In recent years, Paolo Mosco has emerged as a significant artist in the electronic music world, known for his deep, evocative productions and meticulous DJ-sets that seamlessly blend genres. Hailing from Treviso, Italy, Paolo has built an impressive portfolio of releases on some of the most respected labels in the underground scene, with a particular affinity for Slow Life, where his signature sound—a unique hybrid of Trance, House, and Breakbeat—has found a natural home.
His releases on Slow Life include his highly acclaimed La Teoria Delle Stringhe series, the Transition album, which have garnered international praise for their depth and complexity and his collaborative EP called Eterno with legendary Italian artist Alex Neri. Outside of Slow Life, Paolo’s productions have graced labels like OPIA, Altered Circuits, Club Vision, Tessellate, and Perty. Each project showcases his versatility, from groovy House rhythms to more experimental sounds rooted in the aesthetics of UK Trance and Progressive House. Collaborating with artists like S. Moreira and Laurine from the Slow Life collective has further solidified his position as a key player in the ever-evolving underground electronic music scene.
In this interview, Paolo opens up about his journey so far, the philosophy behind his music, and what lies ahead as he continues to craft his sonic narrative. Whether discussing his creative process, studio gear, or his thoughts on how the music scene has evolved, Paolo gives us an intimate look into the mind of an artist who is continually seeking new ways to push boundaries. As he prepares to release the third volume of La Teoria Delle Stringhe and more projects under Slow Life and other labels, Paolo remains committed to exploring the endless possibilities within music, both as a producer and a DJ.
Torture the Artist: Ciao Paolo, tell us something about your day.
Paolo Mosca: Hi guys! Thank you for having me.
Torture the Artist: What are your daily routines? How do you start your day and proceed from there?
Paolo Mosca: My daily routine is quite simple. I split my time between typical home tasks, some sport, and meditation in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, I head to the studio and do some music digging. That’s how most of my days go unless I’m out for gigs.
Torture the Artist: Your bio says that you’ve always viewed music as the soundtrack of life. Who writes this soundtrack, and what tracks are included?
Paolo Mosca: Yes, music is like a companion that’s always with me—whether to boost my energy or comfort me during sad times. It’s deeply intertwined with my memories, like images frozen in time. There are many tracks that come to mind, from pop to more electronic sounds. Some of the ones I remember fondly from my teenage years are:
- Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now
- Rob Dougan – Clubbed to Death
- The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
- Stephan Bodzin – Cucuma
And many, many more.
Torture the Artist: Based in northern Italy, you’re close to both the mountains and the sea. What do you personally enjoy more, and why?
Paolo Mosca: Yes, I live right in the middle of both. I prefer the sea, especially in the summer, but the mountains have their charm too. There are places in the mountains where you can completely disconnect and clear your mind.
Torture the Artist: You’ve been producing music since 2009, which makes it 15 years now. What have those years taught you, and what music genre did you start with?
Paolo Mosca: Yes, 15 years have passed. Over this time, I’ve gained a lot of experience. Each track I’ve made has taught me something and helped shape my path. I started producing Tribal House and Deep House, inspired by some local friends. Then, I shifted to more minimalistic and techno sounds, eventually coming back to more positive and energetic vibes, even exploring Electro sounds. It’s been a diverse journey, but it’s led me here. The key is to find your sound and stay on that path, but always take time to stop, look around, and keep moving forward.
Torture the Artist: How did you get involved with electronic music in the first place, and what made you stay?
Paolo Mosca: My first exposure to electronic music was when I was 12. My cousin told me about his first experiences in clubs, where the music was super loud, pumping through the sound system, and people were going crazy. Over time, like most people, I started going to clubs, having both good and bad experiences. But what became clear to me was that I wasn’t just a party animal—I was more fascinated by the music itself, listening intently to every detail during sets. That’s when I realized I belonged on the other side of the dancefloor.
As for what made me stay, I’m not entirely sure. Maybe I found my place, or maybe I have some talent. But I don’t look at it that way. I still feel like I haven’t reached what I’m looking for, and the only thing I’m sure of is that I love music.
Being an artist gives you the freedom to express your thoughts to a wide audience and create a community, a movement, attracting different kinds of people inspired by your vision. It’s amazing!
Torture the Artist: Is there one particular electronic track that made you realize you wanted to be part of the electronic music scene?
Paolo Mosca: There wasn’t one specific track that did it. It was more the lifestyle—the sense of freedom I feel doing this and the power of the music. Being an artist gives you the freedom to express your thoughts to a wide audience and create a community, a movement, attracting different kinds of people inspired by your vision. It’s amazing!
Torture the Artist: Your first big release dates back to 2019 with your EP “La Teoria Delle Stringhe Vol. 1” on the Slow Life label. It’s quite remarkable to have kicked off your career on such a well-known label. How did that come about?
Paolo Mosca: I had been following Slow Life for a long time, and it was what pushed me to the next level, introducing me to the underground world. I felt my sound had matured and reflected my personality, so I decided it was the right time to send them some demos. A friend of mine, Riccardo Piazza, who is one of the owners of Spazio Tempo and Where We Met, had a gig with Laurine from Slow Life. I asked him to ask her if I could share some music, and the answer was yes. When I sent my first track, they were really impressed, and after a few more demos, my first EP was ready!
That was a significant moment for me, but there were others before that which were equally important because they prepared me for it. I also want to point out that it’s not just about the career—what I’ve gained from this journey is a fantastic friendship with people who share the same interests, who love and respect each other. That’s priceless.
Torture the Artist: Excuse the question, but is Volume 3 in the making?
Paolo Mosca: Eheheheh, this is a popular question that a lot of people have asked me. I’ll take this opportunity to officially answer everyone. Yes, Volume 3 is ready and is in the final stages of production. It’ll likely be released in early 2025. There are also other great releases on Slow Life where I’m involved. <smiles>
Credibility and the vision of a label are very important to me.
Torture the Artist: Since the release of your debut EP, you’ve had two more releases on Slow Life: your album “Transition” and the second volume of “La Teoria Delle Stringhe”, as well as releases on OPIA, Altered Circuits, Club Vision, and Perty. Impressive! How important is the credibility of a label to you, and what’s a label you would love to release music on?
Paolo Mosca: Credibility and the vision of a label are very important to me. I usually decide to work with a label when I have a good feeling about them—when there’s something we have in common and a vision behind the label that I can relate to.
As for dream labels, yes, there are a few I’d love to release my music on. The first one that comes to mind is Love on the Rocks. I’ve been a big fan from the very beginning and love the vibes that surround it. Another label I feel drawn to is Kalahari Oyster Cult. I think I could express my Trance influences better on their platform. Of course, there are others that would be great to work with too, but these are the first that come to mind.
Torture the Artist: One of your latest releases is your contribution to Caposile Music’s “The Sound of Garden Vol. 02, Part 1” with the track “Landscape.” Does the track title refer to the landscape of Treviso, where you live?
Paolo Mosca: Yes, the name was inspired by that. I live quite close to After Caposile, and every time I travel there, I pass by these beautiful landscapes. I thought it would be a good source of inspiration for the track.
Torture the Artist: “Landscape” is quite a summery track. When did you produce it, and what inspired or influenced you?
Paolo Mosca: I produced it in January 2024. I drew from 90s UK House and a bit of UK Trance. The result is a fresh Progressive House track that really captures my idea of an afterparty vibe.
I like to understand the story behind the EP, who the producer is, and if there’s something in the track that sparks my inspiration.
Torture the Artist: Besides your own productions, you’ve done quite a few remixes, such as on Tessellate, Mithra, Threads, Nachbraker, Party Tricks, and Point of Art. What does a track need to have for you to want to remix it? And what artist or track would you love to remix?
Paolo Mosca: For remixes, I consider several factors. I like to understand the story behind the EP, who the producer is, and if there’s something in the track that sparks my inspiration. Honestly, I’m always a bit nervous when I have to remix a track. I wonder if my interpretation will complement the original EP or ruin the overall vision. So, for that reason, I’ve never thought about remixing a specific track. I prefer to go with the flow and take on these challenges when they come, doing my best with each one.
Torture the Artist: Your life seems to revolve around music. How do you treat yourself to remain fresh and creative?
Paolo Mosca: Yes, music takes up about 90% of my time and resources. Sometimes, I think I might be overdoing it and should take a more relaxed approach, but my desire to do my best and keep improving is stronger.
To stay fresh, meditation helps a lot, as does doing sports. But the most important thing for me is talking with friends—the ones I mentioned earlier. I always need different perspectives, and they help me step out of my comfort zone when I get stuck there. Experience has also taught me that there are always ups and downs, so I’m working on accepting the hard times and pushing through them. It’s not easy, though.
Unfortunately, there’s no formula for escaping a creative block.
Torture the Artist: What studio gear do you use when you’re creatively stuck, or do you just let it go and start a new project?
Paolo Mosca: It varies. Sometimes buying new gear helps, sometimes inspiration comes from listening to other tracks, or even from experimenting with the gear I already have. Unfortunately, there’s no formula for escaping a creative block. I usually follow my instincts and keep working. The creativity always returns eventually.
Torture the Artist: What’s your favorite production gear, and why?
Paolo Mosca: Honestly, there are a lot of essential pieces of gear in my studio. But if I had to pick one, it would be the Roland SH-101. It’s a really basic synth, but I’ve created so many basslines and arpeggios with it, and the texture is exactly what I love.
Torture the Artist: What musical extravagance would you indulge in if you were super wealthy, like a specific synthesizer or a certain vocalist to collaborate with?
Paolo Mosca: Wow, that’s a big question! If I had an unlimited budget, I’d probably get a top-notch mixing desk like a Neve or an SSL, along with some additional outboard gear.
Torture the Artist: What upcoming releases of yours can you reveal at this point, and where will they be released?
Paolo Mosca: Well, I’m not sure how much I can reveal right now, but after working with Alex on Slow Life, I’m currently collaborating with another Italian legend for an EP. There are also a lot of remixes and a few of my own releases coming this year, featuring some fresh sounds that are quite different from my usual style.
Torture the Artist: Besides producing, you also DJ. Do you prefer one over the other, or do you think they complement each other? How much do you enjoy “road-testing” your own productions, or do you prefer having others test them for you?
Paolo Mosca: Absolutely, I DJ as well, and I love it. I think both production and DJing are essential for me. Producing music is where I’m born, and DJing is where I can realize what I’ve created. It’s like being both a theoretical physicist and a physicist who proves the theory. Two different approaches to music, but they complement each other.
Torture the Artist: Having been part of the scene for quite some time, how would you say it’s changed, both positively and negatively, in recent years? What do you appreciate about the current state of the scene, and what do you wish had not changed?
Paolo Mosca: Over the years, I’ve seen many changes, especially in music trends. What I’ve noticed is that trends come and go faster than they used to. It’s like scrolling through Instagram posts—people are always looking for something new to keep their interest. I think this is a side effect of the social media era.
On the positive side, social media has made it easier to connect with your fanbase, and it can be “easier” to find your own way of expressing yourself through music. But we have to be careful not to confuse social media with reality and avoid getting swept up in the homogenization that’s happening in the scene.
Torture the Artist: Some artists say the music scene should become more political again, as it’s always been about more than just the music. What’s your opinion? Should artists use their popularity to address political issues?
Paolo Mosca: This is a delicate topic. Artists are naturally inclined to express their views, especially on social and political matters, and I don’t think it’s wrong to do so.
I’ve never used my artist platform to support specific causes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about them. I just feel like I don’t have all the information to make statements to thousands of people who might be influenced by my opinions. I think it’s a huge responsibility. Instead, I focus on my mission, which is to help people reflect and make their own decisions through music. I believe if we elevate ourselves, things like wars, genocides, and other terrible events might not happen.
Torture the Artist: Back to the music—you’re responsible for the latest art. When and where is your mix best listened to, and how did you prepare for it?
Paolo Mosca: I recorded it in August at a small birthday party for a friend of mine. He decided to celebrate with close friends in a remote spot in the woods, so we spent the weekend disconnected from everything. I played the opening set of the night, and it was great—just friends, nature, and music.
Torture the Artist: Lastly, if you could make a difference in any field, what would it be, and why?
Paolo Mosca: Honestly, I don’t know. I have a lot of strengths and weaknesses, and all my experiences, mistakes, and right decisions have brought me to where I am in this musical scene. Maybe this is where I’m supposed to be, where I can make a difference. I love what I do, and it makes me feel good, so I’ll keep doing it—for myself and for everyone who loves and supports me.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 