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Marlò on old school rave music, her Miditrip Records imprint and new ‘Rave Is Now’ EP [Interview]

We sat down with Marlò, who kicked off 2025 in style by launching her label Midi Trip Records with the Rave Is Now EP, a three-track celebration of 90’s house nostalgia reimagined for today. Based in Istanbul but originally from Italy, Marlò has spent over a decade crafting her unique sound as a producer, DJ, and radio host. Co-founded with Salih Topuz, Midi Trip Records debuts with a bold statement: the title track ‘Rave Is Now’ delivers gritty synths, punchy stabs, and choppy vocoder vocals, while ‘You’ blends shimmering pianos and bouncy basslines. Closing out the EP, ‘What Is That?’ brings cinematic flair with trance-inspired melodies and dynamic drum grooves – an exhilarating introduction to Marlò’s next chapter.

Read our interview with Marlò below. 

Who were your first musical influences that you can remember? Who inspired you to start producing music?

My first musical influences came from my mother, who loved jazz, classical music, and opera. She used to play this kind of music at home all the time. And also from my paternal grandfather, who played the piano as a hobby, but he was very talented. With him, I started writing song lyrics and composing music as a child. I made my first production with him when I was nine years old. Then, little by little, as I grew up, I kept listening to and becoming more interested in music. Eventually, I pursued a career as a DJ and later as a producer. But these were my very first influences.

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

With my music, I want to smile and make others smile, first and foremost. Music gives me vibrations, positive energy, and good vibes. It always makes me feel good, whether in the worst moments or the best ones—it helps me enjoy the beauty of every situation. My goal is to share with others what I feel through music: those positive energies. In short, you could sum it up as “spread smiles and smile yourself.”

For me, success means achieving this goal I’ve set for myself: to smile and make others smile for all the days to come, with the help of music and through music.

What does your current software/hardware setup currently consist of?

At the moment, I produce music using Logic Pro, an audio interface, my Yamaha RMX1. With the RMX1, I can create a wide range of sounds, from drums to bass to piano, and more. I absolutely love this iconic, vintage production machine. However, in the future, I plan to expand my studio significantly, adding more and more old-school gear.

Your EP Rave Is Now brings 90s rave sounds into the present. What inspired you to explore this style, and how do you mix old-school vibes with modern production?

Yes, it’s true, Rave Is Now is inspired by the underground music of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. I’m a huge fan of ‘90s rave music and also of the Detroit school and the Underground Resistance movement. My musical vision is deeply rooted in that era—late ‘80s, early ‘90s—which heavily influences both my DJing and my production. I never play new tracks; I always play older ones. And if I do play something new, it’s always something inspired by the sounds of the past. For me, the future in music always has a strong connection to the past.

Outside of music, what inspires you?

Outside of music, I find inspiration in my travels, as I love exploring new places, including more extreme destinations like South America and Asia. The journeys I take, the people I meet along the way, the landscapes I see, the scents I experience, and the people around me all serve as powerful sources of inspiration. These elements make my soul dance inside and deeply influence my vision, which I then reflect in my music.

What kind of relationship do you have with the internet? How does this inform your artistic expression?

I have a very close relationship with the internet because it allows me to explore music from both the past and the present, constantly expanding my musical knowledge. I’m always researching new sounds and discovering new things, and music inspires me immensely, especially when I listen to a lot of it—whether it’s older productions or newly created tracks. This broadens my musical culture and shapes my vision, which is ultimately reflected in my productions. So, for me, the internet holds a very important role when it comes to music.

As a performer or as a member of the audience, what single show has been the most memorable for you?

I started DJing when I was about 21 years old, and back then, I was very insecure because I was just starting out. During my very first DJ set, a close friend of mine, who was also a promoter and had organized the event, invited someone who was my idol at the time to come and listen to me. That person was Ellen Allien. I’ll never forget the moment she came to hear me play, complimented me, and encouraged me to keep going, even though I wasn’t very technically skilled at the time. She was such a huge inspiration to me and still is. Over the years, Ellen and I became friends, and we’ve been very close for more than 15 years now. That experience was unforgettable for me—it was a DJ set I’ll never forget.

Any new or upcoming artists on your radar?

At the moment, I really enjoy the work of Known Artist producers. Over the last 2-3 years, they’ve started releasing a lot of productions on their label, ClubMix, and I think they’re exceptional—probably my favorite producers right now. I also really like Aldonna, who just launched her new record label, and I listen a lot to The Trip London. There are many others, but these are the most significant names I can mention at the moment.

Starting Miditrip Records is a big step. What does this label mean to you, and how do you see it influencing the music scene?

I decided to create Miditrip Records with my friend and fellow producer DJ Salih Topuz because we wanted to spread the word about music, promoting the culture of underground, house, and techno music. For me, it’s a huge step, and I’m very happy to have been able to make it happen, as it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I hope the label will be appreciated, and above all, I hope to collaborate with artists I really admire. The main thing I hope for is to share great music that makes people dance and feel happy, spreading a positive mood and good vibes to those who listen to the music from our label.

Please suggest an album for us to listen to.

I recommended an album by Underground Resistance, The Future, released in 1995. This album is one of the most iconic in Detroit techno and represents the collective’s philosophy at its best, with a mix of futuristic sounds and intense atmospheres. It’s a combination of experimental techno and social politics, and it’s definitely a must-listen for anyone passionate about underground music.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

As for my future projects, a new EP in collaboration with Sali will be released on February 15. It’s a mini-compilation from MidiTrip Records, featuring two of my tracks and two of Sali’s. Regarding DJing, on February 20, I’ll be playing at Fabric in London for the first time—an iconic club I’ve always wanted to perform at. Additionally, on April 12, I’ll be playing at Boiler Room in Istanbul. These are major milestones and exciting dates in my near future.

Buy Rave Is Now HERE.

Track List:

1. Rave Is Now

2. You

3. What Is That?

Follow Marlò:

BandcampInstagram

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