MICHELE TIBERIO IS TAKING THE NAPLES SOUND TO GLOBAL DANCEFLOORS

Michele Tiberio

Michele Tiberio

Michele Tiberio

Michele Tiberio

Michele Tiberio

Michele Tiberio operates as a Naples-born DJ and electronic music producer steadily building a strong reputation across the international clubbing circuit. He spent years refining specific audio production skills and sending unreleased tracks to established artists before finding his current momentum. His breakthrough single “Freak N’ Nasty” caught the attention of major DJs worldwide, leading directly to high-profile bookings including a recent set at Pacha in Ibiza. Drawing inspiration from diverse genres like R&B, soul, jazz and classic house, he relies heavily on complex sampling techniques to construct his distinct audio profile. We spoke with the Italian producer about his creative workflow, his deep connection to Neapolitan musical heritage and his honest thoughts on modern dancefloor culture.

Here at Casawi, we like to look beyond the artist. Who is Michele in everyday life? What are your passions, and what do you do to disconnect when you are away from the DJ booth and the studio?

Hi Casawi! In my free time, or whenever I’m off work, I love being surrounded by nature, either with friends or on my own. I enjoy getting away from my computer and spending time somewhere with no phone signal, so I can completely disconnect from technology. Being away from everything gives me a lot of inspiration.

Looking closely at your production, how do you structure your research and sound design to find new nuances and give your tracks your personal signature?

There isn’t always one specific element or a single characteristic defining my music. I simply try to work on every sample in a way feeling like “mine.” When it comes to finding my own sound, I listen to all kinds of music: R&B, soul, jazz, rock, country and, of course, all the different influences within house music. Like many house producers, I enjoy sampling, and I think all these different influences naturally become part of my sound.

Was there a specific moment or event when you realized music production would become your definitive path?

I started to feel music could become my path about two years ago, when I began producing a huge amount of music and constantly sending it to all the DJs I admired. For quite a while, I wasn’t getting any feedback and I wasn’t seeing any videos of people or pages on Instagram playing my music. Then, one night while scrolling through Instagram, I saw two big DJs had played the same track of mine in two completely different parts of the world. A week later, many more DJs had started playing it. The real turning point came this year, when a large number of DJs started supporting almost all of my tracks, both released and unreleased. The moment arrived when I understood I might be on the right path.

Among the tracks you released so far, which one are you most emotionally attached to, and which one drove you crazy in the studio before finishing it?

One of the tracks I’m most emotionally attached to, even though it wasn’t the most difficult one to produce, is the track introducing me to a wider audience: “Freak N’ Nasty.” As for the tracks driving my team and me crazy during the production process, there are two from my first album, coming out a month ago. The first one is “Losing My Control” and the second is “Last Days.” I think you understand why when you listen to them.

Playing at a historic club like Pacha in Ibiza is a notable achievement. What feelings did you experience behind the console, and what makes the atmosphere of the island unique compared to the rest of the world?

Playing at Pacha was not only a huge honour for me, but also an incredibly emotional experience. I had always experienced Pacha as a clubber, with the dream of one day playing there myself. When the day finally came, it felt magical. The atmosphere in Ibiza is truly unique. People genuinely come to have a good time, enjoy the music and dance all night. There’s something special about the energy of the island and the way people experience music here.

Traveling and playing in different contexts, how do you view the current health of underground clubbing? Is there anything you would change or a trend you are passionate about?

I don’t particularly follow trends, to be honest. When it comes to the current state of underground clubbing, I think it is slowly coming back to life, although sometimes in the wrong way. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact people go to parties to dance and enjoy the music, not to make videos. And, to be honest, I don’t think people always enjoy being filmed while they’re partying. I think clubbing is getting better and coming back stronger, but we should use our phones a little less and keep some of those memories in our minds instead.

Naples has a massive musical tradition and culture. How much did growing up in a city full of contrasts and energy influence your sound?

I believe Naples is a great musical school, no matter what genre you’re talking about. So many musical geniuses have come from this city. For me, it will always be a huge challenge to reach the level and create the kind of sounds coming from Naples. Yes, growing up here has influenced me completely. My sound will always have something a little bit “Neapolitan” in it.