Heavy hitter
>> Italian stallion Mauro Picotto on major-league bass balls

by RAF KATIGBAK

Ask any art historian to name their favourite master of the Italian Renaissance and Raphael, Leonardo and Michelangelo inevitably come up (strangely enough, you’ll get the same answers if you ask them their favourite Ninja Turtle). What isn’t widely known is that there is another Italian renaissance going on, a renaissance in dance music. In 1982, Giorgio Moroder kicked off the Italo-disco movement with his electro-disco epic “I Feel Love,” featuring Donna Summer. In the early ’90s, Italy’s Black Box, RAF and 49ers were the first major dance records to cross over to the mainstream. Now, in the 21st century, Mauro Picotto heads the next wave of Italian producers and DJs blowing up on the international scene.

Mirror: Your first double album, entitled The Double Album, was a huge techno/trance crossover hit, but your latest disc The Others puts the emphasis more on the heavy techno tip. Why the change?

Mauro Picotto: Well, my philosophy about music changes all the time. Tech-house, for me, is the sound of now and I’m looking to push the boundaries as far as possible. Originally, it was mostly about trance, but now, although my label BXR still produces this style, I find most trance music dated and lacking originality.

M: So you’re still blending shit, trying to keep it fresh?

MP: Exactly. I always try to experiment with music, whether it’s producing or DJing. I also produce chill-out music, which most people don’t know about. I think by mixing genres of music you can have a different perspective on other records of that style.

M: So it seems music is a very personal thing for you—what about the crowd?

MP: For me, both amount to the same. I make records I like but I also know that the audience should like them too. If I’m making a trance record, I’m looking for emotion in the melody. With techno I’m looking for pure energy. If the bass makes my genitals move, I know the crowd will love it. :

With Tall Paul, Max Graham and more at Swirl, at the Molson Centre on Sunday, May 19, 10pm, $27.50–82.50