Ilario Alicante is not the kind of guy to hang around.
He made his DJing debut when he was just 15 and broke records when, at the age of 18, he became the youngest DJ to debut at the Time Warp festival, a German techno institution.
Taken under the wing of the mighty Sven Vath, the Italian-born producer has been dubbed Cocoon’s ‘rough diamond’ and plays weekly for the brand at Amnesia in Ibiza.
He is supported by artists like Ricardo Villalobos and Richie Hawtin and nurtures new talent himself through his own labels Virgo and Deepmoves.
And he is not yet 30.
Next weekend, Ilario joins Sven Vath for Cocoon Presents Asylum at Newsham Park so I thought it was about time we got to know more about this wunderkind.
Where are you right now and what are you doing?
I’m back in Berlin after a great gig in Slovenia at Marco Polo. I’m going to cook some pasta and then I will go in the studio. I’m preparing lots of new tracks ;)
Was it a good summer?
I’m really happy about my summer season. My residency at Amnesia for Cocoon went super well – I had seven gigs there and each of them was special.
Also, I played Elrow at Space, Ushuaia and Tipic on Fomentera. Ibiza was definitely amazing. I also played at a lot of festivals and had some really good club gigs around the world.
I did something like 70 shows in three months. It was heavy but amazing.
Any highlights?
The first that comes to my mind was being given the closing set on the terrace for the first time at Amnesia in June.
I love that club and it’s the essence of the parties in Ibiza for me.
You are coming to Liverpool next weekend with Cocoon, tell me how your relationship with the brand started?
It started with a phone call from Sven Vath many years ago. He was already playing and supporting my tracks and he decided to invite me to join the agency. I was more than happy to accept.
What is it you like about working with Cocoon?
I have followed Cocoon since I was 16. Its longevity and quality speak for themselves. It’s a family and I feel great having the opportunity to work with them.
People always describe the Cocoon brand as a family don’t they?
Yes. When there are all the components of a team, working together with the same vision, this is the result. And, as I mentioned before, the longevity of Cocoon speaks for itself.
There is an amazing workflow between them. They do an amazing job.
For anyone who has never been to a Cocoon party, what makes them different?
First of all, the quality of the music is always outstanding. Another thing is the atmosphere.
It’s just something special where all the ingredients of an amazing party are there, mixed smoothly together.
When you leave a Cocoon party, you can feel it on your skin for days after. It leaves a sign on you.
Halloween 2018
Sven is quite a force of nature on the decks isn’t he? What is it like working with him?
Definitely. Sven is the meaning of what is to be a DJ. He should be put in the dictionary under the word DJ. No need for a description, only the name: Sven Vath.
I’m happy that we’ve developed a great friendship after many years. It’s always a pleasure to share time with him and to play together around the world.
You have been to Liverpool before haven’t you? How were the Liverpool crowds? Did we treat you well?
Yes! I played a great gig there, some years ago. The crowd is super!
Lots of energy and good vibes. I have really good memories of the city and I’m looking forward to coming back.
In a lot of your interviews you say how you are a clubber before you are a DJ. Could you tell me more about what you mean?
I think that a good DJ should have experiences on the dance floor before.
Feeling the music there, on the skin, sweating... to truly understand what a crowd is feeling when you play records.
The meaning of being a DJ – for me – is to establish and reach a connection point where you and the crowd are the same thing through the music.
To understand this you must have been on both sides of this connection – the dance floor as well as behind the decks.
This party is a Halloween affair taking place in one of the most haunted places in Europe. Do you scare easily?
I have to say I don’t. But I’m open minded and I think that we need all kinds of emotions in our life.
Do you believe in ghosts?
I think that there is something in the ether. I’m not sure what it is but it’s there.
Tell me in one sentence what people can expect from your performance at Cocoon?
A subtle conversation about energy, happiness and sweating ... through techno music :)
Anything we should be looking out for from you later this year?
I have a new release on Cocoon coming out in December that is really nice. We have had lots of amazing feedback from my colleagues.
It’s an EP with two tracks from me, including two amazing remixes from The Adventure (DJ Deep & Roman Poncet) and Mark Broom.
Then keep an eye on my new label VIRGO. It will deliver proper techno transmissions over the next few years.
