One-time Latin Rascal, freestyle pioneer, and present-day in-demand producer Tony Moran has a lot of credits to his name. He's a renowned songwriter, acclaimed club DJ, hot record producer, club remixer, and with the release of the soundtrack to the movie Circuit, Tony Moran is also a record label mogul. He recently took some time out of his busy, globetrotting schedule to answer a few questions for an interview.
Gregg Shapiro: You've worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Celine, Janet, Patti and Gloria. Do you have any diva dish or dirt?
Tony Moran: When you are on the level that these artists are at, my experience is that almost nothing runs smoothly until you actually get them in the recording booth. It can get frustrating to wait longer than you have to for some of them just to arrive, like it was for Cher ( two days ) . But, how quickly the drama fades away as you get into the creative process and you start joking around and singing back and forth with them. I've never had anybody scream at me or try to make me feel inferior, but I did ask Patti LaBelle's designer to wait outside because I would not let her try on dresses on my time!
GS: Is there anyone with whom you haven't yet worked that would be a dream come true for you?
TM: I would have to say that it would be Madonna first and George Michael second. I remixed "Fast Love" for George a couple of years back, and it was the only mix that I have ever done that was turned down. Everyone else's mixes were turned down also, but it still hurt.
GS: Do you think being gay gives you an advantage over some of the straight producers/remixers/DJs working in the dance music industry?
TM: I have found that as a record producer and songwriter that it has not. The majority of the people who make the decisions for the artists themselves don't really care about that, they normally care about hit songs and a competent producer who can take it there. As a DJ, you find yourself socializing in circles that increase your visibility with a particular genre, so of course it increases opportunity if you have a track record of making hits in that genre. I do have to say though that for the most part, records that have become gay anthems normally wind up crossing over into the straight clubs, becoming just as popular if not more. I, myself, prefer playing in the gay clubs because I do it for the connection and return that I get from the energy of my brothers out there. I am not trying to be corny, but after being in this business for so long and having so much success through the eyes of others, for me, true success came the moment that I became comfortable with who I was, and that was the day that I felt I had truly achieved something significant.
GS: Is there another musical genre, in which you haven't yet worked, that you might be interested in exploring?
TM: It is strange sometimes to assume that our world is limited to what is close to us. People have asked me at different times, "What have you been doing?" or "I haven't heard about you in so long!" I have done everything from freestyle music to just recently recording a pop album for a girl named Martine McCucheon with the London Symphony Orchestra. It sold over a million albums there, but no one ever knew. Right now I am working on Kevin Aviance's album and though it is a dance album, it will touch on some deeper sounds as well as what it is that I am most known for. In the future, I would like to continue scoring on different movie and television projects.
GS: Emerge Records is the record label that you started in collaboration with Centaur Music. What does it mean to be running a record label?
TM: Running a record label is something that I decided to do, fully understanding that I could never do it without partners. It is still a lot of work because you are not only focused on getting your creativity on vinyl, but I am now working with a lot of other talented people to get some other music out there. That is the real reason for wanting to do it. So that I can help that new talent get the opportunity to get their music showcased and to be treated fairly and with understanding because with me it is not all about the money! My Partners Nick Debiasi and Amy Chanos also add to the creative input of the company, but they also handle the other business and promotional tasks that have equal importance when it comes to running a company.
GS: What plans do you have for Emerge?
TM: After Kevin's album, I want to work on putting out singles for a while. I have written a bunch of songs that I am so excited about and want to finish them up to put them out next year.
GS: You've been in the music business for over 20 years. If your life had taken a different direction and you weren't involved with music, what do you think you would be doing?
TM: I went to college to become an electrical engineer, but I probably would have gotten frustrated with it and would probably own a couple of Starbucks coffee shops now.
GS: As busy as you are, do you have time for romance?
TM: Absolutely! I am lucky enough to be in love with someone for the last three years who I feel loves me just as much. ... It takes a lot of understanding to handle a partner who has a career that takes you in so many directions all the time. All the late hours and all the different people, but we have found our way with a minimum of drama and no screaming. We have a wonderful life together because what is most important to each of us is the other.
