14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHTWOLATE

Italian producer and DJ duo TWOLATE join Nicole Moudaber’s MoodCollective with the two-track ‘Acid Jazz’ EP. The Hellbent, Moon Harbour and Toolroom artists open with the aptly titled ‘Acid Jazz’, which pairs playful riffs with a crisp drumline as a hypnotic vocal brings a jazz-meets-tech feel. They’re then joined by fellow Italian and previous MoodCollective artist Davide T, who returns to the label following his release with TWENTY SIX earlier this summer. Together, they close the EP with ‘The Flow’, a fast-paced cut driven by an infectious bassline and a vocal primed to send the dancefloor into a frenzy.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi guys we are TWOLATE, Italian DJs & producers duo born and raised in Rome, Italy. For over a decade, we’ve been sharing our passion for House and Tech House music, both behind the decks and in the studio.

Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to play in different countries and release our music on international labels, constantly pushing our sound forward and connecting with audiences around the world.

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

There are many artists we’d dream of having coffee with, but maybe above all, someone we’d love to sit down with and talk about their career and authenticity would be Carl Cox. His longevity and authenticity are truly inspiring, and we’d love to learn how he has stayed so relevant and respected over the years. And honestly, the same could be said for Marco Carola. He’s an icon for us. 

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

The superpower we would like to have is reading people’s minds. So, to know exactly, maybe, what they think about one of our tracks or one of our DJ sets. Because in this job, every time you produce something or play something, people tend to compliment you, but you never really know when people are being genuine with you about it.

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

I think Andrea would definitely have rewritten all the music for the Avengers and Marvel films because he is truly a fan. For me, though, I’m maybe more connected to older films, and I would have loved to compose music for Westerns, something like what Ennio Morricone created. 

Q: Who influenced you the most in your music career and why?

No specific artist has influenced our music career. Instead, we’ve been strongly inspired by the vibes of Ibiza every year we went, and by the parties we used to go to. But we can’t name just one artist in particular. 

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

What has brought us to where we are today is definitely dedication and the constant, almost obsessive work we’ve put into the studio. We’ve always believed in improving, experimenting and pushing ourselves, even when there was no immediate result.

Keeping strong relationships with people from the scene over the years has also played an important part in our journey. During the COVID-19 years, continuing to pursue this career was incredibly difficult. For many people and realities within club culture and the entertainment industry, that period was devastating. We remember it with a lot of sadness, but overcoming it also gave us a much stronger awareness of what we really want to do and where we want to take TWOLATE.

We still feel that most of our story has yet to be written, but at the same time, we can’t complain about what we’ve achieved so far. We’re grateful for where we are, and we’re still very hungry for what’s next.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?

Honestly, I would tell them not to give up at the first disappointment, because there can be many disappointments in this line of work. Believe in your own project and create your own style and identity.

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?

I’d say every time we’ve played in Ibiza, because that’s our favourite place to perform and also to go on vacation. But honestly, any place where the vibe feels right is the right place for us.

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

Our music, especially over the past year, has become a bit more underground, partly because that’s the trend, but also because we’ve grown really passionate about this style and we spend a lot of time in these circles.

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

If we were to venture into another genre, we would probably choose disco and funk, especially the kind of music that was being made in the ’70s and ’80s. We think it’s timeless music that still influences artists and producers today, and there’s something really special about those grooves, the real basslines and the way the instruments were used.

At the same time, if we didn’t have the boundaries of making music specifically for the dancefloor, we would also be fascinated by the world of film scores and cinematic music. Being able to create music that tells a story, builds an atmosphere and makes people feel something without necessarily needing a beat to dance to would be a completely different and exciting challenge for us.

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

We were big fans of Axwell and Ingrosso and, therefore, Swedish House Mafia, so in their honour we’ll always hold on to these three tracks. “Don’t you worry child”, “Barricade”, “Save the world”.

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

I feel like Italy has so many beautiful places for amazing electronic music events, but unfortunately they’re not really being used for that. It’s a shame because we have gorgeous beaches, unique venues, striking landscapes, and even historic spots that could create an unforgettable vibe for festivals and parties. I think there’s so much potential that still hasn’t been fully explored.

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

We have several releases planned for the next few months, and we’re really excited about all of them. One of the biggest is the next one on Nicole Moudaber’s label, Mood Collective. We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, so it means a lot to us. It’s also special because we’re working again with our Italian brother Davide T, with whom we’ve collaborated before and who’s growing so well as an artist. It’s an honour to work with him once more. Fans can expect a more underground sound, which reflects the direction our music has taken over the past year without losing the energy that defines us.

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

One funny thing probably nobody knows unless they’re one of our closest friends is that we were in Ibiza a few months ago waiting for Ilario Alicante to play one of our tracks. A friend of ours sent a picture from the DJ booth showing that he had chosen our track to play. But when he was about to mix it in at Pacha Ibiza, the entire sound system cut out. It’s definitely not something that happens at a famous club like Pacha. The music stopped, the night paused, and when the audio finally came back, Ilario Alicante started playing again, but of course he didn’t play our track anymore. We were pretty disappointed at the time, but now it’s kind of funny to look back on.