Switzerland’s finest export’s in the dance music industry Maurizio Colella has made a mark in the scene with a number of chart topping releases & remixes. He is known for a number of eclectic releases on numerous prolific record labels. EDX has performed at a number of iconic venues and festivals such as Tomorowland, EDC Las Vegas, Wolrd Club Dome, Dance Valley to name a few. We got an amazing opportunity to chat with the legend at Airbeat One Festival.
Q1) You have been in the in the scene for almost 25 years. How has the industry changed from then to now?
A) Why people try to make me feel that old? I feel really young. Earlier electronic music was more like alternative music. It was an alternative thing to all the genres. The followers were branded as something like a lost generation. The people who followed it were looked at differently. I spent most of my time in the UK. There in 1992-93 it was like illegal to go to raves. Today the market is really open. Back then because of no internet it was really hard for someone in UK to make a market in Switzerland or any other countries. You really had to have support on the radio. Now with the digital revolution music is shared for free and people can download it. It definitely helps looking back at 25 years. Earlier someone from the US or like Russia couldn’t buy material to make music. Now there is a lot more competition but everyone can make music. It wasn’t possible 25 years ago.
Q2) Who or what inspired you to become a DJ/Producer considering the scene wasn’t so popular back then?
A) When I started there was this whole hip hop culture that was popular. I wasn’t a good dancer and I was a lot into music. So I started making music when the acid house culture was gaining a little exposure. I used to go for a month every year in Italy and there was this hip house culture that was gaining popularity which is a fusion of hip hop and house. Back then as a DJ it was tough to be updated with all the latest stuff so I had to buy like a satellite to be updated. I used to stay in a small town in Surrey and was only able to gain exposure locally. I was really into the technology side because I was already making music and was also DJing. I was a fab of DJ Hype who was from the UK and is still around. He was like my hero from a DJ point of view. From the music point of view I was into the French electronic movement and one of the guys was Laurent Garnier. A French producer his music was like more sexy and more my thing. So that’s what makes me who I am today.
Q3) Our young DJ/Producers would love to get a few tips from you on how to build their careers?
A) Back in the days there was like really just a DJ. Nowadays you need to make music. You need to be someone who express yourself through the music. One thing I would like to say is people get into the industry wanting to be like Hardwell or some other popular DJ. If you start don’t do it wanting to be EDX or Hardwell or someone else. Try to find your own sound and make people want to be like you. I also tried to be someone else but then I switched to where my heart was. I think EDX version 2 was since like 2005-2006 when I went to more progressive sounds or progressive chords. That’s when it all changed for the better for me.
Q4) Your album two decades did really well last year, what’s up next for EDX, any upcoming tracks/albums you wish to let us watch out for?
A) This year I wanted to do more club tracks. That’s where I’m from, from the club. That’s where this music is from, it’s from the club. I wanted to add more disco & techno sounds from like 92-93. I’ve also been doing more remixes for like Charlie Puth. I would be releasing something before going to Ibiza, that’s one to look out for anyone who likes the club sound. There would be more releases towards the end of the summer.
Q5) Your radio show No Xcuses is over 7 years old now, could you walk us through the process of what kind of music you look to feature on the show? Also where could our readers send you their demos?
A) I can tell you a story to this. It started towards the start of EDX version 2. I started getting a lot of love from my fans and I thought I should do something for my fans who like my kind of sound. Ever since I started I never even missed a single week. I have episode 400 coming soon, I would be doing something special for that for sure. I like the show because it helps me to listen to fresh new music every week. It’s kind of good to listen to 20-30 new tracks every week. I mostly feature club tracks. Sometimes also other kinds of chill tracks. For anyone who wishes to have a feedback on their tracks, just go to my website edx.ch & drop your demos, also describe yourself. I cannot promise everyone gets a feedback but I try to go through most of them.
Q6) What are your favourite countries to tour? Any fan based experiences you would like to share?
A) I already answered this question before by saying I travelled to different countries when I started my career. I think you need to be very thankful that you get to do this. Not everyone gets to play different shows so I think we must be thankful to be able to do this. I really like playing in the UK but playing at home in the Switzerland is always special.
Q7) We rarely get to interview an artist with so much experience. After all these years it would definitely help you get rid of stage fear or anything we assume?
A) I absolute
Q8) We rarely get to interview an artist with so much experience. After all these years it would definitely help you get rid of stage fear or anything we assume?
A) I absolutely still have stage fear. I think it’s special to be able to perform in front of crowds. Doesn’t matter how big or small. Sometimes I fell more close emotionally to a crowd in hundreds compared to a crowd of thousands.
Q9) How difficult is it to manage the tour schedule? We recall you taking a break for a couple of years from 2005 through 2007, was that owing to the stressful lives of a DJ/Producer?
A) I am very passionate when it comes to music. Even when I took a break I was managing a couple of artists. I wanted to take a break to rediscover myself. I still manage a couple of artists who play hundreds of shows. Then I started again after discovering where my heart was.
Q9) How excited are you for your set? Any new ID’s which you would feature tonight at Airbeat?
A) I am really excited to be doing a live show. I hope the crowd would be into it too. I’m excited to perform my single ‘We can’t give up’ with Tom Gregory on stage.
Stream the guest mix he did for EDMLI:
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