Carlo Lio Interview: Rawthentic originality

Carlo Lio just keeps keeping on. The techno figurehead ticks all the boxes of what a modern musician should do; the killer productions, record label impresario and fiercely visceral DJ, but it ain’t on no career development vibe.

Instead everything he does exudes passion for both music and his craft (check him out in action below), and it’s enabled him to make his way towards the elite the right way.

As he gets ready to touch down in Liverpool for one of his vaunted Moodraw parties with Nicole Moudaber, we caught up with him to discuss his new vinyl only imprint, dismissing the so called death of club culture and the constant allure of Ibiza.

So Carlo, you're heading back to Liverpool shortly to play at The Garage again. What was your experience of the show last time, and are you looking forward to returning?

Honestly. I loved everything about that night. The crowd was great and really up for it! I absolutely loved the venue too. It’s perfectly fitting to its name. Not to mention how great the hospitality from the guys here. So yes, definitely looking forward to this next show!

You'll be teaming up once more with Nicole Moudaber for a Moodraw party. What is it about these shows that make them so special?

Well, Nicole is definitely special - as a person, as well as musically. I feel we click so well on many levels, so the outcome is always great!

On the topic of Rawthentic what is going on with the label at the moment? 

At the moment I’ve just released a phat 3 track EP ‘Ballistic' from Macromism. I’m playing out the rest of year, but thinking to give the label a bit of a rest for now as I have my main focus on my new label/brand called On Edge Society. 

Where can we see your other productions coming up?

Obviously summer has been a bit slow, as I’ve been travelling like nuts and so haven’t released much. But I have a few remixes coming up. One for Stefano Noferini, another for Sian’s album and one more for The Basement Jaxx remix album. 

As for original stuff, I have a new collaboration with Paul Rich coming on Quartz, a new EP on Suara, and an EP on This & That the label of Davide Squillace. Also you will see a new Sci+Tec EP, but that will be at the beginning of the new year. Oh and a single on InMotion so yeah there is a ton of stuff to keep your eyes open for! 

You've also got a vinyl only imprint in On Edge Society (listen to one of the releases above), as you mentioned - what else is forthcoming on that label in the future?

Yes! We have a bunch of great artists coming up on the label with the likes of Marco Effe, DJ Hyperactive, Dustin Zahn, Roberto Clementi and hopefully myself thrown in the mix too in the New Year.

What is it about vinyl that makes it such an enduring medium for us to listen to music?

I guess it’s originality. There is just nothing like it. It’s always meant so much more to me that is was a physical thing as well. To feel the record in your hand to the quality of sound vinyl gives off. There’s just nothing like it.

I'm not sure how aware you are of this recent news, but statistics are circulating suggesting a lot of the UK clubs are closing down which have been misleadingly reported as the downfall of rave culture in the UK, ignoring the fact people experience dance music in a plethora of different environments now. 

What are your thoughts on why the mainstream media latches onto negative stories about our culture so much?

Because to the media, it’s seen as something new. And when something is new, you will always get a backlash of garbage and judgement without knowing the real culture. It’s nice to see that it’s still constantly growing and its becoming more accepted globally. Soon it will be the norm!

Finally you've been a big part of Music On in Ibiza this summer. Is the island still the magical destination it's always been? 

You know Ibiza will always be a special place even though it has changed a lot from when I first started coming here, but again there still is nothing like it and will always hold a place in many peoples hearts. It’s easy to say it’s not like the old days, but then again nothing is like the old days, because it’s not the old days any more! 

It’s a new era now in Ibiza and it’s easy to love it without dwelling on the past too much still. So, to answer your question, yes I feel it’s still a magical destination. 

Carlo joins Nicole for Peach's fourth birthday on Sunday 30th August. 

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