He began his career as a DJ more than 15 years ago, with extensive travel around the world sharing a booth with artists such as Nick Warren, Dave Seaman, Miss Monique, Lopez House, Mariano Mellino, Henry Saiz, Guy Mansur among others.
A sound with a lot of melody presence and power on the dancefloor. His musical search involved him more and more in production to achieve a different musical journey.. first emerged with a release via Omnia Rec. On the strength of remixes from Kamilo Sanclemente, the EP found a near perfect balance between organic, melodic and progressive house. The next two calendar years would see further successes for Axel, landing standout releases for Freegrant Music and Magnitude Recordings.
Now, following an appearance on Steyoyoke’s ‘Perception’ collection to begin the year, after that makes his Eat My Hat debut with ‘Crescendo’, alongside remixes from Ziger and Kamilo Sanclemente. And that was just the beginning.
Today Axel Giova has many releases on several recognized labels and promises a lot ahead. His music has support from several renowned DJs such as Hernan Cattaneo, Eelke Kleijn, Dave Seaman, Mariano Mellino, Nick Warren among others.
Q&A with Axel Giova
What does DJing mean to you?
Djing is a way of communicating, of transmitting sensations, feelings. It is moving from one mood to another with coherence. It is also a moment of great enjoyment.
How and why did you become a DJ?
It’s something that happened. I have really enjoyed music since I was very young. Music was always present in my life. I like to share what music makes me feel. Create an atmosphere and fly around. It is very pleasant to be able to connect through music, and that is what I think being a DJ is.
When did you start DJing and what was your first big DJ moment?
I really started many years ago, but the last 5 years are the most significant. They are the years in which I also grew the most as an artist. And if I have to define a Big moment, I actually think it is when I see the public dancing to my productions, regardless of the size of the party. Simply connecting through the music. That will always be a Big moment for me.
What and who were your early passions and influences?
As influences, it is very difficult to define exactly one. Why do I consider that we are being influenced all the time. But I clearly have a lot of empathy with Jean Michael Jarre, Pink Floyd, Doors, Radiohead.
What are some of the main challenges for a Dj in the current scenario according to you?
I think it is always a great challenge to be able to make people dance, with musical honesty. And I mean musical honesty, the fact of doing what one feels, and with that making one feel. Do not copy other styles. have your own style.
How do you prep for a set?
First of all it is important to know the music. know every track you have on your pendrive. Having listened to them to see what that music generates in you. and have identified when on the set it could work. In my case in particular, I always have a lot of music because you never know what is going to work best and what moment needs more extension at night. A 2-hour set is not the same as a 5-hour set. Being clear about the intensity of the tracks and what they generate is my way of preparing for a set.
What’s the difference for you in playing at a gig and playing on the Radio?
Clearly the difference is that in a gig you see the audience’s reaction and that is an energy that feeds back to you and makes that set very dynamic. On the other hand, the public is standing and wanting to dance. on the radio, most are probably sitting or doing something else. So they are totally different things.
What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?
I’m not one to repeat tracks unless they’re mine. And one of mine that I feel like I always like to put is Jarre or also Vision
What have you learned since you started out as a DJ?
Try to do what you like and how you like it. That’s what fills you up at the end of a night. And it is also what is going to make the public thank you for the night they had. and if one night it doesn’t happen, at least you were true to yourself.
Where do you think India stands in the global music scenario and what should we do better to encourage talent?
I haven’t been lucky enough to play in India. But I do have DJ friends who have played. It’s really a passionate and exciting scene. I don’t know if there is anything that can be done better. I think that normally an outstanding artist opens doors for his compatriots. With which I believe that helping local talents to be better known in the world would be a path
What does the future look like for you?
The future is really exciting. I know that you have to work hard and all the time. You have to produce, your productions have to be liked, you have to achieve increasingly important gigs, you have to know how to manage social networks… It is really a very hard job. And one has to have the ability to see the small advances and consolidate them. These last few years have been one of significant growth, but nothing compared to what one wants and imagines…For next year I have important releases on prominent labels, I have confirmed gigs that are good with prominent artists. Therefore, I have faith that we are doing well.
What advice will you give to aspiring DJs and Music Producers?
Always do what you feel and what sounds authentic to you with your style and passion. The public that likes what you do is out there.
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