These are the sorts of gigs that only a few short years ago, he claims he couldn’t have dreamt of playing. But mentalities have changed – not just amongst punters and fans, but also with producers, who are now often thinking outside the square. “In Italy, the techno scene a few years ago was terrible, but techno clubs are rocking again like they were in the 1990s. The evidence of this is that I’m playing in my country much more often than in the past and the clubs are starting to promote techno again.”
And pleasingly, this is a far departure from the way things were. “To be honest, it really was a little bit sad to see the scene the way it was over the last few years – the Italian scene was not great for techno. It was one of the best scenes some years ago, but people started moving in more commercial movements. But this phase luckily has changed and things are for the better now.”
Musically, the man has been rather busy in the studio in recent times as well. Last year, he released the Koreload Volume 1 and Volume 2 compilations on his own imprint, Different Is Better. “I think these featured some of my favourite tracks produced over the years on other labels; a sort of an anthology to allow people to discover my old tracks again – to sort of let the new generation hear them. I also have an interesting EP coming up in the next couple of months, on some Italian labels. Some really great music is coming from Italian techno masters also – producers who I consider my mentors – Dandi and Ugo.”
Otherwise, the man that delivered the Hypnotic and Wayfarer EPs in recent times won’t be drawn too much on what else he has planned. Other than to say that he has plenty in store – and that there isn’t too much more to give away. “Don’t worry, there are going to be many surprises; this coming year will probably be my best year since the beginning, in terms of my productions,” he says. “I am producing some of the best techno I ever have; techno is the way I would define myself. In fact, I would say I cannot define myself in any other way.”
That said, Angelo is inspired and motivated by many things. Musically, the renaissance being felt in techno right now can’t hurt – but he is also engaged by much of what surrounds him. “Everything I do comes to me by some form of instinct. I listen to all kinds of music; I love to take inspiration from every new area of music I listen to. That also helps me when I produce. I sit in front of my computer and basically, whatever happens – happens. There is usually something in my mind too, that guides me to do what I want to – it isn’t always completely easy but I know what I have to do.”
His sets too, are diverse but he admits that he is feeling the darker, more sinister sounds of the genre at present. “My performances are based on the dark concept at the moment,” he describes. “I try to introduce that vibe during my sets as well as some older, more famous tracks. I find it funny how the ‘techno people’ and the ‘not so techno’ people like it – but the end result is that people are still loving techno, which in my opinion is a good thing.”
So finally, Angelo is well pumped about coming back to Australia so soon after his recent trip a year or so ago. “It will really be amazing,” he says. “I think it will be great. I have a special feeling for Australia and the people there. I would love to come back two or three times a year if I could. I love it there and I love the vibe and people. Earthcore is also a very special step for me in my DJ career – it is a famous festival worldwide that people all over the world know about.”
BY RK
