Every once in a while word starts spreading about a hot producer who is coming through under the radar, and the hot news this time round comes from the West Coast.

Los Angeles based producer, DJ, and label owner Nick Terranova has been quickly making a name for himself as the mastermind producer behind such production names as Starkillers, Aftertouch, Terranova, Hi_Lo and Nick Touch, and anyone with an eye can see that his tracks are being charted everywhere. He's taken the universal new electro house sound and fused it with NYC tribal beats, and then molded them into an explosive new style that he likes to call nasty, dirty, rockin electribe.

If you haven't checked for him before now, it is pretty impossible to miss the hugely popular Starkillers Discoteka, originally released on Hollands Spinnin Records, its become such a big tune that its now licensed for release by Gusto in the UK, and Peter Rauhofers legendary Star 69 Records in the USA. This electro house tune has been destroying all dance floors for months now. Its been an Essential Tune of the week on Pete Tongs Essential Selection show on BBC Radio 1; entered at No.7 in the Cool Cuts Chart; been Tried and Tested and had more then 10 plays in a row from Judge Jules on his BBC Radio 1 show; hit Beatports sales chart at No.1 for three weeks; and has all the major DJs around the globe going crazy for it. If that isn't enough, word is that the next Starkillers single Scream on Spinnin is going to get even bigger.

Another Nick Terranova production that is about to hit is on the giant underground label Tweekd Records in NYC, Terranova feat Gina Martina Electro Fuck. With such a saucy song title, you know you're in for one hell of a sonic ride, and Nick certainly doesn't disappoint. Pounding tribal beats, a sick bass-line and teasing lyrics that turn the dancefloor into a porno inferno. This track is so intense that Jenna Jameson would have a tougher time rocking your world.

With form like this, its hardly surprising that one of the UK's hottest house labels, the mighty Toolroom Records has snapped up the next amazing Terranova track In the Light, for a September release.

But there's no time to rest on his laurels, as Nick Terranova has also been called in to do two remixes for the US power house label Made Records, reworking the infamous Jimmy James Fashionista track that is pricking up peoples ears everywhere right now, and then creating a killer Starkillers Remix of the soon to be massive Iio Is This Love. Then there's the ace Vinny Troia Flow (Starkillers Rmx) (Curve), the rather large mouthful 2 Raumwhonung & Moguai Sex Secret (Terranova & Austin Leeds Rmx) (Star 69), Dario Nunez & David Bio My World (Terranova & Austin Leeds Rmx) on Spain's highly respected Stereo Productions, and more to come. Does this guy ever sleep?

It doesn't look like it, because you can check out Nicks own label Terratraxx (and offshoot label Tribaltraxx run with friend and music partner Austin Leeds) at www.terratraxx.com.

Here you will find more of Terranovas latest releases, including Terranova & Leeds Freakshow, Shake Me, and Rock Me, and the upcoming Terranova & Austin Leeds Only You. Right now Terratraxx is making quite a name for itself by continually appearing in the Top 10 of many dance charts globally, and with future releases set to include Kobbe & Terranova Slave, Terranova Sexy Dirty, and K.T.L. The Fuzz, this label is definitely one to watch.

Star 69 Records and 2Getha Productions have teamed up this year to present ‘The Star 69 All-Stars Tour’. This brainchild of Peter Rauhofer and the star 69 crew, along with Jason Snead (2Getha Productions) showcases the amazing talents of the world-renowned label’s artists. Star 69 tour line up will consist of exacta (Crobar & Pacha, NYC), Starkillers (Nick ‘Discoteka’ Terranova, LA) and one of the following headline djs at each event include Peter Rauhofer, Chus & Ceballos, Superchumbo, Saeed Younan, Oscar G, & Offer Nissim.

The Star 69 All-Stars tour kicks off on Thursday, September 21st at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. As part of the Las Vegas Music Conference (www.lvmc.us), our tour opens with Starkillers, Exacta, And Ceballos Of Chus & Ceballos in the Hard Rock’s Body English Club.

The following week in san francisco on Friday, September 29th, will find Exacta, Starkillers, Eric Kupper, and local favorite mike giannini at SF’s famous 1015 Folsom Club. This event is in conjunction with the Summer Music Conference (www.summermusicconference.net). Please check the tour site for updated information as we confirm dates: www.star69tour.com.







Interview with Starkillers

Your works are all hits, what’s the secret for a track to become a success?

Umm, there’s no secret, I just do what I think would be cool and hope people will like it… it seems to be working.

Discoteka is the best thing that’s been heard on the dance floors in years, how did the idea for this track come up?

I was inspired by 2 things: Entra Mi Casa and this track “Boom I got your boyfriend”, an old school booty track. I just always liked Entra Mi Casa, it was so horny and sexy like a good fuck song and boyfriend was serious attitude about being devious, so I took the best of both of them and then smeared them all over my studio… that’s how you got Discoteka…. And thank you for your comment about the best thing you’ve heard in years.

The girl that sings on Discoteka has quite a sensual voice. Was it difficult to choose her? Who is she?

No I actually met her in my gym. I was just talking to her and she had this dirty sounding Puerto Rican, Southern, NY drawl that was sick. I had never heard any thing like it so I asked her if she would be interested in doing a song and 20 minutes later she was in my studio laughing her ass off about what we were doing. I thought it was funny…her name is Gina Lapiana she an actress here in L.A. We’ve also gone on to make Electro Fuck and Shake Me, and my new single Scream.

You’ve remixed IIO’s ‘It is love’ and there’s a world of difference between the original and your remix. IIO has a very defined style in their music. Do you produce your remixes thinking about what the artist would like you to do or do you just do whatever suits you?

I always start the idea with the artist in mind, but if it doesn’t work then I throw it out the window and do what I think is cool and most of the time it works. I hate trying to make some thing work… the best things I’ve always found is that it should always just work if your trying to hard to make it fit then chances are it will sound like your trying to make it fit and people can always hear that.

I see you’re going to be quite busy during the following month. Which is the place you’re going to that you’re looking forward most?

Mexico, and this cruise to the Bahamas… should be sick I love going to new places and hearing different vibes and seeing how the people react. It def has an impact on the way I do my production.

When you return, I bet you’ll be quite busy. Can you tell us what future marvels we’ll be able to listen to?

My new production is called “For the pills” and that is exactly what I made it for.

A new track we’ll here soon is Electro Fuck. Just with the title we can get an idea about the rest. Still, how would you define it and what kind of response do you expect?

Actually, this track is already out. The reaction has been massive. It was done about the same time I did Discoteka …like October of last year.. 05. I wanted to really fuse the electro with tribal so that’s I had a feeling making a record that both electro guys and tribal guys could play would set me apart from other people and get me known through both scene. What you hear is this electro style baseline and tribal beats. Very sexy vocals are cool. There were a few labels that turned it down saying the spill about how its not this its not that… I gave it to Tweek’d they loved it and gave me a chance… the rest is history it went number 1.

You have your own label www.terratraxx.com. Tell us what artists you have on your roster and which will be the next tracks that you’ll be releasing.

There are a few secrets I’m working on you’ll just have to wait to see, but one thing I’m doing is making it possible to dl mp3 in advance from Terratraxx, Tribaltraxx and Eccotraxx before any one else has it.

Since you started every time you release a track it hits the top 10. Have you stopped to think about the possibility that the magic touch may dry up one day?

I don’t think it has to do with a magic touch I think the way to do this is to progress in your sound. Always sounding fresh and giving people a solid record every time of coarse they cant always be top 10, but while I’m here I def enjoy it.

What are the biggest passions, music nonwithstanding, for Nick Terranova?

I think the biggest passions for me are having the freedom of what I want to do and to be creative the way I like to do it. I do a lot of TV commercials and I’m not always allowed to do what I want, so it blocks me creatively. Sick dance music really allows you to be your self I think anyways …

You’ve played in many places. Is there any place you particularly love where you’ve never played?

I would like to go to Australia… that’s a big goal of mine.

Many djs have their own club nights or clubs. Do you as well?

No I don’t, but any thing is possible

You belong to star69, you have to be quite good to be there. When you started, did you think you’d have so much appeal and get to be in a label like this?

Well I don’t belong to star69, but working with them has definitely been amazing… every one there has been a big help and I’ve def been a fan of Peter for along time.

The 21st of September you start the all star tour with other artists. Taking in count your other gigs, promotions and so on. How do you cope?

I just take one step at a time. I try to be positive even when I want to pull my hair out. I just say to my self with all the craziness… hmm this is what I’ve waited for- LOL.

Would you change all this for anything?

No not at all.

In Spain you’re number 1 in the most important dance music FM radio station – over and above many greats like Bob Sinclar, Danny Tenaglia, Armin Van Buren, etc. In Spain there’s a lot of expectation to see you. When will you come and play for us? Do you have any dates set?

I’m actually working on some things with the stereo crew hopefully ill see u soon.

On Beatport you’ve got four number 1’s, tracks of your own and productions. All this success in so little time proves that you’re a big talent. Do you reckon you’ll stay in the music world for many years?

All I can say is I hope so its been a blessing to move so fast. People def expect a lot from you when you go this fast.

You do house, electro and electronica. What do you prefer?

I just prefer making good music … that’s what makes me happy.

I imagine that you buy lots of music to keep in touch with what’s happening. What’s the last thing you’ve heard and the last thing you really liked?

I like this Seb Fountaine track “Gimmemore” that’s hot .

A message for everyone that loves Discoteka?

So may labels had there spill about Discoteka and why they shouldn’t sign it so all I have to say is Thank you so much for your support people!! Music is about masses and you all helped me prove that… it’ s not just about radio or the underground its about you and what you like so… “Viva la digital revolution”!!!!

Thank you to Lydia Tennant for the interview.