Interview: Luca Bacchetti

Ahead of his Manchester debut at Sound Control this weekend for EXHiBiT, we pin down the Italian DJ and producer to talk Endless, the Barcelona scene, and how isolation stimulates his creativity.

Jayne Robinson

Date published: 13th Mar 2013

Luca Bacchetti is a ‘DJ who thinks like a musician’. Playing it by ear since 2004 the son named after his hometown in Italy produces a melange of electronic, house music that champions the preferred ‘isolation’ of its creator.

Growing up in the small town of ‘Lucca’ made for a youth devoid of music. As a blessing in disguise, Bacchetti was able to create a unique sound that was purely his own. Now based in Barcelona, Luca Bacchetti continues to channel his output via aural isolation, so why change a winning formula?

Jasmine Phull speaks to the lone DJ ahead of his EXHiBiT gig at Sound Control.

As the founder of Endless, the record label and party, are you representing other artists or only releasing your own music?
Sure, soon there’ll be new artists too: I want the whole Endless work flow to be natural. The next release will be a collaboration with Guti, and then there’s Signal Flow, a Pillow Talk project.

Why is signing artists something you would be interested in doing in the future?
First of all, new and interesting music! I’m already thinking of some ENDLESS events, which I want to set-up soon… actually, right now I’m evaluating some interesting options.

You’ve said the lack of music during your adolescence was a blessing in disguise; it let you find your own sound without being influenced by others. What influences your sound now?
Yeah, it’s as if I maintained a certain ‘purity’ without letting myself be influenced too much by any given context... even now I like to hold onto this ‘isolation’. It’s something that stimulates my creativity, like my travels, which are also a source of inspiration.

Do you know how to play any instruments?
I played the clarinet for a few years, but I don’t think of myself as a musician… more of a DJ who thinks like a musician, playing it by ear.

Are you an advocate of the 'live' on-stage sound? What will the preparation for EXHiBiT at Sound Control be like?
I’m a DJ and a DJ set is where I express my full potential.

Based in Barcelona, who are some stand-out artists that inspire you?
Barcelona is the home of many DJs and producers and in the last five years it’s been attracting many more. I have a lot of respect for the work of people like Maceo Plex, Audiofly, Dubfire, Marco Carola, Capriati, Squillace, Osuna… but just like them I have my own identity, we are each unique in our own way.

How important will visual aesthetic be on the night?
Obviously this is an important point: in the club sight is the next most important sense after the audio so playing with the lights is as important as getting the music right. You can play great music but with the wrong lighting it’s only half as good. On more than one occasion I’ve asked for lights to be changed, or even just turned off. The right ambience sets the mood.

Do you have an LP coming up in the near future?
I have a series of EPs and Remixes, including the next Endless with Guti and a remix I’m really wired about: 'No One's Land' by Riva Starr ft. Carmen Consoli. Consoli is an Italian singer with a great and unique voice. I’m also mixing a double album to be released in July: it’s a really interesting project which you’ll be hearing of soon. But for now I’d like to keep it as a surprise!

The last song you listened to?
The new single by James Blake.

The first album you bought?
I think Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys was the first LP that I bought with my own money. Great investment, huh?

What’s up next?
Tomorrow I’m playing London and then on the 16th Manchester, officially it’s my first time there... and, you know, one never forgets the first time. See ya!