Interview with Daniel Richter, Big Duran Duran Thing

On April 4, 2010, Daniel Richter started the blog Big "Duran Duran" Thing. In Daniel's own word it was to
"to share some Duran Duran gems from my collection with other Durannies from all over the world." His 'collection' consists of videos recorded at Duran Duran concerts, remixes written by him, youtube videos, aired radio specials, fan made album covers,
and much more.

Daniel goes to high school and is from Bystrice pod Hostýnem, a town in the Zlín Region, Czech Republic. He is inspired by Duran Duran and Michael Jackson and loves doing remixes and blogs.

What impressed me was that since its inception, the site has had over 80000 page views, over 26000 visits, and has them from all over the world. I wish I had that many visits! We certainly could use that many signatures on our petition [:.

Kirk, DDTTRH: Tell us a bit about how you started Big Duran Duran Thing blog. What motivated you to start it?
Well, I was a member of some Duran Duran forums a long time before I've started my blog. One of those forums had a "Download section" with couple of great people that were sharing their stuff (ripping from CDs and vinyls, collecting and creating remixes or recording live shows) and I was on hunt for DD stuff at that time. So I was downloading like I was mad and I started to think about it. Not only about the generosity of those people, but about the whole idea. And one day (it way on 4th April by the way) I said to myself I have to do something in return, share other stuff with those people. So I ran into the Blogger.com and created myself a blog. As I was exchanging links, my blog was growing and more and more people were visiting it. It was my goal to create something that others would really like and I think I've reached it.

Kirk, DDTTRH: What positive experiences have you had in 2010 since you started this blog?
The most positive experiences are meeting new Durannies from other countries, which helps me to improve my English and also feel more like a part of the fan-base.
You can see I've posted some remixes of the new track already, which was also one of the most awesome experiences. Because the album came out on 21st, and I had those mixes posted on 23rd already and I was able to see a MAYHEM...there was a record in both number of visits and number of downloads...it was making me feel quite proud of myself and my work.

Kirk, DDTTRH: You're in high school right now, you're pretty young. I think its awsome to see someone of your generation as a fan of the band. How long have you been a fan of Duran Duran? What inspires you about their music?
My father is a Durannie since the first album, so I was in contact with their music since my birth in 1994. The first Duran Duran moment I remember is watching "The Reflex" video and singing along "Wild Boys" when I was 6 or 7.
At that age, I also started to realise that Duran Duran is something unique and very special. I started to realise it's not only the music, but also the fashion, the lifestyle...
Maybe that uniqueness inpires me about their music :)

Kirk, DDTTRH: Have any of your friends given you a hard time about being a fan of the band? They've been around a long time!
Not really, my friends was telling me it's my problem what I listen to. Only some of them was asking what does the name mean. But some of them also started to like some of their songs :)

Kirk, DDTTRH: What do your parents think about your passion for Duran Duran?
My father as a Durannie definitely thinks it's awesome, there's no doubt.
And my mom? She thinks it's cool that I have "such a good taste in music".

Kirk, DDTTRH: Do you think Duran Duran belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Why?
I was talking about the uniqueness of the band. I think this is the reason Duran Duran should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Along with the ability to write hit songs and reach number ones even after 30 years, release 13 studio albums and not repeat themselves at the same time.

Kirk, DDTTRH: Tell us about your hometown, Bystřice pod Hostýnem, in the Czech Republic. What's it like?
My hometown is situated in the east of Czech Republic. It's a small town that used to be a spa in the past. It may look old for some people, but I actually think it's exactly what makes this town beautiful, along with the nature and fresh air, which was the reason this town was spa.
Our town is almost 700 years old and the town centre is in the list of Historic Areas of Czech Republic :)

It was a pleasure for me to make an interview with you :)

To check out Daniel's amazing blog site and his talent at mixing Duran Duran songs, please visit his site at http://bigduranduranthing.blogspot.com/.

To learn more about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall - Official Effort and to sign our petition, please visit our site at www.ddttrh.info. Thanks!

Special New Years Interview with Nuno

NUNO is a graphic designed and a fan of Duran Duran’s for many years. He currently has his own website where he showcases his graphic art (Studio N45)…and I’m sure I join many in saying that his work is AMAZING! You can tell from his site that Nuno is VERY inspired by Duran Duran. As Nuno says on his site…”I love Duran Duran and love to design. Both for as long as I can remember. How could it not be better than just to combine those two together and show it to the rest of the world?”

Nuno is also creator of the official fan page for Duran Duran in Portugal (www.duran.com.sapo.pt).

Kirk, DDTTRH: Nuno—I got a chance to look at your amazing art at Studio N45. I really like the Nick Rhodes Astronaut piece and the signed version of a Duran Duran poster you did. I also like what you did for DuranDuranFans.com. Can you tell us a couple stories about your art, where its taken you, and some amazing experiences you’ve had because of it?

Nuno: Wow. What a good way to start an interview. Thank you so much for your comment.
In fact, during all this “duranyears” I collected a lot of amazing stories. The most import for me was the one regarding the oficial poster I did for the Lisbon gig in 2005. At that time I got in contact with the promotors of the show and sent them a design ideia of the poster. They were amazed and ask me to make the oficial poster. The only thing I asked back was to meet the band and … it was a dream came true! Before the show I met the fab five and by surprise, John looked at me and said “so, you are THE nuno” …. No words! I believe that this poster is the only one on duran duran career done by a fan.

There are also stories of duranies asking me to use my design on t-shirts and some were already signed by the band. I also saw some cover sleeves I did signed by them.
Making the intro images and design layout for www.andytaylor.com; wallpapers and other designs for tigerbeat.nl and duranduranfans.com were amazing experiences to me … something that I will never forget. Nowadays, I contribute with some designs for Andy site.

Kirk, DDTTRH: How long have you been a fan of Duran Duran? What has inspired you about them throughout the years?

NUNO: Fan since 1980. Their music is an inspiration source … it’s so visual. Yes, the videos helped a lot and also the great cover sleeves. All of that...it’s a kind of art school to me. I believe that the teachers are proud with my “work”.

Kirk, DDTTRH: Tell us more about what you are doing with Duran Duran Portugal!

NUNO: This journey started in August 1999 when I decided to show to the world via web my fascination for this amazing band that keep making the soundtrack of my life. The site “Nuno’s Homepage – portuguese duran duran site” www.duran.com.sapo.pt was a big surprise to all the portuguese duranies because it was a web full of updated information with a “duranic design”. It was a way to promote DD in my country and all over the world because the site was/is a reference in the world wide web. So, everytime that there is an album out or a concert near … believe me that there are much “underground work” of promotion done by me. For instance, in 2007 I manage to provide a listening session of RCM at SonyBMG a few days before the release of the record. Apart from that, during all this years I keep giving feedback directly with some band members.

Kirk, DDTTRH: Do you think Duran Duran belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Why?
NUNO: Yes. Duran Duran during all this years proved that they are more than a generation hymn … they are a happiness hymn. A band that, since the 1980s have placed 14 singles in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 and have sold more than 100 million records, deserves a place at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Kirk, DDTTRH: I noticed that most of your on Studio N45 is on Duran Duran, however noticed work on other 80’s artists like Flock of Seagulls, Prince, Spandau Ballet, and Pet Shop Boys. What are some of your fond memories of the 80’s?

NUNO: It was a magical decade. Full of great NEW music, amazing videos and fantastic moments. Wish I was there again but … with internet now;)

Kirk, DDTTRH: Do you graphic design professionally as well? What motivates you about it?
NUNO: I am a civil engineer but I always wanted to follow a design career. In the beginning of I designed the cover sleeves for my DD bootlegs collection (I hate bootlegs without covers) and now this, with the wallpapers, started to be my favourite hobbie. It’s something that I really enjoy doing. In 2010 I had the opportunity to make some professional works for a promotions company. I did the graphic design work for the concert of Alphaville, A Flock Of Seagulls, God Save The Queen, etc..

Kirk, DDTTRH: Am I right that Studio N45 is a play on the famous Studio 54? Tell us more about how you came up with this name.
NUNO: It was a happy coincidence. I always had the idea of making a web with all my “work” and the best way to show it is in a Studio. N45 is Nuno 45...my nickname in the duran duran world. Why Nuno45? That’s another story.

Kirk, DDTTRH: Have you signed the DDTTRH petition yet? Any special message you’d like to share with DDTTRH fans?
NUNO: Yes. The message is simple … only we (duranies) can put DD at TRH. ALL YOU NEED IS sign the petition NOW! Let’s make 2011 a memorable duran duran year.

Nuno
www.studion45.blogspot.com
www.duran.com.sapo.pt
www.facebook.com/nuno45
www.twitter.com/nuno45

Images by NUNO...click on image for a larger view....









To learn more about DDTTRH and to sign our petition, please visit us at www.ddttrh.info.

DDTTRH Christmas Gift Giveawy Quiz Question #2

Ok--Here's the next DDTTRH Christmas contest giveaway question--and this is for a copy of the Duran Duran 'Arcadia' album...what Christmas song of the 80's did Duran Duran perform with several others 80's icons? And you must say who it was written by and what was special about the song? Email ddttrh@gmail.com with the answer to win!

Holiday DDTTRH Quiz Quiz Question 1

DDTTH 2010 Holiday contest #1

Name the song (by emailing me at ddttrh@gmail.com) that says 'These subtle moves become a way of living' to win two blank postcards from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Good luck!!!

Kirk, LEO, and Member of the DDTTRH council of 4

Interview with Ruben Riley (Pump Tha Flava)

“I HAVE A LOT OF STORIES TO TELL!

FROM MARVIN GAYE, TEMPTATIONS, GEORGE CLINTON.......ETC. I HAVE BEEN AROUND SOME GENIUS MINDS! THREE FOLKS REALLYCOME TO MIND IS GREG "MOUSEY" PHILIGAINES (MICHAEL JACKSON) USE TO BE MUSIC DIRECTOR "THRILLER"! RICARDO "RICKEY" ROUSE (TUPAC/SNOOP DOGG/ CHAKA KHAN) GUITARIST! LONNIE MOTLEY (GEORGE CLINTON/ PARLIMENT/FUNKEDELIC/KID ROCK/ CHAKA) BASSIST!THESE ARE SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE! THAT I HAD SHARED TIME, SPACE AND LAUGHTER WITH! MARTHA REEVES IS A SWEET HEART! SO I WILL END THIS LETTING YOU KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT ME!

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO PRODUCE AND SONGWRITE FOR ARTIST! BUT, SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON MYSPACE I HAVE ALOT OF GREAT FRIENDS JUST TRYING TO NETWORK MY MUSIC! I GET ALOT OF QUESTIONS LIKE, WHERE CAN I PURCHASE YOUR CD! I LAUGH TO MYSELF, SAYING WHAT CD? DID YOU READ MY PROFILE IT STATED, PLEASE EXCUSE THE VOCALS I'M JUST TRYING TO ENTERTAIN MYSELF (HA, HA, HA MY FIRST CD WAS RELEASED IN 2008) I ONLY WANTED TO PRODUCE/SONGWRITE! I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST! THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEMAND FOR ME TO BE AN ARTIST! SHOULD I BECOME THE ARTIST? HIT ME UP, MY FRIENDS LET ME KNOW!”

THANK YOU

"PUMP THA FLAVA"

RUBIN RILEY

Ladyaslan Presents Pump Tha Flava…

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Do you think Duran Duran deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Pump the Flava: of course they deserve it! They had a sound that

I respected! I have played & listened to all types of music in my

life!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: How did you all come up with the name Pump the Flava?

Pump the Flava: in the 80's it was a saying about pump up the volume,

then there was I like the flava! this was the main words the flava this or the

flava that! then in wrote a song called Pump tha flava, I want to pump tha flava

all around, round, round me, baby! I named my production company "pump tha flava"!

then everyone started calling me "pump tha flava" and I didn't correct them, lol!

I was happy that someone was listening to my music!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What is your favorite Duran Duran song and video?

Pump the Flava: "RIO"

LadyaslanDDTTRH: How would you describe the specific style and sound of Pump the Flava to any R&B/ Motown fans who hadn’t heard you before?

Pump the Flava: it's really hard to put me in a genre! because I don't know what my spirit has to say! to be put in a genre, it would harness my creativity!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What contributions do you feel Duran Duran has made to the world of music and fashion in the past 30 yrs?

Pump the Flava: for me it would be the sound! it's about being unique!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Tell us are you involved with any other bands outside of what you do at the moment?

Pump the Flava: I jam on occasions with a lot of other people!

different underground and not so underground, lol! I jam with some the original

parliament/funkadelics, believe me there's a lot of them, lol! a member of the famous

dogg pound (snoop dog/dr.dre/ Tupac) T Money Green bassist/music director! Misty love

she was a vocalist with Kid Rock!

if I know there's a live band, I just go and sit in and play!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What Duran Duran song would you like to remake if you could and why?

Pump the Flava: "RIO"

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Why is Eminem such an influence on you and your music?

Pump the Flava: Em, is a cool dude! Em, cheers me on!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: If you could have a sit down with any member of Duran Duran who would it be and what would be topic of discussion?

Pump the Flava: all of them, I want the whole experience! lol!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What was it like to see the late great Marvin Gaye sipping a milkshake one day after school? ( SOO COOL )

Pump the Flava: Motown really didn't phase me then because I was young! I remember my sister

pointing him out to me, when we were at the store! that's Marvin Gaye right there! later on, I realize

that at my early age , I seen the legends! walking home from kindergarten and see the Temptations

practice and take pictures in the back of Motown! my Sunday school was right down the street from

Motown! it was all around the Corner! then I met Martha Reeves! me and Martha has been friends

for about 15yrs. she is the one that pushed me to sing on stage! she made me and I was like, ooh

not me!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Is there a specific theme or story to the lyrics in the songs you sing?

yes, most definitely!
LadyaslanDDTTRH: What was it like to work with Debbie Wright ( Parliament/Funkadelic )? Do you still speak to her?
Pump the Flava: it: it was cool working with her! I was about 20yrs old she was a professional and we had a good vibe!

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Why did you not choose to go overseas with Danny Wood? How did you meet him?
Pump the Flava: I was just getting out of high school, I had three opportunities !

1. was college

2. was go overseas with Danny Woods or

3. work at general motors’!

I choose general motors’! it all had happened at the same time! I was totally confused! young

just graduated from high school and three fantastic offers at one time! I met Danny Woods thru a friend! he said come over my house

and bring your guitar! I jammed with them and they asked me do u want to go overseas and play! we'll get your plane tickets and everything else, lol!

To learn more about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall - Official Effort (DDTTRH) and to sign our petition, please visit our hub site http://ddttrh.info/.

TO FOLLOW Pump Tha Flava

http://www.myspace.com/pumpthaflavaquot

Interview with Lotus Song Productions

Lotus Song Productions are a band, record label and full production studio. They create and offer spiritual, ambient, chill and meditation music.

Ladyaslan present Lotus Song Productions…

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Do you think Duran Duran deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Lotus Song Productions:

Yes, when you think early 80s pop / new wave, you think of Duran Duran.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Are you a self taught musician or were you classically trained? At what age did you start to play music?

Lotus Song Productions:

Our flute player Hope Kikuchi is classically trained, she started in HS and then attended and graduated from Cal State LA. Producer and guitarist John Sentz (not classically trained) also started in HS but took private instruction from various pros then attended LAMA in Los Angeles.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What is your favorite Duran Duran song and video?

Lotus Song Productions:

Toss up between “Rio” and “Hungry Like The Wolf” but “Girls on Film” reminds me of late 70s New Wave.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: How would you describe the specific style and sound of Lotus Song Productions to any Ambient/ Trance/ New Age fans that hadn't’ heard your music before?

Lotus Song Productions:

Based on our debut project “Ocean Spirits” I would describe our sound as complex yet tastefully layered rhythms, sounds, pads and nature sounds.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What contributions do you feel Duran Duran has made to the world of music and fashion in the past 30 yrs?

Lotus Song Productions:

As for fashion, I can’t think of any. That is a pretty tall order. I don’t think any single band has the “juice” to influence fashions 20-30 years down the line. Look at the Beatles, back in 1967, they started wearing Nehru jackets, so did everybody else, but you haven’t seen a lot of Nehru jackets since. I do think that a band (or artist) can cause a temporary surge in interest in a particular fashion or hairstyle, but that is fairly short lived, as are most fashion trends.

As for musical influences, Duran Duran has been “sampled” by a number of Hip Hop artists. It is impressive that 20-30 years down the line those other artists are still referencing their work.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What Duran Duran song would you like to remake if you could and why?

Lotus Song Productions:

Hungry Like The Wolf, this song lends itself to layering and complex counter rhythms,..

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Tell us about your single “Firefly” what was the inspiration behind that melody?

Lotus Song Productions:

Sometime during the initial creation of the song, some of the sounds made me think of little fireflies flying around as “sparkles of light”, childhood memories of summer nights, fireflies etc.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Tell us about the score/music/melody of Ocean Spirit? What was the genesis of this album?

Lotus Song Productions:

I decided to create a music soundscape with no set rules or boundaries. Think of creating an abstract watercolor painting in musical form.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: If you could have a sit down with any member of Duran Duran who would it be and what would be topic of discussion? ( I have a feeling you have done this already ha-ha )

Lotus Song Productions:

Any one of the members would be fine. I would be most interested in discussing business aspects of the industry and how they approached the business. Also, I would be interested in knowing how they dealt with the pressures of being on the road. Lastly, I would ask them if they would want to work with us on a new project. J

LadyaslanDDTTRH: What and who are Lotus Song Productions?

Lotus Song Productions:

LSP is a sort of everything, a band, production company and record label. LSP was created by Los Angeles based guitarist and producer John Sentz. Hope Kikuchi is a classically trained flutist and is both a session musician and production assistant for LSP. In addition, LSP utilizes various guest artists and musicians for different projects.

LadyaslanDDTTRH: Anything you would like to share with your fans?

Lotus Song Productions:

Stay Tuned, more cool things are in the pipeline. J

TO FOLLOW LOTUS SONG PRODUCTIONS:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/LotusSongProductions?v=wall

Website: http://www.lotussongproductions.com/

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/lotussongproductions



To learn more about Duran Duran to the Rock Hall - Official Effort (DDTTRH) and to sign our petition, please visit our hub site http://ddttrh.info/.