What’s your production name and where are you from?
Everyone calls me Covelli (my last name). I’ve got a million nicknames so I figured there’s no need to make up another one. I am from Chicago.
How would you describe your sound and or production style?
I always say my style is a blend of everything, because I do too many different genres to have a style. My style is Bruce Lee, “the style of no style”, harder to defeat (or have someone say you can’t make that because you only do this). I produce everything from monster hip-hop & rock blends to baby making R&B; from electro-pop dance music to epic underground hip-hop. I can’t forget the bass-rattling dirty south beats or the Latin-flavored crossover radio hits. The only consistent characteristic is I love to layer sounds.
What do you use in the studio to create?
I work mostly inside the box both in Producing and in Mixing. I love using Virtual Instruments, mostly for the convenience and quality of many of them now. I collaborate with other musicians especially Dan Linehan, a guitar player from my band. I use anything from Sony Acid Pro to Pro Tools as the DAW but it doesn’t really matter as long as I can quickly accomplish what I need to with my drum programming, midi work, recording, and mixing.
Are you currently working with any new artists?
I am working with my group Illatribe on some crazy new music. Of course I am always working towards landing major placements and collaborating with other talented artists. Other artists I have or am currently working on projects with include Arrogant, BOS, Alecia & Kaya, Math Hoffa & Solomon, Michael Sanfilippo, P. Jericho, and Stevie G. I am also working with another artist from Illatribe named WordP on his solo album.
Congrats on winning the iStandard Producer Showcase in Chicago. Describe the overall experience and how it feels to be recognized as someone with next level talent?
I’ll never forget the night, it was crazy. I went last year to check out the show when Bliz Beats won. I knew I was gonna enter the next one. People came out through the rain to pack the house, and I met a lot of the producers I was competing against. We are all on a similar path so even though we are competing, there is still a sense of community between all the producers. I wasn’t really nervous when I finally went on stage, even though it was my first beat battle. I’m confident in my sounds and just wanted to show everyone the variety of genres I can move the crowd with. The elimination was the insane part. To have the top three separated by one point just shows how much talent Chicago and iStandard has.
What type of advice did the judges give you? Do you feel it was accurate?
I value all input, and it doesn’t hurt to get feedback from multi-platinum and Grammy award winning Producers. I can remember stressing because I had to cut down all my beats to one minute. I hated that, as most of my music has variations, sections, and guitar solos that are hard to fit under a minute without chopping 16′s to 8 or 4 bars. I can remember Rockwilder saying I should put hooks on my beats and it would be a wrap. I wanted to respond that I do put hooks on a lot of beats but wasn’t sure if it would work for a beat battle. The judges are in their position because they are great at what they do and were prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities that they got. I am trying to follow in their footsteps.
What’s next on your agenda?
My compilation CD is going to be released on June 6th. It is a collection of all of the best songs I produced over a variety of genres and I’m still working on new material for it. Fans on facebook (www.facebook.com/CovelliProductions) will get it free. I’m also doing shows with my group Illatribe (www.facebook.com/illatribe). The plan is to work the hardest and put the 9 to 5 in the rear view. I just gotta make it, that’s whats on the agenda.
