure it’s funky and poppin’!
FHM: Who are some of the DJ’s that influenced your style?
JP: DJ Dan, Angel Alanis, Derrick Carter, Marco V, Joey Beltram, Andrew Salazar, Tony Gamboa, Brett Johnson, & Antoine Clamaran, just to name a few.
Thank you for taking the time to accept our interview, and for supporting the Funkyhousemusic.com mission. We truly appreciate your effort, and wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.
To learn more about Jon Pegnato, please visit:
www.jonpegnato.com
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