Alex Niggemann Versus Skyboy & Andrea Di Rocco

Here at DT we like to get the weekend started as early as possible, so with that in mind we’ve got a real treat in store for you today with an exclusive feature/premiere involving no less than three esteemed artists. Italian producers Skyboy and Andrea di Rocco have teamed up with vocalist Frank to create a beautiful piece of laid back house for Berlin label Soulfooled, guaranteed to move both your heart and your feet; plus DT favourite Alex Niggemann has taken on remix duties. With Skyboy’s previous work for the likes of Clap Your Hands and Di Rocco’s releases through Niggemann’s AEON imprint, the pair have built up quite a reputation for themselves individually; ‘A Space Walk With Ennio’ confirms the duo as a perfect production match. Through a funky off-kilter beat, haunting vocals and curious progression, the pair showcase their combined talents.  As Soulfooled’s curator, Niggemann takes the reigns next, adding weight with a sultry bass line and driving beat. You can check out both tracks below but before then we say Alex Andrea and Skyboy break with the original interview format and ask the questions as well as give the answers. This is Alex Niggemann Versus Skyboy & Andrea Di Rocco

Alex’s questions to Skyboy & Andrea di Rocco

When/how did you fell in love with electronic music?

Skyboy: When I was 7 years old I was already a big fan of Kraftwerk as my dad made me listen to them. Then, around 11/12 I bought “The Fat Of The Land” by The Prodigy, “Homework” by Daft Punk and a couple of the early albums by Fatboy Slim. That’s where it all started. 

Andrea Di Rocco: I was introduced to Aphex Twin by my cousin, then when I was 13 years old I went to a club for the first time in my hometown. Satoshi Tomie was playing and I got immediately fascinated by the club scene and DJing. 

13! How did your collaboration happen and how did you two meet?

S: We met up with each other at the beginning of the last summer in Berlin: I had a gig where I played a DJ set in Kosmonaut Club and Andrea had a gig at Weekend. Straight away we had an honest and authentic friendship, found a lot of common likings, mainly in music and immediately started collaborating on some tracks! It was very simple.

Cool. What’s a thing you can’t live without?

S: Love: The love of people close to me that they return to me as well. Love is my source of inspiration. Love Saves The Day. 


A: I would love to say my records but to be honest it’s my mum who gave me the first money to buy my first records. 

What’s your biggest passion besides music?

S: Sport, I am a big soccer fan, I’m playing it since I was young and I’m still playing every week. I love to travel and know new cultures, I love movies by Scorsese and books by Irvine Welsh. I also love cooking too!

A: Travel and watch new places eating good food and drinking great beers. Easy! 

Cool. What’s a must have whilst traveling?

S: A classic paper city map: I like to discover every corner of the place I’m visiting. There is kind of satisfaction to find a place just helped by the map.


A: My hat on my head, it’s like my talisman…and I like to cut my beard before playing in a club! 

What’s your favorite non electronic music artist/group/band?  

S: Everything starting from Funk/Soul to Hip Hop. I love artists like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Parliament. I still love Public Enemy but I also really like newer guys like Kanye West and Tyler The Creator. 

A: Not just one: Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman and Nina Simone just to name a few. They are all kind of old school influences handed down to me by my father.

What would you like people to ask you in an interview, which you have never been asked?

S: A question I never received in a music interview? What do you think about Francesco Totti? Answer: The best Italian football player of all time!

A: Hey man, I’ve heard that your new record with Skyboy will come out on Soulfooled, is that true? Answer:  Oh yes baby, it’s finally coming out and we are very much looking forward to it!

Skyboy & Andrea’s Questions for Alex

Do you feel more like a DJ or producer?

Even though it all started with DJing, I feel more like a producer, although I don’t think I’m a bad DJ!

It appears you’re a fellow football junkie, is that true?

110%. It all started when I was a little kid and the team of my hometown, “Fortuna Düsseldorf”, went to the first league again after ages. Since that point I’ve watched Bundesliga and Champions League whenever I have free time.

What’s favorite past production? Or one that particularly sticks with you?

If you mean my own ones, I’d say Tangram, Materium or Earth Symphony. From other producers I’d say Ame – ‘Rej’ or Laurent Garnier– ‘The Man With The Red Face’ 

What was the worst thing that ever happened to you while DJing?

A DJ, who was playing with Traktor after me, unplugged the wrong cables 3 times, so I had to start 3 times again. People started leaving when I started playing the last tune for the third time. I assume they thought it was my fault! 

What is something you are obsessed with right now?

Music as always, and soccer. Even more after the World Cup in Brasil! 

Tell us about your studio set up.

I use both hardware and software. I combine analogue hardware with software plugins. I’m using Logic as sequencer.

Any upcoming releases? What do you expect from 2015?

Besides the remix for you on Soulfooled, next week the remixes from Ripperton and Matthew Dear aka Audion for Materium will drop, my new single “Abaton” on AEON in October and I have an EP on Watergate Records landing in November. Plus some remixes. Besides that I’ll be touring North and South America within the next months and playing shows in Europe. Exciting times lay ahead!

 Skyboy & Andrea di Rocco’s A Space Walk With Ennio featuring remixes from Alex Niggemann and Christian Prommer is out now via Soulfooled. Check it out below.