Spotlight On: Avision
One of the East Coast’s current rising stars is Avision, the heavier alter ego of Anthony Cardinale. Cardinale grew up surrounded by music, between his musician father, DJ cousin who just so happens to be the iconic Victor Calderone, and the vibrant landscape of NYC as a backdrop. He has a sound all his own, formed in part by spinning in clubs since age 15. Since then he’s released on killer labels like Coyu’s Suara and his cousin’s own Waveform Recordings, gaining recent airplay from legends like Nicole Moudaber and Carl Cox, and DJed in some of the area’s most prestigious venues such as Pacha NYC and Cielo. We got to catch up with the young talent about his newest release, dream gigs, and more.
RP: Hi Anthony, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! What are you up to?
Avision: Hey guys! Thank you, and anytime. I’m currently in my studio finishing up some work for my releases with Beard Man, (Mark Broom’s label) and Inmotion Music coming later in the summer.
Your EP Conception was well received by some of the world’s top DJs. How did that make you feel?
It was an amazing feeling seeing all the support from some of the biggest techno DJs in the world. It made me feel like all of my hard work and the long hours in the studio are finally paying off. I’m truly blessed for the support and thankful for it.
What are some of your favorite pieces of gear to produce with?
Ah, that’s a tough one. I really favor my Korg EX 8000 which is a vintage piece, also my Akai AX80. My EX 8000 has that nice attacking sound and synths that really stand out, I play a lot of my chords with that piece. The Akai AX80 is just so warm and has such a fat sound to it, nothing really compares for me. A lot of my basslines come from the Akai. Sometimes I don’t even turn on my outboard gear though, and will just focus on what I have in front of me. I also love what Native Instruments has put out, some of their plugins are amazing.
Who are some of your biggest influences, in the studio and behind the decks?
In the studio and on the decks guys like Victor Calderone, Ben Klock, The Martinez Brothers, Maceo Plex, Dennis Ferrer, Carl Cox and Radio Slave. If I want to really be inspired I listen to music outside of techno, and for me the best producers are Quincy Jones and David Foster. I’m always listening to different kinds of music and trying to incorporate what inspires my music.
You also produce and play under your legal name Anthony Cardinale – in your words how do the sounds differ? Do you think one will end up taking over at some point or would you prefer to continue with both identities?
My name has more of a groovier feel with more synth work than my Avision productions do. With Avision, I want it to be more of my chunkier/bigger sounding techno, definitely heavier, although keeping it fun and happy too. I don’t plan on having one taking over more than the other, I like having two outlets to release my music. I want to keep both identities for sure.
You’ve been playing all over the east coast for several years now.. What are some of your favorite venues?
Output in Brooklyn, and Cielo in NYC because every time I’ve played that room there’s always a great vibe. I just recently played Flash Factory NY, and for me right now that’s top in NYC, it’s amazing to see a big room packed and dancing. It was by far one of the best crowds I’ve played for. Governors Island in NYC as well, there’s nothing better than playing outside with a view of the NYC skyline and a sea full of people. The Space Terrace in Miami, FL has an amazing vibe, I haven’t played there yet, but nothing beats after hours on the terrace especially when the sun starts to come up. It changes the mood for the crowd and the DJ.
Some clubs that have shut down that’ll always have a place in my heart are Deko Lounge, Club Abyss and Surf Club in NJ. Those three clubs are where I truly began to start getting into the nightlife scene as a teen DJ. Club Abyss was the first real night club I ever played at and it was in front of 1000 teenagers, and lead to a two year residency. I’m forever grateful for those opportunities, because it helped mold me as a DJ and how to read a crowd at a young age.
If you could pick any 3 festivals to play this summer, what would they be and why?
Sonar: It’s always caught my attention. When I was younger I would watch Youtube videos of certain DJs playing and seeing the way the crowd is in Barcelona, I’ve always dreamt of playing it. Movement: Because nothing is better than techno in Detroit, I mean that’s the real deal techno heads festival and the birthplace of it all. Awakenings: Awakenings in Amsterdam seems surreal. The production that they bring in is amazing. The pairing of the DJs are also unreal. It’s a festival that’s done proper and sets the standards high for other festivals around the world. Amsterdam is one place I haven’t been yet and I’ve been dying to see.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Traveling the world DJing and producing. Doing what I love to do.
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