Giuseppe Ottaviani

Giuseppe Ottaviani started to release tracks on VANDIT Records, Paul Van Dyk’s renowned label, in 2001, and since then can be considered one of the most talented producer and influential recording artist in trance music. 

No wonder why he is playing on the biggest Festivals and greatest events while touring all over the world. His solo-productions like Linking People, Through Your Eyes or his compilation The Vandit Sessions 4 receive an outstanding feedback from all around the globe.

This Friday will see the release of his debut artist album GO! and he’s chosen The Colours Summer Party at The Arches as the event to celebrate this. Giuseppe will play before the one and only Paul van Dyk in what promises to be one of the nights of the year. Check out what Giuseppe had to say about this weekend when we caught up with him on Monday.

Where in the world do we find you today?
At home in my studio getting ready for a packed weekend next week including my show at The Arches. What has been your highlight of 2009 so far?Definitely my first artist album GO! which is ready to be released on September 4th on VANDIT Records.
Do you have any gigs coming up that you are particularly excited about?I’m always excited for any upcoming gig but I have a very special Australian tour together with Ferry Corsten from September 10th till 12th. I really enjoy Australia and I’m always very happy when I have the chance to go there. How has your season in Ibiza been this year?Great as always, I had so much fun with a completely packed club and an amazing crowd. I played for Cream at Amnesia on June 25th, August 20th and I’ll be there again on September 3rd right before my next gig in Scotland. 

Who were your musical inspirations when growing up?
I come from classical music education so that was my first musical experience, but I was listening to everything. I listened a lot to Queen, U2, the Italian band Pooh, and so on. This has pretty much nothing to do with electronic music apparently, but this is the point. For me it’s all about melody and that’s why when I discovered Trance music I immediately fell in love with it and Paul van Dyk became one of my idols.

At what moment did you realise ‘Yes! I’ve made it!’?
I’ve got signed on VANDIT in 2001 with my first production Dreamland with NU NRG project. That was the point where my life changed, but after 8 years now I still would not say “Yes, I’ve made it” since I am never 100% satisfied and I always think that the best is yet to come.

You are one of the few people who can provide a 100% live experience when you play clubs/festivals, making your sets more visual. How long does your set up usually take and how many pieces of equipment do you use?
To set up a live show is never easy. Performing is the best part of the job, but there is also very hard work behind that. Since I play my own music only I need to make music first and then I have to transfer it into my live equipment which consists in 2 laptops, 2 keyboards, 3 midi controllers, 2 mixers, some other funny gadgets and lots of cables.

Your new album ‘GO!’ will be released the day of your gig in Scotland.  How long did the album take to create?
It took over a year because I was always busy touring with my shows and I had not much time for my studio-work, especially at the beginning. But after a totally busy year the album is now ready to go.

How do you select the vocalists for your tracks?
I was looking around to find some new vocalists to collaborate with and I found some unknown but great artists, exactly what I needed. Starting from the main idea that there is always something to learn from everyone, I wanted to experiment something different with vocalists, which have nothing to do with electronic music in general. For example Faith, she’s the singer from a rock band called The Shiver; Francesco M, he’s more a Jazz singer; Gate4 he’s a great producer but not a singer at all, despite that I used his voice on the track Sunward.

You’ve been signed to Paul van Dyk’s VANDIT label for many years now. How did it feel to be noticed by one of the worlds top DJs?
Paul is not only the world’s top DJ/producer for me but he has also been my favorite artist since 1996,

so what can I say?
It’s definitely a big honor for me to be an artist of his VANDIT Records and to work with such great guys at the VANDIT office. I couldn’t ask for more. 

When did you play your first gig with Paul?
The first gig with Paul was also my first gig outside Italy and it was Love Parade 2002!

What do you think makes the Scottish crowd so passionate about dance music?
I think they have a particular feeling with music, which is not only a kind of “kick and bass” but they are exigent listeners and when they like a tune it means that tune is good for real. 

Any standout gigs from Scotland in the past that sticks in your memory?
I have great memories from my first Coloursfest in 2004, that was unforgettable.

Are there any new producers out there that have caught your ears recently?
I was listening to producer, who was new to me and who is really doing well. He is called Temple One and just made an amazing remix for a track that I made with John O’Callaghan, called Liquid Fire. 

What’s your pet hate when DJing/playing live?
A black out in my equipment! I always put gaffer tape in my power plugs, just in case.

Tell us one interesting fact about yourself….
I spent 4 days filming a video for one track of the album. I had to bring my piano on a lake port playing that song live with a singer and a violinist and with lots of curious people all around us. That was interesting and you will be able to see it on my youtube channel soon www.youtube.com/giuseppeottaviani.

Finally, what can people expect from you at The Arches on September 4th?
You can expect a special live show with all my new tracks from the album in order to celebrate the day of the album release!