22/04/2025
Q: Please introduce yourself
Hi, and thanks for having me in your magazine. My name is Marco Lys, I'm a DJ and producer from Italy. I started making music and DJing around 30 years ago and I’ve never stopped since. I'm still doing it today with the same passion—and even more enthusiasm—than when I first started.
Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?
I’ve been quite lucky to share drinks or coffee with some of my idols—people I never imagined I’d have the chance to meet in my life—throughout my career. But there’s one person I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, and he’s probably my biggest inspiration: Lil Louis.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, it would definitely be the ability to fly. There’s something magical about the freedom and perspective it would give.
Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?
The score is just as important as the story itself—it’s a fundamental part of the movie experience. There are three composers I truly admire: Ennio Morricone, Angelo Badalamenti, and Hans Zimmer (and hey, the first two are Italian!).That said, if I had to choose one film, it would be Interstellar. It’s one of my all time favorites, visually stunning, emotionally powerful, and with a score that gives me chills every time.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?
As I mentioned earlier, probably my biggest influence has been Lil Louis. His music struck the perfect balance between house and techno, it was original, cool, groovy, and way ahead of its time. His sound really shaped the way I see and feel electronic music.
Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?
For me, it’s always been about the passion for dance music. My journey began back in the '80s, when I was just a kid, glued to the radio and recording songs on cassette tapes. I was fascinated by how DJs could blend two tracks so seamlessly that you couldn’t even tell when one ended and the other began. At the same time, I was incredibly curious about how music was made, what sounds made a track so cool or emotional. That curiosity led me to start experimenting with making music as a hobby, and around the early '90s I began DJing as well.
I spent many years playing in local clubs, spinning every genre for all kinds of crowds and trust me, I could write a book about everything I experienced during that time! Then, in 2008, thanks to some of my productions gaining attention, I finally started DJing internationally. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to play in some of the world’s most iconic clubs and connect with amazing people in the industry.
It’s been a long ride, full of ups and downs, challenges, and moments where I feltlike giving up. But no matter what, I’ve always kept doing what I love most: expressing myself through music.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out his career in music?
First of all be respectful, music is a connection between people and the respect is the most important thing. That said, from the production side try to create your own sound, be recognizable, learn from the past, don't copy but get inspired instead. Everybody gets inspiration from someone else, even the biggest.
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?
There are quite a few sets that hold a special place in my heart, and the reason is always the same, an incredible location combined with the magical energy of people truly feeling the music. It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll tell you about two that I’ll never forget.
The first was at Groove Cruise in Miami a few years ago. I was playing on the top deck of the ship while we were sailing, and it happened to be right at sunrise. The vibe, the view, the people—everything felt surreal. It was one of those moments where you think “Is this even real?”. Pure magic.
The second was my first time playing at Il Muretto in Italy. That club had been a dream of mine since the beginning of my DJ journey. There’s something truly unique about its atmosphere—a vibe you can’t easily find elsewhere. That night was absolute bliss, a full-circle moment I’ll always remember.
Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?
Over the years, I’ve tried to stay true to myself, but it’s impossible to ignore how music styles evolve. For example, the overall BPM trends in electronic music have shifted quite a bit, there were times when tracks were slower, and now the tempo tends to be faster, and my music followed that wave too. In the early stages of my career, over 20 years ago, I wasn’t very focused on a specific style, I was producing across a wide range of genres, which in the end made it harder for people to recognize my sound. With experience, I realized how important it is to develop a unique identity. I believe I’ve found that now—my own Marco Lys sound.
Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?
It would definitely be old school hip hop—that’s actually where I come from. I’ve always loved the raw energy and creativity of that era, especially the way producers used sampling and scratching.
Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just three, but if I have to pick, the first one would definitely be “Pump Up The Volume” by M.A.R.R.S. The first time I heard it, it sounded weird and completely different from anything else—but the more I listened, the more I fell in love with it. It opened a whole new world to me.
The second track is “French Kiss” by (once again) Lil Louis. I remember hearing it for the first time in a club, and when that infamous breakdown hit, I literally thought, “What the hell is happening right now?!” Pure genius. I was obsessed. It’s over 11minutes long, and I used to play it three times in a row on my Walkman.
The third one has to be “Can You Feel It” by Fingers Inc. featuring Chuck Roberts. For me, that track is the very essence of house music—the anthem. It goes straight to the soul. Every element in that track feels like pure perfection.
But honestly, I can’t stick to just three. I absolutely have to mention “Promise Land” by Joe Smooth and “Your Love” by Frankie Knuckles. They still give me goosebumps every single time I hear them. They bring back amazing memories and carry such a strong message of positivity and hope.
Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?
There are some beautiful spots in my home country, especially in my hometown, Vittorio Veneto, which is surrounded by green hills and nature. One place in particular comes to mind, it’s called Parco Dan (Dan Garden), and it's actually where I’ll be performing this summer at the end of June for the WP Festival. I’m really excited about it because I don’t get to play in my hometown very often. The location is perfect: it’s spacious, far enough from residential areas, and has plenty of parking. It has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable open-air rave.
Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?
I’m currently working on some exciting collaborations and solo tracks—some really important ones—but I’d rather keep the names under wraps for now… Let’s just say I don’t want to jinx anything!
Right now, I’ve just dropped my 2025 version of the classic 2000 track “Shake Your” by Sharam Jey. The project is called Sharam Jey vs Marco Lys, and it’s out now on Toolroom Records. It’s been getting a lot of love and support, which is amazing!
Coming up at the end of April, I’m releasing my second collaboration with my Australian friend Ben Miller on Club Sweat. We’ve been road-testing it with a close group of friends, and the crowd reactions have been incredible—I can’t wait for it to be out there!
This summer is shaping up to be super exciting too, with tours lined up in the US, Brazil, and Australia. My calendar is also filling up fast with some major gigs across Europe, including Ibiza at UNVRS with Fisher, Masquarade at Club Chinois and London at the legendary Ministry of Sound.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?
When I was 28, completely out of the blue, I joined a dance school to learn Breakdance. It was something I had always dreamed of doing since I was a teenager, but I never knew anyone who could teach me. It might’ve been a bit late, but I still managed to learn how to do a head spin and even some windmill spins!
In my next life, I’ll definitely start a bit earlier :D