We had a chat with one of Italy’s staple DJ/producer Cristian Marchi on his new single ‘Summer Is Magic’, his career so far and how he approaches production.
Q: Your new single with SOLEA, Summer Is Magic, is out now. How did the collaboration come together, and what was the creative process like working across two different countries, with you in Italy and SOLEA in Canada?
Cristian: Summer Is Magic came together very naturally. I first put together a demo with that exact title and then started looking for a voice capable of conveying emotion, energy, and credibility. SOLEA turned out to be the perfect choice. Today, geographical distance matters much less than it did in the past.
We worked between Italy and Canada, exchanging ideas, demos, vocals, and productions practically every day. It was a real team effort, and I strongly believe in the value of teamwork. When people with different sensitivities work towards the same goal, that’s often when the best things happen.
Q: Summer Is Magic captures the feeling of a special summer memory. What’s your own most memorable summer experience, and did any personal moments inspire the story or emotion behind the track?
Cristian: More than a specific event, I would say it’s a feeling. Summer has always had a special meaning for someone who does what I do. It’s the time of year when you meet new people, experience intense emotions, and everything often happens very quickly.
Summer Is Magic is about exactly that… that moment that seems to last only a second but stays with you for years. I think everyone has at least one summer memory that can still make them feel something even after a long time.
Q: Festival season is in full swing. Looking back over your career, which festival or live performance stands out as your most unforgettable, and what made it so special?
Cristian: After more than 35 years in my career, I’ve experienced many incredible moments, but performing in Italy’s major public squares has always felt particularly special and authentic.
Seeing thousands of people of different ages singing and dancing together creates an energy that is difficult to describe. Those are the moments that remind you why you started doing this in the first place.
Q: When you’re starting a new track, are there any particular pieces of gear, synths, or plug-ins that consistently spark your creativity and help shape those first ideas?
Cristian: I almost always start with the idea and the emotion I want to convey. I use Logic Pro and various virtual instruments, but what really makes the difference is not technology itself.
Technology is a fundamental tool and today offers extraordinary possibilities, but it comes afterwards. First, there has to be a strong idea, a genuine emotion, and something worth expressing through music. When those elements are there, everything else simply becomes a way to enhance them.
The question I always ask myself is: does this song actually have something to say, or not? If the core idea is strong, everything else becomes much easier.
Q: Having spent many years in the music industry and witnessed its evolution firsthand, what’s the most valuable piece of advice you’d give to someone just beginning their career today?
Cristian: Don’t constantly chase what’s fashionable. Trends change very quickly. Identity, on the other hand, can stay with you throughout your entire career.
I see a lot of young artists focusing exclusively on numbers, while I believe they should focus on becoming recognizable. If people understand who you are, you’ve built something that can last over time.
Q: If you could choose any artist in the world for a dream back-to-back set, who would it be and why do you think you’d be a good musical match?
Cristian: I would probably choose David Guetta. He’s one of the artists who has contributed the most to shaping the dance music I love. He has always managed to combine technique, groove, soul, and strategy, four elements that I also consider fundamental in the way I approach music.
Q: How did your journey into music begin, and which artists, genres, or experiences have had the biggest influence on your sound over the years?
Cristian: It started very early. As a teenager, I spent hours listening to the radio, buying records, and watching DJs at work in clubs. My main influences come from American house music of the 1990s, European dance music, and all those artists capable of creating immediate yet highly distinctive records. More generally, I believe that every experience you have in life, even outside of music, helps shape your sound.
Q: Every DJ has that one record they can always rely on. What’s the track that’s guaranteed to stay on your USB this summer, and what makes it such an essential selection?
Cristian: If I had to choose a record that had a huge impact on my career, I would say Love Sex American Express. It’s a track that still manages to convey energy and instant recognition today.
Q: Are there any emerging artists or producers you’re particularly excited about right now that fans should have on their radar?
Cristian: There are many interesting talents out there. Rather than naming specific artists, I’m impressed by those who are building a personal identity instead of copying whatever happens to be working at the moment. I believe the future belongs to those who have the courage to be recognizable, not simply those who are good at following trends.
Q: Finally, looking ahead to the second half of 2026, what can fans expect from Cristian Marchi? Are there any new releases, collaborations, or live shows you’re especially excited to share?
Cristian: There will definitely be new music, new collaborations, and plenty of live shows.
I have just released Summer Is Magic, on June 15th a new Club Mix of Fast Cars & Superstars will be released, a track that has surpassed 50 million streams on Spotify, and I’m already working on new original productions.
At the same time, I will continue developing CM Music because I strongly believe in building something that can stand the test of time. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in more than 35 years of my career, it’s that you have to keep evolving without losing your identity, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.
Cristian Marchi Online:
Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Spotify | Soundcloud
