A conversation with PAGANO
Season 4 continues with a very special guest: DJ Pagano! We’ve known Francesco personally for A Minute, and for a few years have been squeaking in his ear about coming back to NYC on a Sunday. Well, we got him! He’ll be joining us on his first round back since the Before times!
Pagano stands out as a DJ from our community who has found success beyond the gay scene, both in terms of bookings and production releases. We asked DavidXDaisy to connect with Pagano to see if he could glean some insight into this Italian Enigma…
International DJ and Producer, Pagano, is an undeniable force in the house and techno music scene. He has commanded the DJ booth for infamous venues such as EGG LDN, Space Ibiza, Ministry Of Sound, Stereo, and KitKatClub to name a few, as well as preminiment party brands across the globe. From the studio, he has released his productions with esteemed labels including Toolroom, Tronic, Nervous, Pacha, and more. Pagano holds his own in the pantheon of outstanding creators and selectors, ready to move crowds of all types in any room in the world.
Pagano joins UltraMaroon resident, Someone from Berlin, with an opening set by Matty Glitterati this Sunday, October 2, at Blue Midtown in Hell’s Kitchen. The UM family is ready to welcome him to our house for his UltraMaroon debut. Get the scoop on Pagano’s career, influences, and what you can expect next.
DXD: When and how did you get your start in nightlife?
P: Picture it, Sicily: I was 16 years old when I played my first paid DJ gig in a club in my hometown, Catania.
DXD: Where in the world are you currently based?
P: I have been living in London since 2002.
DXD: Who were your influences for developing your sound and how do they still inspire you today?
P: My taste in music has always been very broad. At 10, I was already listening to a variety of music, from The Cure and Depeche Mode to Italo Disco – the perfect soundtrack while playing with He-Man and Skeletor action figures. My parents didn’t think so for some reason (sarcasm alert!) When House and Techno exploded, I got hooked. From Todd Terry to Dave Clark, Carl Cox to Danny Tenaglia, DJ Sneak to Jam & Spoon, they all played an important part in shaping my sound. Still to these days you can hear all their influences as I am not a purist, but I like to play a variety of sub-genres in my DJ sets.
DXD: How would you best describe your sound?
P: Groovy. With old-school 90s House and Rave influences. Sometimes more melodic, sometimes more hypnotic, but always full of energy.
DXD: You had your first DJ gig early at 16, so when did you also start producing and how did that progress?
P: I cut my teeth and established myself as a DJ first. I only started producing music when I was in my 20s. By then I moved from Sicily to Bologna in the North of Italy. There I started working at a local studio co-owned by a fellow DJ that later became one of my longest-running friendships. The studio was associated with an independent record label and distributor called Saifam. They liked what I was doing, decided to invest in me, and put out my first vinyl releases. This was before the internet revolution and advent of MP3s.
DXD: Most of your interviews seem to pinpoint the legendary Trade After Hours in London as the major shift of your career. What still resonates in your work today from your nights there?
P: Hedonistic, unique, and cutting-edge, Trade was to London what Studio 54 was to NYC. Trade came way before Berghain and is the original all-night bender in Europe. Before the label “queer” was even a thing, we use to call this kind of LGBTQ+ clubs “polisexual” because of the diversity of their patrons. Trade also attracted some well-known celebrities over the years, including Madonna, Björk, Kate Moss, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano. The club's policy was to afford them no special VIP area, nor could they bring in entourages. Those expecting this, such as Cher and Axl Rose, were refused entry. I used to attend often just to party; it was my favorite club. When I was offered a slot on their main floor, that was a dream come true and gave me the credibility and exposure I needed to take my career to the next level. Trade is also considered the birthplace of Hard House and you can still hear a certain uplifting and relentless edge during my DJ sets that I perfected when playing Trade.
DXD: You’re a DJ/Producer that transcends both gay/queer events and the more broad world of house music, releasing on labels like the major Toolroom Records. How do you feel your musical perspective has evolved over the years to create that space?
P: I never think in terms of gay/queer VS straight music. When you want to land a release on a specific label you need to try to fit their vision and direction. So all I do is to interpret my sound through what I perceive is the vibe of Toolroom or whatever other label I am aiming for. When I get in the studio I produce music that I want to play in my DJ sets that I also think might appeal to my favorite DJs like Mark Knight or Christian Smith.
DXD: “Define the Light” is a personal favorite in my library. Is there any track of yours that you feel particularly close with?
P: Thank you. I’m glad to hear you say that. I produced “Define The Light” during the lockdowns and it is one of those songs that came straight from the heart. Another one that holds a special place is my recent release on Tronic titled “Panta Rhei.” It has been getting plays and support from so many big names across the board including Drumcode’s Adam Beyer and Oliver Heldens.
DXD: Top 3 things you love seeing at parties?
P: Clubbers lost in music dancing passionately, lasers, and a smoke machine.
DXD: What’s a track/artist/set that’s especially been inspiring you lately?
P: The last two DJ sets I heard that really blew my mind were Ben Klock at Berghain in Berlin and Rødhåd at Timewarp in Mannheim.
DXD: It’s Saturday night, and you’re not working. Where are you at to have a good time?
P: Honestly? Dinner with my close friends: catching up, gossiping, and being all-around shady! They are my chosen family and support system. Being on the road DJing every weekend means I am away from home most Saturday nights. So I take every chance I get to spend time with them.
DXD: Is there anything you can share about upcoming releases?
P: I have two big releases coming out. On September 30th, my track “Panta Rhei” is finally coming out as a single on Tronic, including two massive remixes from Techno legend Christian Smith and NYC studio wizard Agent Orange. Plus, in November I have a new single titled “Poema” coming out on Toolroom. Mark Knight asked to sign it as soon as he heard the demo and I’m really proud to pass the mark of my 10th release with him between his Toolroom and Toolroom Trax labels.
DXD: What are you most looking forward to for your upcoming Sunday at UltraMaroon?
P: I heard such good things from my friends in the US and my DJ colleague Calagna about Ultramaroon. Also, this will be my first NYC gig since before the pandemic as well as my debut at the party. I think there’s plenty to be excited about!
DXD: Any last words for us all on the dancefloor?
P: Put the phones in your pocket and let the music take you on a journey. Live in the moment! You will not regret it.
Thank you Pagano! Check him out on SoundCloud and follow him on Instagram at @djpagano. Catch him this Sunday, October 2, spinning UltraMaroon at Blue Midtown. Doors open for Happy Hour at 5pm. Get your tickets here!
Xx,
DavidXDaisy