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Will Monotone’s journey with house music began out on the dance floors of boston’s nightclubs. By the young age of 14, he was already an avid club-goer, eager to earn his spot behind the dj booth. That spot would soon be secured at Boston’s legendary RISE nightclub, where will held an impressive 10 year residency. Will’s passion for music soon led him towards production. Upon making the move to New York City, where he attended the institute of audio research, Will celebrated his first release, “Here in Spirit” on NYC’s kult records under the alias fama. Featuring vocals by house music legend Alan T., The track was championed by the likes of Danny Tenaglia, Dj Vibe, Chus & Ceballos, plus many more.
Throughout the years, Will Monotone has become a household name among traxsource and beatport’s top charts. Featuring the sensual sounds of house, tech-house, deep house and techno, Will has undoubtedly set the tone for his up-coming album tour.
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Hi Will, please tell us a little about you?
Sure, I’m a 32 year old DJ/producer from Boston, MA (more specifically South Boston).
When did you start djing?
I got my first pair of turntables shortly after my 13th birthday.
Explain your sound in 3 words?
Beat Driven House.
What kind of equipment do you work with?
Well I have a Mac Pro tower, Ableton Live, UAD Apollo 8 Quad, Ramsa WR-8724, TC Finalizer plus a ton more outboard synths and drum machines’ but there are too many to list.
Where do you spin usually?
I spin Global most of the time. I had a residency in Boston for 10 years at an after hours club called RISE.
Who is your music influence?
That’s a hard one to define really, because I have a wide spread taste. Narrowing it down to 3, I would have to say Armand Van Helden, Notorious B.I.G & Eddie Vedder.
One thing you would change about the current music scene?
I don’t want to start drama but I would defiantly change the way most promoters & talent bookers value the artist properly when it comes to fee’s. Most of the time, agents and managers have to haggle and it really shouldn’t be like that.
What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments in your career?
I mean, I feel like it’s hard to look at any music career in that aspect because I feel like it’s more flow instead of a focus. I would say my latest album was the most recent.
Tell us about your recent album “In Colour”?
It’s a project I worked on for the last three years. Initially, I was going to release it last year, but then it didn’t feel right. There were still some friends I wanted on the album but they were touring or our schedules conflicted. It was hard to get together, so we waited it out and kept working until it felt right!
If you could choose one artist to work with in the future, who would it be and why?
Armand Van Helden because he’s an amazing producer and influence of mine. He’s also from Boston and because it’s Armand. More realistically I would say Rene Amesz because I’ve been told so many times our sounds are very close to each other and I’m a fan of his work.
What do you usually start with when preparing for a set?
I don’t usually prepare for sets to be honest. Each set is usually different based on my vibe from the crowd, and how the opener is setting it up etc.
What makes you decide to play a particular record during one of your sets?
Past experiences
What is your favorite part of the job?
Traveling the world and getting to meet the people that are supporting my records.
Three things you can’t live without?
My phone, music & my mother
Any loves, other then music?
I have a knack for graphic design also!
What advice would you give people new to the business?
Don’t try and become too big too fast. There is a certain beauty in paying your due’s and climbing the latter properly, instead of kissing someone’s ass and trying to be the “next big thing.”
Best advice ever given?
I met Arthur Baker once when I was 22 (10 years ago) and he is also from Boston. I had a chance to ask him a few things and one of his responses was “Fuck what anyone else thinks! Make records the way you want to and act the way you want to”.
Where do you live currently?
Quincy, MA
What’s the best event you’ve played at?
Would have to have been my last performance at RISE in November of 2014. I was a resident there for 10 years and they closed in April of 2015. After closing their doors at 16 years, it was an emotional night to say the least.
What do you do in your spare time?
Mostly spend time with my family, take my mother out to eat, go drinking with childhood friends, go on dates… normal things!
Any exiting news you want to share with us?
Well, the album tour is pretty exiting lol… but one of the dates we have on the tour is in San Francisco and I’ve always wanted to go there, but have never been. So I’m looking forward to that!
How important is Social Media for you?
I would say it’s important as much as it is essential in this day and age. It’s used to spread information more now than the news, so it’s key to have a presence. I am always telling my Manager Marco to get with it! He’s super anti-social media lol
Where we can follow you?
Twitter: @willmonotone
Facebook: facebook.com/wmonotone
Instagram: willmonotone
Snapchat: wmonotone
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/will_monotone & willmonotone.us
Movie: Roadhouse & The Departed
Drink: Jack & Tonic w/ a lime
Festival: Not a fan of them to be honest
Actress/Actor: Milana Vayntrub <3 lol
Song: Pearl Jam “Love Reign O’er Me”
Sport team: New England Patriots without a doubt lol TB12 is the best.
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