How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
Hi, it’s a pleasure to talk to you! I just got 27 years old. I am of Sicilian origins but I currently live in Forlì, a small town near the famous Riccione, in Italy. I started working as a DJ more than 10 years ago, and I started producing my first tracks after a short time, but only after a few years I started releasing them.
What made you get in to dance music?
I was born and raised by listening to many rock legends, such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Doors, and so on. In adolescence I discovered electronic music by listening to old school Rap and Hip Hop, and in the end I joined club music thanks to some friends and small clubs in my area.
Where was your first gig?
My first gig ever has been in a former abandoned greenhouse, where with some friends we used to organize small rave parties. We were very young, nice memories!
How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning?
It has never been really difficult because I’ve always used a lot of intuition and ear, it came all automatically. Afterwards, however, I began to study (and I’m still doing it) a lot of mixing and mastering techniques, because I always try aim to the best possible quality for my music, even from a technical point of view.
Talk to us about your latest release and the inspiration behind it.
My “Orchidea EP” on Ovum Recordings was born out of the desire to express various moods I have deprived of time, so I think the EP is not just “grooves” but something emotive, which expresses a message. Some tracks are more “sweet”, others more “melancholy”. It’s for those who listen to it, to perceive the message they give.
https://soundcloud.com/changeunder/cupremiere-luca-maniaci-memento-ovum-recordings
What’s the music scene like where you live and how often are you playing?
It’s more House Music oriented, so I rarely play there, since I’m more in Melodic-Techno. Sometimes I play for my friends of ‘Hedonist’, a small but fun and promising party in my area. Looking forward to play around Europe in the next months!
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
I listen to really much music, and there are several artists I follow, some even very young. Among my favorites all the time, I can definitely name Steve Rachmad, Sven Vath, Johannes Heil, Inigo Kennedy and above all Josh Wink, who, besides being a real pioneer of electronic music, is also a really nice, friendly and kind person. I will never thank him enough for giving me the chance to release on his legendary record label!
Tell us about your DJ setup?
In recent years my setup was simply composed of a laptop with Traktor on 4 decks, plus two midi controllers. Recently I’m working on a new hybrid live setup, joining Traktor with a drum machine and some synths.
What’s been your biggest achievement?
For me it’s already a great satisfaction to have seen, in recent years, many great DJs playing my music around the world. Something I would never have expected when I was “producing” only with a laptop in my bedroom, at age 16. Ovum, Be as One and Cocoon have always been my 3 favorite labels, the ones that I’ve always been following and
admired. Being able to release a record with Ovum has been a great achievement but also a “personal victory” in a challenge I had made against myself.
What can we expect from you soon?
I really have many projects in mind. Some are already developing, as one of the next personal releases on my label Mind Games Recordings, and of course I will continue to release my music with other important labels. A lot of things will be announced soon!
