In the burgeoning landscape of contemporary electronic music, few figures stand as emblematic of innovation and creative fervor as Roberto Manolio. Hailing from the vibrant city of Turin, Italy, where the echoes of Fiat’s industrial prowess intertwine with the architectural splendor of its urban fabric, Manolio emerges as a luminary whose sonic tapestries mirror the city’s rich diversity and cultural depth.
With a keen ear for the nuanced rhythms of electronic beats, Manolio’s musical journey traverses the intricate alleys of house, techno, and beyond, drawing inspiration from the pulsating heart of Turin’s electronic music scene. Embedded in the city’s ethos, electronic music has become more than a mere sonic expression; it’s a cultural cornerstone, deeply ingrained in Turin’s artistic identity.
Manolio’s sonic palette reflects this amalgamation of influences, each track a testament to his unwavering dedication to the craft. From the ethereal melodies of deep house to the hypnotic cadences of techno, his music embodies a spectrum of emotions, evoking a visceral response from listeners and igniting dance floors with infectious energy.
In a scene defined by its underground ethos, Manolio has risen as a prominent figure, shaping the sonic landscape of Turin and beyond. Collaborating with revered event organizers like Outcast Torino and sharing the stage with illustrious talents, he has cemented his position as a driving force in the electronic music community.
Yet, beneath the veneer of his artistic prowess lies a journey marked by resilience and passion. From his humble beginnings experimenting with Ableton in 2017 to the exhilarating moment of his debut release in 2021, Manolio’s trajectory is a testament to the transformative power of dedication and self-discovery. As he navigates the ever-evolving realm of electronic music, Manolio’s vision extends beyond the confines of individual expression. With the recent launch of his label, Cosmological Records, he seeks to create a platform for artists to explore their creativity freely, fostering a community built on collaboration and innovation.
With each release, Manolio invites listeners on a sonic odyssey, where the boundaries between genres blur, and the music transcends language to speak directly to the soul. As he continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists and a testament to the enduring power of creativity in an ever-changing world. In this exclusive interview with Torture the Artist, Roberto Manolio offers a glimpse into his creative process, musical influences, and aspirations for the future. Join us as we delve into the mind of a visionary artist, whose passion for music knows no bounds.
Turin is deeply linked to electronic music, I think that over the years it has become part of Turin’s culture, assimilating it deeply.
Torture the Artist: Hey Roberto, tell us something about your day.
Roberto Manolio: Hi Holger, first of all thank you for the artcast and for this interview, I’m very happy that you involved me. I returned from Milan yesterday, after a nice party on the edge of the city, where I played in the company of wonderful people, giving life to a memorable party.
Torture the Artist: You are based in Turin, a city famous for its football club as well as Fiat and its architectural diversity. Does the latter describe your musical approach the best “diversity“ and where do your musical influences come from?
Roberto Manolio: Yes, I believe so, the diversity that this city has to offer, combined with its charm and resourcefulness are undoubtedly a source of inspiration for all genres of the arts.
Musically, Turin is deeply linked to electronic music, I think that over the years it has become part of Turin’s culture, assimilating it deeply. As for musical influences, deep music has always had a magnetic effect on me, whether it’s House, techno or any other genre, I think I’m suited for it and can express the best of me.
Torture the Artist: For a person not from the Turin or the Piermont area, what is the electronic music scene like and who are the faces/ artists shaping it?
Roberto Manolio: In the Underground panorama Outcast Torino is absolutely one of the best event organizers in the city, it offers the public high-calibre international guests and locations that leave you breathless, it is also equipped with some of the best talented producers and DJs in Italy in my opinion. On the other hand, Savana Potente, Brich and many others, without forgetting the Kappa Future Festival which takes place in July.
In January 2017 I started using Ableton, and from that period I literally never stopped using it until March of this year where I forced myself to take a break.
Torture the Artist: Following the question before, how did you become involved with electronic music and what was the moment you decided to be an active part of the scene?
Roberto Manolio: In January 2017 I started using Ableton, and from that period I literally never stopped using it until March of this year where I forced myself to take a break, I needed a break because it had become an addiction, the Music production has been an integral part of my days since that year. despite commitments and daily chores I have always found the time and desire to make music, even to the point of exhaustion.
Hours and hours of sessions that saw their fruits in 2020 when Nugs on Board contacted me to make a release after hearing some of my tracks in a podcast for Outsider series, they managed to track me down and I subsequently debuted in April 2021 with a splendid remix by Giammarco Orsini and Jacopo Latini aka Data Memory Access.
As a child I never imagined being able to start a career as an electronic music producer and DJ, my family mainly consists out of painters and cartoonists, drawing is a great passion that has been passed down to me but I feel more inclined towards music.
Torture the Artist: What’s the three track from your early days in the scene, which have impacted you the most?
Roberto Manolio: Here they are:
- Dolphin Wave Effect – Maiden Flight (Animated Mix) [Groovetech Records] from 2001
- Riviera Trax Vol. 1 – Parfume 2 [Antima Records] from 1991
- Joshua – The Breeze [NRK Sound Division] from 1999
Torture the Artist: So far you’ve had a release on Nugs On Board, an EP called “Travel Itinerary“ and your first EP on your label, which we will speak about in a minute. This makes three releases since 2021, are you taking things slowly when it comes to productions or do you simply lack the time to come up with more music?
Roberto Manolio: Yes, it’s true, I could have done a few more EPs in recent years, in reality I missed an EP that I had planned for some time, but I still participated in a various artist and I had the chance and the honor of doing a remix for Francesco Farfa after only one year after my debut, I’m not someone who likes to do things hastily and I prefer to think carefully before publishing a track. If the music is convincing, it will also be convincing in the long run, if within a couple of months I feel that a track is starting to get boring, it means that there is something wrong, so I prefer to take all the time I need.
Torture the Artist: You’ve just launched your new label, Cosmological Records – what made you decide to do this now and how important to you is it to have a vinyl label in 2024?
Roberto Manolio: For me it is a good point to build on, I consider it one of the most significant projects, I am very happy. The idea of opening Cosmological has always crossed my mind, to have total freedom of expression. Right when I stopped producing music I made the decision to start on my own, even under the advice of experts more experienced than me. Finally, sooner or later I think that everyone should set out on their own, with the courage to express their ideas while taking risks.
Torture the Artist: The initial release is your own excellent “Red Shift EP“, which covers a mix of sounds ranging from an almost UK grime-style opener, freaky bass-heavy club sounds, tough Acid and closing with a much deeper vibe. If you could pick one of the styles on the EP as a favorite, which would you pick and why?
Roberto Manolio: I believe it’s the deeper vibe, “Emotional Release“ has – as its track title suggests – an emotional touch that goes straight to the heart. I think that of all the tracks I’ve made it’s one of the ones that satisfies me the most as it is simple and effective.
Torture the Artist: Is the label going to be solely an outlet for your own music or do you have plans for other artists to appear?
Roberto Manolio: I’d like to involve other artists in future releases, perhaps with remixes or VAs, I’m not ruling anything out at the moment. I think it’s good to share ideas with other artists, two brains are always better than one.
Torture the Artist: Regarding your own music production, what is your general set-up for this and what is your go-to machine/plug-in, and why?
Roberto Manolio: My setup is digital at the moment, I use midi controllers to manage virtual instruments, I only have an Alesis VX49. I’m struggling with the creation of a studio, which I will set up with the years to come to obtain totally analogue highlights.
Torture the Artist: What’s the plug-in/ synthesizer of your choice when you are creatively stuck, which always does the job?
Roberto Manolio: The Oberheim by Arturia and the Arcsyn by SPC Plugins, they have a large archive covering every genre, it’s hard not to find sounds you like on these.
The first podcasts I recorded were all improvised, but over time I’ve thrown this idea over board, now I tend to carefully select each recording.
Torture the Artist: Moving on to your DJing, how is 2024 looking for you and do you have plans to play around Europe or even beyond?
Roberto Manolio: Yes, I plan to organize some showcases to further promote the label, one here in Turin in March, and another one that I would like to hold in Milan around September, for the moment I have no dates scheduled abroad, we will wait to see if anything comes about in the months to come.
Torture the Artist: Are there any cities/venues you’ve not yet played which you have on a hit-list?
Roberto Manolio: Yes, I would really like to play in England, I have heard so many good things about it, I have never had the pleasure though and I would be very happy to be able to experience the scene and breathe the air that blows in those parts.
Torture the Artist: What has been your favorite venue to play at so far in your career, and why?
Roberto Manolio: I have always had fun at all the parties, and I have wonderful memories with many friends, but if I have to choose one, I’ll tell you the party at Hoppetosse in May 2022, for me it was the first party in Berlin and being able to play with Francesco Farfa, Domenico Rosa and many others were truly fantastic, an experience that I will carry with me for a long time.
Torture the Artist: Thank you for the art:cast. When preparing a guest mix, do you tend to plan it from start to finish, or are you more of a “let’s see what happens“ kind of guy?
Roberto Manolio: Initially yes, the first podcasts I recorded were all improvised, but over time I’ve thrown this idea over board, now I tend to carefully select each recording, trying to study the best combinations/ transitions, premeditating each step, it also helps me to maintain a line and don’t mix too many track from various genres.
Words by Al Bradley
Torture the Artist 