The latest instalment in Get Physical’s flagship album series ‘Body Language’ is put into the very capable hands of DJ and producer Cioz. We caught up with the Berlin resident to discuss the LP, his time in lockdown and his hopes for the future.

WWD: Hi Alessandro, thanks for taking the time to talk to When We Dip. Can you start by telling us a little about your year in lockdown, how have you been? What have you done to keep busy? And how has your local area been affected?

Hello and thank you my friends. Tough question to start with. Actually this year in lockdown, especially the beginning, was really stressful for me. I live in Berlin, but I come from Bergamo, which was the hotspot of the pandemic in Europe. I couldn’t believe that everything started there, in my native city. The famous photo of the military trucks was taken no more than one Km from where my family lives. As I saw that picture I freaked out, worrying about my family and friends, knowing that I couldn’t do anything about it. At least I wanted to be close to them, but it wasn’t possible to come back. I lost a friend to the virus, Mirko Bertuccioli, who was the singer of the band “I Camillas”. I have friends who lost one of their grandparents or even parents. I thought I was going crazy for a while in the beginning. I got lost in social media, and there, if you look for motivational videos or you type something about psychology, then you get only commercials that go like “do you need mental help?” and so on. Luckily all these strange confused feelings were inspiration to create new music. What a strange world we are living in. Sorry for the outburst. 😛

In Berlin it was tough though for shops, bars, clubs, theatres and for the people working there: bartenders, musicians, actors and so on. They got some help from the government but wasn’t enough for everyone I guess. I hope they can re-open soon. The light at the end of the tunnel is near.

In the beginning of the pandemic I tried to stay home the most I could. I bought a Nintendo Switch and played Zelda, Mario Kart or watched movies with my flatmates. Sometimes I put some music through Zoom for my friends from “Utopia” in Bergamo who were in strict quarantine. Or just throwing little nice home-parties with my flatmates. The kitchen became the best dancefloor.

At the moment, regarding the restrictions, the main difference between Bergamo and Berlin is that in Bergamo you always have to wear a mask wherever you go, you cannot drink while strolling around, but still you can sit at a table outside a bar with friends and order something. In Berlin it’s the opposite: you’re allowed to walk around without a mask and drinking a beer in the park for instance, but sitting outside bars is still not possible. Different kinds of freedoms. Both are totally ok compared to the lack of freedom people are having right now around the world…

WWD: You’re a proud son of Bergamo in Italy. What are the best thing about your home town and how is the music scene there?

Proud? 🙂 I like my city, and coming back there is always so heart-warming. What I enjoy the most is meeting my friends and family and hearing new stories from them. Going in the upper city (città alta) and watching Bergamo from above is breathtaking. The food is just great. The music scene is growing in Bergamo and I’m so happy about it! So many talented producers and friends. It’s the home of Mathame, Tayga, Adamant, Corpino, Nairobi D, Sligo, Bar.ba, Heider… The scene is growing slowly and getting international recognition. I hope this wave never stops, so maybe it affects positively the club scene there as well.

WWD: You’ve joined the ranks of some A-list names, taking on the latest Body Language album for Get Physical, with previous editions by Dixon, DJ Hell, Modeselektor, Matthew Dear and many more. What can you tell us about your edition, no.23? It has almost the feel of an artist album to it.

I’m so honored about it. Get Physical asked me to have mostly original songs or remixes on the compilation, so that’s why I decided to get out of the comfort zone trying to do an album basically. I know I couldn’t do it without the help of my friends Eleonora, Boy Oh Boy, Corpino, Nairobi D, T.M.A, &lez and Sides. It’s so nice to hear the flavors of their sounds fusing with mines in our collaborations. I think they added so much value into them.

In the compilation you can also find an edit of “Jodi Bush” made with Super Flu, it’s called “Jodi Rush” (just to create a little bit more confusion), a remix for Patrice Bäumel “Clair” and I had the pleasure to remix the memorable “Body Language” from M.A.N.D.Y and Booka Shade. There’s a special intro, “Soul Fixer”, a bit introspective and the single “Rain”.
The compilation is a bit of a reflection of this past year: it starts dark and dramatic, gets tense in the middle, nasty, energetic, then goes brighter and groovy. At the end it gets hopeful and serene, trying to leave you with a big smile on your face.

There will be a limited white vinyl as well: it will include the “Body Language” remix and “Rain” together with “Lucky Shot” and “Cookie Man”. I’m so happy about that!

WWD: You have released on some great labels in recent years including Crosstown Rebels, Stil Vor Talent and of course Get Physical. How have gone about placing your music with these imprints and have you any desires for your own label?

I normally don’t send too many demos. The relationship with the labels happened spontaneously. Most of the time playing unreleased music in podcasts and catching the attention of A&R’s. Otherwise through common friends or from the label bosses asking for demos. I don’t send too many demos also because I’m not such a prolific producer and I don’t like to release everything I make. I tend to finish a track only when it’s meaningful, so I leave lots of projects behind when I feel there’s not so much soul in them.

About the label… Who knows 🙂 I think it’s a bit early to think about it. I’m still in learning mode. I’m looking around trying to absorb the most I can. In the meantime I’m getting to know many talented producers and DJs through collaborations. Maybe I will launch one with some friends one day. I don’t think I will ever want to have my own exclusive label. I like working with others.

WWD: What can you tell us about your life as a DJ to date? We understand you were resident at Bauhaus Parties?

Yes! Bauhaus Party was certainly the bridge that connected me to Germany and to a more professional path. Performing in front of lots of people and before guest DJs was the turning point. There I met Bebetta, Jimi Jules, Marco Resmann, Rodriguez Jr… I learned a lot there. I felt loved. It’s a pity that Bauhaus stopped. But after 10 years of parties it’s understandable. The colors of my Body Language compilation are in fact Red, Yellow and Blue to honor the style of the Bauhaus Party.
About my life as a DJ? I think I forgot how it feels 🙂 I hope to get back soon behind the booth. I have so many tracks I want to try!

WWD: Away from producing and DJ’ing what are the things that get you excited?

I love playing guitar and singing with friends. Putting up a tent and having a bonfire if possible. Maybe by the sea? That’s perfection. I like sports with balls 🙂 table tennis, football, tennis, volleyball… I also like easy cozy evenings at home, that can easily turn into kitchen disco parties. When there’s time I like to go to the park and now when the weather is getting better I really would love to get a small inflatable boat and float over the Berlin canals.

WWD: What’s next for Cioz in 2021 and beyond?

I have three or four remixes in the pipeline, one of which is for Oliver Koletzki. I’m preparing a sample pack for PML and also, I have lots of jams I want to bring to an end, maybe for my first real album? Who knows 🙂