From his studio in Italy Danny Verde is doing big things. Although he’s been producing music since 1994, it was in 2008 that everything changed for Danny as the release of ‘Pushin To The Top’ stormed to the top of dance charts around the world. Danny followed this up with a string of progressive/tribal house anthems including ‘Open Up Your Heart’ and ‘Express Yourself,’ and his position as an international dance music producer and DJ was secured.

We caught up with Danny to talk about music, inspiration, and 70’s rock...

How did you get into music production?
Well, I've been producing since I was 13 years old. I did my first record in 1994, or course it was another style, really commercial dance sound, but I always dreamed of working in the music industry since I was a child.

The last couple of years must have been incredible for you, as you went from a relatively unknown DJ to an internationally renowned producer. What has been the highlight for you?
There have been several highlights. For example, apart from reaching the top slots in charts of the best digital stores such as Masterbeat, DJDownload and Beatport, I was really exciting to receive personal messages of congratulations from such important DJs as Danny Tenaglia, Ralphi Rosario and Chris Cox. And now they are playing my songs - it's just amazing.

Do you think being gay has had an impact on your production style? What about when you DJ?
Oh, and who told you that I am?! I think a simple thing - music has got no sex and no religion, since it's a universal language. When you dance, you're not gay or straight, you're just dancing! You're expressing yourself in the dance, as a famous song once said...

How would you describe your sound?
My sound is kind of progressive, tribal house with some vocals. I don't like to put labels on music styles, but the important thing to me is when a DJ hears a song of mine, he can recognise my style from how it sounds.

Many of your tunes have big, atmospheric breakdowns and drops. How do you achieve that effect?
It's kind of natural to me because I simply arrange my songs in the same way I'd like to listen to it if I was dancing in a club. Then I might think, ‘Oh, here I'd like to put a breakdown since I've been dancing for three minutes without stopping.’

I like to create a dramatic atmosphere in the clubs, raising all the sounds until they reach a climax. And in that moment you can hear all the people screaming and dancing like crazy - it's amazing. I think it's like a metaphor of life; you have to go down if you want to rise up!

You’ve played out in countries all over the world, but which were your favourite destinations?
There are many, it's difficult to choose one destination because I meet such good people and lovely promoters at so many nice parties that it would be impossible to choose only one. But I can mention for example Moscow, Paris, Barcelona or London - amazing cities, amazing people. Each destination has got its own particular good points, I can't really choose one!

Which is your favourite gay club or event around the world?
I think that the best event is the Circuit Festival for the European scene. I can't tell much more about the other festivals around the world, since I haven't played everywhere, so far! But this summer there is a chance for me to play at a big festival in Canada. I can't say any more, but I will tell you how it is!

Do you think gay dancefloors have more energy and positive vibes from them than straight clubs?
No. I think that if the club is good and the music is good, people will have the right energy and give back a positive energy to the DJ and to the club too. As I said, music has got no sex, so, if people haven't a proper energy, maybe the music is not good enough - or maybe the barmen can't do good cocktails!

"Music has got no sex and no religion, since it's a universal language. When you dance, you're not gay or straight, you're just dancing!"

What is the gay scene like in your hometown in Italy? How does it compare with London’s gay scene?
As you all know, in Italy the scene is not at the same level as London, for example. But I admire the will and the perseverance of several promoters in Rome and in Milan mainly, to bring this reality close to the European club scene. I think that now Italian clubbers are travelling more than before, and they are ready for a more international focused scene.

What productions and remixes are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I'm working on the remix of the new single of Hector Fonseca ‘Addicted’ and I was hired to do another remix for Tommy Boy Records US, but I can't tell you the name of the project for the moment! I already remixed the single ‘Heartbreak on Vinyl’ by Blake Lewis (from the US TV program American Idol 2007) for them, and I’m working on my next single too...

Are there any producers who you would love to work with in the future?
Yes there are many, for example Peter Rauhofer, Ralphi Rosario or David Penn - all such amazing producers!

What about any talented vocalists that you admire?
There are many good vocalists at the moment, but the ones that give me strong emotions are Zhana Saunders, Claire Hayek and last but not the least, I've been working with Anna Buckley (who sang ‘Express Yourself’ and ‘Pushin To The Top’) . She is a talented English singer that I'm moulding and I think you will hear more about her in the future!

Where do you get inspiration for your music from?
I get inspiration from any song that can give me emotion; it could be a 70’s rock ballad, an unknown house track that I hear in a club, or a song played on the radio. I used to listen to all kinds of music but my favourite music is rock, the best is from the 70s or 90s. Fancy that!

What would be your dream gig?
You must know I'm really ambitious. So my dream gig would be playing at the opening concert of Madonna!

Top five tunes:
Javi Colors, Bilonda and Nachovaio – ‘Shined On Me’ (Original Mix); Dennis Ferrer – ‘Hey Hey’ (DF's Attention Vocal Mix); The Temper Trap – ‘Sweet Disposition’ (Axwell & Dirty South Remix); Criminal Vibes feat Luciana – ‘Say I'm Gonna Be Your Boy’ (M&V Remix); DJ Umile & Max Zotti – ‘Sky High’ (David Tort Remix).

Catch Danny Verde DJing at CK Club (Frankfurt), Muccassassina (Roma), Friction (Los Angeles), BerlinGale (Berlin), NightControl (Cologne), La Demence (Brussels), Les Bains (Paris) and many more, see www.myspace.com/dannyverde for more details.

Danny Verde’s Upcoming releases include Blake Lewis, ‘Heartbreak On Vinyl’ (Danny Verde Remix); Hector Fonseca feat. Jenia, ‘I'm So Addicted’ (Danny Verde Remix); and Thomas Anders ‘Stay With Me’ (Danny Verde Remix).