TEARS OF TECHNOLOGY

An interview by Francis Tanneur

Could you introduce yourself? Who is Daniel Carrone (a.k.a Tears of Technology)?

I was born in a small town in Indiana in 1971. My father was a musician in a touring band who happens to meet my mother at a night club he was performing at. Soon after my birth, my parents moved to my father’s hometown, New Orleans La. I was raised in this city and feel New Orleans is my real home compared to where I was born. I am now 34 years old and am actively helping the local music scene that not only my father was a part of, but also I am a part of too. I own and maintain the website www.neworleansbands.net for the local musicians in my city. 

Before being involved in production and remixing services, had you been a DJ for years? When did you start spinning music?

About 1986 or so I heard a DJ mix 2 songs together at once and knew this was what I wanted to do. I started mixing in early years of my teens. My first set up was 2 tape decks and a stereo receiver I had rigged to act as a mixer between the decks. I had no pitch controls and my tapes were the hottest thing among all my friends. After a few years I was able to get a turntable and build from there. I had my first real club gig when I was 21. I spent quite a few years spinning in the local club scene. 

How do you prepare your sets?

Really I have no preparation. I am from the old school, and we believe in freestylin' it. I usually throw a record on and just go at it. The hardest part is finding that first song to start! Once I find that, the rest is easy...second nature....

Where do you like spinning music?

I never have found an environment in a club setting I enjoyed. The best place I have found yet to spin, is in my house on my show once a week. I am free to be a real DJ and not a salesman. I can say and play what I want without censorship. I have spun in clubs and radio, and anymore it is more about image and sales. I am not a salesman, just a DJ. To me, it is about the music....

During your set, what is the music that you particularly like playing for the audience?

If I had my way, I play old school all the time. The sound out of Miami in the 80's was awesome. I spin though a blend of Breaks, Electro, Freestyle and Old School Miami sound....

Where do you buy your records?

I get my records from different sources. Ebay for the old stuff! We do not have any local record stores anymore except for Tower and Virgin. They do not carry vinyl like they used too. Satellite Records, and Upstairs Records. Anymore it is becoming where you must order online to just buy the records. 

Even if now you seem to be “more” concerned by production, do you still spin music in clubs?

Nope.

When I discovered your productions, I was immediately intrigued by your name. What is the meaning of “Tears Of Technology”?

Many ask. Many think it is a band...more than one person. It is not it is mean and the meaning of the name fits into my persona of who my artist self is. Tears is the emotions. The emotions within me. These emotions can be sad, or happy. Tears is not an absolute. The Technology is the power that allows me to express these emotions. It is about expression with me. Who I am and who can benefit from that. We must use our gifts for the world, and that is what I do. You can see the expression of my persona in the titles to my works and the writings I sometimes dabble in. It is amazing how one can construct such a powerful message through symbols and metaphors.

Could you tell us what 504 Productions is?

504 is the area code in the New Orleans area. 504 Productions is a company I started. I wanted to have an Indie label for my music and created the business to aid in that. Through 504 Productions I offer services such web design, beat making, dj drops and free music to download. It really is just a place to compile all my work. When I design, I am Dan at 504...when I do music I am Tears at 504....instead of managing many websites, I chose just one....I do it all myself, so I must have things set up easy for me. That is why I just use my MySpace profile for my Tears of Technology.net site.

When did Tears Of Technology’s name come up?

I came up with the name in 1996. I was looking for a better DJ name. When I came up with it, I originally intended to use it as my production companies’ name. Tears Of Technology Productions. Was not until 1998 when I wrote my first track that I took the name for my artist name and invented 504 Productions.

How would you define the style of your album “The soul never forgets”?

I would say it's Electro / Trance...You can hear the influences of many styles though....Miami Bass, Breaks, Trance, Freestyle, Old School...

This is not only music; this album also has a message, isn’t it?

Yes, I am concerned with our world. I always have been since I was a child. I never understood the way we live as people. In my album, I have no lyrics, so I wanted to fill the inside of the cover up with something. I tried to put into words what I am expressing in my music on the inside cover. Many who have bought the CD have emailed me and thanked me. That is my all time pay off. To know I am touching and giving back....

For instance, the song “Make me cry” contains the speech by Mayor Ray Nagin after the Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area. Did you want to pay homage to someone in particular?

No, this was more of a message of truth. A message of how we let bureaucracy stop us from taking care of the people. What happened days after by the officials who run our governments was unacceptable. It took over 4 days for the troops to arrive. When 911 happened, it was that day the troops arrived in NY. There seems to be a problem in our country. If it does not benefit big business, we see no help until it is too late. I believe actions like these and the atrocities committed by our government should stop. It is the people who power them.....they should begin to work for the people once again.

The first time that I listened to your album I was most enchanted by most of the tracks. For those who are found of Breakbeat, Breaks and especially Electro Freestyle, The Tears Of Technology’s album is a CD to buy quickly.

But the thing that most seduced me is that you managed to build a certain mood and atmosphere whatever the genres (that I mentioned above) for each title. How did you come to this successful result?

Free flowing....I do not understand the gift nor the creation. I just enjoy it as you do. I believe it is higher self that you feel and hear in music. What I hear come out of me, blows me away. Sometimes things simply fall in place like it was meant to be. I do not know how it happens, it just does....I never find an answer when I ask how I came up with that. I myself am a perfectionist. I felt proud of it, but felt I could have made the album alot better. After Katrina, I felt a need to finally put it together and get it out. I had been planning another album for a few years, but until Katrina, it was not important to me.

How did hurricane Katrina personally affect you?

I was here for the event. I sat through it. I live west of the city. Not once was I worried during the storm. I had sat through many before. After the storm, we started hearing stories about how the levees had broke. We decided to leave the city b/c we were so unsure about what was going to happen to our area. We were hearing that we would have 6 foot of water in our neighbourhood. Well our area did not flood, but most of the city did. We were spared and I am very grateful and thankful for it.

And musically speaking?

 I do not know why but after the storm I dropped several powerful tracks that helped me wrap my last album up. It was like the experienced help provoke inspiration inside of me.

In the majority of your tracks, some melodies and keys are very Trance-like combined to a heavy rhythm beat. The kind of songs that you listen to more in Europe (especially in Germany) but less often in the USA (especially from an American producer/remixer). Why did you choose this musical formula?

I enjoy the atmosphere type music. Angel like pads and these Trance leads....and I like breaks...especially 808 breaks. So I just combined what I enjoy to hear. I am influenced by many styles of music. I never limit music.....  

Last June, you released a new album “Free to be me”. Could you tell us a little bit more about this compilation?

It was an Extended Play entitled “Free to be me”. It contained material from the new album to be released in 2007 entitled “This is how I cry”. The CD features the vocals of Serenity. I feel with the addition of Serenity, I am beginning to evolve in to the artist that I have always wanted to be. We currently have done 3 songs together and each one is powerfully emotional. The feedback from fans have blown my mind. A 36 year old man wrote me a message letting me know I had not only gave him chills, but he also was in tears when he heard “Free to be me”. I am very excited thinking about the future of my musical projects.

Are you familiar with the German Electro Freestyle market?

Because one of your titles (“Just Dance”) sounds as some Freestyle Project’s songs.

No I am not, but I do listen to the Freestyle Project. Mostly that influence is from Kyper, Egyptian Lover, DJ Matrix and the Miami group Freestyle who did “Don't stop the rock”.

You meant Freestyle, the group who did “Don’t stop the rock” (produced by Tony Butler on Pandisc Records)? How did these groups influence you?

Yes, I did. These groups were major influences. These are the tracks I was spinning in my beginning DJ days. It was all I listened too....

Do you think that the vocoders are important in an Electro Freestyle song?

Very. I am glad I have learned the basics. I am thinking of buying a nice Korg that does this....

Sorry, but some of readers are certainly not familiar with “Korg”. Could you let me know what it is exactly?

Korg is a manufacturer that makes synthesizers. They have a synthesizer with a vocoder built in to the module.

Was the Electro Hip Hop (Electro Funk) style influential to you in the 80’s?

Oh yeah.....how many can I list? lol....All the usuals...

I was talking mostly about the Genre.

Yes...this genre played a big part, but it was freestyle (the style) that pulled me into these styles.

What were your favorite Electro Funk band(s)?

My favorites were DJ Matrix, Planet Patrol, Cybotron.

What equipment do you use to work your productions?

Hardware: 64 Note MIDI Controller, X-Session MIDI Controller, AKG Perception 200 Mic, Berhringer mixer, 2 1200 Turntables, .Stanton mixer, Pair of Numark CD Players.

Software: FL Studio, Cool Edit Pro, V-Station, Pro 53.  

Musically speaking, you are very versatile! You are capable of producing different kinds of music (from Trance / Dance / Hip Hop to Breakbeat / Breaks / Freestyle /  Electro /…). Nevertheless, in which musical style(s) do you feel more at ease: producing, remixing, or both?

The Miami Sound. That Freestyle and Electro Old School sound.

Why are you such an open-minded producer/remixer? Do you think that each genre brings you something different or special?

No, more of experience with life. Plus I do not watch TV, I read. I grew up questioning everything. Especially authority. Just never seemed right to force others with God given free will to do things they do not want to do. It was hard for me. I feel like I was free, then I became programmed and the last 6 or 7 years I have been unprogramming myself. I do not think though it is a coincidence that as I have evolved as an artist, my self has changed and evolved also. I believe it all goes hand in hand....

Have you been influenced by someone in particular to start in the music business?

A local producer named Michael Scott was what inspired me to get into production. Other influences are Ford, DJ Trashy, Lasgo, Ian Van Dahl, Ferry Corsten and Infiniti. 

Do you play any instrument?

Piano, Saxophone, oh and those 2 turntables if you want to consider them as instruments.

What are the radio stations that play Freestyle music in Louisiana?

None that I know of......

And on the web, which radio do you listen to regularly?

I kinda bounce around...I like High Power Records Radio and LA Entertainment.

What is you personal definition of Freestyle music?

Music from the heart. It was the first style of music to ever give me chills.

What do you think of the Freestyle scene? Do you still see a market?

I believe there is still a fan base if the DJ's play it. Many still listen. Many do here, but no one but a select few play it. You know the whole image thing. Hip Hop has taken over here. It is all we hear on the radio. It is why I do not listen to radio. Now Paris Hilton has a song on the radio I understand, and that there tells me that radio is dying.... 

What would you change in the Freestyle industry today?

Nothing.....

In your opinion, does the Internet change things into the music industry?

Yes, put the power in the Indies hands.

What is your “all time favorite” Freestyle song? Why?

Tonasia: “Wondering”

Was one of the first songs I heard. Man such a great unique song.... 

What is your “all time favorite” Freestyle female singer? Why?

Don't know. Too many!

C’mon Dan, you have to give me at least one female singer!

Christina Marie is hot. I like alot of her stuff... I have to say though the Stephanie Bennett is hot also. I like the song “Back for my love”. Really great track.

What is your “all time favorite” Freestyle male singer? Why?

Peter Fontaine for “Just like the wind”...I love that song... 

What is your “all time favorite” Freestyle remixer? Why?

I loved Omar Santana's work in the 80's on the edit mixes. He was great.

Which artist or band would you love to work with?

Ha...I do not think I am worthy of such a thing......

Why is that? As any producer you certainly have a few artists that you would love to work with?

I wouldn't mind working with Producer Ford. I really don't know. There are so many great artists out there.

What is your criterion of selection when you decide to produce an artist or remix a song?

I must be able to feel what they are expressing.... 

What will your main goal be for the future?

Going to keep producing. I have songs with a vocalist named Serenity coming out. We have done 2 tracks so far. “Higher ground” and “Free to be me”. I want to do one more album and then see what is in store. I sorta live for the now.....

Do you have any particular message to give to the Freestyle community, and most particularly to your fans?

I appreciate the support and the emails. It is the fuel I need to rock hard....THANKS!

What is a typical day for you when you are not into the recording studio or on your computer, working on some new music?

I am a documentary buff and movie buff....I like the zoo, and to just chill outside in the grass sometimes. I love to go for long walks with headphones on loud and alone.... 

Thank you very much Dan for accepting this interview.  

Copyrights freestylemusic.com.
Published in September 2006. 

Tears Of Technogy’s sites:

http://www.tearsoftechnology.net

http://www.myspace.com/nodantheman

http://www.neworleansbands.net