"Music is not what I do, it's who I am". As a producer Leandro has released tracks under established labels such as Sirup, PinkStar Black, Quantize,Street King , King Street Sounds, NiteGrooves , Soul Candi , Open House , Multi-Racial , Karmic Power Records and many more. His productions have received notoriety having multiple tracks selected in the Traxsource Soulful , Tech, Progressive and Weekend Weapons charts , as well as having multiple tracks in the Traxsource top 100 genre specific charts . Leandro has also had multiple tracks in the iTunes top 100 House music charts (reaching as high as #48 in America and #19 in Cyprus ), also having multiple #1 spots in the iTunes Dance music category for Cyprus and multiple tracks selected for Beatport Staff Picks, HTFR top 100 and more .
Leandros' music is well supported within the industry and he has received support from some of the world's best DJ's and producers including EDX, DJ Spen, Culoe de Song, Black Coffee, Bert Bevans, Quentin Harris, Karizma, Laurent Garnier,Booker T, Phaze Dee, Vinny da Vinci , Laurent Garnier , Dirty Secretz, H@K, Felix Da Housecat and more . He has had the honor of playing alongside some of the worlds best DJ's including Sam Divine, Sharam (Deep Dish) JoJo Flores, Portia Surreal, Bert Bevans, Paulette, Sam Poppet, Les Schmidt, Oliver, DJ Fresh, Roger Goode, Glen Lewis, & many more. He has also done official remixes for artists such as Black Coffee , Sis n Jones , Tumelo and more. Leandros has giged around the world playing over 100 venues worldwide, including some of the best clubs worldwide, such as Amnesia (Ibiza), Guaba (Cyprus), Balux (Greece) ,Skyline (Miami) , Taboo (South Africa), The Palms (South Africa) to name a few. In his current homeland of Cyprus he previously held residencies at XS nightclub, Ammos Beach Bar, Patio , Blueberry Cafe and many others.
Apart from being an accomplished DJ and producer, Leandro hosts his weekly radio show 'Colours of House' on Deejay Radio Cyprus , which has become the longest running & most syndicated house music/dance radio show in Cyprus' history. Syndicated most notably on Grant Nelson's D3ep Radio Network.
Best of 2023
1-a) Best track(s) from other fellow artists of 2023. Why you choose this particular track, please share with us the reasons?production techniques & crowd reactions on it.
DJ Leandro: Estiva - Via Infinita : The melody of this track sends shivers down my spine. Very euphoric and dreamy yet a solid track that rocked the dancefloor for me.
Jordan Post - Just hold on : Killer bassline, nice deep and progressive.
Guri & Eider - Dreams : Stunning track, beautiful chord progression
Daniel Portmen - Revel in your joy : Simply a true dancefloor killer. Peak melodic house vibes on this one
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Volaris - Aqua : what an amazing tune, love the strings and drums on this one.
1-b) Best of 2023 personal productions and for what you reasons you choose these particular tracks, is it because of technical challenges, crowd reaction in the club or was it your most successful single/album?
DJ Leandro: 'Desperate for love' . This has to be my favorite from this past year . Allot of emotion went into this track and it ended being, for me , technically the best track I think I have ever done.
2) Best Artist of 2023(DJ & producer). Tell us why you believe he/she is the best, the factors that have influence you to choose this particular artist. What you appreciate the most from that artist.
DJ Leandro: Volaris. His productions are 'on point' , amazing producer and his tracks have become a staple in my sets. His 'sound' is stunning , creating melodic/progressive house.
3) Best Remix(es) from other fellow artists of 2023. For what reasons you chose this particular remix, i.e. production proficiency, technical reasons creativity and imagination of the remixer :
DJ Leandro: Estiva - Via Infinita (Marsh remix) : I love this guy's remixes, his tracks have become a standard in my sets.
4) Best New Talent of 2023 (DJ or producer), for what reasons you choose this particular artist? Do you know him/her personally?
DJ Leandro: Volaris, as mentioned before a hugely talented producer
5-a) Best electronic dance music album of 2023. Tell us the criteria behind the choice of this particular album and maybe highlight for the readers the best tracks from the album :
DJ Leandro: Guri & Eider 'modern mantra' . 'Dream's and 'Voyage' are my standout tracks. Their blend of afro, progressive and melodic house.
5-b) Best electronic dance music compilation of 2023. Please explain the criteria behind this choice? is the quality and proficiency of the mixing process, imagination/creativity in the choice of the track listing :
DJ Leandro: Sirup melodies in motion. Fantastic compilation featuring amazing tracks from Manna , Dorothy , Airbas and more ... but my standout tracks are from these artists.
5-c) Best artwork about single / album/compilation or promotional campaign of 2023. The criteria you applied to do this particular choice?
DJ Leandro: Passenger 10 'Troja'. Such stunning and stand out cover art. This cover always sticks in my head .
6) Best electronic dance music label of 2023. Please explain the reason behind your choice? what you particularly like or appreciate about this particular label?quality of tracks, great rooster of artists, personal connection?:
DJ Leandro: Sirup. They're are the forefront of electronic dance music , releasing tracks from already well established artsits as well as new and upcoming ones.
7) Best music composition software and hardware of 2023 with short comment. Why you believe this particular software/hardware deserves to be named as the best? great new features, easy to navigate, compose & produce? The advantages of this particular software & hardware that makes it to stand out.
DJ Leandro: Cubase 13 . Steinbergs continues to grow their signature DAW into 'the go-to' DAW . Their expanding on their chord pads structure and the stand alone VSTS as well as their new vocal chain . IMO no one can beat them
8-a) Your Best personal DJ Gig & DJ performance of 2023. Where and when did you perform there? any funny incidents happened during particular performance; great crowd reactions. If there is video or sound recording please provide the link.
DJ Leandro: Cuckoo rooftop bar . This was my first time playing there and what an amazing venue . I ended up playing a classic old school house set , allot of my friends came that night and people were dancing under the stars and we all had an amazing time.
8-b) Best DJ set from other fellow DJ (actual or online) of 2023. Why you believe is the strongest and best DJ set? great mixing/track selection/development of the mix:
DJ Leandro: DJ Spen & Black Coffee. DJ Spen is a true master of his craft , his sets are more 'live performances' that just your standard DJ set. Black Coffee has truly honed his unique style of sound and mixing , making his sets a true splendor to listen to
9) Best technical tips/production skills that you learnt in 2023 in relation to your DJing or music productions:
DJ Leandro: Creating unique sounds with vocals and adding gate sends processing
10) Best piece of personal or music business' advice you got in relation to your career in 2023 and has helped you to progress even further and can help others who will read this interview:
DJ Leandro: Know your worth ! Always stand your ground on how you perceive yourself as a performer and artist . Stay humble and let the music do the talking for you, but never let anyone undermine your skill and talent
Dimitris: Do you have any concrete plans for 2024 regarding future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, DJ gigs? Please provide us the juicy details.
DJ Leandro: Yes, I will be focusing much more in the studio creating more tracks, will be aiming for 1 release a month (minimum). I have recently started recording live vinyl only mixes as well as I will focusing more on my YouTube channel and will be uploading regularly, production tips and production videos
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for 2024.
DJ Leandro: 2024 is gonna be a hard working year but one that I am extremely excited and looking forward to
Thanks to DJ Leandro for his fantastic answers.
Thanks to team Sirup Music for arranging this interview.
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