Beatportal Interviews: Huge Hephner (aka Billy Dalessandro)

Beatportal Interviews: Huge Hephner (aka Billy Dalessandro)

8 July, 2008 | 2.09PM

• Written by: Mike Blogstein
• Filed under: Music News: billy dalessandro, huge hephner, pimps, siteholder

Huge Hephner, aka Billy Dalessandro, is a name not easily forgotten.

He first gained notice in the electronic music world roughly a year ago, with ‘The Booty Drop EP’ on Siteholder UnCut (Siteholder Records’ digital sub-label).

The release marked a clear departure from Billy Dalessandro‘s traditional production style, implementing a distinguishable house vibe while still maintaining a forward-thinking techno feel.

In anticipation of his debut artist album, and with the guidance of Billy Dalessandro, we sat down and had a quick look into the brain of Chicago’s freshest pimp-slappin’ producer, Huge Hephner.

What sparked your interest in creating the Huge Hephner alias?

I love having fun with these strange and goofy aliases. 

A large part of this industry is having fun and not taking things too seriously – and I think part of :Huge Hephner is representing this aspect. 

Musically, I do many different styles—not just techno.  I realized it’s not good for myself as an artist to keep blending all of my styles under one roof, so I chose an alter-ego to help differentiate the various styles I do. 

Huge Hephner will begin to represent most of my four-to-the-floor sound from here on out.  He isn’t the only alias I have up my sleeve.

Any plans in the near future to do a Huge Hephner live set, or will all of your gigs continue to fall under Billy Dalessandro?

This is an interesting question. 

My live sets consist of music from all of my ideas, techno and otherwise. 

So essentially, when you book Billy Dalessandro you may really be booking Huge Hephner (or any combination thereof). 

In other words, it’s just a name. 

The music and execution I have for live performances is a combination of all my styles. 

Some things that I produce work well in my live sets, others do not. 

Most of the time you’ll probably hear material that isn’t released yet or may not ever get released. 

I do it like this for myself as well—I am all about the element of surprise and keeping things fresh.

I also think it’s based on how promoters feel they need to book an artist. 

If Billy Dalessandro is the name they feel will best promote an event, then they will put that name as the headliner. 

No one has actually attempted to book me under my Huge Hephner alias, I’m not even sure that the majority of the people out there realize it’s me since I don’t go out of my way to make it known. 

In the end, when I’m on stage you will always get the culmination of what I feel I am about, as well as what I’m after in performing as an electronic musician regardless of what name it’s promoted under.

How did the decision to do a full-length artist album under the Huge Hephner alias come about?

Simply put, I had put together a collection of songs that I felt all went together—rolling basslines and soft chords with a nice house touch.

What are the main ideas/themes behind ‘Nymphotech?’

I don’t always work on projects with a concrete goal in mind. 

Typically, I just attack productions as my ideas come to me. 

In the end, it all came together as ‘Nymphotech’— ‘Nympho’ and ‘tech’ meaning something along the lines of ‘crazy about techno’ or having that uncontrollable urge to produce dance music.

What’s up next for Huge Hephner following the album?

Well, hopefully with ‘Nymphotech’ as well as my previous releases on Siteholder Records and UnCut, people will begin to recognize the style of Huge Hephner and crave the sound. 

Those that enjoy the Huge Hephner style can expect nothing less in the future than more solid dance floor material whether it’s original tracks or remixes.

Thus far you have released exclusively on Siteholder Records in your hometown of Chicago.  Any plans to release on other labels?

Yes. 

Billy Dalessandro has another EP coming out on Expander’s label, Soniculture (Portugal), that is entitled ‘Acidburn.’

There’s a Huge Hephner remix on that project. 

Other than that, Huge Hephner is very personal and maintains relationships only with those close to him. 

Unless he finds some other really special ho to slap around, he’s mostly exclusive to Siteholder Records.

What does the Huge Hephner studio set-up look like, for the studio geeks at home?

I am a total hybrid between hardware and software. 

I love what both worlds have to offer regarding both my workflow and ideas, and I use it to the best of my ability. 

I will never turn my back on hardware and technology - hence the term, ‘Nymphotech.’

Your Siteholder Records debut EP was entitled ’Pimp Slappin’ EP‘ So I must ask, pimp slappin’ or slappin’ pimps?

Well, I won’t get into slappin’ pimps unless I’m at a pimp / ho players ball, where it’s then a sort of ‘competition’ against other pimps (as well as their hos). 

In this circumstance, my job is not only to pimp-slap my own hos, but also serve other pimps that try to step up.

In the case of ‘Pimp Slappin’’, otherwise known as Siteholder 006, I tend to line up my hos in a row. 

This way, when I begin my pimp slappin’ I don’t have to exert too much energy - I simply hold my hand up and move on down the line while my hand appropriately whips across my hos’ faces.

Billy Dalessandro and Huge Hephner meet up at a bar. Who orders what and who picks up the tab?

Billy Dalessandro orders for all and pays the tab, while Huge Hephner brings the hos and everything else that would be required for a fun night out on the town. 

It’s a very simple yet effective relationship. 

What happens in between and afterwards, no one really knows.

Any plans to move to Berlin?

Not at the moment. 

While pursuing techno might be more lucrative in Berlin, pimpin’ is my main line of work and Berlin has nothing on Chicago when it comes to that.

Anything else you’d like to add?

If Chicago was the pimp, and Berlin was the ho...Pimps UP, hos DOWN!  But I still take care of my hos.

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Huge Hephner’s ‘Nymphotech’ will be available August 15, 2008 on Siteholder Records.

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