There is no disputing that Manfredi Romano, better known as DJ Tennis, is making waves in the electronic music scene not just with his sets but with his flourishing Life and Death label as well. Fresh off the island of Ibiza after playing Loco Dice's Used + Abused party at Ushuaia, DJ Tennis sits down with us to talk about scoring movies, being a talent booker, and his approach for his interesting podcast for Pulse Radio that takes us off the beaten "tracks" and gives a better understanding of the school of thought behind the Life and Death label.
Your label, Life and Death, is relatively young having only been formed in 2010 but yet it’s doing quite well. How did you first your partner in the endeavor Greg Oreck of Thugfucker? What was the conversation that led you to create it? Life and Death is me, Greg Oreck (Thugfucker) and Matteo Milleri (Tale of Us) with the precious collaboration of Job Jobse (Trouw resident).... Actually I don't remember exactly what was the conversation, Greg talks so much.
Your bio states that in many ways it’s a reaction to the “generic output” that was prevalent in 2010. Three years on, what do you think of the current crop of music being produced? There is a new generation of very talented producers and performers and I think that people are finally getting used to listen to a wider range of styles and sounds.
Over a year ago in an interview with Ibiza Voice you mentioned that Life and Death was still in the "life" stage, when will it "death" and what would that encompass? Still alive....
Prior to diving headlong into the world of electronic music, you were working as a music booker in Italy for several different genres of musical artists. What did your experience in this realm of the industry teach you that has helped you flourish in your role of DJ/Producer? Of course, observing, managing, and touring many different kinds of artists is an amazing training: especially meeting different kind of audiences...that point of view helped me a lot to develop the label and my musical productions.
It's also listed in your bio that in the 90's you were making music for theatre, movie soundtracks, and commercials. It's impressive you did that first before becoming a full time DJ and producer. For most people, they're trying to do it the other way around. Do you ever see yourself scoring movies or becoming involved in such productions again? I still want to do that and at the first occasion, I am ready to restart. To be honest, I never even imagined that DJing could ever be my job.
Which three musical artists would you say have had the greatest impact on you? There are too many to list only three. But for sure, rock music had a great influence and the first albums of Pink Floyd and Fugazi are the most played in my iPod.
Briefly, tell us the story behind the making of this podcast - what inspired you? Why did you choose some of the selections on it? The podcast is not a strictly dance floor mix. For Pulse, I wanted to go through my huge passion for indie music and range as much as possible. It's not easy though. Indie rock, ambient, IDM music was and still is my main inspiration for my productions and for the Life and Death musical research. I think those who know the label already noticed that.
Right Click and "Save As" to download Pulse 136 - DJ Tennis here.