Virtualissimo's Mismoplastico -Back By Sasha's Demand

"I believe that DJs like Sasha and Digweed, who really appreciate my sound, can sense that my heart rules my head. I've never met them, but I keep on reading nice things they say about me in the English press." So says Christian Hornbostel, the Italian born producer behind the soon-to-be-re-issued progressive anthem Mismoplastico, which featured on Sasha's first ever Renaissance mix CD. Mezz's Benedetta Ferraro chatted to the Conservatory trained flutist this week from his new base in Germany.

Mezz: Your name doesn't sound exactly Italian, what's your background-
Virtualmismo (Christian Hornbostel): "My family is German but I was born in Padova and lived in Italy for many years, near Venice, which was very useful for me since I later worked as a broadcaster for a Udine based station, Radio Italia Network. In the mid '90's I moved to Germany, mainly for work reasons. My musical background consists of classical music studies at the Conservatory, where I studied the flute."

Mezz: From playing the flute to producing dance music, how did that happen-
Virtualmismo (Christian Hornbostel): "I've always been passionate about music, but I also grew up listening to whatever style was current. The flute is not an instrument used in rock music, so I had to leave it behind and concentrate on something more up to date. I've studied drums and later on this passion has translated into a love for dance music and DJing."

Mezz: Do you still listen to much classical music-
Virtualmismo (Christian Hornbostel): "I do, but just for my own pleasure. I was obsessed with rock and funk when I was growing up and concentrated mainly on those genres. Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin were my favourite bands, especially later on in their careers. Actually, the more recent Deep Purple albums were very funky, because they had been seduced by the American sound. I was also into Santana, The Isley Brothers and also American disco."

Mezz: What are the main compromises involved in making a living through music-
Virtualmismo (Christian Hornbostel): "I have chosen this path with full knowledge of its highs and lows. Nevertheless, I've followed my heart and I still do every single time I produce a track. I believe that DJs like Sasha and Digweed, who really appreciate my sound, can sense that my heart rules my head. I've never met them, but I keep on reading nice things they say about me in the English press."

Mezz: It seems that quite a few Italian producers are finally getting recognition, at least in England; do you know Mauro Picotto, Santos…-
Virtualmismo (Christian Hornbostel): "It was me who introduced Santos to his record label, so yes I do know him. The problem is that he's so tied in with Expanded, that once I asked him to re-mix one of my tracks and he didn't do it…
I know Picotto very well too. I think that there has always been talent in Italy, it's just that the (English) 'door' only opens up occasionally for us. Generally it follows a cycle of 4 or 5 years. We've seen it opening with Black Box, at the beginning of the '90's, and a few other Italian bands like Usura and so on. Italy marks the boundary between the Latin and middle European cultures and it's right for England to look at Italy as the optimal compromise between the two traditions."
Benedetta Ferraro
Virtualmismo's Mismoplastico is out on May 7th (UK) on SouthEast Records.

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