Interview with Posso Universe – Style, Career, and Future (WRR Exclusive)

I had the privilege of chatting with the wonderful ladies of Posso Universe, known to the world as Vanessa Giovacchini and Marylouise Pels. I was able to ask them some questions about their style, both as musicians and as fashionistas, how they got their start, and what’s next for this dynamic disco loving DJ-duo.

Tell me a little bit about yourselves and your musical background.

We have been Djing together since about 2007 and went to school for Art and Art History.

Marylouise: I studied classical piano my entire life, since I was about 6 years old. We both sing and Vanessa is a published poet. So we have been dabbling around in arts and music our whole lives, after college we decided to come together and do some kind of venture. We started off and had our own accessories line and then DJ’d to promote the brand; it was a hobby that kind of just took off!

Tell me more about this magazine cover shoot for NYLON; also, I see this amazing fusion you have between your musical style and your fashion swagger – elaborate.

People ask us that all the time, “how does your music meet your fashion?“. We’ve always been interested in fashion as a way to express ourselves and who we are, but when you compare fashion to the dance music culture there is actually a very basic similarity. Both are very much run by popular trends and both will always have a reemergence of classic sounds or classic looks when the trend is exhausted. Music is an intangible art form it is naturally more dynamic, but in terms of how both are always in a constant flux of expression, they are really similar and equally fascinating. Hearing a new song you love, whether you’re a DJ or not, can reset your mood instantly. Upping your swag can inspire you to try on a new look. What a fantastic fucking cycle.

What are some of the sponsors, management or brands you are currently working with?

The DJ lab part of W-Hotels, which is apart of a program they started with Burn Studios, Burn is an energy drink in Europe and Asia. It is very similar to how Redbull sponsors music. We have been DJing and touring around the world with the W-Hotel, we went all over Asia in October and Europe last month. It’s been a really cool brand to work with because the W-Brand is all about music, fashion, and the arts. Their programs for architecture, interior design, and fashion are similar to their music program. They are actively involved, not just like “oh we’re a brand and we’re affiliated with music” they have been doing this for a long time and are genuine about it and support lots of great artists.

In addition to that, we recently started working with Lizzy Grubman, she is famous for her PR but also her management. We’re managed by her and Modern Media Collective – a newer company blowing up out of LA – they also work with Sex Panther and DJ Stellar. We have always done high profile events but working with her is just next level for us. She managed Britney (Spears) back in the day, she’s also worked with Kanye and Jay-Z – this is very exciting for us. We are excited to work with her and excited for the future with Modern Media Collective as well.

What are some of the festivals and bigger music events that you’ve played in the past.

We played at Summer Sonic in Japan which was amazing, they have a medley of pop music. Nine inch nails too, it’s everything, a very diverse lineup such as Big 90s bands and newer DJs. We have also played Holy Ship, HelloFest in Mexico, and Electric Daisy Carnival.

What do think of Trap Music?

We like it, PartyFavor is our friend and he has this amazing SHMafia remix of ‘One’. I especially like his stuff because he knows how to bring it back to house, he really connects the two. We love every kind of music and we are always looking for new music. We aren’t necessarily looking for one genre because music is for any occasion and we do a lot of different style/themed events. We are huge disco heads and have a pretty good disco library and vinyl collection, it’s sexy music! All dance music is based on disco, those songs have the best baselines and the best vocal loops. We meet a lot of kids when we DJ and they say things like “Ohhh whats this??“, and we’re like “you don’t know who Giorgio Moroder is… woah!” You need to check out who Giorgio Moroder is, he started electronic dance music, check some history out.

Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations and who would be dream to work with?

We really want to work with the Bingo Players and Tommy Trash. The Bingo Players knows how to incorporate piano house, which we are really into, with the harder shit, they are a favorite of ours. Led Zepplin, they’re so raw, very emotional and dramatic. That’s how we kind of describe our DJ sets, we like a lot of drama, but it has to be fun! We feel that this separates our sets from other DJs because we know how to be dramatic but kind of keep teasing the crowd, like how Led Zepplin is! As far as when we first started DJing, we were really into Mark Farina, DJ Colette, DJ Heather, and a lot of trip-hop like Thievery Corporation. That’s back when house was like, gay-house, super happy house!

Do you ladies have any upcoming track releases that you can talk about?

Yes, last night we played a song that is about to be released sometime in the New Year! We’re in talks with a few prominent music labels and we played it for the first time ever in Breckenridge. It’s an electro house track, it was really exciting to see it go off!

Describe your musical styles and how you would describe a Posso DJ set.

Generally we are always looking for tracks that are new and that people hopefully haven’t heard. Throwing in a few tracks that people may know with a good remix, we like to keep it hard and keep it fun. We like a lot of disco samples, we kind of like to dabble in those things and keep people on their toes.

We are really into mixes, but a lot of how house music is now, it has the climbing noise escalation and a lot of DJs can just cut over into other songs. I get it, I get why! But be creative, plus the only chance to really show who you are is through the mix! A lot of new DJs don’t know how to do that. Since we started DJing when house was… house! It was about creating this total movement and there was this space. It’s hard to do now but if you’re a good DJ then fucking mix and if you can’t mix… then don’t fucking DJ!

Who taught Posso how to spin? or are you more self-taught?

Venessa: We’re basically self-taught. I used to go stand in the booth with my friends who were DJs and watch! I still love doing that; everyone DJs differently you know?

Marylouise: That’s how you learn by just watching people, that’s the only way to learn! and doing it yourself. To me there is a certain way to learn piano, you have to be taught and there is a way to do it. But with Djing it’s this vast, mysterious instrument, that’s why it’s so cool, everyone has their own touch and you can tell when a certain DJ is DJing.

How about an inspirational quote to close up this interview?

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”

-Paulo Coelho

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