Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Manu El Chino

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My brother with his hi-fi system listening to Hard Rock. For my part, it was more commercial dance music at first, before discovering more underground House and Techno worlds through early nights out with friends in bars and clubs.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I first started with DJing, which then made me want to create edits, mashups, etc.

A computer, a bit of trial and error at the beginning (information about music production wasn’t as accessible as it is now), followed by a constant learning process of software, plugins, music theory (I am not a musician), etc.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I run two parallel projects:

Manu El Chino, which is my original DJ project and has evolved towards more accessible sounds that I would classify as House, Disco House, Nu Disco.

My latest parallel project is under the name MROSSI, featuring a more underground house sound, with collaborations already released with artists such as MESSINA., Ramyen, and Mel Bundo, and many more tracks in preparation.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

It’s difficult to describe your own music. I’d say I look for a strong groove, and I like there to be a melodic touch, which is not always the case in today’s House productions.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

To keep things instinctive. It’s easy to follow trends, what you see in tutorials, use samples or presets… and of course it works, but the instinctive touch is what works best.

I can see it when I play my tracks to others — there’s a certain pride when listeners notice elements that truly came from my imagination.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

I mainly use Ableton Live, which I know quite well. I like certain plugin brands such as FabFilter, Soundtoys, U-He, Xfer… but nothing is really essential. Even Ableton’s stock plugins can now do almost everything.

Regarding the creative process, I like taking inspiration from older tracks, which often leads me in very different directions.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I really appreciate what the SolidGrooves label crew is doing — simple and effective.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

I don’t feel there is a direct link, but unconsciously you definitely make music based on life events and your current state of mind.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I am more focused on emotions and feelings. I just want the listener to be carried by the groove and the vibe of the track.

 What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Less is more!

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I don’t have a specific venue or festival I dream of playing at — ideally, it’s about having an audience that’s open to discovering tracks or a musical world they’re not familiar with

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Laurent Garnier, for his incredible musical culture and what he manages to convey in his sets.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

Manu El Chino : 

• Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/manuelchino/
• Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/manuelchino
• Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/djmanuelchino
• Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/3UeMgU8Vx90PRCDWYyWJfG
• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DJManuElChino

MROSSI : 

• Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mrossi.music
• Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/3rnh9N4B8kuSiW8lqTN4jH

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Simply to share my universe and music with more people, which is quite difficult nowadays with the huge number of releases every day.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I would mainly like to have more time to produce more tracks and not necessarily stay within the same style.