DJ Tony keeps all Fingers on the decks

Can you give us a little background history on yourself and how you got in to DJ'ing?

Well I don't want to give my age away ha-ha I was born in Italy and started quite early I was always interested in music. My parents were also involved in music, my father used to play in a band. And then my uncle used to work in an electronics shop so I had the opportunity to buy my first decks there. And then I used to club a lot when I was younger. So that's how everything started and then I started to do house parties, school parties and when I was 17/18 I did my first gig in a club. I have been travelling quite a lot I moved to Paris for 8 years and blah blah the story continues.

How did you end up in Cape Town?

I used to live in Paris and that was where most of my influence came from and then I went to Russia and then to London and there I met my girlfriend who was South African so I came here for a holiday in December a couple of years ago and now I have got a flat here and have been here for 4 years. So that was my reason I'm not going to say musically wise Cape Town is the best place but it is a beautiful city and the quality of life here is amazing. I like the Club scene but I prefer the scene in J'burg here it's not so big you have to fight for your rights. I am happy to be here but I miss terribly Europe.

How would you compare the SA and European music industry?

It's difficult to compare because they are two different things because there are nice bands here who are doing well like Goldfish. I don't think in Europe they are better artist wise it just because the market in SA is for South Africa and is quite difficult to break through and to make something happen over seas. In Europe there are more clubs and people listen to different types of music and you can play a different type of music there here you are quite limited cause most of the DJ's follow the same trends and you tend to hear more of the same thing. It is a tough market and depends on who you know, but that is how it always works.

What are some of your favourite venues to play in Cape Town?

The nicest one I like is the Daddy Cool I'm there every Saturday night I love the spot cause it's my residency so I can play whatever I want. I also play at the Bang Bang club quite often and then I like Chevelle. I also play at the One and Only it's more loungy.

Which is your favourite country to play in?

Russia is amazing because the people are hungry for music and are very friendly and there are beautiful cities.

How would you describe your sound?

I play sexy house and electro house and with a touch of progressive house. I always try to keep my sound sexy.

What was the appeal of the music industry?

I love DJ'ing and to be the centre of attention and I like to produce music. I like to play music and make people dance and it makes me happy.

And your name Tony Finger is that your real name?

No my real name is Antonio Mancini. I changed my DJ name years ago at first I started to play hip hop and then I moved to house. So Tony Finger came about and it was my logo the finger. Different people find different meanings in it and think maybe it is sexually related. But when you DJ everything is done with the finger. Another story to tell is when I was 10 or 11 years old I broke my middle finger when I was trying to do a handstand so I had to get 2 stitches. So that's the other story though I don't think we can really relate it.

What was it like starting off Touch It Records?

When I stated as a DJ it was very important for me to start producing my own music so I started my own label. I am also creative director and designer. That is the other side I like.

You've worked with some big names like Bob Sinclair and Daft Punk, what was that like?

We had some nice gigs in Paris and also Russia. In Russia I played with some of the biggest names. Bob Sinclair is not the best person to work with he's a bit stuck up. And then he is French as well. But it was good experience and opportunity.

Is it hard work being a DJ?

Yeah people always think it's cool to be a DJ but then when you start to do it professionally and start to travel it can become very tiring and difficult and if you do it full time it is very tiring. It is difficult but it is also fun.

If you weren't involved in music what do you think you would be doing?

Well I'm doing what I love at the moment so if I wasn't doing music I would probably be doing design or something creative. I maybe would like to do video games and then at the same time produce music for them. That is actually always something I have wanted to do.

What's the best and worst part about being a DJ?

Best... well fame, fun, money, girls.

Would you say Antonio and Tony Finger is the same person or do you have an alter ego when performing?

It is a bit different but I'm still the same person. When I am DJ'ing I'm just more of myself. There is not a lot of difference I'm just more excited.

What has been your craziest moment while in the DJ box?

Ha ha. I had to wee in a bottle of beer a couple of times I was in the DJ box and it would have probably taken like 10 minutes to go to the toilet. So it was actually a bottle of vodka and a bottle of beer.

Did people know?

No it was only my manager.

Shame the things managers have to do.

What would you say makes a successful DJ?

Passion, hard work, dedication and confidence.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

Batman I like the suit and everything.

What are your future plans?

Future plans are to do a new release. I want to go to Europe in December. I am waiting to see how my release and remix with Goldfish goes. Signing more artists to my label. And I want to play a bit more in J'burg.

Message for your fans?

Thanks for the support I love you all.

www.tonyfinger.com
www.touchitrecords.com