Giuseppe Ottaviani: It's like your first kiss... you can't forget about it

As a member of Nu NRG and later as a solo artist, Giuseppe Ottaviani has been responsible for some of the biggest tunes in the trance world. His unique live performances have become the stuff of legends, standing out from his peers in formidable fashion. We grab a few minutes with the trance luminary ahead of his eagerly anticipated arrival at Cream's 21st Birthday shindig.

Are you looking forward to playing at Cream’s 21st Birthday? Have you anything special planned for the occasion?

Yes absolutely, it’s always such a great honour to play for Cream and it’s been a while since my last time in Liverpool so I’m sure it will be a very good show. Since I have released my new artist album called “Magenta” just before the summer, I will definitely play the music and the new singles out of the album. I’m also working on a new compilation which will be out pretty soon, so I have lots of new stuff to be played over there.

Giuseppe Ottaviani - Magenta (Official Album Trailer)

You’ve previously talked about how playing your music in a live setting is very special to you. Why is that?

Mainly because it gives me the chance to perform in a quite different way from a regular DJ set. This is not just mixing tunes one after the other but it’s playing it in real time which translates into the main point: I can improvise.

What ever I feel at the moment I’m able to turn it into music making a track sounding different from the original, playing a different melody or playing a certain melody on top of another track. I mean there’s a lot going on my desk and above all it’s fun. 

Where else have you enjoyed playing recently? What have been some highlights?

I’m just back from Buenos Aires where I played for Subculture together with John O’Callaghan and that was probably one of the best shows of the year. But I also have very high expectation for Cream, so I can tell you more after the show.

You’ve had a long standing working relationship with Paul Van Dyk. Can you tell us more about that?

True indeed. I’ve been releasing on Paul van Dyk’s Vandit label for the past 12 years and we also made quite a few collaborations together and there’s more to come. It’s just like we can’t really stay away from each other. 

It’s always a big pleasure to collaborate with him and there’s something new to learn every single time, so I’m really proud and honoured for the chances I have to make music together. 

Paul Van Dyk & Giuseppe Ottaviani - Le Dolce Vita

You’ve become one of the most celebrated artists and DJs working in trance. What do you think it is that sets you apart from the crowd?

I don’t know honestly, you should ask my fans instead. I just do what I like the most and keep making the music that really touches my heart, and this is probably the point. My music doesn’t reach the big mainstream audience but it sticks to the heart of few selected people that feel the music just the way I feel it and this allows all of us to share the exact same emotions making us together as one.  

Can you tell us about any recent remixes or productions you’ve had out recently? 

I’ve had the chance to remix the first single of Armin van Buuren’s new album ‘Intense’ called ‘This is what it feels like’. I also did a remix for Dash Berlin called ‘Steal you away’, a remix for Bobina called ‘For who I am’ and lastly I just finished a remix for John O’Callaghan called ‘ I believe’. 

I didn’t make any new productions just because we are pushing the album and releasing the singles step by step. The album contains fifteen tracks, enough to please the listeners for a little while I guess.

Armin Van Buuren - This Is What it Feels Like (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)

Do you have any new material planned for release?

I’m releasing the next single called ‘Gave Me’ featuring Seri end of September. It contains fantastic remixes by Ronski Speed and Christian Schweizer. We shoot the official video in new York and it will be ready soon on my networks so watch out for this one on www.facebook.com/giuseppeottaviani.


And finally, If you could relive one gig from your past again what would it be, and why?

No doubt here: Love Parade 2002 in Berlin. That was my first gig abroad, not a bad start for an upcomer. Such great emotions, it’s pretty much like the first kiss or your first love….you can’t forget about it and would live it again and again, don’t you?

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