World Exclusive Interview with Stevo – Mama India [Reloaded] (StoneBridge Mix)

NEW YORK (RichFMX.com) – He´s one of the pioneers of electronic dance music, internationally renowned DJ/ Musicproducer and No.1 MTV.com USA Artist Stevo, also known by his stage name Rain Man 雨男 [T.A.A.K.A.S.], is a well-respected underground producer for a number of years. He wrote and produced songs and remixes for several projects. He achieved popularity with his series of EDM compilations, which featured electro and deep house tracks popular in nightclubs, especially those in Ibiza, where he initiated various event series, hosting events with celebrities, premier A-list people, and international renown DJ´s.  

Over a period of three decades Stevo, acquired a mysterious aura through his pioneering influence. His single “Hardcore Vibes” became a hit on dance floors all over the world, achieving a top 20 position in the UK charts. Stevo finds himself dominating the news headlines once again with the release of his new single “Mama India.” This interview with electronic dance music pioneer Stevo attempts to clarify the mystery of one of the world´s most mysterious music producers, and who also reveals insight into his iconic track with DJ Delani titled ‘Mama India’ as well as his early beginnings in music.

One of the world’s biggest DJ´s & Producers: Grammy nominated DJ/Producer StoneBrige remixed and re-produced Mama India. The radio premiere of “Mama India (Reloaded)” was held on Sirius XM in the United States and Canada on November 7, 2020, on BPM Show, one of the Dance/Electronic music satellite channels offered by Sirius XM Radio, by the international renown Grammy nominated DJ/Producer and Sirius XM/BPM resident DJ StoneBridge. The StoneBridge mix of the timeless club hit “Mama India”, remixed and re-produced by the iconic Swedish Superstar StoneBridge, will be soon officially available for download worldwide from leading digital music stores such as iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music.

Rich FMX Internet radio sat down with Stevo to talk music and Mama India [Reloaded] (StoneBridge Mix), the biggest electronic track of the year.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: You´ve produced “Mama India” together with legendary music producer Klaus Munzert and DJ Delani. Did you, from the beginning, aspire to create something “futuristic” sounding?

Stevo: Yes, we definitely wanted to explore it as a whole new concept and come up with a techno sound that was of the future. When a song like “Mama India” develops, you know you have something really special. We were using synthesizers like Ensoniq SQ-80, the SQ-80 is basically a reved-up ESQ-1 with a total of 75 waveforms, so we used Ensoniq SQ-80 to create all the techno sounds incl. that driving sequencer bass line sound. One of the most iconic sounds from “Mama India” is the Roland Jupiter-8 trance sound and still going strong is the Roland TR 909 kick drum, which we used. The EPS (Ensoniq Performance Sampler) provided the Tabla sample. We had the first use of the trance elements in Mama India ever. Where you do you think the trance filter sound came from?

Rich FMX Internet Radio: People starting out in electronic dance music may be questioning what they need to get started?

Stevo: The synth I most admired was the Roland Jupiter-8. I bought also Roland TR-909, TR-808, Ensoniq EPS etc., but I was most proud of the Ensoniq SQ-80, as the most fateful day for me in my life was the purchase of Ensoniq SQ-80. I still see myself to this very day how I go down the avenue as a young teen to buy that synth.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: We have a very obvious question, but we think anyone reading this interview would want to know this. When you and DJ Delani recorded “Mama India”?

Stevo:  The first version of Mama India was recorded in October 1991 at Peak Top Studios in Cologne. The second version, which was also released by Sony Music, was recorded in the recording studio of Klaus Munzert in April 1992.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: What was your first reaction to “Mama India” once it was all finished? Did you know that you had something special?

Stevo:  You have to see that final building in your mind. We thought always that we had something special, the concept of the techno and trance sounds mixed together with orient techno house was amazing.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: StoneBridge sampled the Mama India vocals and also, coincidentally, worked with the Swedish DJ, music producer, and songwriter Denniz PoP. Are you familiar with StoneBridge’s music?

Stevo:  What I like about StoneBridge’s tracks is he always comes out with new sounds that are totally different, but always sound trendy. When I heard his latest track “So Good” I said, “What an interesting cool sound.” Denniz Pop personally invited us to Stockholm back then to talk Mama India, that shows how small the world is. And many years later StoneBridge brought the job to an end. And it takes total loyalty to the remix. I am very sure StoneBridge thinks that way. Even if it’s not his song, he adds something special to it. That’s the kind of dedication you have to have, and if StoneBridge does a track, the beat is the most important thing I assume.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: How was Klaus Munzert to work with?

Stevo:  I’ve always been a fan of Klaus Munzert’s music. Managing director Gerd Ludwigs from BMG Ariola Munich had sent us a message asking us if we are interested in collaborating with Klaus Munzert on Mama India. You have to know that Klaus Munzert is a professional who can explain to you in the smallest details how a dance track should sound. He’s definitely one of the most impressive personalities I’ve met in the music business, as one of the responsibilities of a music producer is to know what’s best at everything.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: Who has impressed you the most in the music industry?

Stevo:  Of course there are many snakes in the music industry, like in any other industry – chamaleons that adapt to the color of the carpet, but who cares what these wretched, slimy, reptilians think? Life’s too short for silly games. I’ve always been lucky enough to meet good people.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: Are there any DJs/producers that you draw inspiration from — if so who?

Stevo:  One person I really look up to is my good friend Maurizio Colella, better known by his stage name EDX. His ability to experiment with so many different directions and still have that “EDX” house sound is astonishing to me.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: Having been in this business for such a long time, do you still feel that same passion for it?

Stevo:  I still love it. In fact, I love it even more now.

Rich FMX Internet Radio: How did you first meet DJ Delani?

Stevo:  If I hadn´t gone into that club at that particular moment or if Delani hadn`t come into it when I was actually there, Mama India would never have happened. I loved it every time we went in the recording studio, we used to stay up days and nights with no sleep.

Thank you for the interview.

This interview was conducted by Kurt Schubert.

Rich FMX: Check out his latest release “Mama India [Reloaded] (StoneBridge Mix),” here:

https://www.cdpool.com/catalogue/club/