Chesster opens up about his Tribute EP on PIV Records, his experience living in Los Angeles, and why vinyl will always hold a special place in his heart.
Emerging from the enchanting city of Venice, Chesster has been on a steady rise in the electronic music scene. From his debut EP, Vagabond, to recent signings with esteemed labels like PIV, his evolving sound promises to be a groovy journey for house music lovers worldwide.
Chesster’s journey into electronic music began during the early 2000s amidst the golden age of Italy’s house and techno underground scene. In his youth, he spent countless hours immersed in the libraries of record stores and would sneak into local clubs to discover music that moved dance floors. From there, his passion for music only deepened. After relocating to London in 2014, he began to grace renowned venues like E1, Electric Brixton, The Cause, and Egg London, while sharing the stage with icons such as Butch, Kenny Larkin, Stephan Bodzin, and Timo Maas.
Now splitting his time between the vibrant, music-dense cities of London and Los Angeles, the Italian producer’s tracks have gained traction from esteemed record labels and DJs. As 2024 unfolds, Chesster is poised for even greater heights. With a sold-out show in San Diego and collaborations with esteemed artists like Ranger Trucco and Oden & Fatzo, it seems like the sky is the limit for his musical journey.
This captivating blend of talent, dedication, and relentless innovation makes Chesster a key figure within the ever-changing electronic music landscape. Get a glimpse into his world as we sit down for an exclusive interview, where he shares insights into life on tour, upcoming collaborations, and the creative process that guides his music.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 412 || Chesster on SoundCloud:
Hi Chesster, thanks so much for chatting with us today.
Hey guys, thank you for having me!
Congrats on your Tribute EP! How did you feel when you found out you were signing with PIV Records? Can you tell us the story behind how it all came about and the idea behind Tribute?
Thank you! Yes, when I received the news, I was obviously very happy. They’re one of the most influential brands on the scene, and I have huge respect for them on a personal level as well. The EP came together quite organically – Prunk first played Tribute at NYE 2023 by Defected at Printworks, London, and decided to sign it right away. It’s an uplifting and colourful track, with original vocals and funky elements inspired by some of my favourite classics. From there, we selected three more songs that showcase some different flavours, making it a nice, diverse package.
Could you share the story behind how the Prunk remix of “Tribute” came about? What was your reaction to having a respected artist like Prunk remixing your work?
This was actually easy – I simply asked him if he’d be down to remix me, and he didn’t hesitate. Prunk and I have become really good friends in the last year, and I’m grateful for all the support he’s shown. Having his remix on my PIV debut EP is really special.
I’ve had the great pleasure of watching one of your live performances, and I have to say, you’re a gifted DJ – on both vinyl and CDJs. How has your experience with mixing vinyl influenced your approach to mixing on CDJs, and do you find that it brings a different dimension to your performances?
I’ve been collecting and playing vinyl since the day I started many years ago, and it’s still my favorite format. The feeling of going through your collection, packing your bag before the show, trusting your selection, is unbeatable and definitely brings a touch of magic into a set. However, it depends on the venue and the type of event I’m playing at as well. I also play a lot of unreleased stuff of mine, and from other artists, which is obviously only available digitally, so CDJs are also essential these days.
Your frequent travels take you between Italy, London, and Los Angeles. Could you share more about your relationship with these cities and how they contribute to your journey as a DJ and producer?
I’m from Venice, Italy, but I also lived in London for about seven years before moving to LA. I’m very much attached to each of these cities, and they’ve all shaped me and my music in their own way. In the end, your identity as an artist develops over time, and it’s all part of a journey. The places you see, the connections you make, the music you’re exposed to, and even the weather are all defining factors and it’s all reflected in the music you make, which I think is really interesting. I will be traveling to Europe often this summer, I’m excited for that!
I’ve seen your recent collaborations with Oden & Fatzo on social media platforms like Instagram and loved the live aspect of the content you put out. Could you shed some insight into your recent projects with them? What was the collaborative process like?
I released my EP Time 4 Love on Oden & Fatzo’s label Sake Records in May 2023. A few weeks later, they invited me to their studio in Paris, and we started working on a project together! Jamming in the studio with them was a fun experience, and I learned a lot from their production process. I recently flew to Paris again to finalize our first few tracks, which we will share soon. They’re incredible artists and even more amazing people!
On that note, I can’t emphasize enough how prevalent social media is in the music industry these days. How do you navigate the influence of social media on your musical journey, and what strategies do you employ to balance your time between producing, playing gigs, and maintaining a personal life?
Social media definitely plays a crucial role in amplifying your exposure as a brand, which is essential to stay competitive in today’s market. Sometimes, socials are possibly even more important than the music you make, but that’s the world we live in today. In my case, I prioritize music-making over content creating, aiming for a good balance between my creative pursuits, personal life and online presence.
You provided us with an exceptional mix that each listener is guaranteed to fall in love with. Can you talk about the thought process behind the track selection and how you kept the mix dynamic and engaging for the listeners?
Recording this mix was fun – I opted for some of the tracks I’m feeling the most recently, as well as some new/unreleased ones by friends and artists I respect – Ranger Trucco, Matt Egbert, NewTone, Dim Flo. I just had to blend all these goods together, and I’m glad you like it!!
What can listeners expect from you in the latter half of 2024? I came across information about the launch of a new label with your friend THEOS. Could you provide more details on this upcoming project?
Yes, THEOS and I are working on a new, exciting project for a label that will see the light later this year. More details will follow soon! On top of that, I have three more releases planned for the coming months, as well as some collab projects in the making with RUZE (UK), Ranger Trucco, Romeo Louisa, and Oden & Fatzo, as we mentioned earlier. Some of these tracks are already being played on stages worldwide, and the first impressions are promising. No doubt that this is going to be my busiest year yet!
