TONY SWING
Interviewed by: Miguel Lopez

You moved to New York City at a very young age and grew up in Washington Heights. What made you choose to sing traditional music from the Dominican Republic versus American music?

Well that's a great question because I used to listen to that music (Merengue) in my house when I was young. My family used to play it all the time, mainly my brother who actually grew up in the Dominican Republic. I was actually into the American music, But as I became a Dj up there in Washington Heights, I had to hear it all the time. Basically the way it worked was my brother mixed the Spanish music and I mixed the Hip-Hop or all American. I think I was pretty good at it but what changed it all was that the whole family and me had to go to the Dominican Republic for about 3 weeks. That's when it all began, I started hearing it and I could not get enough. Just looking at the bands playing on TV was like wow to me. I went to see Wilfrido Vargas, Ramon Orlando, Rasputing, but once I saw Sergio Vargas wow,, When I got back to NYC I was totally a Merenguero.

For people who are not familiar with your work, how would you describe your music?

My music is a very international happy energetic music with an American touch to it. I make sure that in all my music I show who I am. I am proud to be a Latin & American person. It’s just a mixture of Latin flavors with an American twist to it

What made you decide to become a solo artist after working with so many different groups, such as the The New York Band and Pochy y su Cocoband?

Well its simple I mean usually you know what your meant to do even when you don’t know, basically in all the groups that I have been in eventually I sort of more or less took over. Sort of lead what I was doing, even though I did not know that I was leading, but I did it. If it was the chorus then I would set it up, if it was doing a show in front of the crowd then that was me, or the dances, I would kind of set it up. Especially dealing with the crowd. I would always be hyping up the crowd and making sure full attention was on us. Not knowing that really then I was leading, but I always had my own ideas that I needed to take out there, so I started recording and recording

Are there any aspects of working with a band that you miss now that you are going solo? What are the benefits to becoming a solo artist?

Well I miss all those groups. I had a great time with them, great experiences and I learned a lot with them. All those groups they were all very well known. I did not have to deal with the business side of it, i just went on stage did my job and had a great time. But the benefits of becoming a solo artist are your ideas becoming a reality, not holding back and giving the public everything. Sometimes in another group you cant do that, express on stage how you feel. Solo you can do anything. People listening to your creations, and singing and dancing is like wow.

What will the year 2006 bring for you musically? Can you tell us about new music scheduled for release?

2006 will hopefully be one of my best years in the music and a very interesting one. It will really show my public who I am and how I am. To me its sort of personal taking out this Cd. I think this Cd will be called THE SWING IS BACK PERSONAL. It will have so many kinds of songs that are really not normal for a Merengue Cd. Usually a Merengue Cd is strictly Merengue but mine will range from Merengue to Salsa to Bachata to Hip-Hop and Reggaeton. It will have some personal songs that I just need to put out there and let the public understand how I am. About when the Cd is coming out, well at this moment I don’t know, I hope very soon.

Your latest hit single, Latino, feat. Fulanito, has the Merengue you are well know for, but also has elements of Reggaeton. What was the inspiration for this song?

Well first of all let me let you know that even though I’m great friends with Fulanito but I am also a big fan of their music, as I am to many groups out there so when I had the chance to work with Fulanito, I was honored and I jumped. My inspiration for this song comes back to how I feel about who I am very proud to be Latino. With all the groups that I have had the opportunity to perform with I have always said on stage, “Where are my people proud to be Latino and I get a awesome response so I recorded a song with Banda Loca that became like my own national anthem LATINOS. It did real good but in my opinion did not get the attention that it needed so I spoke to Fulanito let them hear what I was doing and they loved it and said “Let’s do it”.

You created and continue to produce the group Malkriados. Do you have plans to form any new groups?

Wow, Malkriados hahhaha ,, that's my baby heheh,, I love that production of Malkriados. I would love to form many other new groups I just need to make sure that I take care of TONYSWING. My problem is that I see a lot of talent out there and then I start creating ideas. When I get to a better position Yessss! I want to keep producing

I’m sure you are always looking for new talent. Where should up and coming artists send their demos?

I think artists should shop their demos all over, and when I say all over, I mean all over. Always walk with your demos. You never know, it can be anywhere, give it to everybody, let everybody know what your doing and what you got because eventually somewhere somebody is looking for what you have to offer, from record labels, promoters…..you just never know!

What do you think artists need to do in order to keep their genre fresh?

I think they need to put their own ideas. Explore on their styles never just settle…Create. Always treat their project like it’s their baby.

Which artist you would most like to collaborate with and why?

Wow I have so many, that’s a hard question, like I said I’m a fan but right now, I really would love to meet and collaborate with P Diddy. I think he is an incredible person. I mean his clothes, his music videos, shows, his performances, the way he presents himself and the way he produces…wow. I just don’t know how he does it all and is great at it. Marc Anthony…wow, even though back in the day in the offices of RMM we used to talk a lot, when I used to be with the NEW YORK BAND, signed to RMM,,, but I am extremely proud and happy for him. Come on you have to respect that voice of his. I think he is just an all around awesome artist.
Sergio Vargas… wow he is just bad. That’s it! Don’t go up on stage thinking you are going to blow him away. Nahhhhhhh I don’t think so. There are so many artists. I guess I’m just a fan that is lucky enough to sometimes play on the same stage as these great artists.


In addition to music, you are also involved in the movie industry, with your own production company, Niche Films. How do you manage to fit that into your busy schedule? Can we expect any movie releases this year?

Well its not mine Niche films, its a very very good friend of mine director Niche films who is the owner of the production company. He has a couple of movies in store and we’re going to start filming soon. When will there be a release? I hope soon. Ha ha. But I loveeeeee acting! It’s one of my passions. I really get all involved.

The death of your children, Savannah and Juan Antonio, Jr., was a turning point in your life, as is the birth of your son, Antonio Jaydon. How do such painful and joyful life events influence your music?

A lot, that's why this Cd will be called THE SWING IS BACK PERSONAL. I need to get some stuff off my chest, and through the music I guess it’s the only way I know how to do it. People have to understand I’m a people person, I’m an artist who sometimes is not allowed in public to show the real me, even though the public knows what happened to me. I grew up in a strong house hold and through my music I can show people how I’m feeling, it’s not easy for me even though I know I have the greatest friends in the world, family and fans, who don’t preach to me. All they do is stand next to me and make sure I don’t fall. Yessssss, I do miss my kids so much that every song I hear or create almost becomes about them and yessss as I create or listen, I do cry to this date a lot behind close doors. Then my new kids just make me get up and get strong then I’m there practicing doing what ever it is to go forward.

What advice would you give to a young artist struggling to make it in the music industry?

We are always struggling to make it, its like my friends always tell me don’t give up just keep recording keep promoting yourself which ever way. Make sure people understand what your doing. Get out there contests, demos, posters and shows, what ever it is just stay out there and don’t quit!