“Success for me is connecting with people who genuinely resonate with the music” Gio Lucca interview

Gio Lucca has been steadily carving out his own lane in the underground, blending tech house, minimal and funk with a sense of clarity and intent. After releases on labels like Nervous and Deeperfect, he’s now launching his own imprint, ISO—a personal and future-facing platform that reflects both his musical outlook and broader creative influences.

We caught up with him to talk about the vision behind the label, the story behind his Laid Back rework, and how he’s thinking about community, originality, and what it means to build something lasting.

Why did now feel like the right time to launch your own label?

Starting a label just felt like the next natural step. It’s something I’ve been planning since last year, and honestly, so many of the artists I look up to run their own imprints—it’s a big part of how the underground scene moves. I wanted to carve out my own sonic space and eventually use it to spotlight up-and-coming artists; the same way others have supported me.

What’s the story behind the name ISO? What does it represent for you?

It stands for In Search Of. It’s kind of a reflection of the journey every artist goes through, chasing dreams, figuring out your place, constantly evolving. It’s super personal for me. It also ties into other parts of who I am–I studied chemical engineering in college, and I’m also really into film photography and vintage cameras. ISO is a term in both of those worlds too, so it just felt right.

You’re kicking things off with a rework of Cocaine Cool. What drew you to that track and what did you want to bring to your version?

The original track has always had a special energy to it, super stripped back but funky and raw. When I started the rework, my goal was to preserve the soul of the original—the timeless vibe that makes it so catchy—but also bring it into a more current, high-energy context. I wanted something that could hit harder in my sets while still keeping that hypnotic, almost playful essence intact.

I’m super excited to have Laid Back involved in the launch of the label—it means a lot to kick things off with such iconic artists. Hopefully this is just the beginning of more collaborations with them down the line.

How would you describe the sound or vibe you’re curating with ISO? Is there a common thread beyond genre?

ISO is about quality and originality above all else. It’s not tied to any one genre, but rooted in club music that feels fresh, timeless, and emotionally resonant. Whether it’s my own productions, collabs, or future releases from friends and new artists, the goal is to create music that moves people and stands out from the noise.

You’ve released on labels like Nervous, Deeperfect and North of Neptune. How did those experiences shape your vision for running your own imprint?

Each label gave me a different perspective—how they approach releases, handle promo, support artists. Nervous showed me the value of legacy and staying true to your identity—they’ve been around forever and have deep roots in house music. Deeperfect is all about consistency and keeping momentum in the club scene. North of Neptune, being more boutique, really emphasized community and artistic freedom.
All of those experiences helped shape my vision for ISO. I’ve learned the importance of attention to detail, staying creatively intentional, and building a space where artists feel heard. ISO is my way of combining all those lessons into something that feels personal but also open for growth.

Is ISO just a platform for your own releases or are you planning to bring in other artists from the start?

Right now, ISO will mainly be a home for my own tracks and a few collaborations with close friends. But I definitely plan to open it up to other artists that I believe in starting next year.

What does success look like for this label in the first year? What milestones are you aiming for?

Success for me isn’t just about charts or editorial playlists—though those are always appreciated. It’s more about building a community around the sound, connecting with people who genuinely resonate with the music. I’ve got a few releases lined up that tell my story and feature artists who’ve had a real impact on me. That alone feels like a milestone.

Further down the line, I’d love to start doing pop-ups and label events, but I’m letting that part grow naturally. No rush—just building it step by step.

You’ve had support from names like Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, Pawsa and Marco Carola. Have any of them heard the new release?

Yeah, they have! Michael Bibi’s been showing it a lot of love, and I’ve had some really solid feedback from Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, and a few others. Super hyped on the support it’s been getting so far.

As someone who blends tech house, minimal and funk, how do you stay inspired to keep things fresh?

I’m constantly listening to music outside the studio, and I like switching things up—whether it’s dark wave, rap, Motown, whatever. Pulling inspiration from totally different genres helps me reset creatively and keeps my sound from getting too predictable.

Looking ahead, how do you want ISO to contribute to the wider underground scene?

For me, it’s all about community. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a solid crew—Braydon Terzo, Kieran San Jose, Stefan Andreas, SLAMM, Dan Molinari—we’re all pushing each other creatively and trying to grow together. Kind of taking cues from what Solid Grooves built. I want ISO to be a space that encourages that same spirit—where artists can support each other, experiment, and hopefully inspire the next wave coming up.

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