Romanian duo Stefanno b2b Julianno recently returned with more music, bringing a remix of La Roux’s ‘In For The Kill’ to their listeners; a track that combines their Progressive House sound with familiar details of the original, the duo has put forward a unique-sounding rework that epitomises their approach and driving energy. Now, in this behind-the-scenes interview, we dive into their process, exploring their inspiration, techniques, and how they transformed a beloved track into a modern, club-ready anthem.
So, join us as we discover more about the creative world behind this dynamic duo.
Hi Stefanno b2b Julianno, how are you?
Hey! We’re doing awesome, thanks for having us. We’ve been really busy lately, working on new music and enjoying the journey. Excited to chat with you.
Firstly, what drew you to remixing ‘In For The Kill’ by La Roux? Was there something about the original that you felt connected to your style?
We’ve always been huge fans of ‘In For The Kill’, it’s an iconic track in Electronic Pop music. The vocals of Elly Jackson really stood out to us, and we felt that they had so much potential to fit into a modern, club-driven vibe.
The original already has so many great remixes, but we wanted to bring our own spin to it, blending the raw emotion of the song with a fresh, energetic vibe that would work well on the dancefloor. It’s about respecting the essence of the track while giving it a modern twist that connects with our style.
How did you balance preserving the nostalgia of the original while adding your own signature sound?
Balancing nostalgia with our own signature sound was definitely a key challenge. We wanted to preserve the iconic elements that made ‘In For The Kill’ so memorable, especially Elly Jackson’s powerful vocals, which really define the track.
At the same time, we wanted to inject our style by adding deeper basslines, a punchier rhythm, and a more driving, club-friendly atmosphere. We worked to keep the essence of the original intact, but we also made sure it hit harder on the dancefloor and felt more modern, with that driving energy we love to bring to our tracks.
How did you approach transforming the original vocals to fit within the Progressive House framework of your remix?
When we approached the vocals, we really wanted to make sure they maintained the emotion and power of the original but fit seamlessly into the Progressive House vibe we were aiming for. We focused on keeping the clarity and strength of Elly Jackson’s voice, as it’s such a key part of the track.
To fit it into our remix, we adjusted the vocal to align with the rhythmic elements and built a more spacious atmosphere around it. We layered it with effects to give it a deeper, more atmospheric feel; while also making sure it sat perfectly in the drop, allowing the energy to build and release naturally.
What was the first element you worked on when creating the remix—did you start with the bassline, synths, or something else?
We actually started with the vocals as the foundation. Since they’re so central to the identity of the track, we wanted to make sure they had a strong presence from the start. Once we had that locked in, we built the rhythm section around it.
The bassline came next because we wanted to give the track that deep, driving energy that’s essential for club bangers. After that, we layered in the synths to add texture and movement and then worked on the drop to bring everything together with that punchy, club-ready vibe.
What techniques or tools helped you achieve the bold, dynamic sound of your rework?
For the basslines, we used a call-and-answer technique, where a bassline sound would react to another bassline, creating a bit of tension and release that keeps the energy moving.
We also experimented with different reverbs to give the track space and depth, especially around the vocals and breakdowns. A strong, punchy kick was essential to give the track that driving, club ready feel. For the breakdown, we played with keys to bring in some emotional depth, while still keeping the focus on the energy we wanted to build as the track progressed.
Did your live performance experience influence the way you approached the structure of this remix?
Absolutely, our live performance experience definitely influenced the structure of the remix. As club DJs since 2006, we’ve learned how to read the crowd and build energy in a way that keeps the dancefloor moving.
For this remix, we focused on creating dynamic peaks and drops that would work well in a live setting. We wanted to make sure the track had a strong flow, with sections that could really captivate the audience, especially in the breakdowns and build-ups.
Our experience in the club has taught us the importance of tension and release, and we brought that same energy into the structure of this remix.
The remix includes a mix of heavy-hitting elements and melodic details. How did you ensure these elements complemented each other without muddying the mix? Can you share insight into your mixing process?
The key to making these elements complement each other without muddying the mix came down to careful sound selection. We made sure each element had its own space in the frequency spectrum, particularly in the low end, where the bass and kick are most prominent.
We used EQing and sidechain compression to ensure that the heavier elements didn’t overpower the melodic parts. We also applied subtle effects, like reverb and delay, to the melodic elements to give them more depth and movement, while keeping them distinct from the more powerful sections.
Did you feel any pressure to meet expectations when remixing such a well-loved track, and how did you stay true to your own vision?
Remixing such a well-loved track definitely came with some pressure, but we stayed true to our own vision from the start. We knew we wanted to create something fresh and original, so we focused on how we could put our unique spin on it.
We listened to some of the earlier remixes after we finished the track, just to get a sense of how others approached it, because we didn’t want to influence ourselves during the creative process. Our goal was to produce an original remix that reflected our style while respecting the legacy of the original track. Staying focused on our vision helped us create something we’re really proud of.
How has the reception been for this latest track so far? What feedback have you been receiving?
We’ve been getting some amazing feedback, especially from Paul van Dyk, which has been a huge milestone for us. Paul really vibed with our music, after he opened his radio show, Vonyc Sessions Episode 943, with our track ‘Eclipse’. Then, the following week, he supported our remix, La Roux – ‘In For The Kill (Stefanno b2b Julianno Club Mix)’ in Episode 944. That’s such a huge achievement for us, and the support has given us so much energy and motivation to keep pushing forward with new music.
Finally, what’s next for you guys? Can fans expect any more releases on the horizon?
We’re starting 2025 with the release of an EP featuring two tracks on the Addictive Sounds label, which we’re really excited about.
We’ve got more plans in the works for next year, but it’s better to keep things under wraps for now and talk about them once they’re ready. We’ve got some great music coming, and we can’t wait to share it with our fans when the time is right!
Peace and love from Romania to everyone!
Juli&Stef
With our interview coming to a close, we thank Stefanno b2b Julianno for their time and for providing such an insightful glimpse into the production workflow behind their remix of ‘In For The Kill’; from their careful treatment of Elly Jackson’s vocals to their layering of heavy-hitting and melodic elements, their remix comes as a distinct reflection of their evolving sound and creative vision, making it the ideal listen for their fans. As they promise an exciting 2025, Stefanno b2b Julianno appears as a duo to watch, following their journey via social media to keep up with their latest releases, news and projects.
Listen to ‘In For The Kill (Stefanno b2b Julianno Remix)’ Now:
Stefanno b2b Julianno Online
