Draxx is making moves in the scene, and he dropped by to chat about his come-up, plans to tour the US in the future, “Get Ur Freak On,” and more.
From tearing the club up in Europe as a teenager to becoming a regular on Glasgow Underground, electronic dance music is in Draxx‘s DNA. There was even a time when the man behind the moniker, Dario Pontecorvo, dipped his toes in hard dance as Crowd. But these days, he’s devoted to tech house with a little Latin flair.
To get a taste of his expertise, we suggest checking out “Get Ur Freak On,” “Hold It Down,” and the Clap Clap EP. Deservingly, industry leaders like Cloonee, Vintage Culture, and Solardo have been singing his praises while he spreads his sounds around major music hubs like Amsterdam, Ibiza, and Argentina. We simply can’t wait until he makes a visit to The States, and from the sounds of it, we don’t have too much longer to wait!
To prepare for his arrival, let’s get to know the man behind the music. Continue reading on for our chat with Draxx, where he opens up about his history, his bond with Glasgow Underground, dream collaborations, and more! Don’t forget to smash play on his exclusive guest mix to set the ambiance!
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 420 || Draxx on SoundCloud:
Hi Draxx, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Let’s begin with a little get-to-know-you session. You were trained on piano and then producing music by 12. Ultimately, you were playing clubs around Europe at the age of 14. Talk about that experience and how it affected you growing up.
Being able to play in the best venues around Europe at the age of 14 was like living a dream. I had the fortune of performing alongside the strongest artists of the moment and learning from them. This step was extremely important for me, especially for my artistic and personal growth, and it allowed me to achieve greater musical maturity.
What’s your creative vision to rise above the pack of house DJs vying to make a name for themselves, and what’s the legacy you want to leave behind?
To make a mark, I believe that every DJ and producer must work extensively on their own style, sound, or something that people can associate with them. Day after day in the studio and during my shows, I strive to maintain a sound that’s characteristic and distinctive, something that people can remember as “the sound of Draxx.”
Furthermore, I tend to experiment often; I don’t like to dwell solely on tech house. I prefer to incorporate more refined sounds, create more complex grooves, and add elements belonging to other sonic spheres. I think all of this helps give uniqueness to the final product.
If you were asked to choose three pivotal moments in your career thus far, what would they be and why?
For me, currently, the three most important moments of my career are:
1. Taraka Amsterdam 2021. I went to hear Gordo live for the first time, and there, I decided that my music should take a different direction. I changed my name, changed my sound, and started from scratch. It was probably the best decision of my life.
2. My first trip to Ibiza was another crucial moment in my career. I was working on a record with Hugel, who invited me to his show at Ushuaia in Ibiza during David Guetta’s party. It was my first time being at such an important backstage with influential people in the music world. It was a great opportunity to make contacts and discover sounds that only a magical place like Ibiza can offer.
3. Collaborating with Cvmpanile. I’ve known Cvmpanile for over ten years, but we’ve only started working together diligently in the last three years. We’ve created an assembly line, and everything works as it should. This collaboration has led to the release of some of my most important tracks, such as “Work Remix,” “WTF,” “Chakacha,” and many others.
You plan on popping over to the US later this year. What’s the first city you’d like to perform in here and why?
I’m actually in the process of planning a tour in the United States. For an Italian guy who has always nurtured a passion for music and DJing, playing in the United States would be a dream come true. If I had to choose a city to start with, I would probably choose Las Vegas, then Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. I hope to be able to perform there this year.
Can you share some advice with other artists on the rise when it comes to navigating the visa process?
The only thing I can say is to rely on competent lawyers and ensure all the necessary documents and paperwork are in order. It’s a difficult process and often costly, so it’s essential to ensure everything is in order before proceeding.
Let’s shift gears and talk about your recent release, “Get Ur Freak On,” featuring a vocal sample from Missy Elliot’s famed song. Can you talk about how her music has inspired you?
Missy Elliot is one of the artists who has influenced my growth the most. I’ve always loved her music, and I think all kids my age were amid the R&B boom. In particular, I’ve always adored “Get Ur Freak On”, and as soon as I had the opportunity to make it more “mine”, thanks to Kevin McKay who believed in the record from the start, I seized it immediately. I’m very happy with the final result.
“Get Ur Freak On” is your latest release on Glasgow Underground. You’re becoming a staple to the brand, so I’d like to hear your thoughts on this professional relationship. How have they helped guide your creative decisions, and what do you love most about their musical mission?
I’m pleased with the relationship that has developed with Glasgow Underground. They’re one of the best labels I’ve ever worked with, and their promotion service is unmatched. I’m very happy with our collaboration, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
One thing I love about Glasgow Underground is their constant pursuit of fresh and interesting music. I remember that for the remix of “Work,” Kevin McKay himself wrote to us to release it, just when we were sure we would never do so.
It’s important for an emerging artist that big record labels like Glasgow Underground believe in their projects; it’s an extra incentive not to give up and to work hard to raise the bar day by day.
Finally, just for fun, I’d love to hear about your top three dream collabs in the studio and your top three dream back-to-backs behind the decks. And why would you choose these artists?
My top three dream collaborations would be with Diplo because he’s probably one of the best hit-makers of our generation, MK for the same reason, and Armand Van Helden because no one has his vibes.
My top three dream B2B’s would be John Summit because he’s the funniest guy in the business, Cloonee because we have similar sounds, and Fisher because of his energy and positivity.
Draxx, thanks again for your time. We’re looking forward to following you on your journey!
