Club Beat #83: Messages from Yuma – Interview with Giovanni Bruni

Always on the hunt for the freshest dance tracks and with more than a penchant for all the quality house music coming out of Italy right now, we thought it was high time we introduced the readers of Planet Notion to our latest discovery: Yuma Recordings. An independent house label run by Giovanni Bruni with his brother Danielle, Elia Crecchi and Luper, Yuma has a distinctive and enticing take on tech and deep house and provides a great introduction to some exciting new producers. In our interview with Giovanni, we take a look at Yuma, from demos and artwork to touring and club nights, have a chat about upcoming releases, and get a preview of what to expect from his performance with Danielle at Egg Club London on Friday 26^th October.

You produce and DJ with your brother. What sparked both your interests in music?
Me and Danielle come from a family where music has always been a leader, everyday and in every moment of our lives. Our father and our mother are the authors of our background with soul, R&B, old school hip hop and jazz. The love of good music was the first spark that, from a young age, brought us to cultivate the roles of musician and producer.

You released Just Remember on Noir Music back in August. Any plans to work with the label in the future?
After the release on Noir Music, we are very happy with how things are going with our EP, Party People, with NiCe7 on 2000 and One’s label Area Remote (released 1^st October). In addition to this, we have a track on the new label A Votre (from Sante and Sidney Charles), an upcoming EP on our label in November, and some remixes that we’re finishing for Re-Vox and Lapsus Music.

Earlier in the year you toured America.  How did that go? Are there any differences between the crowds in America and Italy?
The tour went very well. The American public lives the dancefloor in a different way to the Italian public; in our opinion, they were much freer and more engaged during our set. For the American guys, dancing is a unique time to get away from all their problems and come into full harmony with the music; an excellent approach in our opinion. In January we will back in the U.S. for a second tour.

Why did you start a record label?
Starting a record label has been a dream that we all had for a long time: to be independent with our music. Today we’re working to become a strong brand, not only with our discography, but also in organising events and more.

How do the four of you that run the label know each other?
Me and Danielle had been playing together for a long time in the Italian clubs; it was during these nights that we met Luper and Elia playing on the same turntables. They had a label that they wanted to renew and we had some ideas to create something new and better in the music business. We are fortunate that, over time, we have each developed different capabilities in the world of clubbing. I, together with a creative team, manage all communication about social things, parties, dates and the image of every single aspect. Luper coordinates all the records (deadlines, demos, remixes, contacts with labels and more) with Elia and Danielle.

Can you describe the sound of the label?
The label is oriented mainly towards deep and tech house. The first line, Yuma Recordings, is designed to appeal more to the mainstage, with hard and strong music for a great audience. The second line, Yuma Factory, is designed for producers and tracks with a more particular sound.

What are the differences between the Message from Yuma and Yuma Factory compilation series?
After the first release on Yuma, many talented producers approached us proposing very interesting work, but on a different line than the things we were printing; hence the idea to create a second line. This was Yuma Factory, where new producers could propose tracks that sounded deeper, more original and experimental. Message from Yuma are compilations released every four to five months with many more tracks than an EP. These collections use only original mixes from new artists or producers already affiliated with Yuma.

Your latest release is Greeko’s Flop Disk EP. What attracted you to this track?
Greeko is definitely a great talent; he is a young producer (just nineteen years old) with many very valid ideas in his head. We are very happy to have published his work and also the remix that Darlyn Vlys and Ramiro Lopez did on Flop Disk. I’m sure that there will be more occasions to see this producer on our label.

What do you look for in the demos you’re sent?
Every time we get sent a new demo, we’re always curious to see what it’s like. Honestly, many times we realise that many producers send material without even having understood the label. But, we are also very happy because do get very interesting stuff every day; we try to select the best.

You use very striking artwork on your releases. Why is this important to Yuma?
I personally love a lot of contemporary art; I follow the movement on the street and beyond. I find it interesting how art and music sensitise people. I care a lot to collaborate with many artists and illustrators who design our covers and soon our merchandise.

Who are some of the artists you have worked with?
We are very happy with the collaboration that has been going on for one year with the creative EDF studio. With regard to the Yuma Factory line, every season we decided to choose a different artist to produce the graphics. The beautiful hands on the covers (which we have also copied lately) were made by New York painter Francesco Masci, an Italian living in America for several years.

What is your next release going to be?
One of the next releases will be the new Yuma Factory, which will close our first season. I will also be back with Danielle for a powerful new EP.

Your latest release with Nice7, Party People, really captures the feel of a very specific style of party. Is this what we can expect from your Yuma label nights?
Sure, our parties are very hot! We always try to create a high energy party with stylish music. We love party people!

How long have you been holding Yuma nights in Italy?
Before Yuma I was always active in the organisation of events. From January 2012, I started to organise parties for Yuma, bringing our brand to clubs and festivals and having a lot of success, especially in the summer events. Now we’re ready to make a new winter season of Yuma nights so stay tuned!

Which DJs have you had performing?
During Yuma nights, there are all the DJs/producers who actively collaborate with us. Based on where we move around the world, we try to bring different artists with us, artists we are pleased to give visibility to.

What Yuma nights have you got coming up and where?
For this upcoming season, we are planning a grand tour that will include cities in Europe as well as in Central and Latin America. We have already confirmed Milan, Florence, London, Miami, Tampa, Denver, Istanbul and New York.

You’re at Egg on Friday 26^th October as Bruni & Danielle. Are you looking forward to it?
Yes, we are very happy to do this as it’s the first time we come to play in London. We often come to London to get ideas and to have fun; to have a chance to play at the Egg gives us great satisfaction.

YUMA NIGHT from Nico Lopez Bruchi on Vimeo.

For more information, go to the Yuma website.
Catch Bruni and Danielle on Friday 26^th October at Egg Club London.
Follow Bruni and Danielle and Yuma Recordings on facebook.

- Ann Bartholomew