EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
David Castellani is a passionate electronic music artist and educator whose career revolves around the captivating realms of analog hardware and modular synthesis. His journey into music was sparked by an early encounter with the Elektron Analog Keys, which opened a new dimension of sound exploration for him.
Since then, he has devoted himself to not only crafting his unique sound, via his Noetic releases, performan- ces including ARC Music Festival Chicago and regular shows with the RE/FORM crew in LA, but also sharing his knowledge through workshops and collaborative projects. With a commitment to inspiring the next generation of musicians, Castellani’s approach combi- nes technical mastery with a deeply personal connec- tion to music, ensuring that both his performances and teachings resonate with authenticity and creativity.
As a pioneer in the integration of modular synthesis and live performance, Castellani is known for his captivating 360-degree audio-visual shows. He has carved a niche for himself in the electronic music sce- ne, where each performance reflects his dedication to spontaneity and innovation. His upcoming works- hop, “A Touch of Modular Synthesis,” at the Amster- dam Dance Event (ADE) promises to encapsulate his journey, offering participants a unique glimpse into his creative process and the insights he has gained over the years. Castellani’s aspirations extend beyond his solo work; he is committed to fostering a community around his Noetic label, where collaboration and artis- tic growth thrive.
“My passion for analog hardware took off when I got my hands on my first analog synthesizer, the Elektron Analog Keys. I remember the first time I powered it up - it was like unlocking a whole new dimension of the uni- verse. I spent hours tweaking and exploring how each subtle change would transform the texture of the mu- sic”.
This moment marked a significant turning point for Castellani, igniting his love for the tactile nature of sound design.
“That experience sparked something deeper in me. The hands-on nature of working with analog gear, espe- cially something as versatile and powerful as Elektron gear, made me fall in love with the process of hands- on sound design. It wasn’t just about making music; it became about discovering sound and interacting with it in a tactile, intuitive way. That synth set me on a li- felong journey of chasing the richness and depth of analog gear, and now it’s hard to imagine my workflow without it”.
His passion for analog gear seamlessly translates into his live performances, where he integrates modular synthesis and visuals to create captivating 360-de- gree audio-visual shows.
“It’s taken me years to develop my current live setup, and that journey has been a trip. One of the most beau- tiful things about playing live is that each artist gets to do it in their way - there’s no single ‘right’ approach”.
Castellani emphasizes the importance of finding a ba- lance between spontaneity and control in his perfor- mances.
“For me, it’s been about gradually finding the right ba- lance between spontaneity and control. I’ve focused on building a setup that’s intuitive, where I can get lost in the performance without feeling restricted by the te- chnology. That’s why modular synthesis plays such a big part in my shows. It gives me the freedom to adapt on the fly, making each performance unique”.
Looking ahead to his workshop at ADE Lab, he hopes to share his journey with participants, inspiring them to carve their paths in the world of modular synthesis.
“For the workshop at ADE Lab, I hope to share that pro- cess with participants—how I’ve taken time to deve- lop this workflow and how rewarding it is to shape so- mething that feels personal and intuitive. I hope they’ll walk away with an understanding that creating your setup is a personal journey and that there’s no wrong way to do it”.
Castellani’s insights reflect a deep understanding of the collaborative nature of creativity, where unexpec- ted outcomes often lead to the most thrilling musical experiences”.
“Another amazing thing about modular synthesizers is that it’s a lot like riding a wild animal. You can try to guide it in a direction, but many times it can also take you places you didn’t expect, and that’s what makes it exciting”.
The launch of his label, Noetic, in 2021 marked a pivo- tal moment in Castellani’s career, allowing him to cu- rate releases and collaborate with artists he admires.”
“For most electronic musicians, having your record la- bel is the ultimate goal, and the opportunity to work with some of my heroes, like Etapp Kyle, Ken Ishii, Trun- cate, and Matrixxman, has been nothing short of a dream come true”.
His experience in curating these releases has broade- ned his artistic vision, blending his style with that of other notable musicians.
“Curating these releases has allowed me to blend my artistic vision with the distinct styles of artists I ad- mire, creating a space where my vision and heart can thrive”.
Castellani’s collaborations have enriched his unders- tanding of music production, allowing him to learn from established artists in the studio.
“Spending time in the studio with artists like Etapp Kyle and Ken Ishii has always been an enriching and educational experience. Both of these artists are peo- ple I look up to, and having the opportunity to witness their creative processes firsthand was a real treat”.
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