Having studied music theory and composition from a very young age, Marco’s extensive theoretical knowledge allows him to produce freely and with an experimental flair; his compositions are simply a flow of real emotions which follow a strong, hypnotic beat. With the ultimate goal of making music to share emotions, and to create an uplifting escape from everyday life, Marco provides a healthy dose of positivity throughout his intoxicating soundscapes. We check in with the main as he releases his new single ‘Baltasound’, a homage to the idyllic village in the Shetland Islands, with which it shares its name…
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. First off, for those of our readers who are not yet familiar with you, could you introduce yourself?
Thank you for having me! I am a London based DJ/producer originally from Italy. I produce my own tracks and when I play live, I perform them together with my personal mashups and remixes. I am mostly into dance, bounce and breakbeat music, with some influences from my classical studies.
When did you first get into music and was there a moment when it started to become more of an official career for you?
Since I was 4 years old, my parents forced me to take piano lessons. I really didn’t like it in the beginning but ten years later, when I was finally allowed to quit, I felt like I couldn’t stop. I have always had the desire to produce my own sound which led me to attending a music composition course. In my mind, music was my official career ever since my first music composition class at the age of 16, but to officially release my music, it took time and a lot of commitment.
You studied music composition and theory from an early age. Can you tell u a bit more about this and how it’s helped shape the producer you are today?
Having an in depth knowledge of music theory allows me to be in control when producing. I know that I can achieve any sound or any harmony that I am looking for. If you don’t know the theory, you will always rely on someone else. You can buy the best samples and the best VST but if you don’t control them, your choice and freedom will be very limited when creating. Even when producing the most clubby Kick and Bass track, I always start by playing it on the piano. In this way I can wander, explore, find the right harmonies before making any other step. Being a musician without knowing the notes is like being a writer without knowing the alphabet, does it make any sense?
You’re preparing to release your next single ‘Baltasound’ which is an homage to the village in the Shetland Islands with which it shares its name. How did you find out about this rural settlement and how did it inspire the track?
During lockdown I was bored and missing the freedom to travel, so I started using Google maps to explore random places. One night, I stumbled upon Baltasound, and it felt unreal to me. The morning after, I sat in front of Logic Pro and decided to describe Baltasound through music.
Calling upon influencers from the travel and sports industries, you’ve created a dedicated campaign around the single to raise awareness for the remote and serene village. What do you hope to achieve from this?
We will go to the island and explore. We have different eyes, different minds, different skills, so we will see the same place but each one with his/her own personal touch. In this way I hope to share my passion for exploring and being curious. I love finding new places, not the ones suggested by travel guides or famous people, just normal random places that look ordinary until you go there and discover their own magic.
How long did it take to create the track from start to finish and how was the production process?
After the first day of production, I already had in mind what I was looking for, but to reach it, it took a week. I take long breaks in order to listen back to the track with fresh ears. This allows me to find every flaw and to change any aspect of the song. Sticking too much to the same sounds and listening to them again and again seems risky to me, so after a couple of listens at the end of the day I leave the project to work on other stuff and come back to it after a few days. This makes the production time much longer but I find it much more efficient.
Have you found this past year during the pandemic to be particularly difficult for your career or productive for studio time?
Work wise, the most difficult thing during the pandemic was to find motivation. It’s true that I had a lot of time to produce, but what’s the point of producing new dance music if you cannot dance to it together with your audience? When creating, I always try to imagine my track being played in front of a crowd and that seemed almost impossible to me during the pandemic. Still, I managed to find other ways to get inspiration (Baltasound is one example), so I have new material now that things seem to be heading back to normal.
Are there any other upcoming projects we should know about following ‘Baltasound’?
Baltasound is the first of three releases that I will drop during the summer. I cannot say much at the moment, but if you like Baltasound vibes then you should keep an eye out for my future releases..
Any shows booked for this year or plans to go on tour?
It’s hard to make plans now as things keep changing and live events are always the first thing to be cancelled, but still I have some dates in July and August here in England. Plus, a Poland tour that has been postponed so many times but it will take place when it is possible.
Thanks again for joining us – any final words you’d like to share with our readers?
Thank you for inviting me! I would ask any reader who will check out my tracks to get in touch with any thoughts they have. I find it so interesting to receive feedback, especially negative, as I see criticism as the best way to grow and evolve. So please don’t hesitate to give me a shout!
