We caught up with Italian Hard Techno machine T78 earlier this week for a quick chat about how Lockdown is affecting him, and also the launch of an exciting new charity project by him for all aspiring Techno producers…
How are you, and what have been up to today?
Hi, I’m very good thanks. Time flies even harder when you’re in lockdown it appears. It is already 6 pm! Today I cleaned up my Mac from unnecessary files. Took the time to update some programs and plugin. New ammo ready to create new BOMBS! But mainly took time for my family, played with my children for a couple of hours in my garden. After this interview I’m needed in the kitchen to help my wife with dinner.
Your synonymous hashtag/strapline #onlybombs crops up regularly in my newsfeed, how did this come about?
When I approached Techno as a producer back in 2016, I let a friend of mine listen to some of the tracks I had prepared for the launch of T78 and Autektone and his reaction was “hey bro they’re all bombs’’. In that time I was planning some key points for the entire brand and one of those points was the creation of an original hashtag. This is how #onlybombs was born.
I understand you have a new project you would like to tell us about?
The Corona Virus has hit my country very bad, but my life hasn’t change that much apart from the weekend. I have always been a producer for 4-5 days a week for over 20 years, but this situation made me think a lot of course, and as we are all united to fight this virus, I thought of a positive project in where I want to help my scene, producers but also my beautiful Italy. I created with my team a concept where all Techno lovers can be joining forces and be the antidote in these strange times. (See below for full details)
Your output of releases has been very constant in recent times, what have been your top 3 favourite releases in the T78 journey and why?
You’re right, but not only recently, since May 2016 I’ve released at least 2 tracks a month and sometimes even more (if you count the amount of remixes I did in the beginning). Some turned out to become huge anthems and some other just didn’t grab the attention they deserved, anyway, they are all bombs in my opinion…
My top 3:
- Mosquitor – that hoover sound that will never die.
- Beast Man – has so much energy when the piano riff drops on that super-fat kickdrum.
- Megator – this track is just unique and it’s the definition of #onlybombs and my way of making techno, constantly moving, constantly evolving. Some say? Megator has 4 tracks in one!
Tell us about your label Autektone. What is the ethos behind it, and are you pleased with how it’s all going so far?
Autektone comes from the words autochthonous and Techno. It stands for a specific kind of Techno that you can only find at us! In the beginning it was a label just for myself, a platform where I could release and express my music with no boundaries or restrictions. I was fed up with sending demos around and getting no response or rejections. I questioned myself what could be the reason? as in my opinion the quality was there! I realised that my vision wasn’t a match, but I was convinced that my sound was in the right direction. I wanted to show people that Techno needs to go back to rave and mainstage music again. I saw so many people confusing Techno with Tech-House, WTF?
I was raised in the 90’s and I was hit by the European Techno variation not the original American/Detroit one, that’s why I wanted to bring back that old school flavor with the modern way of programming and designing drums. At the moment the popularity of Autektone is quite big in the scene and for many young producers out there, releasing on my label is their big dream. I’m grateful to see how many people felt the same as me!
Italy has always been a haven for great talent, especially in Techno. Who are your 5 favourite Italian artists of all time?
True, I consider my country one of the best when it comes to music, since the early days with all those classical masterminds. Speaking about dance music in general, my top five (based on tracks and DJs that influenced me) is:
Giorgio Moroder for The Chase, Robert Miles for Children, Mauro Picotto for Lizard, Benny Benassi for Satisfaction and Mr. Marvin – a popular DJ in the 90’s for his eclectic selections and productions.
What other projects should we be keeping an out for in 2020? Any albums, collaborations or news you’d like to share?
I’m thinking about making an album, but I’m not sure if I will release it this year! I have many unfinished tracks that I have to finalise and some of them are even 2-3 years old. A few remixes are also in the making for A*S*Y*S, Egbert, Fatima Hajji and Kai Tracid. At the moment I’m selecting the tracks for the next Various Artists Tektones#6 which will be released by the end June.
Finally, what 3 things are you most looking forward to doing when things get back to some kind of normality?
I’m missing the stages and fans, without a doubt get myself BACK ON STAGE.
Move around and go on a nice holiday with my family.
Spending quality time with my friends on a face to face base!
WHO WANTS TO DO A
COLLABORATION WITH T78?
CHARITY FUNDRAISER BY COLLABORATING THROUGH MUSIC
We are all aware that we are under attack by a hidden enemy. For some weeks T78 his homeland Italy is going through a very difficult time due to the spread of Corona Virus, which has serious repercussions on everybody’s lives. He wants to contribute his part to this solidarity!
As many of us are experiencing a state of forced isolation, which is needed to STOP spreading the virus around the world. T78 is challenging all producers to finish his production ‘VIRUST’ with the chance to win an official collaboration, which will be released this summer on the label Autektone.
All revenue shall be donated to charity and hospitals located in Northern Italy where the emergency is very high! For all those who are not producers but want to contribute to the success of this project, they will be able to purchase the track afterwards being released where all revenue also will be donated to charity funds!
Do you want to participate and take this opportunity then download the stems at the Autektone website and finish what T78 has started! Sent your demo within 4 weeks to Autektone.
We hope this competition will set your mind off a little bit from the horrible situation we are all in right now! Stay home, have courage, be careful, be creative and most of all surprise T78 and his team!
Together we are strong!
Together we are the antidote!
For more info go to: www.autektone.com/virusT-antidote
WINNER
- Official release together with T78 on Autektone
- Upload on the Autektone Soundcloud page
- #ONLYBOMBS T-shirt
- A&R call session with T78
RUNNER UP
- A&R call session with T78
- Upload on the Autektone Soundcloud page.
- #ONLYBOMBS T-shirt
- Release with your mix T78 & WINNER- VIRUST (‘name’ VirusT mix) on the ‘VirusT album’
TOP 5
- A&R feedback by Autektone team on your track by mail/SC
- Upload on the Autektone Soundcloud page
- Release with your mix T78 & WINNER- VIRUST (‘name’ VirusT mix) on the VirusT album’
COMMUNITY WINNER
- A&R call session with T78
- Upload your track to the Autektone Soundcloud page.
- #ONLYBOMBS T-shirt
Keep up to date with T78…
https://www.facebook.com/T78autektone/
