Exclusive Interview with ANNA AMATO

Between straightforward and underground techno, Italian DJ Anna Amato has developed her own widely praised sound, citing a sophisticated palette based on artistic vibrancy. Instead of adhering to current trends, she experiments with her ever-expanding love for deep tech grooves, hypnotic percussion, rolling basslines, and atmospheric synths.

The track “Home Unknown” combines driving techno with minimal tech from the underground. Rage Against the Drum, a record company in Germany, released the single. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

ANNA AMATO: Yes of course. My background is very diverse – I’m fully Italian but grew up in Germany and lived there for most of my life. Growing up, I went to an international school in Germany, where I successfully completed my International Baccalaureate at the age of 18. After my degree, I lived in Italy for a while, then came back to Germany where I got my bachelor’s degree in international business. That is when I soon realized that my creative abilities and desire to pursue a different career than business came through. I started DJing with my ex-boyfriend from our sofa at home for friend gatherings and smaller events in Germany. 2 years later I went to New York and decided to pursue my passion and jumpstart my DJ career.

2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences?

ANNA AMATO: The first time I came to touch base with electronic music was in Europe – in specific Germany and the Netherlands. I started listening to minimal/deep tech artists like DJOKO, Luuk van Dijk, Prunk, etc. I loved how their songs had a certain experimental groove to them. Shortly after, I came across and listened to many sets from pioneers of techno such as Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Adam Beyer, etc. I really enjoyed and was fascinated by their clean and driving sounds.

3. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

ANNA AMATO: I would describe my sound as straightforward, underground techno, with influences of minimal and tech house elements. I don’t follow what’s trendy, but I rather experiment with rolling baselines, deep tech grooves, and atmospheric synths. When listening to my tracks at home, listeners should feel transported to a venue that might be big in size, but still feels intimate because everyone around them is feeling the same groove, the same desire to close their eyes and listen to the subtle yet impactful sounds and synths and wonder – wow, I’ve never heard this before.

4. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as TECHNO?

ANNA AMATO: I feel like every artist subconsciously gets their inspiration from other artists, and I think that is totally fine. Of course, I am still at the start of my music production and DJ career, therefore I cannot evaluate (yet) my own development as an artist and development regarding my sound style. As mentioned previously, I love experimenting with filthy minimal tech grooves and incorporating them with raw underground bases and synths which are common in techno.

5. What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

ANNA AMATO: I would say a significant moment and step forward in my career was my first week at the production studios in Berlin with my co-producer. Hearing the first draft of my song, knowing, and remembering that it started from just an idea, is truly mind-blowing and makes everyone proud I believe. You begin to realize the complexity and intricacy of sound design and arrangement, allowing you to become more experimental when discovering your style of sound. Of course, signing with the German-based record label “RAGE AGAINST THE DRUM (RATD)” end of 2022 is a great achievement for me and has allowed me to spend more time and energy on music research, playlist creation, and booking management while they manage the whole music production side of things (from studio sessions to distribution and promotion).

6. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

ANNA AMATO: I do, for sure. What gives me the most fulfillment I believe are those moments during or after my DJ set, when people from the crowd will clap, cheer, shout, and come and find me before I leave the venue to tell me what a great night they had and thank me for playing a part in making their experience so memorable. Knowing that someone was able to let go and fully immerse themselves in the sound that I curated that night, gives me a great amount of pleasure.

7. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

ANNA AMATO: Coming from a musical background (playing the piano for 20 years now), I believe that my creative process truly begins with a narrative, story, concept, image, etc. I might have had a conversation with someone about a certain topic or seen a certain multi-media art piece at a gallery visit for example. If I decide to include lyrics in my tracks, I will always get them recorded by my closest friends or family members. I want to acknowledge the part they played in my creative process as they are essential and I’m grateful for the support I receive from them! During the production process, I work with a co-producer, as I am not yet fully acquainted with many of the tech and sound processes that are necessary for music production. It’s therefore very important for me to be able to express my sound visions to my co-producer, as well as listen to their feedback and ideas.

8. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

ANNA AMATO: Being on social media for almost 10 years now and working in the modeling industry as well for the same amount of time, I am very much used to criticism – both online and offline. I think the best way to handle criticism as an artist, is to really filter out between constructive criticism from people who you work closely with and criticism coming from individuals who do not have any relevance or desire for your success.

9. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

ANNA AMATO: As much as I like my downtime and value my creative space solo, I do enjoy an interaction with a live audience more. I believe that even in a studio environment, interactions with fellow producers or, in my case, with my co-producer, are so important for one’s own learning curve and artistic development.

10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

ANNA AMATO: Of course, each song is very dear to me with reference to the message and story that I have decided to convey. However, I believe that any form of art can and should be interpreted as the listener prefers – at the end of the day, that’s the beauty of it! I love to hear from friends and acquaintances about what they felt, or what specific memory came to mind when listening to my tracks.