The Italian DJ and producer Alex Di Stefano has earned his right to be called a DJ since 1994. He's made waves in Trance and Techno with several labels (JOOF Recordings, Outburst Recordings, Subculture, among others) and shows no signs of slowing down while also touring the world. He adds an industrial sound to his music that will have you focused 110% on whatever you're doing at the time--dancing, working, and even sleeping. Alex is continually looking for new tools to create with and has much more new music coming out this year. We took some of his precious time to talk to him about his early career and what he'd be doing today if it wasn't for DJing.

What was your first DJ performance like?

My first performance as a DJ was in 1995 but in those days I preferred to perform myself with samplers and keyboards live act.

As someone who's been producing and DJing for over 20 years, what has been the biggest change you've noticed in both production and DJing? The technology? The quality?

Technology and quality are undoubtedly things that had the biggest change. Art and music knowledge have remained largely the same. We evolved and updated in step with the times.

I've spoken with DJs who have stated their upbringing or childhood (good or bad) as inspiration that molded their sound when they started producing. What do you think pushed you in the direction of Techno and Trance when you were a young DJ? Has the same quality of Techno and Trance kept you interested in those genres or do you have a new inspiration?

I have always been caught by rhythmic/aggressive sounds since 1990, so listening to the first tunes made by Tecnotronic, Snap, Cappella, Digital Boy, Mauro Picotto and continuing with Bonzai Record sounds, gave more life to what [I already liked] in the past. I have many new ideas to drop in my studio but I'll keep my current (Techno/Trance) trademark. I'll update myself from time to time and we'll see what will come out.

What was the toughest part about learning how to DJ when you started? What about producing?

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"The good music selection" is the part on which I have worked a lot and I'm still working on it because the music selection varies from club to club. Definitely you never stop learning. About producing, well, the most difficult thing was not to learn producing but making efforts to buy my first synthesizer, samplers, and computer. The rest came from itself.

What is your main goal when you step up to the turntables to DJ every time?

Bring joy to the crowd and see their smiling faces full of emotion.

What is the best advice you've ever received as a DJ or a producer?

Be yourself without worrying about what others [are] saying.

If you weren't a DJ or a producer, what would you be doing today?

I think that I would follow a career as a restaurateur.

What is one of your favorite memories of performing?

Well luckily all [were] wonderful, but if I had to pick one in particular, my first performance in a small club in southern Italy precisely in 1995, has been memorable.

If you could DJ one event, real or fake, what would it be?

State Of Trance

What is the toughest part about DJing? And producing?

I don't think that the DJing has some tricky part itself. It's a pleasure, a fun, a passion. Everything comes naturally from the heart! Whereby I wouldn't say that there is something difficult in doing it. While producing has its difficult side, although also it is a pleasure. It hides some downside sometimes. Example: spending many hours in front of a monitor (it is tiring noticeably for our body) but above all, be able to remain calm, when inspiration vanishes.

Last Call

1. What is your favorite movie of all time?There are so many but A Bronx Tale. It remained for some reason in my memories.

2. As a young DJ, who was the one DJ you looked up to?Digital Boy. He was the first and perhaps the only one that gave me a greater boost, creatively.

3. As a DJ, what's your biggest pet peeve?How to start a DJ set, although it is always a pleasure playing.

4. What is your current DJ set up at home?Currently I don't have any DJ set up because I have had the need to have more space in my studio, so I had to unplug my CDJs and put them in the closet.

5. What's your favorite record of all time?Queen - "The Show Must Go On"

Keep up with Alex Di Stefano on his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Bryan Hahn wishes more DJs had impromptu live shows involving keyboards and samplers. He's on Twitter: @notupstate.