Interview: The Scene Kings

Published 8/13/2012

From the Studio to Your Dance Floor…it’s The Scene Kings! Talent and experience combined to form a powerful production duo!

Hailing from New Jersey, The Scene Kings have pumped out an array of incomparable dance remixes, gaining notoriety among music industry pros from coast to coast. The combined talents of veteran producer Dennis Ciallela and John Feelgood deliver the “big room” goods, with a signature sound that features a unique blend of disco-house, electro, tribal, and dirty dutch.

Ciallela, a 2007 IDMA-nominated producer, and Feelgood, a featured performer at numerous Garden State venues, have over 20 years of production credits to their name. Since combining their talents in 2008, renowned remixers and nationally-syndicated DJs have taken notice, adding The Scene Kings catalog to their repertoires.

While producing over 100 tracks in 2010 alone, The Scene Kings have quickly become an internet fan favorite. The duo has gained huge popularity among prominent mix DJs for their ground-up productions and “mash-up” style mixes, highlighted by dope-menacing synth lines and trancy vibes. They are a consistently one of the top-selling remix artists on music websites, and their smash hit, “Don’t Stop Movin'”, featuring vocalist Andrea Carnell, was a #1 best seller. TSK’s diverse body of work, including remixes of Avicii, Adele, Rihanna, Pitbull, Britany Spears, and Kathy Sledge and are available across all of the major on-line retail outlets.

With support from the top DJs in the world, The Scene Kings look to branch out even further in 2012. Hard at work on their next club banger, TSK is expanding its sound to appeal to an even wider audience, and will continue to be on the forefront of modern dance music.

How did The Scene Kings get started?
I used to send Dennis my tracks on an AOL music group that we were both on. Dennis (who was nominated for a 2007 IDMA remixer of the year award) liked some of the tracks and would play them on his Sirius radio show. We started talking via emails and Dennis had a lot of advice, tips , pointers and such. Dennis had asked me to remix one of his artists named Eva. We both had strengths in different areas I started thinking “Hey, why don’t we team up…this could be something special”.

How did you guys decide on the name, The Scene Kings?
Our good friend Mark Amatucci used to kid around and call people “Scene Kings” a reference to people who were constantly out and every big party. The name sounded catchy and we decided to use it as our artist name. He’s still hounding us for royalties.

How would you define your style?
Between the two us we’ve gone in a number of different directions, big room to radio friendly. We’re currently in the process of re-defining our sound.

Who are some of your influences?
The New York Club scene of the early nineties, particularly Frankie Bones, David Morales, Joey Beltram, Keith Litman and later on Danny Teneglia, Peter Rauhofer, Paul Van Dyke, Sasha and Digweed, Carl Cox, Erick Morillo and his Subliminal record label.

Where are some of your favorite places to play?
New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas always have incredible vibes. Anywhere where we can play our music and not succumb to the bottle service crowd.

What is the craziest or most bizarre thing you’ve seen while DJing?
Dennis: Signing a set of double “Ds” with a sharpie. John: New York used to get real crazy…seeing sex in the club always got my attention.

What is in your DJ bags?
Macbook with Serato and Ableton Live, Serato SL4 box, an AKAI APC 40 two AKAI LPD 8 and a Denon HC-1000.

Whom would guys like to work with in the music industry?
We would’ve loved to work with Whitney Houston or Donna Summer (RIP). Adam Levine from Maroon 5 is an amazing song writer, the guy literally shits out hit records.

What do you like to do in your off-time?
Spend time with our families who have been incredibly supportive our whole lives.

Do you have any advice for any up-and-coming DJs/Producers?
Take the time to learn the craft, pay dues and don’t expect instant success. Just because you have a laptop and Ableton doesn’t make you a producer. Immerse yourself in the music. There’s always someone else putting in the time and effort and if you can’t match that, you’ll get passed by.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Playing more gigs on the road, releasing original works and collaborating with more major artists and producers.

Follow The Scene Kings
Bookings, Press, & Production/Remix Inquiries: TheSceneKings@gmail.com
Website: TheSceneKings.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheSceneKings
Twitter: @TheSceneKings
SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/thescenekings
YouTube: youtube.com/TheSceneKingsVideos