LEON: "Music, experience, and authenticity in constant motion"

LEON is an Italian DJ and producer of house, techno, and electronic music, born in Teramo and raised between Rome and Riccione. His passion for electronic music began in the ’90s, inspired by artists like Todd Terry, Danny Tenaglia, and Laurent Garnier. He started DJing in Italian clubs at a young age and took his first steps as a producer at 23. LEON has released music on renowned labels such as Cocoon, 8bit, Hot Creations, and Crosstown Rebels, gaining support from world-class DJs including Carl Cox, Luciano, Steve Lawler, Ricardo Villalobos, and Matthias Tanzmann. He has performed at some of the most prestigious clubs around the world, including Cocorico (Italy), Pacha and Cielo (New York), Ministry of Sound (London), Zouk (Singapore), Arma 17 (Moscow), and Sunwaves (Romania). In 2022, he launched his own label, Futura Records, focusing on vinyl and experimental sounds. Beyond the technical skill and international success, LEON is first and foremost a music lover who thrives on connecting with his audience, creating moments of pure energy and shared emotion. His career is a testament to dedication, curiosity, and a lifelong love for electronic music.

After years of international DJ experience, how has your approach to music production evolved compared to your early years?

Today, thanks to all my years behind the decks, I feel more mature as a man and in my sound. There's been an evolution, but always with something tied to my '90s roots, so house music and even darker, more underground stuff, which is what I like most today. It's not easy to define my sound exactly today because I'm a DJ who plays a lot and I always try to be eclectic in my DJ sets, so even when I'm in the studio and I'm about to start a new track, I never know where I'll end up; anything can happen.

Your latest single, "The Snake", marks a new phase in your career. How would you define your sound today, and what sets this track apart from your previous work?

The snake is a track made in 2023 but released only today in 2025, it is a track that represents a funkier side but still with a lot of energy, suitable for all dancefloors, as I said before today I am looking for something more authentic in what I do, I don't want to be too much like the others, it's not easy, but I want to try, I have the experience to do it, let's see where it takes me.

You’ve released music on prestigious labels like Cecille, Viva, and Factory 93. What criteria do you use when deciding where to release your music?

When I'm in the studio and decide to make music, I don't think about the labels I'll send it to at all. I only go to the studio when I'm inspired, and that inspiration can come from a movie, a trip, my happiness or loneliness, the love for my son or my partner—anything. Sometimes I'm in the studio making music for a month, preparing eight tracks, and then I stop for a year. There's no specific criteria. I listen to a lot of old music on Discogs, and that inspires me a lot also. Going to listen to very rare stuff, from all genres, IDEA is the most important thing. If you have it and it's strong, you can finish a track even in two hours. Then there's the second part, figuring out which labels to send your work to. But labels aren't always willing to take the risk or believe in you, especially when you're outside of the “trendy”, business-oriented world. Often, you only think about money and success, without really caring about quality.

With over a decade of performing in some of the world’s most iconic clubs, how does direct audience interaction influence your creative choices in the studio?

I've always been heavily influenced by my experiences at clubs and festivals, though I prefer clubs because I'm in direct contact with the crowd, the energy they give me, the music that comes out of an incredible sound system, the musical journey I go on, sometimes thinking I'll never get to play certain things—all of this I take with me when I get home and then I get into the studio.

Looking ahead, what challenges and goals have you set for yourself as an artist, both in DJing and production?

Still making a long dj set in nice clubs is my first goal cause im first of all a DJ and then Producer

anyway i have my only vinyl label called FUTURA and starting some parties this year, first at ADE in Amsterdam, and about the productions i have signed something on Enzo Siragusa LOCUS Records and THREE SIX ZERO.

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