Supernova are Emiliano Nencioni and Giacomo Godi; an Italian DJ and production duo that have over the last decade made the transition from rising stars to established international talent. Childhood friends from their native Florence, the Supernova project was formed back in 2003 after a chance reunion in Milan at a party, since when Supernova have gone on to create an incredible array of house music anthems.
Your music is being played everywhere and it’s hard not to see a Supernova track in one chart or the other. But really we don’t know too much about the two of you individually. Were you both aspiring DJs and producers that met on the party circuit in Italy?
We have both been fascinated by the scene of ’70s disco and soul music, by the energy of the dancefloor that you could breathe in Dave Mancuso’s Loft and in Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage. We started DJing when the first House Music records from Chicago arrived in Italy and we were affected forever. From this moment on we had separate careers in our respective cities – Emiliano as a DJ, producer and creator of successful parties in Florence, Giacomo as a pop musician and producer in Milan.
When we met in 2002 to start the Supernova project we had very clear ideas and enthusiasm to make an explosive artistic journey. A strong artistic feeling and a great friendship have always given us the strength and conviction to go ahead with our music.
How does a collaboration differ from producing solo work?
Collaborations are fun because I love to see what happens when I blend my creative style with someone else. Usually I will start the initial idea and we see where it goes from there. In this case I think balance and chemistry between us was perfect!
What inspires you to step into the studio, and what kills your personal creativity?
The studio is one of the few places that I feel at total peace. Music is (my) life. Strife & confusion is the only thing that robs me of my creativity. I create music from a place of peace & love. Without this my creative vibe can’t flow. Some people create from hurt, pain or even anger, but not me. Feeling love and giving love has become my power over the years.
What keeps you both motivated after all this time? Tell us about the highs and the lows…
My family & fans keeps me motivated. My wife and kids are my biggest supporters. They believe in me and bring out the best in me. When I’m on tour all the amazing stories that I hear on the road when I meet people keep me going. When I hear a story of how something I did had affected someone’s life in such a positive way, I’m just thankful that I could have such a great influence in their experience. Hearing those stories keep me motivated.
What is your opinion of the current state of house music?
I love the state that it’s in. As always the music comes back to it’s roots. House is blowing up and so is Acid house so these are great times for House Music!
That moment when your playing and…
You and the crowd are connected to the point are in total sync. Priceless!
Acid house is…
The final frontier. A sound never heard before it’s origin in 1985 and can never be duplicated. Completely unique, & born in Chicago. A sound that influenced an entire generation to create other musical genres beyond the boundaries that were set at the time. Acid House is the original Rave and the forerunner of what we see today in Electronic Music.
Can you share with us a few artists of the past (and present) that have influence your legendary sound?
Lil Louis, Marshall Jefferson, Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles & Nile Rodgers
I take it your first big break was when Sony/BMG signed your album Downtown Underground in 2007, yes? How did you hook up with Grandmaster Melle Mel?
Downtown Underground is our second album after Afterbeach in 2003. Downtown Underground is definitely an important step in our career because we had the opportunity to work with big international artists and musicians. It’s an album that takes inspiration from the downtown underground New York scene under Dave Mancuso and Larry Levan. A friend of ours, an Italian rapper who lives in New York, knew Melle Mel and so we had the chance to record the single “That’s What I Like” together in the Big Apple. It was a very satisfying experience!
Your current set-up comprises live instruments, decks and Ableton. The live element to your sets is something you’re renowned for, and has clearly been successful for you…
Yes our live set up is made up of 2 laptop and 2 MIDI drum machines/controllers; no decks or CDJs at all. From our side this is the perfect mix between live and a DJ set and is the best way to express ourselves in a live setting. It gives us the opportunity to play our original tracks and tracks from other producers but always remixing them live; adding grooves, FX, loops and playing live drums and percussion as well as basslines.
Are there any conflicts of interests and in your professional partnership? Do you ever feel you want to take your music in different directions?
Since first time we met each other we felt we had the same feeling for music and life; this is still the same after 10 years. Of course sometimes it happens that we have different ideas or points of view about a particular record or idea, but we always use these small differences to influence each other in a good way and improve the Supernova project.
And finally, tell us something we don’t know know about you…
This week in Naples was the 1st time that I ever ridden on a scooter.! -:)