Gianni Firmaio on Authentic Tech House and the Cost of Looking Polished

Gianni Firmaio (@giannifirmaio) is entering March with a release that says a lot about where his sound is headed in 2026. His upcoming three-track EP on Rafa Barrios’ Bandidos label includes “MC Space,” “Lift Me Up,” and “Be One,” and it pushes further into the groove-led, percussive tech house approach he has been refining across releases on labels like elrow Music, Viva Music, Hottrax, Rawthentic, Deeperfect, and Be One and is a natural continuation of the momentum his Palleggio EP established earlier this year.

With support from names like Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Nicole Moudaber, Paco Osuna, and Nic Fanciulli, who has already been backing “MC Space,” the new project lands as another clear step in his current direction.

That release provides useful context for this conversation, because Firmaio’s discussion keeps coming back to substance, identity, and staying grounded in the music rather than being consumed by presentation.

He is realistic about how much visuals matter in today’s scene, but he is equally clear that an image without strong records has no long-term value. That tension between visual culture and real club function runs through the interview, and it connects closely with an EP built for peak-time sets, tight rhythm, and personality over excess.

Interview With Gianni Firmaio

What role do you think visuals and design play in how people perceive a DJ today?

Unfortunately, visuals play a very big role today, even if I personally don’t fully agree with that.

It’s absolutely fine to give visibility to yourself and your brand, and having a strong visual identity can help people recognize you. But it shouldn’t be everything. Music should always come first.

Being a DJ or producer starts with love for music – that’s the core of it. Of course, it’s important to stay current and evolve with the times, but at the end of the day, this is about passion. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that.

Have you ever felt like your online aesthetic mattered more than your latest release?

Not at all. For me, my aesthetic will never matter more than the music.

Music is the reason I do this. I know that for some people today, image and visual style may seem more important than the actual sound, but that has never been my approach. If the music isn’t strong, nothing else really matters in the long run.

How do you keep the visuals aligned with the music, without turning it into marketing fluff?

Honestly, I don’t overthink it. It’s not something I focus on too much. My priority as a producer is to create strong records, and as a DJ, to play the best music I can.

The visual side should reflect who you are naturally – not something constructed. I’ve always believed that authenticity speaks louder than strategy. I try to stay true to myself.

What’s the cost of always having to look polished, curated, or “on brand”?

If someone uses image as their main weapon, I think the cost can be high. It can limit spontaneity and even artistic freedom. Of course, presentation matters to a certain extent – we live in a visual era – but it shouldn’t become the absolute priority.

Over time, people can feel the difference between someone driven by passion and someone driven purely by appearance.

Have you ever seen someone’s style or image overshadow their sound?

The industry today is very crowded, and visibility plays a huge role. There are definitely cases where image seems stronger than the music. But I don’t like to criticize – everyone is free to approach their career in their own way. I believe that longevity comes from substance.

What do you think is the difference between taste and trend when it comes to visuals?

Taste is personal. It comes from who you are, your influences, your culture, your background. A trend is something external – it moves fast and usually disappears just as quickly. When visuals are based on taste, they feel natural and timeless.

When they’re based only on trends, they often feel temporary.

Where do you think the aesthetic obsession is heading next?

I think visuals will continue to grow in importance, especially with how fast social media evolves. But I also believe there will always be space for authenticity.

Trends come and go, but real identity lasts. In the long term, music and genuine artistic vision will always outlive aesthetic hype.