For a good many of Circuit Mom's younger fans across the country who come in for his Revolution events, Tony Moran is the gorgeous, talented DJ they all look forward to as an incredible live DJ, whipping dancers into a frenzy until the final beat. For those of us who've been longtime CM/TM fans or are just big music dorks, Tony Moran carries a huge amount of music history and stories within that never-aging noggin of his. I recently spoke with Tony about his upcoming Revolution: Peace gig on the brand new state-of-the-art system at Excalibur, his early history, and gigs with some of the worlds biggest vocalists.
DJ Tony started out in his early days producing for the freestyle group The Cover Girls and scored a huge hit "Show Me," all before he was even of drinking age. His success with his collaborators under the name Latin Rascals lead their own record contract, a gig on MTV and of course, his legendary remixes. He's known for asking some of the biggest divas in the world to step back into the studio to re-record vocals for better mixes. He said tha all had a great work ethic, but wished he'd spent more time on Celine Dion: "(I) Just wished I had spent more time with her in the studio without video cameras and tons of executives in the room. She was great, but it left me longing to connect with her further.
Someone Tony did connect with that left a lasting impression was the late great Donna Summer. "I was granted the opportunity to write and work with her on new music that would be an addition to her last greatest hits album. It can be called "subjective" by some, but I recorded "You're So Beautiful" with her and we continued writing in Nashville, then at studios in New York on many occasions at my own private studio in Chelsea, New York. We absolutely had a connection and she wanted to sing on these last couple of songs. Time passed after the last album as she worked on another one and different people also became involved that had other visions for her next project. No drama or negativity, so I just left these recorded songs unfinished and continued on my next project, which was Cher. Between then, and her unfortunate passing, I would go back into my studio and work on these incredible takes of performances that included joking around moments and all. "Valley Of The Moon" was one of the songs that I finished because I thought it would be incredible to include in my set for The Black Party in NYC. I can't tell you how many messages I was getting regarding what it's about. "
Tony recently shared his cut of Donna's "Freedom" online, which created a huge stir in the music community and seemed like a real departure for two dance collaborators. Tony says, "Freedom was completed because it was more than a dance record . It was a message that helped with my own personal healing and I hope that others feel the same."
Expect not only some of Tony's past and present divas to make it onto the decks Sunday Feb. 17, but also some new sounds Tony's been working with. Circuit Mom's Matthew Harvat, who's worked with Tony on 18 past parties since 2000, says, "I think some may be surprised at PEACE that his sound has evolved into a sort of global soundtrack of melodic brilliance. It's European, Ibiza, New York, African and Chicago styles all stirred together in a way that only Tony can do with his unique and original compositions and production work. He has been playing a LOT in other countries and feeding off of the energy and sounds around him. The influences are a brilliant story being told through music."
Tony spins at Revolution: Peace, Sun., Feb. 17 at Excalibur. For information on tickets to Circuit Mom's President's Day weekend Revolution parties and to stay informed on Circuit Mom's legendary parties, go to circuitmom.com .