Giorgio Stefano [Interview]

Hailing from Spain but now calling Mexico home, Giorgio Stefano first emerged in 2022 with a release via Sunset Gathering. Noted for his ethno, afro sound, the Tulum resident would rise quickly on the strength of releases via Exx Underground, Lump Records and Sudam Recordings, making him a name to watch across 2023. This week fins Giorgio making his debut on Musique de Lune Noire with 'Hypnotic Compass’, a two-track EP co-produced with Emil Croff and Misha Klein.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Giorgio to learn more about the release of 'Hypnotic Compass', his background, DJing, and more. Enjoy.

Hi Giorgio, thanks for joining us. What is your current mood and what was the last piece of music you listened to?

-It is a pleasure to be with you, my mood is very energetic like each Monday, I just finished listening to Lady Danger by Simon Doty, someone I admire a lot.

How has your 2023 been? Were there any gigs that stood out for you? And what are your plans for the coming week?

-It was an incredible year with a lot of growth, one of the gigs that surprised me this year was The Station in Cordoba where I performed for the first time on its 22nd anniversary! Next week I will perform in Vagalume at Oriol Calvo's Ten Ibiza party, one of my favorites in Tulum.

Do you consider yourself a DJ or producer first? And which do you enjoy more and why?

-I started my career as a DJ and then I ventured into the world of production. I would say that I enjoy DJing more because I like the atmosphere that is generated in that environment and the love you feel up close.

You were born in Spain but raised in Argentina and now reside in Mexico. Tell us how growing up in Argentina affected your path into electronic music and who were some of the local artists and Djs you looked up to when you first discovered electronic music.

-I know, I'm a mix haha, I'm very lucky to have grown up there because everything the Argentinian do is with passion and heart, in addition to a delicate taste in music. I started listening to electronic music at the age of 12, the first DJs that I heard were in the national scene, names like Hernan Catanneo and in my city a great friend Martin Huergo, Nacho Bolognani, who inspired me and pushed me to fulfill my dream.

What was it that prompted you to relocate to Tulum and how does the nightlife there differ from that of Argentina?

-I was at a point in mIy life that needed a reset, I knew that traveling and exploring would help. It was then that I decided to live in this paradise and I knew that Tulum was a good option. The difference of the nightlife here in Tulum is the beauty of its landscape, you can have an event on the beach in a cenote, in the jungle and that's not all, add the top-level production it has. It has top international DJs continually. This is what makes Tulum one of the most important places in the world that receives continues tourists from all over.

If you were a tour-guide for nightlife in Tulum what would be the clubs you’d take the people to see and what local DJs do they need to hear?

-If I were a tourist guide, I think we would start the week going to La Pizzine, a restaurant where it is inspired by the art of Burningman, on a Tuesday to Vagalume to the Sinner event, Wednesday with my friends from Mystical Sunset at Mia, a hotel and beach club. beautiful.Thursdays belong to Casa Jaguar, Fridays the mythical Treehouse and Gitano, Saturdays Papaya Playa always have the best proposals, a very exclusive place and Sundays we would finish at Habitas. This continuously growing town never sleeps. This is one of the most recognized DJs in the area. Eduardo Castillo, Vite, Oso, Corcuera and Kevin Ganora. always present in the Tulumena week.

You have a new EP ‘Hypnotic Compass’ (co-produced with Emil Croff and Misha Klein) out now via Musique de Lune Noire. Tell us a bit about the tracks and how they showcase your sound.

-The title says it by itself, these two tracks are very emotional, they envelop you in a journey that is difficult to escape, with subtle changes, soft vocals and a very special groove, which feels like it is perfect for Musique de Lune.

These are your first collaborations with Emil and Misha, tell us how that partnership came to be and how these joint productions differ from tracks you would have produced in solo capacity.

-It all came up when I wrote to Misha about a track that I really liked about him, we talked, there was a good vibe and he offered to do a collaboration and without hesitation I said yes. In this production I adapted more to their style, without using many percussions, it has a more serious sound and the melody is more flying.

The title says it by itself, these two tracks are very emotional, they envelop you in a journey that is difficult to escape, with subtle changes, soft vocals and a very special groove, which feels like it is perfect for Musique de Lune.

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically your ‘Hypnotic Compass’ EP?

-The configuration I am working with is 2.1 from Adam, we use Ableton with the Antilope audio card with DSP, the most used publications are Ozone Neutron and Diva. We use some drum machines and we also like to use the Prophet

What was it about Musique de Lune which made the label a good home for these tracks?

-It all started with the synergy generated in Tulum with Jordan, he showed a serious way of working and created a good group full of great artists like Jim Rider, JFR Mc Egregor etc. A nice family was created and I wanted to be part of it!

You’ve had some impressive DJ gigs in recent years, performing alongside Echonomist, Mathame, Patrice Baumel, Seth Troxler to name a few, how would you describe your approach to DJing?

-My focus is on respecting the place they give me at each event, adapting to my style and taste. Playing in a way that makes people vibrate with an unpredictable mixing and have a great night dancing, leaving everything ready for the next Djs to finish killing it.

How much prep do you put into the tracks you choose to play? Or are your sets totally spontaneous?

-I like to be spontaneous, but within that spontaneity I have a preparation, every day I listen to new music, which on the day of the event I like to listen to and select my favorites which I do not want to lose, at the moment I am playing I decide if it works or not ,depending on the mood of the public.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks, and also, your work as a producer?

-The truth is that you see everything differently, you become conscious of sounds in a more susceptible way, both on the street and in a club, now my ear is collecting information for inspiration or in some cases not to go that way! LOL

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

You gave me the place to tell you that I do my own events here in Tulum and in other countries. It's called Dominik Tulum, and it would be a dream to put together the line up in this way and be able to open for them

21-23 Giorgio Stefano
23-01 Mita Gami
01-03 Jamie Jones
03-05 Damian Lazarus
05-07 Keinemusik
7-to close Solomun

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

-If I'm not doing any of these three things, you can find me in the park walking with Tony my dog, sun bathing with my girlfriend on the beach, playing soccer with my friends, training (doing calisthenics at the sports center) reading, or meditating.

Current top five tracks?

Camelphat - Compute (Original Mix)
Clüb De Combat - Shine (Original Mix)
Andrea Oliva, Arodes - Future Call (Extended Mix)
Matara, MELODIC (IL) - Dance (Original Mix)
Horeno - Music From Space (Original Mix)

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

-Its so hard to imagine a life outside of music. But I see myself doing something related to sport. Since it is my second passion.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

-One of the series that I just finished watching is The Billion Dollar Code, it's about two young Germans who sue Google, it's very good and my favorite is Peaky Blinders. I've seen it like three times and I never get bored.

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

-Apart from music, playing soccer, riding a motorcycle and eating makes me very happy.

What does 2024 hold for you in terms of releases and gigs? Anything you can share with us?

-I have two more EPs prepared and I have a couple of tracks and a remix coming out, next year I will be playing many dates in the high season here in Tulum with my event Dominik, then I plan to go to South America and the summer in Europe. That's what's planned at the moment. Stay Tuned! Thank you so much for this interview I really enjoy it

'Hypnotic Compass' is available now via Musique de Lune Noire: https://tinyurl.com/3y47cc8j