Coffee Break With Maglia
Following the success of his February-released single ‘Barba’ on Bob Sinclar’s storied Africanism imprint, French DJ, producer and Anemos Dance label owner MAGLIA now returns to his burgeoning Mykonos-based imprint for the label’s first release of 2024, ‘U BE MINE’. We seized this opportunity to have a quick chat with the French artist and label boss.
Hey JoE, thanks for making time for us today. First of all, when was your first introduction to dance music and when did you decide to become a dance music producer?
I first got into house music around 2004/2005, thanks to the DJs I was sharing a residency with at a small club next to my hometown. Coming from a hip hop background, I gradually discovered the world of electronic music and completely fell for it, especially after moving to London in 2006.
Feeling a strong urge to create, I invested in a computer, soundcard, and speakers, and began experimenting with Logic Studio. It took years before I could produce something “decent”, but with the mentorship of DJ Gregory, I finally gained a grasp and began making increasingly interesting productions. The important aspect of creation is having something to say and express; it simply takes time to find your voice.
You are based in Greece. How would you describe the electronic music scene there, and what impact would you say it had on your relationship to music?
Yes, I’ve been based in Greece for over 10 years now, spending half of the year here annually. The music scene is exciting and continues to evolve, fueled by the energy of various crews like Street Outdoors Sound System, amazing DJs, the best parties ; and obviously producers like Echonomist and Argy, who are crushing it now! Overall, Greece has inherited a great deal from the 90’s house music culture from NYC and Chicago. I was mind blown to meet DJs here who have such extensive knowledge of those golden years.
However, the most profound impact on my relationship with music came from my environment: the Cyclades, particularly during my time spent in Mykonos during COVID, where I isolated myself in the studio. Those months had a huge impact on my music.
Did you have any music background (playing instruments) before starting to produce dance music?
Absolutely not. I never played any instruments, but like every producer without this experience, I really wish I did. My background was more about dancing, which helped in a different way.
What kind of instruments/gear do you use to produce? Are you more analog or digital?
I use absolutely anything I can get my hands on. I have access to amazing analog gear and processing equipment, which I use primarily for recording riffs and ideas that I would typically work on in the box later, trying to combine different recordings together.
I split my time between writing and creating, as well as processing and arranging. In my opinion, the end result is what matters most, so there is a lot of trial and error while using my own palette of recordings and sampling.
How would you describe your sound in 3 words, to someone who doesn’t know anything about electronic music?
This is hard to answer as I can create in a lot of different styles depending on my mood, but I believe that the 3 words would be: Percussive, Emotional and Groovy.
You just released a new single: "U Be Mine", on your label Anemos Dance. Could you tell us about the story behind this track?
This track falls exactly into what I mentioned earlier. I wrote the music in a studio session using different synths to actually match a vocal from another project, but it just wasn’t working. A few months later, I listened to the music again and felt that there was something interesting there, if I could just make a good beat and find the right vocal element to go with it. It was during one of these sessions that it all came together smoothly and quickly.
At first, I didn't think much of it, but I gave the demo to MĪMĪ x FY who played it in Moni Mykonos. I felt something then. Later, I sent the track to &ME through Trackstack, with very little hope that it would make its way to him. A few weeks later, I received videos of &ME playing the track during the Keinemusik South America tour. The crowd reaction was great, so I thought ok, there is really something there…
What gear or digital tools did you use to create the track?
For the bass and music, I used only two synths, the Moog one and the U.D.O Super 6. I used different plugins such as XLN audio XO, Valhalla reverbs and Soundtoys processing etc., and for the rest, all the classic ones ;)
Your label Anemos Dance is no stranger to us. Founded in 2021 in Mykonos, it already released artists such as Aera, Toto Chiavetta and Hardt Antoine, and we supported a few of these releases on Melodic Diggers. Could you tell us more about the day-to-day life of a label owner, and what you are trying to achieve with your own imprint?
Anemos Dance began as a platform to release music created by our friends in a specific moment and place in time. It was during COVID, that we had the opportunity to isolate ourselves in the Moni Studio in Mykonos with only one focus --- to create music.
Today, Anemos Dance is in its second phase, but still answering to the same ethos. We are running the label as friends and our moto is “if we love it, we’ll put it out”. Our focus now is to widen the scope of genre or sub-genre of the catalog, as we love so many different styles within the electronic music spectrum. We are also trying to draw inspiration from the Cyclades and the mystic surrounding it.
The day-to-day life consists of Antoine (Hardt) and myself having endless conversations about music, what we’re writing at the moment, and the demos we’re receiving.
What exciting projects are you working on for 2024?
We have two EPs coming out on Anemos Dance after U BE MINE. One is the very nice two tracks by the unmissable MĪMĪ x FY, which is set to kill the dance floors. The second is an exciting U BE MINE remixes release from very talented names on the reworks :)
What are the clubs or festivals where you would love to play next year?
In terms of clubs, FABRIC would be a dream come true, as it’s still one of my favourite places. I hold so many amazing memories there from my time in London, and I love what they did with the room 2 refurb. Doka in Amsterdam also looks amazing! There are so many festivals, but I would absolutely LOOOOOVE to do SUNWAVES in Romania, even if it’s a long shot lol.
Last but not least: how do you like your coffee?
Black, mid roast and from Honduras. I am a bit of a coffee geek wannabe.
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