Sam Paganini is a well-known DJ and music producer from Treviso, Italy. He first gained attention in 1997 with his song “Zoe,” which reached number 47 on the UK Singles Chart. Since then, he has released numerous singles and EPs, including the highly popular “Body to Body EP” with Cocoon Recordings. In 2014, Sam Paganini released his first full album titled “Satellite” through Drumcode Records, which was very well received. A standout track from the album, “Rave,” has become an instant classic, a timeless piece of music that stayed on the N°1 Beatport Techno spot for more than two months, and for more than a year and a half in its overall chart, gaining more than 30 million clicks on Youtube (becoming the most clicked Techno track ever).
Interview with Sam Paganini:
First of all, welcome to LoudLife, Sam! Having such an industry icon in our LoudLife magazine is a pleasure! How are you doing?
Hi guys, my pleasure! I’m pretty good, I am on a perfect balance between touring, studio time, and family.
When you say Sam Paganini I immediately think of your legendary track RAVE, which is about 10 years old already, do you still remember that moment when you produced it and played it for the first time?
Yeah, time flies. I actually started working on the track 1 year before the release date. Actually, I was working on some music that ideally became a full album. It was 2013, I got that simple and sinister chord progression, just 2 notes (C# – A#) played on a Roland Juno 106, and then I worked on the drum part to get an almost military march feeling. It all worked fine but it was just a good tool, nothing more. It took weeks to find the famous main riff that comes in the middle break. The arrangement idea came from a 90’s track, The Search by Trancesettters, I used to open my dj sets with this track in 1996 or so.
I was still, reluctant and a bit concerned about it since its overall sound was a bit different from what you could hear on the techno scene at the time. That weekend I had a gig at a major event in Sofia (Bulgaria) and I decided to open the set testing the first demo recorded, the reaction on the dance floor was huge, it worked amazingly well and as soon as I got back to the studio I laid down a final mix.
Your touring schedule seems to be quite packed. How do you manage to balance your professional life with your personal life?
I am the father of a beautiful lady called Bianca, she’s 3 years old now and I am touring a bit less than in the past, I also missed a lot of studio time with my crazy tour life until 2020 when Covid appear, so now I am keeping everything more relaxed if I go to South America for instance, I try to stay away home not more than 4/5 days.
You’re set to perform at the Coal Hall in the Czech Republic soon. This venue is known for its unique industrial atmosphere that adds a special vibe to the performances. What are you looking forward to the most about this gig, and how do you plan to adapt your set to match the venue’s environment?
I’ve been playing in your beautiful Country for years and I have always had a lot of fun and great parties, I also heard great things about the venue so I am more than excited to play there. As always, I will start with the first track and I will follow the flow, which is a mix between the crowd, the sound system, and the venue.
The music industry, especially within the electronic genre, is constantly evolving. What trends do you see shaping the music world today?
It is sadly an evolution, in the last 15 years techno has become deep and dark, evolving the sound from the 90’s. The hard techno trend is nothing new, teenagers are thinking it is, but it is just a step back. Anyway, I am not against that music, it is just a personal taste, I am always looking for something fresh to play on my sets, and the same applies to what I want to release on my record label JAM. It is just that Hard Techno doesn’t sound fresh to me as I was already DJ’ing in the 90’s.
Looking back on your career, what would you say have been the key milestones?
In 1996, I released the track “Zoe”, it was my first club hit and gave me the confidence and strength to keep pushing that way.
2010 when I released the EP Cobra on Richie Hawtin’s legendary Plus8 Records.
2014 Rave.
As we look ahead, what are your plans for 2024?
My single “Roll / Feeling In The Air” was released 1 month ago and very well received, a new double single will be out in May, and another one during the summer. I am also releasing some old tracks from my back catalog digitally remastered from the original DAT tapes and of course new releases from exciting upcoming artists on my label JAM.
