14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHNICOLA GAVINO

An artist who understands groove, Nicola Gavino’s sound echoes vintage flavours with distinct funky and fresh rhythms. His summer has been a busy one, with performances at the likes of Kappa FuturFestival and his long-running residency at Turin’s Audiodrome Club, plus releases on Dennis Cruz and Eddy M’s MÜSE imprint, SOSA’s label COCO, and more.

Now, as he steps out on Jamie Jones’ revered Hot Creations for the first time, the Italian talent puts his best foot forward across three peak-time house cuts inspired by the label boss himself.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi, I’m Nicola Gavino, a 26-year-old DJ and producer from Turin, Italy. Let’s do this! 

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

I’d love to sip coffee with Snoop Dogg. He’s an icon and looks extremely chill, just like I am. I can only imagine the amount of crazy stories he has to tell. 

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

Teleportation would be amazing. It’s such a powerful ability that it would positively affect every moment of my life. Driving stresses me out, so being able to skip traffic sounds like a dream to me. 

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

Good question… Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to produce a movie inspired by Berlin Calling, telling the story of a musical scene or an artist's journey. I’d love to write music for a project like that. 

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

I think my generation of DJs is greatly influenced by the Solid Grooves crew. Soon after I started DJing about 8 years ago, they were already the ones everyone looked up to, bringing a revolution to our scene. I am a lot into 2015-2019 tech-house. 

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

I dreamed of being a professional DJ since high school. I started playing at house parties, and when opportunities arose, I put my trust in a single organization (Shout!) that I still work with today—they feel like family now. Through them, I had the chance to perform regularly at the best club in town, Audiodrome, and I also got to play at Kappa Futur Festival, which is definitely my biggest achievement so far. 

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

I’m convinced that every low point generates exciting and unexpected twists; this belief keeps me going. 

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?

Last summer, my set on the Voyager Stage at Kappa was unforgettable for me. The number of people, combined with the incredible setting and vibe, felt like a life goal achieved. I look at the videos and sometimes still can’t believe it is really me DJing on that stage. 

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

I started listening to and playing electronic music at an early age. At 12, thanks to my sister, I discovered Paul Kalkbrenner and Stephan Bodzin—that was my starting point. When I began DJing, I explored the Romanian minimal scene for a while, then shifted towards more energetic vibes, both house and tech-house, which I still cultivate and evolve. 

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

Rap. I love how rappers play with words. Even though I often find myself far from the themes they bring up, I still enjoy immersing myself in those stories. I tend to listen to “gangster” rap more than “love” rap. 

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

1) Stephan Bodzin & Marc Romboy - Atlas. I was so little when I first listened to this track, and I still pump it through the speakers from time to time.

2) Paul Kalkbrenner - Azure. I was about 15 when I discovered this track and played it on repeat for ages.

3) Compact Grey - Bane (Ron Costa Remix). This is a track I will keep playing forever—one of the first tech-house beats that made me fall down the rabbit hole. 

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

Italy is such a beautiful country with incredible locations, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Coliseum in Rome. I’m very passionate about history, and that place carries the stories of millions who have been there over the centuries. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. 

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

I’m about to release an EP on Jamie Jones’s Hot Creations called “Givin’ My Love” on Friday, November 8th. It’s a significant milestone for me to release on Jamie’s label, and I’m very curious about the audience’s response to the music. I will also be back to release on our label (Shout!) soon, and meanwhile continue the season as a resident DJ for our party at Audiodrome in my hometown Turin. 

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

My mom and I sometimes take our two cats out for strolls on leashes, but it’s almost impossible to get them to walk together—it’s a whole different ballgame compared to taking out two dogs, and it’s quite funny to watch!