Alex Piccini was born in a small town near Venice, a city strongly influenced by house and techno music thanks to well known clubs such as Go-bang, Movida and Muretto. Clubs that brought this music into Italy for the first time. As Alex grew up listening to this music, he became passionate for the scene; what led him to become a DJ. At the age of 16 he bought his first turntables and after only two years he was already known, becoming resident DJ in one of the most important parties in the region “Sushi”. There, he had the opportunity to play along with national as well as international DJs who brought house music to Italy like LeoMas, Ricky Montanari, Flavio Vecchi, Ralf, Massimino, Angels of love, Kenny Carpenter, Tony Humphries, Satoshi Tomiee and Francois Kevorkian amongst others. In 2004 he moved to Milan where began his career as a producer and in a short period of time he got gigs in clubs such as Magazzini Generali, 65 Metri Quadrati and Codice a barre. In 2007 he had his first release on “Kaufe Musik” called “Miniale”. This first single climbed into the first places in many European charts being played by international DJs, what gave him the OPPORTUNITY to be well-known in the industry and play in many clubs around Europe. Turning 2008 he met Lorenzo Fassi with whom he began to work in a new project called “Linienstrasse”. They went to Berlin where they created their first EP released on “Session Deluxe” supported by 2000 and One, Monoroom, Miss Kittin, Dubfire and Steve Lawler, a great start for the duo. In the same year he became resident DJ of the most important event on the northeast of Italy, “Altavoz”. In 2009 back in Venice, he set up a recording studio with a friend, where he has developed many ideas and releases on Labels such as “Multivitamins” and “Kina” supported by artists like Loco Dice, Barem, M.in, Karotte, Pan-Pot, ItaloBoyz, Gregor tresher, Nic Fanciulli and many more.With Olderic produced wave after wave of killer dance floor tracks,played from many international djs and released on CECILLE ,AREA REMOTE, BITTEN and SAVED.
Beside his music, he also founded KOSMOPHONO records, an ambitious project that focus on house, tech house and deep house music whereas KOSMOPHONO KLAB involves all sort of experimental electronic music.
Alex Piccini on Facebook
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Alex Piccini: Hello guys , it’s a pleasure to be here. I can recommend you a nice track from a young guy called Rèclame and you can find it as the last track on my Tzinah Podcast ;)
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Alex Piccini: I think the first time was in a club near my town during a Sunday afternoon in 1997/98. I’m not entirely sure about the year but i can remember the moment very well. It was one of the first times i went in a club and i remember spending all afternoon behind the DJ booth.
Tzinah Records: Why did you choose to create and play this particular type of music? Are there any artists that touched you deeply while developing your own style?
Alex Piccini: I started listening this kind of music when i was 15 years old and I was influenced by some Italian djs such as Ralf , Claudio Coccoluto , Leo Mas , Flavio Vecchi. I really enjoy listening all music genres but i can’t image my life without electronic music.
Tzinah Records: Please, briefly, describe for us, the current state of the underground music scene in the place you come from. Is it any good?
Alex Piccini: The situation of the underground music in Italy is very good, there are a lot of underground clubs and parties with a lot of good music and nice people. In my town there is a big monthly event called Altavoz, a special place for me where i’m currently a resident.
Tzinah Records: Without giving out too much about your secret weapons, please tell us how does the magic work in your production routine. Software? Analog? What does your DJ set-up imply?
Alex Piccini: I work in a studio with Mac and Ableton and some analogue stuff. My dj set up is tracktor with vinyl.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Alex Piccini: I think the most important factor is that i live in a place that inspires me a lot and that allow me to listen different genres of music.
Tzinah Records: Which underground house DJ or producer would you love to take out for a summer picnic? With which artist (from any music genre) would you spend 24 hours stuck in an elevator?
Alex Piccini: I follow a lot of djs cause i think that everyone have something special to give us. I would like to invite Martin Buttrich for the picnic as I think he is a very interesting guy and i really love his productions and live sets.. and on the elevator i would like to be with Johnny Cash.
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Alex Piccini: My dream venue is Womb in Tokyo but I have never been there . I hope soon!!
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Alex Piccini: My only motivation is the Music!
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Alex Piccini: It depends, sometimes i have breakfast only with a cup of tea sometimes i love to eat croissant , cheese , ham with a juice
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Alex Piccini: I really love to read books , go out for a meal with a friend or for visiting some museum or exhibition .
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Alex Piccini: As usual, before recording a podcast i listen a lot of new and old music . In this particular podcast i played some promos and unreleased stuff but there aren’t new tracks from me. I have recorded it with tracktor and vinyl!
Tzinah Records: Are there any of your plans/upcoming projects that you would like to share with us? Where can we see you play next?
Alex Piccini: I will play soon around Italy , Germany and England a lot of new gigs are coming! ;)