Release Radar: Gianluca Pegoiani - The Row [CADENZA146]

Gianluca Pegoiani’s relationship with electronic music stretches back to the mid-90s, from long days digging through record stores to nights spent behind the booth watching some of Italy’s leading DJs at work. That same dedication to vinyl, analogue machines and the search for distinctive sounds has remained central to his music ever since. More than twenty years after first forming a connection with Luciano and Cadenza, Gianluca now joins a catalogue he has followed and collected from the beginning with his four-track debut The Row.

What first drew you into the world of electronic music and what do you remember about those early years of discovering and collecting?

Around the mid-1990s, I began developing a passion for electronic music, going to clubs across Italy. From my very first party, I was fascinated by the clubbing world and, above all, the figure of the DJ. I remember always being behind the booth, watching the artists in admiration as they mixed, trying to understand which records they were playing. I would try to remember the titles and the artwork, write down the names of the tracks and then spend the following week looking for them. I quickly became friends with some of Italy’s greatest DJs, such as Ralf, Ricky Montanari, Alex Neri and Paolo Martini. During the week, there was this relentless search for music: going to record stores and spending entire days browsing, listening to, selecting and discovering new vinyl. Almost like hunting for that special record. It only fueled my passion for electronic music even more.

You’ve always had a strong connection to vinyl and analogue machines. What is it about that more hands-on relationship with music that continues to appeal to you?

For me it is always the physical connection with the music. With vinyl and analogue machines, everything feels more tangible and personal. You have to search for the record, hold it in your hands, look at the artwork, place the needle on the groove and actually interact with the music. There’s also something very special about the imperfections of analogue sound. The warmth, the texture, the small variations - they give the music a character and a soul that I find very inspiring. For me, it’s not just about the sound. It’s about the whole ritual and the feeling of being connected to the music in a much more direct and physical way.

The Row marks your debut on Cadenza, welcome to the family! What has your relationship with the label and its music been over the years and what does joining the catalogue mean to you?

Thank you so much. I’m incredibly happy to finally become part of the Cadenza family. It’s a real honour to have finally managed to make it happen. I’ve had a relationship of mutual respect and friendship with Cadenza and Luciano for more than twenty years, and releasing music on this label has always been a dream of mine. I’m a huge fan, I own every Cadenza vinyl release! Luciano, Ricardo, Thomas, Cesar and the other Cadenza artists have been mentors to me throughout the years. Being part of this label is therefore a huge honour and a very important milestone in my journey.

There’s a dark, industrial character running through the release, but also plenty of intricate melodies and more introspective moments. Was there a particular direction or feeling you were aiming for when putting the tracks together?

Yes, absolutely. I wanted to create something that reflected both sides of my musical identity: the darker, more industrial side, but also the more emotional and introspective side. I’m always looking for a balance between raw, hypnotic grooves and more intricate melodies, allowing the tracks to develop slowly and build a very minimal atmosphere. My releases never follow a specific formula: each track has its own personality, while still maintaining a common thread with the others. The darker elements come from my love of underground music. When I produce, I think a lot about how my tracks might sound in different clubs, how they might interact with the dance floor and with the energy of the crowd. At the same time, the more melodic and introspective moments represent a more personal side of my musical journey. For me, the most interesting music is music that can convey tension and emotion at the same time: something that works on the dance floor, but can also take you somewhere deeper. I’m always trying to create sounds that feel personal, distinctive and different from what already exists. Something that can leave a mark and stay in the listener’s mind.

How do you tend to approach production in the studio, and how much of that process comes from experimenting with your machines?

My approach in the studio is quite particular. I’m not really a “studio nerd” and I don’t have a precise methodology. Sometimes I go into the studio and everything develops in a very linear way. Other times I simply switch on the machines and, out of nowhere, the magic happens. There are days when I can’t work at all and others when I lock myself in the studio for hours and completely lose track of time. I’m very meticulous, especially when it comes to sound design and finding the right sound. I spend a huge amount of time experimenting, trying different combinations and searching for a very specific sonic character. I dedicate a lot of time to refining sounds and melodies until I feel that everything is exactly where I want it to be.

I spent a huge amount of time working on this release. I wanted to stay true to the Cadenza sound, which I deeply love, while at the same time reinterpreting it through my own language and the way I experience music. I wanted the identity of the label to be there, but for the final result to still feel genuinely and authentically mine.

You recently joined us for Cadenza Radio. How did you approach the mix and what did you want to represent through your selection?

For the Cadenza Radio Show, I approached it the same way I approach every DJ set. I never prepare anything in advance, I’ve never prepared a set in my life. I simply open my bags, choose the records I’m into at that particular moment and let the music guide me. Once I start the set, I just follow my instincts and see where the music takes me. I like to keep things spontaneous and let everything develop naturally, without knowing in advance where the set is going to take me.

Away from the studio and the DJ booth, what helps you switch off, and where else do you tend to find inspiration?

I’d say I find inspiration pretty much everywhere. I’m quite obsessed with sound, so there are days when I walk around with a recorder and capture sounds or noises that I come across in everyday life. I also find inspiration in films, classical music, and my extensive vinyl collection. I listen to a lot of alternative music as well and in general, I really enjoy exploring different genres and discovering sounds that are completely outside the electronic music world. For me, inspiration can come from anywhere…a particular sound, a melody, an atmosphere, or even something I hear by chance during everyday life.

What’s next for Gianluca Pegoiani? Any new music, projects or plans you can share with us?

I’m currently working on a couple of new music projects, while also trying to make more time for my family. Together with my partner Beppe, we’ve also started a new small party in my city called From Disco to Disco. The idea is to create a place where people can simply have fun and reconnect with the roots of club culture. The desire to listen to great music, discover something unexpected and enjoy the moment without following trends or worrying about what’s fashionable. It’s really about going back to the basics: good music, good energy and people coming together on the dance floor.

Check out The Row on Beatport and Bandcamp.