Q: Please Introduce yourself

Hey familia de Ritmo Santo, so glad to open up here with you for this intimate Q&A.Francesco Ferraro here, US California native, growing up with Italian roots and actually based in Catania, Sicily. Been producer and remixer for a long time now, and actually djing around the world and navigating the seven seas.

Q: What/whoi nspired you to make this single and EP album, and what was the creative process like for it?

Lately I been digging a lot of rare Italian documentaries on YT from back in the day, regarding the dj lifestyle, nightlife and house music scene of 80’s 90’s and 2000’s, in order to feel the pure ecstasy and exploited feeling that most of the artist, producers and performance from that era wanted to share with no barriers. Cult an old channel was on Tele+ was broadcasting a great series following step by step some of the best Italian djs like: Marco Trani, Coccoluto, Alex Neri, Ralf, Stefano Fontana, Francesco Farfa... That’s how I ended up to have a direct contact with Principe Maurice and Robert Owens both featured on some of these documentaries, and involve them to be part of my creative process as I was realizing my latest 2 works: “Redenzione Notturna” and “Nonsense War”.

Q: If you were to have a superpower what would it be and why?

I feel that as an Italian, mostly to be able to read women’s minds, like Mel Gibson, ahah for those who saw the movie you know what I’m talking ‘bout! J Let’s say that traveling the world at young age, made me really flexible to understand various mentalities and cultures, so I feel that most of the time I can really predict people feelings based on simple expressions and elements, and this help me to feel more in close contact with the dancefloor mood.

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

At the moment I’m cruising around Mediterranean with my girlfriend, taking a little break from a full immersive session I had the entire month of September in studio in Italy, so I was able to work constantly on a lot of upcoming projects to present in line with ADE, as I also have different monikers and side-group projects with other artists. So let’s say that this journey will permit me to breath some fresh air, open my mind and my spirit to make me physically and psychologically ready for this new experience (either in the music business and in the social elite).

Q: What is one pro work ethic that you would recommend to the readers/listeners?

Pandemic has been teaching us to appreciate all the valuable little things in life. Pro-work ethic is to feel in constant shape mentally with the body, spirit and soul. Dedication to family and friends, as this job (no matter how passionate you are) can really let you easily drift away from society, isolation from the world outside. So that’s why no matter where I travel, I do my best to always connect with people from different countries I go to play, and organize studio session and gathering.

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

As many other producers will reply, our style is a continue evolution.Since I started in 2003, been going through the build up of electronic music we hear nowadays passing from euro dance, to electro clash, to minimal and techno... and on the last 2 steps, I saw the things growing exponentially for me, also thanks to the support of djs like Carl Cox, Marco Carola, Jamie Jones,

Q: What are 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

Roger Sanchez “Another Chance”

The first time I turned on MTV when I was kid, this masterpiece impressed me. It was like something flicking in my brain, as never heard before this kind of genre (and didn’t know was sampled too).

Groove Armada “Superstylin”

In the same way pretty much, the right flow on this massive UK house beat anthem, the video was quite funny too!

Royksopp “Poor Leno”

The melancholic story telling about this track, very soave vocal imprint that brought me really a deep sense of vibe inside me.

Q: If you had to follow another music genre, which one would you pick and why?

To give a straight answer I’m really into hip-hop culture since the early days, always been fascinating by the history and the continuous evolution, specially from the beatmakers side. That’s almost the same path which house producers from past, present, and future will be inspired as ideal example of art of sampling.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for this year

I will be coming back for ADE this year, and I can already predict that can be the best post-pandemic edition. Lined up for two events for Gents & Dandy’s Records and Late Night Jackin’ as “Di Saronno”. Once back in Italy, between Catania and then Milan to join my crew from Body Heat throwing out some unique parties in November.

Release wise,“Trust No Beat” will be my next release next month on Italian legendary label UMM by Media Records,plus a new spin-off afro-house concept I called “Bakongo Beats” will make his debut next month on Sound Division.

With my moniker “Di Saronno” there is my debut already in pre-order on Harry Romero’s Bambossa Records called “Jam In My Veins” (incl. a remix from talented NYC Rissa Garcia), plus I recently signed some cool cuts upcoming on Darius Syrossian’s MOXY.

About next year I can already confirm forthcoming tracks on: Yousef’s Circus Recordings, Roger Sanchez’s Stealth, UMM and Housetribe Tokyo.

Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners don’t know

As many of my colleagues, fans and listeners already know, and some maybe forgot already ahah, I’m an officer on big cruise ships, sailing around 7 seas. Sometimes looks like I’m disappearing from music radar, but I’m not... it’s just part of the suspense.

As well I’m a travel and fashion addict too, still doing testimonial for some clothing brands and jewels, and hopefully in the future I will create my own brand too, not to follow any trend, but because I feel that I can put the same effort I do with music, without losing the grip.

Other curiosity that I’m Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya and Street Fighter fan, if you come in my studio you will see many miniatures and posters around.