True House Stories interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana

Lenny Fontana
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True House Stories® is a interview podcast series hosted by dance music icon, Lenny Fontana. It features candid and often untold stories from influential figures within the realm of house music. The show delves into personal anecdotes, pivotal moments, and behind-the-scenes tales from various DJs, producers, and other individuals who have made an impact in the house music scene. The podcast offers listeners an insider’s perspective on the history, evolution, and culture of house music through firsthand experiences shared by its key players like Carl Cox, Simon Dunmore, Kathy Sledge...

  1. Aug 26

    James Haskell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 162 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JAMES HASKELL # 162 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA True House Stories interviews James HASKELL who is a UK-based DJ and producer whose recent output has seen him release across labels including Toolroom, Nervous Records, Myth Of NYX, IN/Rotation and Strangelove. With a growing catalogue of club-focused records and regular appearances across the UK and Europe, he has established himself as a dependable presence within contemporary house music, recognized for consistency, focus and a clear sense of direction. Alongside studio work, HASKELL has continued to build momentum as a DJ. His schedule has taken him across venues throughout the UK, alongside increasing European dates, where his sets focus on pacing and flow. The music sits comfortably between house and more stripped-back club records, maintaining pressure without overstatement.2025 marked one of his most productive periods to date. Releases landed steadily throughout the year, including Deeper on Nervous Records, followed by Perfect Sound, Shake That and Suave Suave. Each record added depth to his catalogue while reinforcing a consistent sonic identity. A defining point within that run was Go Deep, his collaboration with Mark Knight and Gene Farris on Toolroom.The release strengthened his relationship with the label and placed him more firmly within its wider creative circle. Before committing fully to music, HASKELL spent years competing at international level in rugby, a background that still shapes his working mindset. The discipline, routine and attention to physical rhythm translate naturally into his approach to DJing and production, where repetition, timing and control sit at the centre of his sound. Come check out the celebrity himself explain the struggle of changing careers, the benefits and the losses. He has earned his stripes in electronic music.

    James Haskell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 162 True House Stories®

  2. Aug 12

    Mark Picchiotti interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 161 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MARK PICCHIOTTI # 161 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA True House Stories Interviews Mark Picchiotti who happens to be an American DJ, producer, remixer, label owner and songwriter based out of Chicago, Illinois. As a remixer and producer, Picchiotti has amassed 24 number one singles on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and he has remixed such artists as Beyonce, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Daft Punk, The Killers, AC/DC, Florence And The Machine, Amy Grant, Foster The People, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Sia, Sybil, Enrique Igleasas, and Mary J. Blige. In 2002, he produced and co-wrote the Kylie Minogue single “Give It To Me” for her 8×-Platinum album Fever. Picchiotti was also voted one of the 40 most influential remixers of all time by UK publication Blues & Soul Magazine. His DJ residencies at nightclubs in his hometown of Chicago have included Shelter, Smartbar, Berlin, Crobar, and Medusa's; as well as UK nightclubs Ministry Of Sound (London) and Hard Times (Leeds). He continues to travel the globe performing at notable clubs such as Pacha (Portugal) and El Divino (Ibiza). He has also headlined the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival and DJed its infamous daytime after-party Laneway. Mark Picchiotti owns and operates the imprint Blueplate Records, home to his own acts Basstoy, Sandstorm, Fondue, and Streetlife. Picchiotti is also a member of several dance music duos: The Absolute, Nightman, and Doctorz, MD.Mark Picchiotti's music has been described as house, gospel house, soulful house, and progressive house. Additionally, Billboard Magazine says of Mark's music, “His ear for soulful rhythm is matched by a knack for sweet pop melody construction.” In the 1990s, his work with Suzanne Palmer, “There Will Come A Day” and the follow-up single “I Believe”, earned Picchiotti the mantle “Godfather of Gospel House” by music journalists. There is so much to unpack here, come listen to Mark explain his life in ever changing business.

    Mark Picchiotti interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 161 True House Stories®

  3. Jul 1

    DJ Djaimin interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 160 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ DJ DJAIMIN # 160 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Djaimin's career spans more than 40 years, and has been in the industry from The 80’s. He is known as a pioneer in the evolution of dance music in Switzerland. From his legendary parties at the Casino of Montreux. Being the first person tointroduce the American house sound to Switzerland by inviting NYC radio DJ Tony Humphries. Performing His Mix on The radio shows on The Swiss national station Couleur 3 with collaborator Mr.Mike. Both are well known under the name "Black and White Brothers" In the same time making history by producing the first song From a Swiss artist released to Strictly Rhythm Records Nyc called "Give You" in 1991 which went to N°1 in the UK and now a Classic in House Music. Djaimin is well known also for composing the international dance hits classics “Pump It Up” and "Put your Hand Up" with Mr.Mike aka the "Black and White Bros". On top of that he has an amazing production and remix list that he has worked on for various international artists, and himself with top labels such as: Tony Records, Slip n Slide, Purple Music, Universal, Warner Bros, etc ... which became top singles in many European countries. Come and listen to this legendary DJ/ Producer share his life on True House Stories.

    DJ Djaimin interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 160 True House Stories®

  4. May 20

    Stacy Kidd interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 159 True House Stories®

    True House Stories founder Lenny Fontana welcomes Chicago house legend DJ Stacy Kidd for an in-depth and inspiring new episode. In this candid conversation, Stacy Kidd reflects on his early roots in Chicago’s vibrant house music scene and his journey to becoming a recognized voice on major platforms like Clear Channel Communications and iHeartRadio. He shares pivotal moments from his career, including traveling the world andcollaborating with the late house icon Paul Johnson. The episode dives into Stacy Kidd’s evolution as an artist, exploring his work across multiple genres including House, Afro House, Tech House, and Jackin House. With personal stories, industry insight, and a deep passion for the culture, this episode offers a powerful look into the life and legacy of a true house music ambassador.

    Stacy Kidd interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 159 True House Stories®

  5. May 6

    Scott Blackwell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 158 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ SCOTT BLACKWELL # 158 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA The Pioneer Who Brought Dance Music Into the Church. Legendary Host Lenny Fontana Sits Down with the Groundbreaking Producer WhoRevolutionized Christian Electronic Dance Music. True House Stories®, the acclaimed video podcast series hosted by dance music icon Lenny Fontana, announces an exclusive interview with DJ Scott Blackwell, the pioneering Christian dance music artist widely credited as the first to introduce electronic dance music to the Christian marketplace. In this candid conversation, Blackwell joins Fontana to share his remarkable journey from disc jockey to becoming one of the most influential figures in Christian electronic music history. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Blackwell's career spans decades of innovation, having founded multiple record labels,including N•Soul Records, which became renowned for the celebrated *Nitro Praise* series that fused praise and worship songs with various forms of dance music. He recollects and shares his journey from his humble beginnings to the mayhem of working in the New York City Club Nightlife. A very indepth interview with one of the most celebrated and iconic dj’s from the 1980’s.

    Scott Blackwell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 158 True House Stories®

  6. Mar 18

    Alan Russell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 157 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ALANRUSSELL # 157 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Black Vinyl Records Celebrates 30th Anniversary: Founder Alan Russell Shares Three Decades of House Music History on True House Stories Black Vinyl Records, the seminal UK underground house music label founded in London in 1996, proudly announces its 30th anniversary milestone with founder Alan Russell appearing as a distinguished guest on the acclaimed True House Stories podcast, hosted by legendary New York DJ and producer Lenny Fontana. The landmark interview, now available on all major podcast platforms, offers an unprecedented deep dive into the remarkable journey of one of house music's most enduring independent labels. Russell, known throughout the industry as "Mr. Black Vinyl," sat down with Mr. Fontana to discuss the label's humble beginnings, its evolution through the changing landscape of dance music, and the stories behind some of the most influential house music releases of the past three decades. "It's incredible to think that thirty years have passed since we pressed that first record," said Alan Russell, founder and owner of Black Vinyl Records. "Being invited to share our story on True House Stories was a perfect way to mark this anniversary. Lenny created such an authentic space for artists to tell their truth, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the journey, the music, and the community that hassupported us from day one.” Check out the whole story right here on the original show True House Stories.

    Alan Russell interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 157 True House Stories®

  7. Feb 18

    Charles Dixon interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 156 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ CHARLES DIXON # 156 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA The acclaimed True House Stories® podcast, hosted by legendary DJ Lenny Fontana, presents a landmark new episode featuring Sir Charles Mixin Dixon, one of the music industry's most celebrated pioneers and innovators. In this comprehensive conversation, Dixon shares his remarkablethree-decade journey through the music business, from his early days as a college DJ to revolutionizing radio programming and discovering international recording artists. The episode offers listeners unprecedented insight into Dixon's transformative career, which began in 1983 at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was inspired by Grand Master Flash's hip-hop sound and the house music of O'Dell's, a local Baltimore club that rivaled New York City's infamous Paradise Garage. Under the moniker "Sir Charles"– initially describing his preppy British style but soon denoting his royal turntable skills – Dixon began DJing at campus parties, developing his signature ability to mix current hits with fresh new songs while never missing a beat. "Charles's story is truly remarkable because he represents someone who didn't just participate in the evolution of radio and DJ culture – he fundamentally changed it," says Fontana. "From creating the first mixshow mailing list in the music industry to developing programming formats that were copied by over 40 stations nationwide, Charles has been atthe forefront of innovation for over three decades. His journey from college DJ to discovering Che'Nelle and winning a Japanese Gold Disc Award is incredibly inspiring." Throughout the conversation, Dixon details his groundbreaking work at OMAP Record Pool in 1985, where he served as Assistant Urban Pool Director, reviewing and compiling charts of 75 of the hottest DJs across multiple formats in the Washington DC area. This experience laid thefoundation for his revolutionary approach to record promotion and artist development. Listeners will hear how he implemented a multi-musical format at The Dome nightclub that encompassed hip-hop, R&B, Pop, Dance, go-go, and house music, creating an unparalleled style that appealed to the masses and earned the venue Night Club of the Year honors from Washingtonian Magazine. The episode delves into Dixon's historic radio career, including his move to WPGC-FM where his distinctive style helped take the station from number 22 to number 1 on the Arbitron chart within three years. His innovative primetime mixshow format was ultimately adopted by over 40 stations nationwide, including major markets like KBXX in Houston, KPWR in LosAngeles, and WQHT in New York. Dixon shares stories of introducing American audiences to British imports like Soul II Soul's "Keep On Moving," Lisa Stansfield's "All Around the World," and Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" before their US releases. Dixon's move to New York in 1990 as National Club Promotions director for Tommy Boy Records marked the beginning of his impact on the national stage. The conversation explores his work at WBLS, where he hosted "The Thunderstorm" and brought Grandmaster Flash to the station. His contributions to major record labels including Tommy Boy, Pendulum/Elektra Records, TVT Records, and Columbia Records revolutionized mixshow promotions and created industry standards that continue today. Listeners will gain valuable insights into Dixon's entrepreneurial journey, including founding Sir Charles Independent Productions (SCIP) in 2003 and discovering Australian talent Che'Nelle in 2005. The episode details how he secured a deal with Virgin Records CEO Jason Flom in just one week, leading to Che'Nelle's debut album "Things Happen For A Reason," which went Gold in Japan and won the prestigious Japanese Gold Disc Award for Best New Artist of 2008.

    Charles Dixon interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 156 True House Stories®

  8. Feb 4

    John Ceglia interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 155 True House Stories®

    TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JOHN CEGLIA # 155 INTERVIEWED BY LENNY FONTANA Lenny Fontana, acclaimed DJ, producer, and host of the popular True House Stories® podcast, welcomes first generation disco pioneer DJ John Ceglia for an exclusive interview that delves deep into the golden age of dance music and reveals never-before-told stories from the nightclub revolution. In this compelling episode of True House Stories®, John Ceglia spens up about his remarkable journey as one of the youngest major DJs of the entire disco era. Starting his career at just 17 years old in Buffalo, New York, Ceglia quickly rose to prominence, eventually becoming a resident DJ at some of New York City's most legendary venues including Studio 54, Underground, River Club, Palladium, Limelight, and New York-New York. The interview provides an intimate look into Ceglia's experiences during the disco heyday of the late 1970s and early 1980s, offering listeners rare insights into the creative techniques, crowd psychology, and musical artistry that defined an era. Knownfor his innovative approach to mixing, Ceglia was famous for creating musical conversations between records, having vocals from different tracks answer one another in seamless, extended overlays that captivated thousands of dancers. "I was always drawn to music from a very early age," Ceglia shares in the episode. "I loved the thrill of hearing something new and wonderful on the dance floor. When I would prepare a program for an evening, I would ask myself certain questions – what would be exciting for me to hear following this record if I was out there dancing?” One of the episode's highlights is Ceglia's recounting of his historic performance at the 1979 "World's Largest Disco" event in Buffalo, where he represented the city and performed before 17,000 people alongside legendary DJs including Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro, Mike Lewis, and Charlie Anzalone. This landmark event, featuring live performances by Gloria Gaynor, the Trammps, and Edwin Starr, served as the springboard that launched Ceglia's New York City career. Lenny Fontana, himself a legendary figure in house music with decades of experience at venues like Studio 54 and performances at Pacha Ibiza, guides the conversation with deep understanding and genuine curiosity. Fontana's extensive background in the music industry, including his crossover hit "What You Need" and collaborations with artists like Octah'via of C+C Music Factory, makes him the perfect host to explore Ceglia's storied career. The interview also explores the unique atmosphere of different clubs and their distinct crowds highlighting on his new venture with party impresario Christina Visca called Come Together.

    John Ceglia interview podcast hosted by Lenny Fontana # 155 True House Stories®
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True House Stories® is a interview podcast series hosted by dance music icon, Lenny Fontana. It features candid and often untold stories from influential figures within the realm of house music. The show delves into personal anecdotes, pivotal moments, and behind-the-scenes tales from various DJs, producers, and other individuals who have made an impact in the house music scene. The podcast offers listeners an insider’s perspective on the history, evolution, and culture of house music through firsthand experiences shared by its key players like Carl Cox, Simon Dunmore, Kathy Sledge...

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