From Lauryn Hill to Sam Feldt: EDX Talks Collaborations, Touring, and the Future [Interview]

Maurizio Colella is bringing sexy back, and we’re not talking about a collaboration with Justin Timberlake. Known more commonly by as his stage name EDX, you might recognize the Italian native for his standout track with Kaskade, “Don’t Stop Dancing (Girl)”, which was essentially voice of an entire generation for a year after its release circa summer 2010.

Over the past several years Maurizio Colella AKA EDX has made a name for himself in the international dance music scene, headlining the world’s finest clubs and festivals from Miami to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, and Sydney to crowds in excess of 60,000.

EDX recently graced the stage of EDC Las Vegas and is set to play this years Electric Zoo and TomorrowWorld.

If you are interested in learning more about what EDX has going on, make sure to check out his weekly radio show – NoXcuses – with an already massive viewership and over 1 million.

We had the opportunity to sit down with the famed producer, here’s what he had to say:

Tell us and our readers what it’s like to be touring headliner, and producer. What are the best and worst aspects of having such a busy schedule and lifestyle?

I simply love my life the way it is – with the golden magic moments, and the sometimes exhausting ones. It’s all about the right balance.Anyway, being on the road and getting in touch with so many different cultures and people is an absolute blessing for each artist. Lots of flights, lots of hotel beds, and many many unforgettable moments.

What has been your biggest influence in your sound and style?

I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. When it comes to rave music, it was definitely the moment that came right after the acid house time with guys like Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier, and DJ Hype.

Before that time, I really liked acts such as Kraftwerk when it came to electronic music. In the 80’s, I was very into the whole hip hop generation, and then later, when the European house music renaissance came, I made the switch to that music that took me by storm.

How do you maintain the classic elements for your style with the ever changing demand and trends in the EDM world? How have you been able to grow and evolve?

It’s always good to step out and look at things with a different point of view – slow down and find out if this is still the reason you are doing it. I always quickly find out that I’m going in a direction that is my own.

Thanks to my roots going back to the beginning of electronic music, it’s much easier to understand where the trends are leading to before it’s actually happening. My biggest goal has always been to be create trends by staying true to my own signature sound. I believe it’s something that happens organically – you don’t really need too much magic for this.

You’ve worked with some pretty big names in music. What were some of your favorite collabs and why?

I remember back in the 90’s, I had the chance to remix a classic tune by Kool & The Gang and Lauryn Hill – this is definitely something I still think about a lot, and it’s one of my first highlights.Today, I’m always very proud of myself for every single collaboration I do, whether it’s a remix or just a collaboration.It’s fun to get appreciation from big artists by getting asked to craft a new version of their song with your own signature sound. When Sam Feldt reached out to remix “Show Me Love,” I really felt that this was something that is part of my musical history, a track I grew up with. The way Sam has re-recorded the vocals was unique, and I took the challenge. It was a very emotional process for me.

Any new music coming up that you can tell us about?

There will be a release of “Want You” with a full vocal version coming very soon this summer. My long-awaited follow up to “Breathin'”, is called “Belong” and will be available in August via Spinnin’ Records – can’t wait to premiere that one. I also did a remix for The Avener’s upcoming  single, and I tried to evolve my sound on that as well. More music to come this year!

The EDM scene has been changing rapidly over the last few years, what are your thoughts on the massive explosion in popularity that this style of music has been seeing?

It became a culture over here in the states. It’s amazing to see so many kids getting together and peacefully celebrating this culture that’s already over 20 years old. Music brings people together, it’s just awesome.

What is some good advice you can give an up and coming/emerging DJ?

Release good music – music that touches people – and be unique.

With an already illustrious career and more big things on the way, EDX is proving that he’s on top of the game with each and every release.

With new tunes, major festival bookings, and collaborations on the horizon – we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the talented musician.

If you enjoyed this article, check out our exclusive interview with Jason Hann of EOTO and The String Cheese Incident here.