What are your names?
Lenny Fontana
James D-Train Williams
Where are you from?
Lenny Fontana- From Brooklyn – Queens New York,
James D-Train Williams- Brooklyn New York
What label are you signed to?
Karmic Power Records
What made you go in to music?
For D-Train it was a matter of seeing the Jackson 5 perform on the Ed Sullivan show and him witnessing a young Michael Jackson, he told me from that moment he knew he was destined for singing and being a showmen. For me it started because of my grandmother Victoria had this dream for me to be a leader of an orchestra, and she pushed for me to take classical piano lessons.
How long have you been in the music industry?
For D-Train since the very early 80’s, For me it feels like forever and ever, but officially producing and making records in the late 1980’s…
D Train, you’ve had hits in the 80’s , what was it like?
He always told me incredible, like a dream come true. Could not ask for a greater moment in his life to be treated like a superstar. Did you know he did Soul Train numerous times here in USA and Top Of The Pops numerous times as well. That is an achievement all in itself.
Has your music developed into different genres over time?
I had started when house music was in its early stages.. I always stayed true to the form but when the electronic sound became more popular, I dabbled in it but always tried to keep to the real basics of house. I seem to be drawn more to what we would call the Jazzy House sound, or blacker house sound.. Then say the EDM which I cannot stand at all.
How long have you two been working together?
9 years
Lenny, you’ve worked in a duo before how is this project different?
The difference then anyone else where I have had success before is D-Train and I are like family.. there is no question of trust and getting things done. D-Train believes in me and I back him 1000 percent..
Will we see an EP or album anytime soon?
Well we have already three tracks so an EP is now ready an album I will not say no but a possible maybe, we shall see as this develops..
Tell us more about any of your new music you have planned.
Well now with the success of this tune with D-Train I am already in planning stages for the next record because I believe in this partnership. It is working firmly and I don’t want to stop the train. In the meantime for the last year I have been tweaking a new song with the famous Alison Limerick. You will hear this soon the track is called Bye Bye.. and she is another powerhouse of an artist..
Do you play any instruments?
I am Classically trained on the piano.
Who are your influences?
Roy Ayers, George Duke, Quincy Jones, Gamble And Huff,
Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John , there are so many.
Will you be doing any gigs or a Tour?
Yes I have gigs in England and Europe this coming summer.
If you are, where are will you be heading?
To London in June Manchester, Italy, Germany and more and more are coming in now.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My headphone, My USB Sticks, My back up Cd’s, My Flashlight, and my cellphone..
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Just listening to other music.. gets me inspired right away. Maybe I hear a chord progression or a melody and gives me inspiration to start to write the composition. I am not a lyricist.. D-Train is a master at that.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Years? Hopefully with a huge catalog of amazing hit records.
When you’re not creating music, what do you do?
I am father, a husband, a Lionel O Gauge Train Collector.. these days it seems that I am always working and never having free time.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist who would it be?
Elton John
If you could collaborate with one USA Artist who would it be?
Chaka Khan
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform at in the UK?
To be back at main room at Ministry of Sound again..
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform at in the USA?
If it was possible to play at the Paradise Garage if it was open, one time on that legendary sound system..
What song inspired you to get into the music scene?
It wasn’t a song it was a producer named Rick Lenoir and he told me to follow my dream and you can do it and be as big as Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles.. So he released my first record on his label LnR Records out of Chicago around 1988 and the story began from there.
If your music was the soundtrack to a TV show, which would it be?
Charlie’s Angels because my music has that Discoteque feel and that show was based around that music.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Dj Behrouz told me at an industry friend’s memorial service. He said, “Lenny go back and listen to what you did on Strictly Rhythm Records and all those early house records you produced.” “The Fans want that sound from you again.” “Enough playing around with trying to recreate the wheel.” I said to him, “are you sure” and he said, “dude.. you were built for this.” I owe him big time for him speaking his mind to me.. Otherwise I would not be doing this interview.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians (not about the industry) just as an artist?
Project what you want to happen, see the success, feel it and live it. If you believe in yourself, you can obtain it, but you must work very hard to achieve this goal. Don’t be fooled by the non-working overnight sensation garbage. That is not real, it takes a lot for that one moment in time to become a reality. It takes some people 20 years to have that one moment called “’overnight success”..
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
If you build it they shall come. If you can project to win you can be a winner.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
CONNECT WITH LENNY FONTANA:
▶ WEBPAGE: http://www.lennyfontana.com
▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lenny.fontana.9
▶ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/dj-lenny-fontana
▶ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/LennyFontanaOfficial
CONNECT WITH D-TRAIN:
▶ WEBPAGE: http://www.jamesdtrainwilliams.com
▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/allaboardtheDTrain
CONNECT WITH KARMIC POWER RECORDS:
▶ WEBPAGE: http://www.karmic-power-records.com
▶ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/karmicpowerrecords
▶ SOUNDLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/karmicpowerrecords
▶ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KarmicPowerRec
▶ YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/karmicpowerrecords/noodlemx?sub_confirmation=1
