Manuel De La Mare

Manuel De La Mare is an Italian house and techno producer and DJ from Barga, Italy, born in 1979. He starts out in the Tuscan town of Barga and later moves south to Pisa, where he studies music and learns to play guitar, keyboard, flute, clarinet and sitar. Before focusing on electronic music, he plays in several local rock bands.

Career and collaborations

He forms a working partnership with Alex Kenji after the two meet in Pisa and begin making tracks together in their studios. Their collaboration includes the track “Ytaca”, which is picked by Pete Tong as an Essential Track on BBC Radio 1. De La Mare also works with Luigi Rocca through his label projects, and collaborates with Mark Knight on “Snapshot”. Other production and remix work includes music for John Acquaviva, Fedde Le Grand, Robbie Rivera, Wally Lopez, Paolo Mojo and Sander Van Doorn.

Sound and releases

His style blends elements of Italo dance, jackin’ filtered house, deep house, rolling techno and minimal melodies, placing him between house and techno. He releases music on labels including Universal, Toolroom, Ministry of Sound, Tiger Records, Spinnin, Definitive and Stealth. A remix of Ian Round’s “Dancin’” is described as a turning point in his career, reaching the Beatport Top 10 and drawing support from Roger Sanchez. His remix of Bellini’s “Samba De Janeiro” reaches number one on the Beatport chart for four weeks. He also remixes for artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Labels and wider recognition

He runs the labels 303Lovers and Hotfingers with Alex Kenji and Luigi Rocca. The labels attract support from DJs and producers including Richie Hawtin, Mark Knight, John Acquaviva, Joris Voorn, Sébastien Léger, UMEK, Tiësto, Pete Tong, Bob Sinclar, Roger Sanchez and David Guetta. De La Mare’s own work also draws interest from artists such as Mark Knight, John Acquaviva, Fedde Le Grand, Bob Sinclar, Richie Hawtin, Paul Van Dyk, Carl Cox, Axwell and David Guetta.

Awards and performances

Beatport names him Best Remixer in 2011, following a nomination in 2010 for Best Deep House and Techno Artist. He performs internationally at venues including Ministry of Sound in London, Womb in Tokyo, Sanctuary in Dubai and Fabrik in Madrid, and his bookings take him across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America and South America.

Background

He later earns a doctorate in Music, Cinema and Theatre. His work is presented as part of Italy’s electronic music scene, with a sound that aims to balance underground credibility and wider dancefloor appeal.