Manuel De Lorenzi // Interview // Tzinah Podcast // July 2018 //

Manu new 1Born in Ancona, Italy, Manuel “de” Lorenzi developed a passion for music at an early age. At just 8, he began studying keyboards and listening to his fathers collection of soul and funk 45’s . At 14 he bought his first pair of belt drive turntables and developed a passion for playing and making house music in his home studio.

His later securing of a late night radio spot enabled him to hone his craft behind the decks , developing a style which would gain him to a residency at one of the Adriatic Riverias most famous nightclubs, Aqva Disco Villlage.

He has worked with many Italian and foreign clubs including: Echoes, Riccione – Cocoricò, Riccione – Prince, Riccione – Cellophane, Rimini – ECU, Rimini – Juice, Firenze – Mirò, Lignano Sabbiadoro – Mamamia, Ancona – Cherry Jam, London – Guilty, London – ect…As well as a regular residency at the Italian Music Conference, Rimini. His own fortnightly Click House Club would prove to be some of the formative parties on the Italian electronic scene. Also resident at the best and known after party in Italy called Buongiorno Classic in Rimini.
He describes his music as techno which goes from deep to tech with some funk and minimal influences.

Since 2006 he makes productions with the aim of always pushing the boundaries of his sound. His music has been released on labels such as Immigrant, Bond Records, 8bit, Sleep is Commercial, Rhythmetic, Highgrade, Catwash, Gastspiel, Akbal, Amam, Indepth, Fontek, Earlydub, Rawthentic, Moan, Sleep is Commercial, Half Seas Over, Kina, Little Helpers, Innocent, Yoruba Grooves, Cyclic, Kosmophono, names a few.
Since 2013 he runs his own label called Monday Morning along with his close friends Samuele Pirani, Paul Dc and Renata Lacerda. Many good artists on board such as: Chad Andrew, Ilario Liburni, Proudly People, Dan Noel, David Gtronic, Loquace, Leix, Reelow, Alex Fuente, and more…

Manuel De Lorenzi on Facebook

Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Manuel De Lorenzi – Play any album of Gigi Masin and you’ll fell another person :)

Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Manuel De Lorenzi – It was the 1990 when i started to look at the djs playing in the club near my house. I used to go on sunday afternoon and from the opening till the end i was behind the dj, look at him and check titles. I’ve felt immediatly something inside of me, there was not fashion that time, it was just love and i’ve understood since the beginning what to do in the future.

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?
Manuel De Lorenzi – I’m not strict about genres, i just research music. When i press play, move my head and i say “ooo this is cool”, that’s ok. In studio is the same, i just do what i feel without considering i have to send to this or that label. At the moment i feel in love with groovy stuff, organic and minimal but with a touch of funk that make you move and don’t stop dancing. There are many artists inspired me from the past till now but at the moment i can say that Archie Hamilton and Giuliano Lomonte are one of the best.

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?
Manuel De Lorenzi – Where i live the scene is not bad. There are few underground crews that organize underground parties with cool names and also few big clubs with big names. Unfortunatly the people is not really educated about electronic music but you can find a good crowd in some parties. I think this is common all over the world.

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?
Manuel De Lorenzi – As producer i work digital and analog. As dj my favourite set up is 2 decks and 3 cdjs.

Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Manuel De Lorenzi – I’m in studio from 8 in the morning till dinner and i don’t make music all the time. I listen any kind of music, from chill out, bossa nova, italian’s ’80 stuff and i take inspirations all around. I think any producers have to listen different things and not follow what it fashion at the moment. This is especially for young ones that want to reach the goal too fast and miss the focus.

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?
Manuel De Lorenzi – ehehehe there are many djs i’d love to take for a summer pic nic but i think Rossko from Fuse is on top of the list. We already spent lots of time together but he’s always perfect to hang out and have lots of fun. The one to spend 24 hours in an elevator is for sure Ricardo so i have time to talk deeply with him :)

Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Manuel De Lorenzi – When i was young my dream was to play at Echoes where Ricky Montanari was resident and Cocoricò (Titillà privè) and it comes true. Played both since years, i’ve had residency at Echoes at Bunker room and Ricky is also a good friend now but the club closed (damn) and about Cocoricò still continue to play sometimes. To play at The End in London was amazing too but i can’t say only one for the future.

Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Manuel De Lorenzi – The fact to grow up every day motivates me to do what i love.

Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Manuel De Lorenzi – Bread with mortadella or salami and fresh orange juice. Then short coffee of barley and cigarette :)

Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Manuel De Lorenzi – I like to take a break from the studio and go to the beach for quick lunch or just listen music in my car. Also i take care of my labels Monday Morning and Deco (this along with my partner and friend Giacomo Silvestri)

Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Manuel De Lorenzi – The podcast has been recorded in my studio with 2 decks, mixer and 2 cdjs and i’ve played released stuff and some from young italian’s friends.

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?
Manuel De Lorenzi – Well, i’m doin’ an ep for 5th years of my label Monday Morning that will be out in October, also Deco003 is ready and made a strong collaboration with a friend Matteo Gatti, resident with me at Classic Club in Rimini. I have also big news but still secret.
You can find me every sunday at Classic Club in Rimini (when i don’t travel), on the 29th i’ll play with Petre Inspirescu and also next dates with Priku, Barac, Vatos Locos crew, Janeret and Apollonia. I’ll also play at Tiberio Music Festival in Rimini. It’s the second edition but last year was amazing. I’ll be in Puglia in August for another festival with Hector and Hito, October in Ibiza and then straight to Berlin again.

Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
Manuel De Lorenzi – I’d like to read this interview the next 10 years and say that it was just the beginning :)

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