Juno Daily – In The Mix & interview: Darone Sassounian
We climb the Rocky Hill
Los Angeles-based DJ producer Darone Sassounian heads up the Rocky Hill label, taking inspiration from music made in the 70s and 80s as well as disco, soul, jazz, “international obscurities and vintage house”.
After 2021’s highly acclaimed compilation Silk Road: Journey of the Armenian Diaspora: 1971 – 1982 on Terrestrial Funk, he’s about to drop his debut album Synthetic Instincts – and celebrates its release here with a session behind the Juno Daily decks, as well as answering a few questions from the Juno Daily grilling squad.
Hi and thanks for your time…. First of all, can you tell us where you are right now, and what kind of day you’re having… Been anywhere already or going anywhere interesting later?
Hey, thanks for having me! I’m in LA right now. It’s where I’m born and raised. I was recently on tour in the summer. Had some interesting moments and time on the road. Was recently in San Francisco, New York, Oslo, Berlin, Amman, and Yerevan. I should be back in circuit through the states and then back in EU zone again next year it seems.
Tell us a bit about your formative musical experiences… Early musical memories from siblings, parents, schoolmates… First record bought, first band/performances, and how you feel in love with the music you make now?
I’m the oldest of two siblings, so I didn’t have an older “cooler” sibling to introduce me to music. However, growing up, I heard a lot of American soul and boogie records. I also grew up with a lot of international stuff such as Armenian, Middle Eastern, Brazilian and Zouk. Classical records and some reggae as well. It was an interesting situation. My family traveled a lot, so I’d see new CDs quite often in the living room growing up. Naturally, being a part of the Armenian Diaspora, my family is stretched throughout the planet. In Lebanon, Brazil, Canada, France, Australia, Venezuela, and the States.
I grew up hearing different accents, languages, and music. I took jazz drumming lessons from the ages of 6-8. Then I was transitioned to classical and jazz piano with theory from the ages of 8-18. I’m confident these two moments in early life into teenage years were the most important and formative moments for me. The first record I bought was The Doors self-titled album. The earliest live performances I experienced was when my older cousin took me to underground nightclubs when I was under the legal age.
Those moments also shifted my focus and hearing. In the States, we’re allowed to listen to proper stuff on proper equipment starting at the age of 21. For others in the world, it’s much younger. So that “education” is missing for teens and young adults in the US. We’re not immersed in that culture, even though that culture had initially started here in the States. I think all of these things I mentioned combined just made me fall in love and appreciate the kind of music I listen to, I’m inspired by, and ultimately produce.
Give us a brief precis of what you’ve released to date and any other notable career landmarks…
I’ve released mostly under my label for now. I had the Prerequisite series to start up my label, Rocky Hill.
Prerequisites #1 – #6 (totaling in 3 EPs). They were moody floor tools made in 2019 – 2021. I then released two more EPs titled, Goes On and Dance of the Sun Worshipers, respectively. Both of these EPs were released in 2023. They were slower in approach and deeper in concepts. I’m really proud of those releases and they still get love to this day, which is flattering. I had the pleasure of having Byron The Aquarius hopping on a remix for the ‘Dance of the Sun Worshipers’ EP.
I also released an Armenian White Label EP on the label last year, with two original features from Lara Sarkissian. She wipes the floor with her unique sound sculpting techniques. I had an edit by NYC based duo Fundido and by myself taken from the compilation I did on Terrestrial Funk back in 2021 titled, Silk Road: Journey of the Armenian Diaspora (1971 – 1982). This project is something near and dear to me, as I took 4-5 years to investigate, dig, and license a bunch of obscure Armenian boogie and soul tracks for a full length compilation. It’s something that gets a lot of support until this day. It’s really flattering to see the impact that album made for me and the culture. I made a remix for a Parisian band named, Hey Djan, and it was released earlier this year. It’s titled, “Djeyrani Res (Darone Sassounian Re-Interpretation)”. I’m also releasing a single on LA based label, CQQL, in December. The track is titled “Arms” and its featured on their Stop 2 Quit compilation.
Tell us what you’ve kindly served up for us in the shape of your mix…
I’ve got a host of some of my favorites on the mix I’ve put together for you guys. Ranging from house, boogie, and to some soulful – uplifting records from the states and abroad. I’ve squeezed in my first single off of my upcoming debut album, Synthetic Instincts. The single is titled “Clementine’s Absentia”. I also played the test pressing for my upcoming track, ‘Arms’ on the Stop 2 Quit compilation for CQQL Records. I may have underestimated the kick on that one. Early apologies for the minor distortion on that one for the mix. But hey, the moment can only be captured once. Energy cannot be replicated. I use the same philosophy for when I make tracks too. Two turntables and a rotary mixer. Hope you enjoy.
You’ve been active with your Rocky Hill label for a while, but you’re only just about to drop your debut album… Why the wait?
It’s true, I’ve been active on my label. It’s my main creative outlet. The album, like many things in life, took some time getting used to and comfortable with. I don’t prefer to rush into things in terms of output on a medium for consuming. However, I do create when there is that spark in me. So, creating the record took me 2-3 weeks in total.
However, releasing it was something I wanted to listen to over and over and over again. Until I was ready to let it do its thing. The album is an extension of myself. My thoughts and emotions articulated without words. Poetry without a language, I guess. I’m now comfortable to let it be what it will be. Touch whoever it will touch.
The album’s called Synthetic Instincts – tell us about that title…
The album’s title is something I was playing with in my head for sometime. The feedback I’ve gotten from peers and listeners is that its far from “Synthetic”. I think that’s the point. The sonic palette is far from synthetic. However, I was using my environment and surroundings as a driving force. For some energy to take in, then to push out into the creative form of music. I use the warm and natural instincts to push against the synthetic contemporary trajectories the world is moving into. Whether it’s in the physical form or digital form.
(Not to be confused with musical medium, but the world of mankind in general). I just took a hard long look at what’s going on around me and peoples attitudes. I decided to say “screw you” to it all with the record.
You said “It takes from the world’s political landscape, loss of life and native land and the trajectory humanity is walking towards while offering a sense of hope that the future may hold brighter days…” How do you translate that vibe into music?
Great question. It’s something I still haven’t had the right words for. I’ll try to boil it down. In the past few years, I saw mankind go into a darker downward spiral. The political landscape of the United States, the loss of life of friends and those I loved along with native lands being stopped away back in Armenia. Even though I’m born and raised in America, I feel very connected with my roots as an Armenian as well. Translating this all into music is the real challenge though. It’s about removing the ego and the fear from within and drawing these things into a blank slate or canvas. I really had to go for it and push myself to move forward. Im always creating something, but I started off with two tracks, then I thought to myself, “I’m pissed off, I have something to say.” So, I took 2-3 weeks to myself and made this album. Taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing the limits of how I felt and how I was thinking to intellectualize it all into music and into a record was the real challenge. It’s a beautiful process in my opinion. It’s far from synthetic. I had to let the attitudes of the world take control onto me. Then I had to let it deal with me, personally. Taking in the moments and taking the punches of life, then writing about those moments is where led me to the album. Breaking out of the genre mood is where I find myself in the creative process. It’s about the moment then stylizing it into your own method and your own message.
And what else are you up to musically at the moment? What are you hearing that’s inspiring you? Any more live or release action we should know about?
It’s hard to be inspired by humans sometimes. However, I do listen to a lot of free and spiritual jazz, J Dilla, and a lot of midwest soul and “house” records. More contemporary work that I’ve been enjoying a lot are from the likes of Sault, Tommaso Cappellato (good friend of mine and such a sweet soul), Theo Croker, and Pale Jay. Besides Synthetic Instincts and the contributing single I have on Stop 2 Quit for CQQL Records, I’m working on some other projects by myself and a few other artists which should be released on my label next year and years to come. I’m also working on some preservation work as well with friends in America and abroad.
And what’s the plan for Rocky Hill in the immediate/intermediary/long term?
The plans for Rocky Hill’s future is simple. Putting out material that I like and can resonate with. I’m sitting on quite a bit of demos from other artists and colleagues right now, so things are looking bright. The label is growing and I’ll be releasing music from exciting artists in the near future.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Serious Intention – You Don’t Know (Original Dance Mix)
2. Mystic Merlin – Just Can’t Give You Up
3. Dajae – U Got Me Up (DT Club Mix)
4. Darone Sassounian – Clementine’s Absentia
5. John Rocca – I Want It to Be Real (Farley’s Hot House Piano Mix)
6. Hanson & Davis – Tonight (Love Will Make It Right)
7. DJ Disciple – Tonight (Love Will Make It Right)
8. DJ Duke – Closer (Sean McCabe NY Garage Mix)
9. Separate Minds – We Need Somebody
10. EDB & Gary SuperFly – The Fifth Floor
11. Darone Sassounian – Arms
12. Arts & Craft – I’ve Been Searching (Walter Gibbons 12″ Remix)
13. Prentice – Sou Louco
To pre-order your double vinyl copy of Synthetic Instincts by click here