In a scene where cookie-cutter productions are a dime a dozen, Luca Bacchetti possesses a truly distinctive sound. His series of EPs on Wagon Repair have yielded some real dancefloor weapons, not least last year’s Night Over Kwazulu. The Italian mainstay has dabbled in hip hop, soul and drum ‘n bass over his career, which goes some way to explaining his unique take on techno – a typical Luca Bacchetti record is equal parts woozy tech-house and raw funk. Ahead of his first-ever Australian tour, the man tells ITM’s Jack Tregoning how he’s found his own way.

So, the European summer is just getting into gear. What on your schedule are you most looking forward to over the coming months?

My summer starts with this Australian tour. After that I’ll be in Japan, Mykonos, Ibiza, Zurich, Berlin, London – a lot of places. In September I’ll be touring US and Canada…it will be exciting!

Where do you see Italy as standing in the wider electronic music scene? Do you think there’s a unique sound or attitude coming out of your home country?

Italy is a wonderful place, but the club scene needs to grow up. You can blame it on our culture, which is totally different from the German one. Meanwhile the Italian artists are now mature; a lot of names are now respected all over the world.

I really enjoyed your Human release from earlier this year, and in particular Night Over Kwazulu is such a distinctive track. It seems you’re trying to introduce more organic elements to ‘minimal’. Is that true?

Yes, my forthcoming releases will be more housey. I’m certainly introducing ‘organic elements’ into my music – real instruments and live samples. I’m using a lot of African grooves mixed with minimal tech- house. I think this is the most exciting sound at the moment. The linear ‘minimal thing’ is over. I don’t believe the purists and the concept of coherence in music. Most of my favourite artists moved on and evolved so many times. Not for commercial reasons, business or hype, but only for their own needs to get involved in something new – to discover what’s beyond our boundaries and taking our own risks.

What direction do you think your next EP will go in? Or are you expanding to the album format?

I’m actually working on my album, which will definitely be out with Wagon Repair. It’s a great label, which is supporting me a lot. A great family! Wagon Repair has an eclectic attitude that reflects my personality.

You’ve never been focused solely on four-four; there’s always been the soul and hip hop side to your musical personality. Does your love for those sounds feed into your house and techno productions?

My musical background is various. All the music I fell in love during the last 15 years influences me when I’m in studio. I grew up with black music, hip hop, and when you’re 15 you have some idols to follow. My stars were Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Rap for me was pure energy. It wasn’t commercial like nowadays, it was like a vibration. It was ‘the vibe’. When I grew older I discovered electronic music and house music, which will be a constant inspiration. In the mid 90s drum n’ bass captured me. I played DnB from 1995 to 2001 in London and Bristol. Riding on a new musical movement is a great emotion.

Do you take creative inspiration from other Wagon Repair artists like Mathew Jonson and Konrad Black, or do you work quite autonomously?

I respect Mathew, Konrad and all the guys at Wagon a lot – their productions are awesome! I really love all their music, but I think to have a personal sound. This is what they were searching for.

Your DJ sets consistently have a steady, almost tribal, groove. Is that something you always look for in tracks – that funk element?

I think so. Groove and funk are the most important elements in my DJ set.

I am now becoming more ‘housey’ or techno, depending on the venues and vibes from the dancefloor. But I think the future is a melt of these two styles. Recently I introduced more organic sounds into my sets.

What’s your preferred stage of the night to play? Are you an after-hours kind of guy?

Every club or festival is different. For this reason it’s impossible to play the same music everywhere. I prefer intimate clubs where there is a strong feedback with the people, where there is a possibility to share energy. I love afterparties too, but they aren’t good if a DJ plays the same music played two hours before in the club. For me, afterparties are to experiment new sounds.

So what can we expect from your sets in Australia?

This is my first time, so I’m so excited and hoping for a very crazy and outstanding crowd. I’m really, really curious. Are you ready to rock?

Catch Luca Bacchetti flying the flag for Italian techno at the following venues:

4 Jul – Brown Alley, Melbourne
5 Jul – Lost Baggage, The Cross, Sydney
6 Jul – Bar Soma, Brisbane
6 Jul – Spice (morning set), The Bunker, Sydney