We started with an obvious question. When did you realize that music was your thing?
I realized that was my thing since I was 8 years old or so. I was in car with my father, listening the radio, and I was really impressed by a tune, a sort of Balearic Disco thing. I can't remember if it was Carly Simon 'Why' or something similar... It was like a positive trauma. Then, at the age of 13, a local radio was broadcasting the first Plastikman LP. I had recorded them on tape and I was repeatedly listening 'Plasticine'. I still remember what I thought: "Ok, this is my life." Then I bought my first turntables and so on ...
And what brings you to launch your own label?
I was liking the idea to have my personal label and the freedom to release most obscure works.
If I'm not wrong, the first works were published in digital but then you made the determination to release the label's music only on vinyl.
Since I realized that digital-only music is just a file on a cd or laptop. No concept, no ideas, no stories behind it. It's a different thing if you make the digital format of a vinyl release because the digital just becomes the extension of a solid source.
Every release seems to hide ideas, stories, messages ... What's the concept behind the label?
Indeed. Zooloft has a strong and cinematic concept behind its works. Every release is like a story, within messages, ideas, images. A short film on 12-inch. We take an universal message like 'Use your power to help…' and we turn them into music, sometimes more dystopian, utopian, mystical or melancholic. The child represents the innocence, the pureness, the hope.
Tell us about about your relationship with Giorgio Gigli. He looks very involved in the process of raise Zooloft
He's totally involved in Zooloft as he's the half-part of the label. When I met him I thought he could was the perfect partner and so I wanted him joining Zooloft. I really like his approach to electronic music, very solid and accurate. Of course Zooloft is raising up due to his valuable work.
Are you involved in the visual side of Zooloft? Covers, videos ...
Nope. Giorgio is taking care of covers and concepts. The videos are made by our friend and partner Guido Gangi aka Thinknpixel under Giorgio's 'direction'.
Obtane | Giorgio Gigli - The Incredible Tale Of Secret Journey Through Your Eyes
What's been so far the most difficult to manage yourself the music you like?
It's even difficult to judge your own music. Best way is to listen everything in different moods and times and, after that, what results timeless and not boring worths to be released.
Recently the label have received contributions from Milton Bradley and Mike Parker. Who do you like to work with in the future?
We have great remixers planned for the future but no anticipations yet.
As a producer you've been approaching into experimental sounds. How and how much do you think Zooloft help in raising your artist profile?
I think Zooloft brought me into a drone and ambient direction. My early works on Synewave were more minimalistic and experimental. Sonic Groove is my industrial-alike area. Zooloft is definitely my drone/ambient homebase.
Almost all of your latest releases includes ambient versions. Have you ever thought about work in music for films or something?
I'm currently working for a theatrical project with Ehrika Houdini, she's an upcoming visual artist. The goal is to bring electronic music outside club context.
Tell us about your relationship with Prologue and Stroboscopic Artefacts. How did you get in contact with them and what they mean to you?
Prologue released two digital tracks and my remix for Claudio Prc on vinyl. I was very happy seeing my name on that release, together a big name like Silent Servant as he's one of my favorite artists ever. And it was satisfying for me to appear on the first EP on Stroboscopic Artefacts. Anyway, my true homebase is Sonic Groove. Adam X released 3 Obtane releases and I feel very proud of this. Third one is on shops those days ...
There are many interesting sounds coming from Italy at the moment. How are you finding your country techno sound and scene at the moment?
I live outside italian clubs and scene so my point of view may appear unreal but I think everything here is just more related to obscure studios in little cities than clubs. I can think to Antonio Marini (Healing Force Project), which produces great Dark Techno with Sci-Fi influences. He lives in a little city near Treviso and there're more obscure but worthy artists to discover. The final impression to foreign countries is that we got just two or three names who worth to be considered and that's unfair.
Can you make a list of the 5 albums that you like the most or have influenced you?
Robert Gorl 'Sex Drops' (Disko B): first time I listened it I said: "Wow, Gorl is still wicked, that's illness". The true definition of Techno with Industrial influences.
154 'Strike' (Delsin): this album represents a lot of emotions for me. It's pure melancholic ambient Techno in a proper way.
Robert Hood 'Internal Empire' (Tresor): this was fucking excellent and had a big impact to me, it inspired me a lot. Timeless Techno… It's not incredible to see how still actual 'Minus' can be ?
Clock DVA 'Man-Amplified' (Contempo Records): I had discovered this album during a nightdrive with friends. It was beautiful to listen this cyberpunk gem driving by night on the highway.
Oneohtrix Point Never 'Rifts' (No Fun): I'm a big fan of Daniel Lopatin, I almost love everything he does but this one stands out. It has warmest 80's aestethics brought to the cosmic Klaus Schulze territory. It's awesome.
What else can we expect from you and Zooloft in the next few months?
We Still Try !
Zooloft
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