EarthLife’s music balances technical precision and emotional instinct. Over the past decade, Italian producers and multi-instrumentalists Luca Garzione and Luigi R. Gargano have refined a sound blurring melodic house, techno, and live performance. Infused with classical piano foundations, their textured compositions prioritize narrative and atmosphere over standard club formulas. Instead of merely replicating studio tracks live, EarthLife delivers an evolving, experimental audiovisual experience shaped by extensive touring and studio experimentation. This dedication to growth has allowed them to share stages with prominent melodic electronic artists while defining their own identity. We caught up with them to discuss their evolving sound, creative partnership, and commitment to transcending genre conventions.
Listen to EarthLife’s mix on PLAYY. Music while reading the interview below:
How would you describe your musical style and the genres or subcultures that most influence your sound?
Our sound sits at the intersection of House and Techno, but we don’t like to think in terms of strict genres. EarthLife is built around the meeting of two different musical worlds: Luigi’s classical piano background and Luca’s electronic production approach. That contrast naturally creates a balance between emotion and energy, organic performance and club culture. At the moment, we’re naturally moving towards a more House-oriented sound, and it’s a direction we’re really enjoying. It gives us more space to explore groove, warmth and human connection without losing the emotional depth that has always been at the core of our music.
Music Creation: Describe the primary setting or environment where your music is conceived. Is it a chaotic, overstimulating studio, a minimalist digital space, a rehearsal room, or a more isolated location?
Most of our music is created in our studio in Milan, which is a very focused and intimate space rather than a chaotic one. We like to keep the environment simple, with just the tools we need, so the attention stays on the music and the emotions behind it.
Our creative process usually starts with a piano idea, a chord progression or an atmosphere, and then evolves through synthesizers, drum machines and sound design. Since we’re preparing our new live show, we’ve also been spending a lot of time experimenting with analog gear and performance setups, making sure every track feels alive both in the studio and on stage.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
For us, it always starts with a feeling. We’re not trying to tell a specific story or follow a concept from the beginning we’re chasing an emotion. Once we find that emotional core, the sounds, melodies and arrangements naturally grow around it.
Sometimes it’s a simple piano phrase, other times it’s a synth texture or a groove, but the goal is always the same: to create music that makes people feel something genuine. Technique and sound design are important, but they’re always in service of emotion.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
Our setup is a mix of classic hardware and modern software. We use a wide range of VST instruments and plugins, but there are a few pieces of gear that have become part of our signature sound.
The Roland JP-8000 is one of our favorites for its character and timeless textures, while the Moog Sub 37 brings warmth, depth and powerful analog basses. We also use a Nord Rack for its versatility and expressive sounds. And, of course, the piano remains at the heart of our creative process many of our tracks begin with a simple piano idea before evolving into a full production.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
We’re always open to collaborations if they happen naturally and there’s a genuine artistic connection. For us, it’s never about the name, it’s about sharing the same vision and creating something that feels authentic.
Of course, there are artists we admire and would love to work with one day, but we don’t approach music with a wishlist. The best collaborations are usually the ones you don’t plan, when two creative worlds come together at the right moment and something unexpected happens.
Any side projects you’re working on?
We’re currently developing a new side project that explores a different musical dimension, together with a singer and a bass player. It’s something we’re very excited about because it allows us to experiment with new textures, songwriting approaches and a more organic side of our creativity.
We’ll reveal more about it very soon, but for now we’d prefer to keep some details private and let the music speak when the time comes.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
EarthLife lol
What role does ‘rebellion’ or ‘counterculture’ play in your music? Are you aiming to challenge commercial norms, sonic structures, or societal expectations?
We don’t see rebellion as a deliberate statement against something, but more as the freedom to follow our own path. For us, the most important form of rebellion is staying authentic and creating music without being limited by expectations or predefined rules.
We like to challenge ourselves by blending different worlds: the emotional depth of classical music, the energy of club culture, and the possibilities offered by modern electronic production. Rather than rejecting commercial norms, we’re interested in pushing boundaries and creating a sound that feels personal, timeless and true to our vision.
Who is one non-musical artist (e.g., fashion designer, visual artist, film director) whose work feels sonically synonymous with your sound?
We would choose Christopher Nolan as an artist whose work feels connected to the spirit of EarthLife. His films are built around emotion, intensity and immersive experiences, combining powerful storytelling with a unique sense of atmosphere and scale. We relate to his ability to create worlds where every element has a purpose and where emotion is always at the center. In a similar way, our music is about building a journey, blending cinematic feelings, energy and human depth. His approach to creating experiences that stay with people beyond the first impression is something that inspires us and reflects the way we think about our own sound.
What aspects of your artistry feel most important to you, for example your sound, visuals, storytelling, or live performance style?
For us, the most important aspect is the connection between sound, emotion and live performance. Music is always the foundation, but we believe the complete experience comes from the way all elements interact with each other.
Our sound represents the emotional core of EarthLife, while visuals and storytelling help create a deeper world around it. With our new live act, we’re focusing even more on the performance aspect, bringing together piano, analog synthesizers and electronic energy to create something that feels immersive and human.
The goal is not just to play music, but to take people on a journey where they can connect with the emotions behind every sound.
The Future: What is the most exciting and the most terrifying technological development impacting the music industry right now (e.g., AI composition, NFTs, digital distribution models)?
The most exciting and at the same time challenging development is definitely the rise of artificial intelligence in music. It opens incredible possibilities for creativity, from new production tools to new ways of exploring sound and composition.
At the same time, we believe the most valuable element in music will always remain the human experience behind it: the emotion, the imperfections, the personal story and the connection between artists and listeners. Technology should be a tool that expands creativity, not something that replaces the human side of music.
How would you describe the live music environments you feel most connected to? For example, are you drawn more to the energy of massive festival stages, the intimacy of underground warehouse parties or DIY venues, or a mix of both?
We feel connected to both sides because they represent different aspects of the same experience. Massive festival stages offer an incredible sense of collective energy, where thousands of people can share the same emotion at the same moment. That connection is something very powerful.
At the same time, we are deeply inspired by more intimate environments, where the audience is closer, the atmosphere is more personal, and there is more space for experimentation and emotional connection.
For EarthLife, the ideal environment is a balance between these worlds: the energy and scale of a big stage combined with the authenticity and depth of an underground experience. Regardless of the size of the venue, what matters most to us is creating a real connection between the music and the people.
Famous last words?
Keep exploring, keep evolving, and never stop searching for new emotions through music. EarthLife has always been about the journey, and we believe the most exciting chapter is still ahead.
