Italian DJ and producer Wasback is quickly establishing himself as one of hard techno’s most exciting rising talents. Blending the raw intensity of hard techno with influences from hardstyle and rave culture, his high-impact productions have earned support from heavyweights including Nico Moreno, Winson, Ben Nicky, and Coone. His music has echoed across some of the world’s biggest festival stages, including Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, and Ultra Music Festival, while his own performances have taken him everywhere from World Club Dome‘s Main Stage to renowned venues like Bootshaus and Ministry of Sound.
Fresh off the release of his latest single, ‘Be Loud’, Wasback sat down with YourEDM to discuss developing his signature sound, drawing inspiration from the energy of live crowds, navigating the evolving hard techno landscape, and why staying authentic has become more important than ever as he enters the next chapter of his career.
Many artists today move across and blend genres rather than fitting neatly into a single category. How would you personally define or label your sound, and what genres, subgenres, or underground scenes have most influenced and shaped your evolution as an artist? 
Today I think it’s almost impossible to define an artist within a single genre. Maybe a few years ago it was easier, but now there are so many subgenres and crossovers that everything becomes a mix of influences. In my case, since I’m on the harder side, I move between hardstyle, hard techno, and sometimes even some hardcore influences, but I would mainly define myself as a hard techno artist.
How did the environment you grew up in shape you as an artist, and in what ways does it still influence your creative identity today?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say my early environment directly shaped my sound in a specific way. I started making music when I was really young, but what really influenced me from the beginning was the harder side of electronic music. I was always drawn to powerful kicks, high energy, and that intense feeling you get from hardstyle and early rave sounds.
That kind of energy has always stayed with me and naturally evolved into what I do today. Even now, I’m still attracted to that same impact and intensity, just expressed in a more developed and personal way through hard techno and its different variations.
Can you share a brief, compelling narrative or inspiration behind this new release?
My latest release, ‘Be Loud’, was released on June 26 in collaboration with two German artists. They initially sent me the idea, and I really liked the vocals from the beginning, but I felt like the track was missing a bit of my own sound and energy.
So I decided to push it further and make it a bit dirtier and more aggressive, adding my own character to it. At first, none of us were fully sure if the vocal was the right fit for this kind of production, but in the end we all changed our minds.
It turned into a really strong crossover between their original idea and my vision, and I think that’s exactly what makes the track special.
Do you prefer producing music in a studio setting, or are you more comfortable creating on the road/during touring?
I actually really enjoy producing while I’m on the move, in airports, traveling, or between shows. Playing gigs helps me a lot because I can see what really works in the crowd, where I should create tension, or where it’s better to leave space. That experience constantly feeds into my production, because I can already imagine myself performing the track live while I’m making it.
In the studio, I usually focus more on finishing and refining ideas. The initial inspiration, though, definitely comes more from being out and experiencing different environments rather than sitting in one place.
Have you performed at any major music festivals or large-scale venues? If so, which one would you consider the most significant milestone in your career so far?
I’ve just come back from a major festival in Europe, World Club Dome, which is always held inside a stadium, and this year it featured a 360-degree main stage setup. It was an incredible experience because, no matter where I turned, there were people right there in front of me, really close and fully engaged with the set.
I’ve played in 360 club concepts before, but doing it in a stadium festival environment felt completely different. The scale, the energy, and the connection with the crowd were on another level. It was honestly a very emotional and memorable moment for me, and definitely one of the highlights of my career so far.
Do you feel more connected to the energy of major festival stages or the raw intimacy of underground warehouse parties and DIY spaces, or do you find inspiration equally in both worlds?
In both cases, I feel a strong connection to the energy. I often play in venues where there isn’t a big distance between the stage and the crowd, which makes it much easier to connect with people directly. A few years ago this wasn’t that common, but more recently it has become a widely used concept in clubs and events. At first it felt a bit unusual for me, but over time I realized how much more powerful the energy is when you are so close to the crowd. That direct connection really changes everything, and for me it’s something I definitely prefer. Having that closeness and real interaction with people gives you a completely different level of energy compared to the traditional stage distance.
What role does rebellion or counterculture play in your music? Whether through challenging commercial norms, experimenting with sound, questioning societal expectations, or simply creating from a place of pure expression, how do these ideas shape your artistic identity?
For me it’s less about rebellion as a concept and more about pure expression and instinct. I’ve never really tried to follow commercial expectations or fit into a formula, I just focus on what feels right and what has the strongest energy.
My sound comes from the harder side of electronic music, which already has a raw and non-conventional attitude. I like experimenting and not being afraid to make things darker, dirtier, or more unexpected if the track needs it.
How would you evaluate the current state of the global EDM scene in terms of its overall health and creative direction, and how would you position it within a broader spectrum ranging from emerging challenges to strong creative growth?
I think the global EDM scene is in a very interesting place right now. On one hand, it’s definitely more saturated than ever, and sometimes you can feel a certain level of repetition or formula-driven music, especially in the more commercial space. That’s part of the challenge of a global scene that has grown so fast.
Do you see AI as a threat to musicians, a helpful collaborator, or something else? How do you plan to keep your music relevant as the industry changes rapidly because of these tools? By embracing AI, avoiding it, or taking a different approach?
I don’t really see AI as a threat, more as a tool that can support creativity if used in the right way. For me it can be helpful when I have a creative block, especially for generating ideas or getting out of a loop mentally. It helps me move faster and think in different directions.
That said, I still believe the core of music has to come from human emotion and instinct. AI can assist, but it doesn’t replace the personal vision behind a track. For me it’s about using it as a creative collaborator rather than depending on it.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer to an aspiring DJ or producer looking to break into the music scene today?
The advice I would give is not to focus too much on the DJ side alone, but to build something that truly represents you. In today’s scene there are so many DJs, so what really makes the difference is having either a strong identity or a very recognizable sound. It can be your branding, the way you present yourself, or your signature sound , but ideally both. These are the things that actually separate you from everyone else right now, and that’s where I would put most of the focus.
What is the official title and release date of your latest or upcoming single, EP, or album?
The title of my latest single is ‘Be Loud’ , and it was released on June 26th via Kontor Records.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the next phase of your artistic journey, both creatively and personally?
What excites me the most right now is that I’m really starting to define my sound. I’ve finally found a sonic direction that feels right for me, and being able to put it into practice is something priceless. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m creating tracks I genuinely enjoy and will also want to play a lot in my sets. So I’d say this phase is really exciting for me, because everything feels more clear and aligned with who I am artistically.
Are there any upcoming festivals, tours, collaborations, headline shows, or major projects listeners should keep an eye out for over the coming months?
Yes, I’m currently signing new tracks with some of the biggest labels in the hard techno scene. These are records that are already getting support in festivals, with a lot of DJs playing them in their sets. They’ll be coming out towards the end of the summer, and I’m really excited to finally release them and share this next chapter of my music.
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