Danny Benedettini

Regardless of what people say, minimal is not dead. It may not be what it once was in the electronic Mecca's of Ibiza and London but journey to Italy and further east and you will find a passion and a scene that is very much alive. Born on the banks of the Adriatic, Italian DJ and producer Danny Benedettini is a product of this resounding fervour. Raised on a blend of punk rock and early M-nus records, Benedettini soon realised a move to Berlin was inevitable. With a debut release on Items & Things forthcoming next week, alongside an exclusive label showcase in Berlin this Thursday 21st, it's fair to say the move has proven fruitful. Helen S caught up with Danny for a quick chat, ahead of the most exciting week of his career.

Pulse:  Tell us a bit about your style. Danny Benedetinni:  My style is a sort of mash up of old instrumental music and what we hear around these days. I always try to put something of myself in the music.

Growing up in Italy, what inspired you to get involved in music? I grew up with Californian punk when I was thirteen, I guess my passion has always been for the drums. I got a drum-kit around that time but after few months my dad was freaking out. (Laughs)

Your love of punk and horror is well documented. What was the first record you ever bought?  If I remember well, So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes of NOFX.

When did the house/tech epiphany start for you and why the change?  I started to dive into this music when I first heard the sounds of Magda & Troy and Richie Hawtin around 2004 after some friends gave me one of their dj sets. It was love at first sight, especially in those glory years.  After that I started to buy a lot of records.  I wanted to hear more and more of their sound.

Who do you look up to in the music scene?  There are a lot of DJ's at the moment, I guess.  It's hard to say I think that Berlin has opened my eyes.  I mean I've got new horizons now.  Here there's a lot of distraction, you can get yourself lost in a couple of days, but at the same time you can get inspiration around the street from buskers and the countless clubs.

Free and exclusive download from Danny courtesy of Items & Things

Danny Benedettini - Chillers (Free bonus track) by itemsandthings

You've recorded on Memento, Items and Things and Autist amongst others, but is there a label you'd really like work with in the future?  I envisioned working with many labels when I started my career and I definitely appreciate the old M_nus stuff a lot.  Right now, since I've found these three strange and lovely people at Items & Things, I'd like to plan some things with them.

What are your plans musically at the moment?  Well, I'm working on several things at the same time. I'm making something with a lot of the electronic and punk/rock influences that are inside me.

Any collaborations on the cards? Actually nothing at the moment, but I'm waiting for Madato to arrive here in Berlin next week. Maybe we will make something happen?

And where can we hear you play soon?  The 21st of July we're having a very cool Items & Things party in Berlin with Magda, Troy and Marc at a sort of underground, new location- I can't wait!  And the next Monday I'll be at Club De Visionaire in Berlin.

And finally, what's the end goal for Danny Benedettini?  Well, we're just at the beginning...

Danny Benedettini on Pulse