Meticulously produced minimal tracks does not necessarily translate into cold, tedious and cataleptic dancefloors, actually, Bruno Pronsato proves just the opposite: a feast of smooth and well crafted minimal percussion can actually make you dance and take you on a trip of altered states of consciousness. Check him live at the TBar and you’ll know what we’re talking about.

Without further ado, ladies and gentleman, the minimal master: Bruno Pronsato.

Unlike.net: Bruno, I thought you were an Italian producer, but then I’ve found out that you are American, your real name is Steven Ford and apparently Bruno Pronsato is your ex-wife’s brother name. How did that happen? And, is he annoyed now you have the same name as his?

Bruno Pronsato: Well, it’s a common mistake, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I shocked some Italian promoter with my very limited knowledge of Italian. My first record was sort of a fluke. I never honestly thought that I would go any where with my music. That being said, I just sort of chose that name as it was the first thing that came to mind. It had a sort of elegant ring to it. I liked it. Now, I can’t think of one person outside of my mother that calls me “Steven”.

Unlike.net: It seems that a lot of minimal techno artists/producers started as drummers. Gaiser from the m_nus label studied classical percussion, was a drummer in a punk band and now is a minimal techno artist/producer. You had a similar history as well, you started as a drummer in a punk/hardcore band, Voice of Reason, and now you make techno music. Do you see any link in it? How did that shift from punk/hardcore to techno happen? When did you really start to get involved with techno?

Bruno Pronsato: Well, I think the link is pretty clear. Techno and all of it’s variants are very much percussion based. I suppose that is our (drummers) attraction to the genre. In general, techno relies on percussive builds as opposed to evolving harmonies. Pretty much my shift to techno was based on the fact that I was tired of working in bands. Gathering four people becomes tedious after a time. The computer was the next step in having all of your musicians together at one time – at your whim. No more scheduling problems. Problem solved.

Unlike.net: What are your main musical influences? First record you bought? Last record you bought? Any current artist/producer you really like?

Bruno Pronsato: My influences vary from month to month. I’m really whimsical about what is grabbing my attention. At the moment, I’m back in my Curtis Mayfield craze. The first record I bought, that I can remember… I think it was Devo’s Live EP, I’ll have to verify that with my mom. smiles As far as artists producers that are current, I’d have to say that I am loving Atlas Sound at the moment. Amazing rock stuff.

Unlike.net: How do you write your music? Do you always have an idea in mind or do you start playing around out of the blue until ideas come up?