Interview with Benny Benassi

Journalist: Hey Benny, where on planet dance are you today?

Benny: Everywhere! I'm busy this summer between festivals and shows all over Europe and America.

Journalist: Well you have done it again, ensured much dancefloor madness thanks to your music – this time round thanks to your new tune ‘Let This Last Forever’…please talk us through the sound and history of the track…

Benny: Alle and I, my cousin and producer, wanted to do a track that makes you feel better as soon as you hear it. I really wanted to work again with Gary: I love his voice, it's very powerful and it works well for my sound. The lyrics were written by Gary and Dan Black.

Journalist: The video for the new record features some lovely ladies showing off their synchronised swimming skills in a Los Angeles pool. Must have been a hard job overseeing that shoot huh..

Benny: Ahaha yes! I wasn't actually on the set for this shoot but I enjoyed watching the edits come through!

Journalist: “Summer is coming, can you feel it” you recently announced on your Facebook. What are the things you notice that summer has arrived in Italy…?

Benny: People are more chilled and relaxed: it's sunny, you can go to the beach and eat ice cream (if you’re not on a diet like me).

Journalist: What is the current top 10 you are spinning?

Benny:

1. Benny Benassi feat Gary Go "Let This Last Forever" (MakJ Remix)

2. Coldplay - A Sky Full Of Stars (Nathan C Bootleg)

3. Skrillex feat. Kill The Noise & Fatman Scoop - Recess

4.Moguai- Aciiid

5. Yves V Ft Chuckie - Oldschool Sound

6. Moby & Lucky Date - Delay

7. Jacob Plant – Louder

8. Benny Benassi - Back to the Pump

9. Carnage & Junkie Kid - Krakatoa

10. Dyro & Dannic- Radical

Journalist: You are in Ibiza tonight for Steve Aoki’s ‘Playhouse’ night which is going great guns – probably the most talked about night on the white isle this summer! What is your favourite Ibiza memory?

Benny: I've been to Ibiza so many times it's impossible to choose. Last year I played Ushuaia with Avicii and that was great, i have played Amnesia many times too.

Journalist: Your ‘Let This Last Forever’ summer tour takes you to some incredible hotspots this year including the magical Cavo Paradiso in Mykonos. Even though this beachside palace is rammed all summer long, it still remains one of the world’s best kept clubbing secrets. Why is this place so good?

Benny: I wish I could say, it just has a magical atmosphere with the beach, the music, the people...it all works well together! And the sunrise...

Journalist: You are also appearing at Tomorrowland in Belgium in a couple of weeks – probably the best festival in the world right now. What has been your greatest ever festival experience?

Benny: Tomorrowland is a great festival, they put a lot of effort into the production and the fans come from all over. There are too many to choose just one experience, John Legend on stage with me at Coachella last year was very special though.

Journalist: You have an unlimited budget. Choose any location around the world to put a festival on and you can book any headliner. Where and who?

Benny: Italy of course! With all my friends.

Journalist: Your Benny Benassi & Friends radio show on iHeart Radio is an unmissable treat for your fans worldwide. Where are some of the countries far afield that you cannot believe people tune into your music?

Benny: That’s a tricky questions, I have to say I am pretty happy that fans from all over always listen to my music. It doesn't matter how obscure or not. I really appreciate their continuous support.

Journalist: What is the record that…

…reminds you of your childhood?

Benny: “Diana Ross – ‘Upside Down’”

…always gets you dancing?

Benny: “Diana Ross – ‘Upside Down’.”

…you wish you would have made?

Benny: “Diana Ross – ‘Upside Down’.”

Journalist: How do you chill out outside of the studio?

Benny: I cycle, if I have a day off I grab a bike and go for a ride!

Journalist: Who are some of the producers you are giving high fives to right now?

Benny: There are a lot of great producers coming through at the moment, I work closely with Rivaz a lot. He is touring with me this summer quite a bit. There are some great young Italian producers; Merk & Kremont, Sunstars, Razihel…

Journalist: Away from dance music, who are some of the artists you are listening to at the moment?

Benny: I love Coldplay but they just made a dance record!”

Journalist: Have you ever been starstruck?

Benny: Does being mistakingly confused for Robert Downey Jnr count? That has happened once or twice…

Journalist: Not many people know this, but Benny Benassi is really good at…

Benny: Cycling! Or maybe you do know that...

Journalist: What is the last song you heard today?