Contributing WriterFabio Ferro is an Italian tech house mainstay who has been playing and producing since his mid-teens. He graduated from Milan’s SAE Institute, then held residencies at Doom Club and DolceVita, played internationally, and served as an exclusive resident with the Familia party at Egg London for a decade. Beyond his 10-year London residency, he has performed in Ibiza at top venues such as Hï, Privilege, and Pacha. From deep house to techno, he has a wide range and has often had high-profile support from stars such as Marco Carola, Nicole Moudaber and Richie Hawtin. Now he’s branched out with his own label for total artistic freedom, after releases on Kaluki Musik and Snatch! Records.
1. Hey Fabio, thank you for speaking with us today. What have you been up to lately?
Hey guys! Thanks for having me. I’ve been pretty busy lately, fully in launch mode between running Route51, getting new releases ready, and playing sets around the island. It’s been non-stop, but it’s great to finally see everything coming together.
2. Congratulations on your new EP ‘Yo Creo’ coming out via your imprint Route51 on 24th September. What’s the story behind the EP, and how did it come to fruition?
Thank you! ‘Yo Creo’ is a very special project for me because it’s the first release on Route51. I wanted to make something that really represents the label’s sound: energetic, driving, and made for the dancefloor. It’s built around a strong groove, heavy drums and a vocal hook that gives the track its identity. I wanted the first release to make it clear what Route51 is all about.
3. When you produce, what musical elements do you tend to focus on the most?
For me, it always starts with the kick, bass and drums. If those three things aren’t working together, the track just won’t feel right in a club. Once I have that foundation, I focus on building tension and adding small details to keep things moving without making the track feel too busy.
4. You’ve recently started your own imprint, ‘Route51’, with ‘Yo Creo’ being your first release. What made you want to start your own label, and what’s the ethos behind it?
Launching Route51 was the natural next step for me, so I could have complete artistic freedom over my sound and vision. The idea is simple: high-energy, raw and authentic tech house and techno made for the club. For the first year, I’m planning to focus mainly on my own releases to establish the label’s sound and identity, and after that I’d love to start bringing in other artists who share the same vision.
5. Your journey in music started as a teenager, producing at just 13. Could you walk us through your music journey and how your sound has developed over the years?
I started diving into music production very young, initially influenced by classic house before falling in love with the darker and punchier side of tech house and techno. Moving to London and spending ten years as a main DJ resident for the party ‘Familia’ at Egg London was a huge turning point and playing
6. You’ve toured all across the world. What are some of your favourite places to perform? Does your location influence the tracks you play in your sets?
Every place has its own energy, so it’s hard to choose just a few. London will always be special to me because of my years there, and playing places like Output in New York and the top clubs in Ibiza has been incredible. The location definitely influences how I build a set. In a dark, intimate club, I might go for something deeper and more hypnotic, whereas on an open-air terrace I’ll usually bring in brighter, more energetic sounds, but wherever I’m playing, the main thing stays the same: strong grooves, driving rhythms, and plenty of energy.
7. You’ve received high-profile support from artists like Marco Carola, Nicole Moudaber, and Richie Hawtin. Does support from talent like this push you to keep creating?
Absolutely. Hearing artists you’ve respected for years playing your music on huge sound systems in front of thousands of people is an amazing feeling. It gives you a lot of confidence and reminds you that all those hours spent in the studio are worth it, and it definitely pushes me to keep working, experimenting and trying to make each new track better than the last.
9. It’s been great chatting with you today. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?
It’s been a pleasure! Keep an eye out for ‘Yo Creo’ on Route51, and I’ve also got a strong run of releases planned, with new music coming every couple of months. Thanks for all the support, and I’ll see you on the dancefloor!
