A ‘Klassik’ Fiasco Interview

A ‘Klassik’ Fiasco Interview

13 May, 2008 | 3.39AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: oseaomediagroup

Johnny began his career as a DJ at some of the first underground “house” parties in Chicago, and in ‘88 he landed a residency at Smart Bar with Mark Farina.

Three years later he turned a potentially devastating incident into a source of motivation to focus on his career as a producer and began to record for Moonshine, Radi-kal Fear and the world-renowned Cajual Records.

Today, Fiasco is one of Om Records’ top producers and remixers.

Fiasco’s ‘Things That Go Bump in the Night’ is currently one of Om Records best selling singles to date.

Additionally, Johnny’s remixes of Soulstice‘s ‘Lovely’ to Kaskade’s ‘Meditation to the Groove’ and now Bassnectar‘s ‘Yo’ remix have become an integral part of the Om Records unique sound.

Other remixes have included work with Kaskade, Greenskeepers, Freerange, Nightshift, MN2S, Jive Records, Hed Kandi, Quiet City and Defected Records.

2007 Billboard credits Johnny Fiasco’s - Samantha James’ ‘Rise’ #1 chart position and Beatport’s #1 download in December of 2006.

Remarkably, Fiasco’s vast remix catalogue includes pop icons such as Gloria Estefan, KD Lang, Michelle Ndegeocello, and Donna Blakely.

In 2003, one of his remixes was a #1 Billboard® chart- topping dance floor rework of Justin Timberlake’s smash single ‘Cry Me A River’.

Currently, Johnny has recently been engaging new audiences with The “Klassik Fiasco” re-releases almost ten years later, remastered, revamped and released digitally for the first time ever.

Without a doubt a Fiasco record can always be found in record crates of DJs worldwide.

Aside from his tour de force, the masterful and accomplished Fiasco continually reinvents himself through his timeless house music creations.

Oseao Media Group recently sat down with Johnny Fiasco at LaFabrique’s 6-year anniversary in Tokyo to chat about his new Klassik Fiasco catalog that includes classic Johnny Fiasco original tracks revamped, remastered and released for the first time digitally.

Tell us about the Klassik Fiasco releases...

It’s been over a decade now and it’s time to bring the old masters sonically up to date and introduce to a new audience.

The catalog ranges from material released in the early 90s to a few years back...never realized I had such a bad habit of recording so much house music!

They’re revamped and remastered.  What other exciting projects have you recently mastered?

I’ve been doing quite a few mastering projects for labels, it’s kinda taken me by surprise. 

Potty Mouth and Let’s Pet Puppies have been keeping me busy these days… two extremely different labels that require unique mindsets for the respective labels’ sound.

Restoring a timeless Armando track for Let’s Pet Puppies is a challenge in more ways than one.

I think I can use my experience to add a personal signature to someone else’s music.

What’s coming next in the ‘Klassik Fiasco’ catalog?

At the moment we are trying to figure out what songs to include on a retrospective album for a first -time digital release.

There are so many tracks in the vault, it’s really hard to figure out which tracks will make the final cut.

We also plan on releasing remixes on previous singles as well.

What’s your favorite ‘Klassik’ memory (party, travel story, something classic)?

I think a NYE 2000 gig in Houston was classic. 

My partner and I finished playing and walked over to a VIP room for drinks and refreshments only to find the door guy cop had an extreme attitude.

I’ve been in the business so long that I can tolerate a bit, but this guy just struck a nerve and just set me off instantly.

The second he went to slam the door in my face I reacted by taking my drink and pumping it through the KEYHOLE of the door.

It was a direct hit—he looked like he wet his pants and went after my throat, to no avail.

He was restrained and I calmly proceed to walk past him towards the bar!

It was over in less than 3 seconds… what’s funny is I have never been a confrontational guy!

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Klassik Fiasco ‘Elementary 101’ includes a Joey Youngman remix available May 16 on Beatport.

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