Italian-Belgian producer Vito De Luca is set to deliver a night French house and Balearic beat at Mezzanine on March 9. We spoke with him about growing up in Belgium and his latest projects.
His French deep house style and versatile chill-out soundscapes take listeners on an audible flight. But also expect plenty of bouncy pop remixes with smooth guest vocals and upbeat dance floor rhythms.
Tell me about your most vivid memories growing up in Belgium and how you first got turned on to music.
I grew up in a smaller town south of Belgium, kind of like what Philly is to New York in a way. It was a bit tough even if it wasn’t hard. We didn’t have much money and we lived in a project apartment; my youth was pretty much just music and sitting on benches in the street. I started making and learning music quite young, got my first little Casio at around 6 or 7 (wish I still had it… ) and then started going to music school, learned the theory alongside piano and choir classes. Later on, I also took private guitar lessons.
How would you best describe Balearica or balaeric music?
You cannot really describe it as a genre of music. The term comes from a place. It’s the kind of music that was played in that place at a certain period in time. Because of the surrounding, the sun, the beaches, the sea, people were playing a certain type of songs that would fit the atmosphere. Some disco, some early electronic, some pop records, experimental stuff… the combination of all those genres and records together with the decor makes ” balearic “. It’s more of a general feeling than a genre of music.
Listen below to Aeroplane’s funky remix of “Pool – Flex”
Giorgio Moroder has influenced every single electronic music producer, whether they know it or not. His soundtrack work is what pulled the right strings for me. The Scarface theme, Midnight Express, even Top Gun… those movies wouldn’t be the same without their soundtracks. For me, it’s more about his composer work than the synths and drum machines, that he used just because they happened to be there at the time.
How did you first meet Dimitri From Paris and what was your inspiration for collaborating on €urocrats?
We kinda met on Twitter, and then I went to a show he was doing in Paris and we took if from there. The idea of making music together, even if it’s a rough process sometimes, came pretty much directly and naturally. None of the tracks we made would have been the same if I made them alone. He pulls me one way, I pull him another and that struggle made the first €urocrats 12″ sound the way it sounds. Really rooted into 80’s pop and dance.
Are there any other artists on the Aeropop label that people should learn more about?
We are only at our second release, the first one was me with Chicago legend Jamie Principle. I am not planning to sign artists at the moment. It’s just for myself to enjoy, be able to release whatever I want, it doesn’t have to please anyone. It’s a really selfish label in a way.
When can fans expect more monthly mix releases?
The monthly mixes got a bit out hand, as in they were so successful it became a source of pressure for me because in the end. I’m not responsible for the quality of other people’s music, and sometimes, well there isn’t much great music released in a month. As I decided that I didn’t want to make average uninspired mixes, I called them Not-So-Monthly Mixes. I’ll make one when I have enough tracks.
What do you like most about visiting San Francisco? Do you have a favorite local club?
Mezzanine has always been good to me, I love that place. About the city, unfortunately I haven’t been there more than 12 hours at a time, and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen any of it.