We caught up with MEDUZA at Escape Halloween and talked new music, their production process, the state of the scene, and more!
MEDUZA, a trio of talented producers from Milan, Italy, has been making waves in the electronic music scene since their breakthrough in 2019. With chart-topping hits like “Piece Of Your Heart” featuring Goodboys and “Lose Control” with Becky Hill and Goodboys, they’ve captivated audiences worldwide, performing at iconic events such as EDC Las Vegas and Tomorrowland.
While the individual members of MEDUZA sometimes perform solo, they recently had the opportunity to connect during Escape Halloween at the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, California. Simone Giani was performing at Savaya Bali while Mattia Vitale and Luca De Grigorio were on-site, providing the perfect chance for a conversation with these talented artists.
They shared insights about their recent collaboration with HAYLA, their studio sessions, and their thoughts on the electronic music scene. Read on for our full interview with Matt and Luca of MEDUZA!
Stream MEDUZA – Another World on Spotify:
Hi, MEDUZA! Thank you for chatting with us. As you prepare to perform at Escape Halloween, what have you noticed about this crowd compared to other festivals?
Matt: Everyone is dressed up except us; that’s definitely the standout! [laughs] It’s always exciting to return to the US, especially for Halloween, as the atmosphere is filled with fun and creativity.
Regarding your music, we’re really enjoying your latest release with HAYLA, “Another World.” How was the experience of collaborating with her and bringing this track to life?
M: HAYLA is incredibly talented. We’ve wanted to collaborate with her for a while, especially after seeing her work with John Summit and deadmau5. It was great to finally make it happen. The process was smooth, and we finished the song in about a week. Afterward, we tested it out at shows, adjusting it based on audience feedback.
As a trio, what does a typical studio session look like, and how do you ensure everyone’s voice is heard?
M: Luca is our tech guy, while we all contribute creatively.
Luca: We start by playing different sounds, chords, or progressions.
M: From there, we brainstorm ideas. I usually focus on arrangements, while Simone works on melodies. There’s no strict division; it’s all about jamming and exploring what works.
You collaborate seamlessly! Recently, you performed long sets, like five hours at Club Space and six hours at Hï Ibiza. How do you prepare for these extended performances?
M: Preparing for sets that long is a challenge. The vibe changes throughout the night, and you can’t predict the crowd’s energy. It’s about taking them on a journey—sometimes melodic, sometimes tech, and shifting back to progressive or indie. We love to mix it up but can’t fully prepare because we need to read the crowd in real-time.
It’s true art; you have to gauge the audience’s energy.
M: Absolutely! My experience as a resident DJ in Italy helped me learn how to read the crowd and test tracks to see what resonates in the moment, constructing the set gradually.
Speaking of your music, you have many unreleased tracks teased on Instagram. Can we expect exciting new collaborations or hints about upcoming releases?
L: We have new music in the works, but we can’t reveal too much just yet. [laughs]
M: We might drop some surprises at our performance later—if you’re in the crowd, you could hear something new!
Where do you see the dance music scene headed in the coming years, and do you find yourselves adapting to new trends?
L: Great question.
M: The music industry has shifted significantly since the release of our first hits, “Piece Of Your Heart” and “Lose Control.” Nowadays, it seems audiences are less engaged with full songs, often focused on short clips for social media. We miss the days when people listened to music more deeply. For us, quality trumps quantity; we’d rather release fewer tracks that we’re confident are exceptional. We believe the industry is cyclical, so hopefully, deeper listening will return.
To wrap up, I noticed you enjoyed gelato at Tomorrowland. What’s your favorite flavor?
L: Cookies are a top choice for me.
M: I usually go for stracciatella and hazelnut; those are my go-to flavors! [laughs]
L: I’m all about trying new flavors as well!
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