Drumcode’s Layton Giordani joins us amidst an incredible Summer run. The New Yorker has brought his own unique brand of techno across the globe in recent months, hitting iconic outposts like Sonar and Awakenings subsequent to the release of his ‘Where It Begins’ LP on Beyer’s burgeoning imprint. In addition to supplying us with the 85th edition of our central podcast, Giordani took the time out of a very busy schedule to talk recent highlights, his relationship with Drumcode and the current US techno boom. Enjoy!
WWD: Layton, thanks for taking the time to chat!
You’ve had some huge gigs this Summer, what have been the special moments for you?
Well of course the album was where it all started to be honest, this was the best introduction I could have been given to the industry and helped to get my name out there. After its release I have had so many amazing gigs, playing Awakenings was a massive highlight for me this year, and I’ve has some super cool bookings at clubs in Belgium and Germany. There are too many to name in all honesty. It’s still kind of a whirlwind at times, as things move so fast when you enjoying every minute. I have worked on a collaboration for the end of this year, which meant I got to work with one of my idols, but that’s all top secret for now.
WWD: The ‘Where It Begins’ album dropped in February. Looking back on the album process, was it something you enjoyed?
Yes, it was amazing, but at the same time it was a really big challenge for me, and it took me a long time to complete it. I am a perfectionist, and I wanted this release to be something very special on many levels. I never planned on an album as my first release on Drumcode, it actually started out with me sending demos to Adam and it came to a point where there were so many tracks he wanted, he asked if I wanted to do an album – and the answer was obviously yes!
WWD: Where is music focus for the coming months?
Well, I am exclusive to Drumcode – so all my releases will be on the label. I have an exciting collaboration project, but I can’t just announce that yet. Hopefully will be released in October, so keep your eye peeled. It was a dream collab – let’s just say that!
WWD: Now an integral part of the Drumcode family, what’s it like to have such a strong support structure around you as an artist?
Being with the team is just like a family. They all believed in me from the start and have been the most amazing mentors throughout the whole period of making the album and beyond, not just in music and production but also my personal life, and I genuinely love to play at the shows with everyone on the roster. You learn a lot when you are learning from the best!
WWD: In this current stage of your career, what do you find the toughest challenges?
One of the toughest challenges is constantly touring every weekend. Being born and raised in New York and constantly touring in another continent can be challenging because I am constantly away from my friends and family back home. At the same time, I have made loads of new friends and learnt a lot whilst doing so. I am still young and this has given me the opportunity to travel a lot and see new things as well as grow as a person too.
WWD: Winter is coming… Drumcode at ADE and the Halloween party are two big ones on the horizon. What are you most looking forward to in the coming months?
After Awakenings and Sonar, I have so many really amazing festivals coming up and lots of Drumcode showcases in Madrid, London, Amsterdam, Ireland and more! This summer I’ll be in the UK a lot, and also have a big tour in Australia and of course I want to make sure I am popping back home and getting some time in the clubs over in the USA.
WWD: You’re taking a trip down under this September with a run of dates in Australia. What have you planned for that?
This is my first tour in Australia, so really excited about it. We have a few shows planned in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. I actually am a beach bum at heart and have spent my childhood near the water, so I am a keen surfer, so I intend to take a couple of days to catch some waves and see the sights. Heard it’s amazing, so I hope it’s the first tour of many more.
WWD: New York-bred but now based in Amsterdam of course. How is techno doing in New York right now?
Its booming in the US as a whole I think. Finally, these last few years things have really started to develop and kids are starting to learn more and go to festivals and parties they have never heard of before, walking away with a new found love for techno or maybe a DJ they have seen play. New York has always been an electronic music hub, with some of the best clubs like Output, Space, Pacha and the now Schimanski which was Verboten. Plus, there are a lot of after parties and underground things going on every weekend. EDM is still massive in the USA, and I think it always will be, but there is an ever-growing spot for techno, and I think that’s only a good thing.
WWD: Could NYC ever entice you back from the Netherlands?
Actually, I am in NYC right now. I try to split up my time between Europe and New York. I still miss being here, and seeing my family, so it’s nice to have a break now and then. I also get a lot of work done here. In Europe the gigs are getting busier, so I am often away most weekends. But I love Amsterdam, it was the right city in Europe for me, not too hot, a great scene there and I have a lot of friends.