Vito & Druzzi (The Rapture) - The Ransom Note Mix

Music

There was a time when Vito & Druzzi would have been far more known for their activities as two thirds of NYC's punk funk finest The Rapture, but the years since the band's (possibly permanent) hiatus have seen the duo become a DJ force of note. They've taken their brand of jittery techno, analogue house, and disco freak outs 'round the globe, and on their Ransom Note mixtape they've provided us with a healthy dash of all three. Listen and read our Q&A with the chaps below…

Tell us about what you’ve been up to of late.

Since The Rapture stopped touring about 2 1/2 years ago Vito and I put together a studio for ourselves in North Brooklyn on the border of queens.

It started as a raw space in old paint factory. We now have two rooms, one of which doubles as a live room. We've been honing our studio skills, making new songs and tracks as Vito&Druzzi as well as edits, mixes, remixes and collaborating with and producing for other folks. Druzzi has started doing some mixing work as well. Additionally, we've done our fair share of traveling around and DJing and look forward to do more.

Why no Rapture live gigs of late please, thank you?

Basically, we don't get along with Luke.

When did you last touch James Murphy?

I hear James has been doing his daily calisthenics to Vito&Druzzi tracks, so I would like to think we are touching his heart on a daily basis.

If the rapture was tomorrow, how would you react? Would you start looting?

Chillin' 24/7.

What’s your greatest vice?

Miami.

If your sound was a visual thing, what would it look like?

Shining like a sun.

Can you climb trees? If would could sit atop a tree anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Yes. Too many options!

What makes the world go round?

Money, Love…

When did you last binge on food you knew wasn't good for you?

There are foods that aren't good for me? :/

Are candles on birthday cakes just a nuisance? Discuss.

A birthday cake sans candles is a sad cake. The candle ritual is most important to the birth anniversary. Yet, I can see it from the impatient, starved cake lovers side. "Mmmmmmm, birthday cake"

Who taught you all the swear words?

Spike Lee films.

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

That's too personal for me to answer.

Which animal has the best mating noise?

Yautja.

How often should we wash our shoes?

Never. Clean carefully with a brush or rag.

Are you a kick drum, a hi hat or a snare?

Kick drum.

Onto the mix…

Where was the mix recorded?

Greenpoint.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

In a backyard, basement or car.

What should we be wearing?

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

We are living the dream, sister.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Boof – Pete Found His Z.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Please see Max Pask's answer to this question.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

At home I think it was two 1200s and a 2channel Numark mixer. Nothing any more…

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The first of course. No, no, no, wait….Let me think…

What were the first and last records you bought?

Joan Jett "I love Rock N'Roll" and Charles Cohen "Brother I Prove You Wrong".

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Watermelon juice.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Part baby polar bear, part really cute kitty, part adorable puppy.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Challenge!!! Nothing is impossible.

Upcoming in the world of Vito & Druzzi?

We've got an upcoming 12" out on Throne Of Blood later this summer. A video clip and another EP should be seeing the light of day in the near future. More and more edits. Singing, saxophones and electric pianos. Some productions we have for people not Vito or Druzzi will should be out in the world before the end of the year. Some new mix monitors(brother can you spare a couple thousand bucks). And oh….dj gigs, gigs, personal appearances and plenty of mixing and production.