We chat to Daniel Bernardo aka Menog aka Skyfall about his piercings, his favourite plug-ins, and what he is listening to right now.
“I learned to listen to everything from classical, pop, and heavy metal.”
Whats the first thing you tell someone new when they ask you “what do you do?”
I’m a musician, music is my life, but I’m also a camera flyer and skydiver when I’m not making music.
How many musical projects do you currently have?
I have three projects, Skyfall, Menog and my techno project Dani the Menace.
Do you have multiple personalities or just a wide taste in music?
I have had a wide taste in music since I was very little, music runs in my family and has always been part of it. I learned to listen to everything from classical, pop, and heavy metal.
What are you listening to right now (what’s top of your iTunes playlist?)
I listen to Apparat, Muse, the XX, Trentmoller, Depeche Mode, Emika, OTT, Shpongle, Cradle of Filth, My Dying Bride and a lot of Movie Soundtracks.
What software do you most use for your production, and what studio tech and plugins are your faves?
I used Cubase for 10 years, went to Logic for about 5 years now, and Skyfall just made me want to work on Cubase now, so all my Skyfall tracks are made on Cubase so far. I just bought the latest Cubase 3 days ago to take back with me to Portugal.
I have to say that one of my favorite plug ins right now is LFO tool. I can do so much with this simple, yet complex plugin, I love all the Cubase plugs. My favourite synth is still my Virus TI.
What was the first Goa/Psytrance tune that really turned you onto the scene?
I have to mention the Self Oscillation album from Deedrah since it was the first Trance CD I heard back in 1997. I truly have to say that the Tim Schuldt – Pretty Poison track made me really want to be part of the scene since I came from the Metal scene and Tim really was one of the first ones to bring the heavy guitars to Trance and make an amazing combination.
Any producers out there at the moment that you are really enjoying?
In the trance scene I must say Egorythmia , Symbolic, Ectima, and Ace Ventura.
How many piercings do you have?
I have 6
Apart from jumping out of planes is there any other high adrenalin activities you do or are keen to try out?
Yes! Jumping out of planes with a Wingsuit (flying squirrel suits)! I think you can’t go more high adrenalin than that, the best feeling on this planet! That is the true flying dream I had when I was just a boy. I would love to take the scuba diving PADI, did it twice already and it’s another activity that I would like to add to my life. There is something I want to do very soon which is to jump out of a hot air balloon and a helicopter.
Whats your favourite food?
I love Portuguese food, the variety is just amazing, but when I’m traveling I would say Japanese food is my favorite.
What are you working on at the moment? (upcoming releases, projects, etc.)
I just released the Not Quite Human EP on Nano, and now I’m working on a Skyfall Remix album also for Nano featuring some of the best artists in the scene. Expect the best out of Skyfall Studio in the next couple of months!
Image: MathildaDV Photography