Modern Tango World #9 (Rome, Italy)

Mariano Mattone
— Tangothic
interview by Raymond Lauzzana
Tangothic is an electrotango music project of Mariano Mattone, the founder and producer, who teamed up with
bandoneonist, Adolfo Trepiana, to produce several CDs. Mariano Djd at some clubs, events and and on the
radio before producing his first CD. His musical background had ranged from hip-hop to electronica before
forming the Tangothic ptoject. I discussed his past, present and future projects, with a view to the future tango.
.MTW — Thank you for the oportunity! I would like
to begin by asking you and the beginning of the Tangothic
Project. What led to the idea for this project?
Mariano Mattone — A manager for a record label
wanted to produce an electronic tango album, and contacted
me to help him. I went to several flea markets
and record stores to listen and collect old tango vinyls
and CDs. At that time, I had already listened the Gotan
Project and I really liked what they did and how they fusion
tango with electronica. Tangothic was born in 2005
with our first album Debut wich is more electronic and
experimental than tango. I used mostly old tango samples
arranged, pitched and sliced into electronic beats.
We did very little nre recording for this album.
MTW — Has your music always been close to the
tango? Has your music has been changed over the
course of your career?
Mariano Mattone — Not really. I do like the sad
melancholic tone that some tangos have, I love Astor
Piazzolla of course, among others.
MTW — What makes Tangothic different from the
other electrotango bands? How would you define Tangothic
in a musical way?
Mariano Mattone — I think Tangothic`s approach
is more electronic and sampler based. It is less orchestral
and less traditional tango — more for home
listening than club playing or festival music.
MTW — Most of Tangothic’s pieces are original compositions.
Who is the primary composer? Is there some
special approach to writing songs for Tangothic? Do
you have a personal favorite?
Mariano Mattone — Usually, I start by browsing
the sample library that I built for Tangothic — vinyls,
cd`s, audio files etc, until something clicks and I try to
add a beat on that sample part. Sometimes, it takes a
lot of tries. Other times, the song makes itself. Adolfo
Trepiana brings in his bandoneon for recording and
musical arrangements. Once it is recorded, we start
adding some strings, pianos, etc. I have lot of favorite
songs, usually I can’t listen to an album for months,
even years, and then I say
Wow! We made this track, its nice!
Si yo tuviera, Sin tregua, La Porteña, Default, Triumph are
among my favorite tracks!
MTW — Do you perform at milongas or festivals.
Do you play for concerts?
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