Old Jim is an Italian producer an DJ known for his energetic fusion of house, techno and EDM. Inspired by greats like Avicii, Martin Garrix and Michael Jackson, Old Jim’s sound is distinct and polished, while impeccably balancing club-driven intensity with commercial appeal. Old Jim has been making waves since he first burst onto the scene in 2020, and just 3 years later his 2023 hit ‘Not Fair’ with Niklas Dee and Enny‑Mae amassed hundreds of millions of streams, as well as a Platinum award in the Netherlands and a Gold award in Germany. With a phenomenal growing catalog, a formidable reputation for versatility, and a strong presence in the global dance community, Old Jim is one of the most prolific new voices in EDM today.
You started DJing when you were just 12-years-old. What was the initial spark that drew you to DJing and what inspired you to begin making your own music too?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a huge passion for music, growing up listening to Michael Jackson, Muse and Vasco Rossi (a famous Italian singer/songwriter). My journey into DJing really started in the summer of 2012. There was a major earthquake in Emilia Romagna that year, and during that summer I asked my parents for a small DJ console. I remember practicing every single night with just two songs: ‘Ma Chérie’ by DJ Antoine and ‘Tacata’ by Tacabro. That sparked my love for DJing. 
However, after many years, I realized that to really make a difference and leave a mark on this industry, being just a DJ wasn’t enough. So, around the age of 17 or 18, I started producing my own tracks. I was definitely inspired by growing up watching the Spinnin’ Records YouTube channel. In fact, I had two releases with them this year, and it’s incredible to think that 10 years ago I was only dreaming of that. Avicii was another massive inspiration; thanks to him, I wanted to create melodies that were just as recognizable—though I didn’t have much success with that at the start, haha! Other key inspirations were Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and Calvin Harris… basically the whole wave of artists that emerged between 2012 and 2016.
Italy is a massive cornerstone for electronic music. How did growing up in Italy shape your love for electronic music?
Italy is incredibly important in the international dance scene because we created Italo Disco, but I have to be honest: in the beginning, I was much more inspired by sounds from Northern Europe and America rather than Italy. It was only years later that I started to truly appreciate the dance music created by Italians, diving into the back catalogs of legends like Gigi D’Agostino, Robert Miles, Mauro Picotto, and many others. Recently, I even discovered that a track I absolutely love, ‘Ride On Time’ by Black Box, was made by a trio of Italian producers—and if I’m not mistaken, one of them is from Reggio Emilia, just a 30-minute drive from my house! Haha. So, to answer your question: growing up in Italy definitely helped fuel my passion for this genre, but that realization came after I was already deep into it.
Is there a story behind your DJ name?
A lot of people ask me why I call myself ‘Old’ given that I look quite young! The reality is actually very simple: my first name is Giammarco, hence ‘Jim,’ and my last name is Del Vecchio. ‘Vecchio’ translates to ‘Old’ in English. I think it’s quite funny because people like to joke about it a lot, seeing as I’m actually young.
What’s your favorite part of the production process? Is it the brainstorming stage, putting all the pieces together, the final product or something else?
That’s a great question. When it comes to the production process, I absolutely love creating the initial idea, choosing the sounds, and working on the arrangement. However, I have to be honest—the mixing, vocal processing, and creating extended mixes can be quite boring for me, haha! I also love going into the studio with people I’ve never worked with before. My ideal session, for example, is with a great songwriter, an excellent singer, and another producer who can help bounce ideas around. Often, I also receive a lot of toplines from publishers and management, and when I hear the right one, I love building something brand new around it.
How do you deal with creative blocks, and how do you work through them?
I deal with creative blocks by listening to new genres, experimenting with things I’ve never tried before, or just completely disconnecting and going for a walk. For about a year now, I’ve also discovered the gym, and I have to say that it really helps in a certain way.
You’ve worked with the likes of VIZE and Niklas Dee. What do you look for in a collaborator?
In a collaboration, I look for someone who can bring something extra to the song—whether that’s on the production side or simply regarding marketing. For example, I actually knew Niklas Dee before the success of ‘Not Fair.’ We first exchanged messages back in the Slap House era, around 2020-2021. I always liked what he was doing, and in 2023 I noticed he was doing really well on TikTok. So, I suggested we work on ‘Not Fair’ together and try out some videos. In just one day, it went super viral. So, he definitely brought that extra element that the track needed.
With ‘Not Fair’ becoming such a massive hit, did you feel pressure to maintain that momentum or did you allow yourself to create organically?
To be honest, after the success of ‘Not Fair,’ I really suffered from the pressure of needing to prove I could deliver another hit in a short amount of time, and that feeling lasted for about a year. Now, I’m much calmer. I believe in my potential and my ideas, and I know another success will come soon—but it always happens naturally and organically, often when you least expect it. That’s the beauty of our job.
What are 3 tracks that you just can’t get enough of right now?
I’m actually give you four: Daft Punk – ‘Doin’ it Right’, Londonbeat – ‘I’ve Been Thinking About You’, Tame Impala – ‘Piece Of Heaven Train’, Drops of Jupiter – ‘(Tell Me)’
If you could collaborate with any artist dead or alive, who would it be?
For living artists, I would love to collaborate with Martin Garrix and The Weeknd. As for artists who are sadly no longer with us, it would definitely be Avicii and Michael Jackson
You’ve already achieved huge streaming numbers and Platinum certifications. What’s next for you creatively?
The next step is to keep making music that I love, trying to take more risks and experiment a bit more, rather than just following trends. Another major goal is to get more involved in the booking world and play more live shows. I’m already working on more House and Tech House sounds. I don’t know yet if these will be part of the ‘Old Jim’ project or if there will be a new project with a total re-branding, but something is definitely coming—so keep your eyes open!
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