14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHLONELY

Emerging from the vibrant pulse of Italy’s nightlife and drawing inspiration from the golden era of New York’s hip-hop scene, Lonely has been continually evolving his sound and carving out his place in the scene. With releases championed by Marco Carola, The Martinez Brothers, and Joseph Capriati, the exciting DJ/producer now takes his next leap forward, unleashing three floor-shaking tracks on Loco Dice’s SB Recordings, arriving just in time for ADE.

The EP kicks off with ‘Ibiza Garage,’ a powerhouse of gritty grooves where rattling basslines and skippy percussion collide to create an unstoppable anthem. Launching with deep melodies and pounding rhythms, ‘Command’ delivers booming energy, complemented by raspy, untamed vocals that give it an extra edge. To close, ‘Blu Monday’ welcomes fierce synth work and thumping low-ends that throb through the speakers, wrapping up the EP with intense dancefloor vibrancy.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi! My name is Gregorio. I’m 30 years old and I was born in Barletta, a small town in Puglia, which is located in southern Italy! 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

I’d love to have a coffee with God and ask him where he is when the world falls apart. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I definitely would have wanted the superpower of teleportation, to be anywhere in the world at any time, so I could listen to my favorite artists, but also to perform anywhere, hahaha. 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I should say that I love movie soundtracks, and I definitely would have liked to compose the soundtrack for John Wick because I would have added my darkest side to the dramatic scenes with my legendary synths, and then I’d have made everything explode during the fight scenes with the raw and aggressive drums that I love. 

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?

The most influential part of my musical journey is definitely the 90s American hip-hop scene I grew up with, along with Michael Jackson, Barry White, and Bob Marley tapes that my mom used to listen to, and my favorite DJs since I was young, Luciano and Loco Dice, who contributed to shaping who I am today. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

Passion and perseverance to achieve what, for me, is a dream: having the whole world listen to my music. 

Q: Everyone goes through ups and downs, what’s one habit you adopt to push through the downs?

There are days when everything goes wrong, and I think about giving up... but then I close my eyes, open Ableton, and begin a journey where I convert anger and disappointment into energy and ideas, which help me create most of the records I’ve produced. 

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

Of course! September 2019, my first festival in my hometown Barletta, an amazing location: the moat of the Swabian Castle of my city, 5,000 people... from the first to the last track, it was exclusively my own productions... my parents were there, standing with me on stage, emotional... my city... my city dancing with me! How could I ever forget that?  

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

I’ve never been one to follow musical trends; I make the music I like and that I feel inside. My signature sound is now evident when you listen to my productions... you can recognize it from the toms and the off-beat claps... they’ve become signature elements that, over time, I’ve made my own. 

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

Hip-hop for sure. It’s a part of me, I feel it inside, and I love everything about its culture. 

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

Planet Rock - A track by Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force, a record that has everything I love: synths, drums that recall that hip-hop vibe, a dark vocal... a unique track.

Fairmont - Gazebo: My first electronic music CD, I found it inside a computer at an internet café where I used to go as a kid because I didn’t have the internet at home... this CD had 20 electronic tracks, including this one, which was an inspiration during my childhood.

Jaydee - Plastic Dreams: One of those tracks that the big DJs always played... impossible to forget.  

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

In my city, there’s an abandoned factory, a former paper mill, incredibly large—perfect for a rave. 

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

After my release on SB Rec, Loco Dice’s new label, by the end of the year, there will be another important EP on Rawthentic, Carlo Lio and Nathan Barato's label, with two original mixes already supported by The Martinez Brothers and a remix from the boss himself, Carlo Lio. 

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

Let me tell you about the first time I went to a club: New Year's Eve 2010, Luciano b2b Villalobos at “Cocorico,” the number one nightclub in Italy... I was 15 years old, and I told my parents I wanted to go dancing... they refused, so on the morning of December 31st, they couldn’t find me at home. I had woken up and left without telling anyone, and I turned off my phone for 3 days. I left to listen to that b2b that I loved so much... for music and my passion, I would have done anything. On the way back, the police stopped me on the train, and when I handed my documents to the officer, he said: “GIANNONE (my last name), your parents reported you missing!! Where the hell were you?” And I replied, "DANCING and LISTENING to my favourite DJ.”