Right after his double set at Nameless Festival Winter (Après-Ski + Mainstage), we caught up with EDMMARO— party of Nameless family since the 2016 contest days.
In this quick chat, he looks back on the “mask + mashups” era and explains what pushed him toward a more producer-driven, artist-focused path: hard techno, hardstyle, and a sound that feels fully his. And even as things get heavier, one thing stays: his signature irony—those bold, unexpected moments that keep his sets unpredictable.
Matteo Villa: From the Nameless contest in 2016 — it’s literally ten years. From then to today (Nameless Winter), you’re one of the key DJs in the Nameless community. What changed from the “EDMMARO with the mask” era—focused on bold mashups—to today, where you’re much more focused on productions and your artistic path?
EDMMARO: That’s exactly what changed. I started as a DJ and I wanted to provoke the EDM scene. Back then I worked a lot with other people’s songs: mashups, edits, mixing—like a “Marco Cariola” from ten years ago, but in EDM.
The main change is that I developed as an artist and as a producer, and I want to put out my own music. Before I only wanted to play; now I want to produce and build my own sound. I’m trying to propose a genre that represents me more: hardstyle / hard tech—hard music in a 360-degree way.
Matteo Villa: You also want to keep some irony, right?
EDMMARO: Yes. That’s important. Those iconic periodic “mix” moments are part of it. I didn’t fully identify with a character, but “Edmmaro” represents a part of my artistic personality: not taking myself too seriously and making fun of the scene.
So I want to keep that ironic style even in my current DJ sets, even if they’re hard techno / hardstyle and feel more “serious.” I still want to bring something fun, unexpected, and not predictable. Even the remixes and the things I release try to feel a bit alternative.
Listen the latest release “Stringbreakers” with N4C (release date: 13 February 2026 – Zeitgeist)
Matteo Villa: Speaking about your new records—like the official “Metro “remix, or “Colpa Loro” with Padma San (Tecktonik cover): which “waves” from the past do you feel you carry the most, and why? And which waves are exciting you the most right now, connected to your current artistic path? EDM and the satire/mask era stayed with you, and Tecktonik and other waves are coming back too.
EDMMARO: It’s not an easy question. When I started DJing, it was thanks to electro: electro house like The Bloody Beetroots, Knife Party, and in Italy, Congorock. That was the wave—something “punk” in electronic music, something against the current. That’s my spirit.
For the past few years I’ve found myself in hard techno, which has become very commercial and global. But I still see it as a more alternative genre than “standard” house. I relate to sounds that go against the current, and that shows in harder sounds—hardstyle, electro, house—because it’s powerful music that hits you directly.
Matteo Villa: Last question: any news you can spoil—collaborations, new releases, or directions you’d like to explore and which was the most dangerous mashup you tried on stage?
EDMMARO: I’d like to step into hardstyle, even if I’m not sure I’m at that production level yet.
I don’t really plan releases in advance—I do everything on impulse, spontaneously. That’s where my passion comes from, and it’s still how I prepare my DJ sets and productions. Regarding the mashup, at Nameless (Annone) in 2022 there were surprise guests FSK and Greg Willen. One of my strongest mashups was Ansia No with the Vengaboys, and it was my second-to-last track that year. I didn’t know they were playing after me—Greg Willen, Chiello, everyone was behind me. I played it and Taxi B reacted like, “Bro, that’s my track,” but the crowd was hyped.
Tonight, when Axwell was playing, I left out at least three tracks because I had mashups with Swedish House Mafia and similar stuff. Another one was Ciapa la gallina over a french-core track (I don’t even remember which one). I played it at Nameless in Annone last year: it takes courage, but it works.
Matteo Villa: Very last one: Will the name “EDMMARO” always stay?
EDMMARO: Yes, it will always stay. I see myself in it. My way of being is doing things impulsively and spontaneously. In the music industry you don’t see that much anymore: authenticity.
I feel very authentic. It can be a strength and a weakness, but it’s part of me, and I wouldn’t change “EDMMARO” because it represents me.
Matteo Villa: Great. I think we’re good, thank you Matteo!
LISTEN EDMMARO
– Thanks to Coco District ed EDMMARO for the interview!
30y passionate guy about music, social media, digital marketing and infographics!
I founded youBEAT in 2012 as manifesto of my passion for electronic music, with the aim of promoting artists and events.
Graduated in Media Languages at UCSC in Milan (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) with a thesis on the revolution of daily life with the streaming in entertainment and information.
Everyday more passionate and keen about data, tools and music insights and their connection in this everyday faster social connected world.
From 2017-2023 A&R, Marketing and International Manager at EGO Music (www.egomusic.net).
In 2024 I founded MAVIL, my artists&labels mgmt and promotion solo company!