14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHDAVID PENN

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi, I’m David Penn, Spanish musician, Dj & producer. 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

Quincy Jones, I always liked the way he produces and his vision of the music. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Tele transportation, to eliminate the thousands of hours spent in planes, cars  and trains etc! 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

Not sure as the movies I like have a great film score normally… Maybe a science fiction movie. 

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And who has been the most influential in your personal life?

Stevie Wonder, he is a genius who has a whole other perception of music - his chords and his harmonies are brilliant and different from the rest.

Probably my parents first as they enrolled me in music school and always supported me with my music. Also my wife and my daughter, because I think to have a family makes you keep your feet on the ground and has allowed me to have stability, as well as a desire to return home every time! 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

Consistency and perseverance – never give up! 

Q: Everyone goes through ups and downs, what’s one habit you adopt to push through the downs?

Don’t lose the passion and try to improve and be better again and again. When I had downs, I continued producing, sometimes with doubts and fears but in the end you get the results. 

Q: What is one pro work ethic that you would recommend to the readers/listeners?

Do things your own way, don’t try to be like the others. You can be inspired by others but you have to be different, create your own style. 

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

I think my music hasn’t changed much in essence, as I normally do feel good music but probably now the drums are stronger and my music is more peak time than before. And better sound and production I guess!  

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

Funky, soul. It’s the music that inspired me the most, so many times. 

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

- Royal House – Can You Party. This track from Todd Terry has been one of my favourites ever. It grabbed me from the very first listen - the drums and the chords marked an era.

- David Morales – Needing You. A track that makes you dance instantly, love the piano and the general vibe.

- Masters At Work ft. India – Backfired - Joey Negro remix (Davd Lee). The track has everything that I like, good harmonies, good sounds and the beautiful voice of La India, what else? 

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

There is a castle in Malaga called Castillo De Sohail in front of the sea were I played a couple of times years ago but now they are not permitted to have events inside to preserve the building. It’s beautiful. 

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

I just released my new single with OFFAIAH called “Satisfied” on Toolroom records, I also remixed James Mac “Try Again” and I have exciting new collabs with KPD and others that I can’t reveal yet. I am celebrating 20 years of my label Urbana Recordings and I am releasing new mixes of the back catalogue by Cassimm, Qubiko, The Cube Guys, HOSSE, and others and making edits and remastered versions of them. 

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

I love to cook, when I am at home and have time, I really enjoy it. I think being a chef is similar to being a composer – you get to create something with your hands that makes people happy!

Bonus Q Powered by Pioneer DJ: How did Pioneer DJ influence your career and what is your favorite Pioneer DJ gear?

As I started playing vinyl back in the day, Pioneer allowed me to play my demos or my edits before I pressed them. I remember the Pioneer 100 that was quite difficult to use but when CDJ-1000 appeared, I felt that this was going to be the standard in the future, and now it is!!