Christian Lena

With over two decades of experience producing and sound engineering for some of the biggest names in dance music, 2021 is the year that Christian Lena finally launches his own solo artist project; and with two critically acclaimed releases under his belt in the space of just a few months, the long-standing Italian producer is on an impressive early run of form to say the least. As hefty international support continues to roll in for his debut single, Please Please Please, and as his two-part follow up EP The Dreamers continues to climb charts worldwide, the burgeoning Italian artist now continues on his path to success with the announcement of his next incredible musical creation, Calling Out. We caught up with Christian to find out more…

 

Hey Christian! Hope you are keeping well & great to have you here on DMC World

Hey everyone, it’s such a treat to be featured on DMC World!

Please can you introduce yourself to our readers

I am Christian Lena, DJ, music producer, sound engineer and ghost producer from Modena, Italia. I have been working in the music industry in the last 2 decades and have collaborated to several international projects to date

How did you get into electronic music?

I approached the music world In the early 1990s: as many guys in my age, i started in a rock band playing the drum. In the meanwhile I got into home recording, analogue and digital synthesizers until I set up a third-party recording studio and started collaborating with major recording studio, as the Bologna-based Fonoprint, one of the world’s top studios. I have always been very fond of electronic music and around 2000, in the midst of Trip Hop and French Touch time, two music genres i just fell for, I started playing the first records

Talk to us about your new single ‘Calling Out’ on Sirup Music. Was there any particular inspiration behind the record?

The inspiration for this brand-new music piece just came from two of my major passions: the 80’s science fiction film and videogames. I was looking from new sound bringing me back to that time, with a steady melody, drawing from disco funk groove vibes. Thus is born Calling Out, a music piece belonging to the Synth Wave stream, a cry for a reborn, a fresh start, a new step.

Christian Lena feat. Iossa - Calling Out

 

What was it like working with Iossa? Was it the first time you two have collaborated?

To be honest, this is our very first collaboration. I got to know Angelo in a unexpected way, thanks to a digital music platform. I was looking for a peculiar timbre, able to give the right groove to my sound. It took just a 30 seconds sample to realize Angelo was that voice. Then we found out we have several music connections in common, for instance the Daddy’s Groove, a talented italian duo

What roles did each of you play in creating the single?

I worked on the instrumental drafting while Angelo dealt with the text drafting and arrangement

Talk us through your studio set up… any particular favourite bits of hard/software?

My studio set up is a mix of synth and analogue and digital equipment. In both setups I definitely favor the 70’s and 80’s instruments’ emulations. As far as semi-modular are concerned, the moog Grandmother certainly stands out. It’s one of my latest purchases and I just can’t do without it!

You have over two decades of experience in the music industry behind the scenes as a sound engineer and producer. What made you want to pursue your own artist project now?

In the last year all of us had to face huge changes in everyday life, i was no exception. The music industry has largely being stuck, all the clients working on live events could not do exhibitions anymore. Actually the major part of my job was wiped out. At first i was really destabilized by this unexpected stop but then I realised it could have been a opportunity, a new start. Before I had almost no time, then I had rather too much: I just throw myself into new music projects, I literally barricated myself into my studio to pursue new projects and ideas I had always thought about but put in stand by, never got into with conviction. When these ideas took shape and became real, I was finally led to release them under my own name, instead of pseudonyms  as I used to do.

I am sure there have been many, but can you pick your proudest career moment?

Even though I have been working mainly as a producer, the most exciting memories are certainly the live events: you know, Music is not just a matter of sound and vibes, it’s all about emotions! Both in the audience and on the stage! In August 2014, at Too Loud Festival under Variavision pseudonyms I played in front of 15000 people, a energy boost I definitely won’t forget! In August 2018, I was at Amnesia in Ibiza during the Bubble Night, sharing the consolle with Federico Scavo, an artist I always appreciated. Last but not least, in Summer 2019 in the Hotel W Garden in Miami I was with my great friend and mentor Chicco Secci, who I will never stop thanking for encoraging me to trust in myself and my music

What can we expect from you over the course of 2021. Any more releases in the pipeline?

I just expect the best, I really trust this moment, this new project and this fresh start. I am close to finishing another couple of single pieces to be released soon after summer and there are some important dates already scheduled for the summer season (I do not disclose them just for luck!)

Anything else you would like to add?

I hope with all my heart that the music industry, our industry, which was zeroed to the pandemic, will have a soon and speed recovery as music is life, joy, hope and so many talented and passionate people work for it. Without music, the world would be definitely a sadder place: all of us need music, above all in tough times as the year just passed!

Thanks for your time Christian and all the best!

Thanks!

Christian Lena — The Calling is out now via Sirup Music.