Playing at Nolla this Friday along with DJ JEKS (a.k.a. Jaakko Eino Kalevi) and Samo DJ from Stockholm, Ron Morelli is probably the best kept secret of the New York City underground. Besides running his label L.I.E.S. (Long Island Electrical Systems), he is making music both on his own and as a half of Two Dogs In A House, as well as working at the legendary A-1 Records in East Village. We reached Ron on his journey to Europe.
How did you first get into DJing and producing? What made you to start a label of you own?
– I got into DJing after I got sick of playing in bands and dealing with other people. It was an alternate way to be musically creative without all of the baggage of being in a band. As far as producing, that spawned from the desire to make original tracks as opposed to simply playing tracks that other people made. It has been a long road from building up my studio to executing how to create the sounds I want. It's a constant learning experience.
I wanted to start the label as an outlet for my own music as well as a tight knit crew of people around me who had been making tracks. I also wanted to be able to release records at will and not wait around 6 months for my record to come out.
In general, what qualities are you looking for in a track to be released on L.I.E.S.?
– It has to rip. None of this watered down indie rock vocal cross over pussy shit. It's gotta have style, guts.
What's coming up next on the label?
– Steve Summers EP in September, Hassan LP plus a remix 12" in October and a Steve Moore 12" in November.
What are Two Dogs In A House up to next?
– Two Dogs is in the studio working on new material. We have just done a remix for Runaway which is out on On the Prowl this month and have a record coming out on Discos Capablanca early this Fall.
Are there any producers, artists or labels that have been especially influential to the sound of Two Dogs?
– Two Dogs is undoubtedly influenced by the more dark and melancholy side of house music. Such late night public access favorites as Master C & J, Burrell, Blue Jean, the RZ-1, the 909 and all that business.
How's the party scene in New York City at the moment? What clubs you'd recommend to check out or should one be looking for loft parties?
– The party scene in New York sucks. You're better off staying at home and beating your meat or going to a bar or doing a crossword puzzle or volunteering with the elderly or something. No one gives a shit about shit here.
You're working at A-1 Records in East Village, which sells second hand records. What are you thoughts about vinyl nowadays – are people still buying it actively in NYC? What kind of stuff do you sell the most at A-1?
– Vinyl is dead. The youth don't really care about it. A-1 is one of the last men standing in the NYC brick and mortar vinyl game. Our loyal clientele is made of of fans, fiends, collectors, fetishists, the hardcore, the displaced, the lonely, the autistic and the criminal. It is a magical place and thankfully is still going strong. As far as what sells, it is a very diverse store and on any given day we'll move all genres across the board. Not one style outshines another.
Terekke-Damn (L.I.E.S. 005.5) Limited stamped white label by L.I.E.S.
What can we expect to hear at Nolla on Friday? Are there any producers whose tracks you've been spinning a lot lately?
– I will probably play a bunch of house and techno records, some disco maybe, whatever the crowd is down with. Most recently the illest producer is this kid Terekke, whose record I just put out. Real dusted-out straight to tape Detroit style jams. Other than him, new dudes killing are Steve Summers, Tevo Howard, Below Underground, Legowelt (always), Andy Stott... that new Levon Vincent is sweet, I like that Live Jam label, kinda grimey shit.
Are there tracks you've loved since a young age and still sometimes play in your sets?
– No, but I'm gonna choke this child of a young age sitting behind me on this flight if it doesn't stop crying. I can't deal with 8 hours of this. PEACE! Thanks dudes!
Kirjoittanut Mikko Anisimoff / 28.07.2011