Max Porcelli (@max__porcelli) is entering a meaningful phase of his career, which gives this conversation extra depth. With 989 Records set to reach its 20th anniversary in 2027, he is looking back at a label he founded out of necessity, then pushing it forward with a renewed purpose. Since reopening the doors in September 2025, he has been reshaping 989 as a platform for the next generation, with a clear focus on artists making music for the soul rather than chasing platform behavior. That direction says a lot about where he is now, because it reflects a producer and DJ who still cares deeply about identity, intent, and the long-term value of a real artistic point of view.
That renewed label vision is already taking shape through a growing international roster.
Porcelli points to artists such as MAIl from Denmark and BlasterBoyz from Italy, both connected to the recent Bloom Boom Remix Contest, alongside names including Sam Deanz, Sequo, This Guy Ben, Authr, Anatoly Space, Jordan B, DieGARD, and Havour. What ties that roster together is not geography or trend alignment, but a shared fit with the spirit of 989. That makes this feature timely, because it places Porcelli in a role that goes beyond his own productions and DJ sets. He is also acting as a curator, mentor, and gatekeeper for a sound he has spent decades refining.
That perspective runs through the interview itself. Porcelli discusses voice, identity, flexibility, trust, and the point at which technical skill starts to mean something emotionally. He speaks from experience, from early breakthroughs to industry setbacks, and he frames growth as something earned through discipline, experimentation, and self-awareness. It gives the piece a solid center, because this is not a conversation about branding.
It is about how an artist builds a sound that can still feel personal after thirty years in music.
Interview With Max Porcelli
What does having a “voice” as a DJ mean to you?
To me, a “voice” is that unmistakable signature that allows a listener to recognize you without seeing the booth. It’s like a vocal timbre for a singer. It means moving beyond just “playing records” and instead orchestrating a vibe. It’s about the soul of the party – the same mysterious energy I felt at 14 when I first saw a DJ elevated above the dancefloor.
My voice is deeply rooted in creating immersive soundscapes that try to evoke emotion, whether it’s a peak-hour organic house track or an introspective downtempo journey.
How do you stay rooted in your taste while also leaving room for evolution?
I stay rooted by keeping the “house” essence – those dirty, sometimes out-of-sync grooves and sustained melodic lines – at the core of everything I do. Evolution comes from technical curiosity. I don’t follow trends passively; I engage with new tools, like ACE Studio or new hardware, to see how they can push my boundaries. I love to be a student of the craft, always.
I try to strip away the superfluous over time to find the “essence,” but I’m never afraid to revisit my roots with a modern lens. Never forget your roots.
Have you ever struggled with feeling like your sets don’t “represent” you?
Early in my career, especially around 2004, I faced a major crisis of identity and trust after my ideas were stolen and copied by the industry. I felt like I was losing control of my own narrative. I reacted to that frustration, which actually led to the birth of 989 Records. It was a turning point where I realized that to truly represent myself, I needed creative freedom and responsibility.
Now, if a set doesn’t feel right, I know it’s because I’ve fallen into a “pattern” rather than following an idea.
Is there a moment where you realized your musical identity was starting to click?
It clicked for me in 2007 during my first live set in Slovenia. At that time, live electronic performances weren’t that common. Feeling the electricity, the intertwined connection with the crowd while performing my own productions made me realize that my identity wasn’t just about the music I played, but about the path I could lead people on.
I believe that night solidified my personal mission to bridge the gap between technical production and live emotion.
How do you protect your sense of self while still being flexible?
I protect it by producing for myself first. If you produce for business or algorithms, I personally get bored and lose my way. I stay flexible by stepping outside the “club” box – creating downtempo, Lo-Fi, or chillout tracks.
This “creative escape” gives me the freedom to experiment without the limitations of the dancefloor, which actually makes my house sets stronger and more unique.
Are there habits or routines that help you keep refining your voice?
My most important routine is constant research. I spend time reading reviews, testing new instruments, and maintaining a disciplined studio practice.
A key habit was investing in my environment – acoustic treatment and high-end monitors. When you can truly “trust” what you hear, you gain the power to forge your sound without compromise. Also, I look for inspiration in the unconventional; sometimes, a unique sound comes from something as simple as tapping on a Pringles tube or a simple bottle of water.
What’s the difference between a curated identity and a lived one?
A curated identity is an “assembly line” – thinking in patterns, chasing what’s trendy, and trying to fit a mold.
A lived identity is built through 30 years of experiences, from stealing techniques with your eyes at 14 to navigating the heartbreaks of the record industry. I believe a lived identity isn’t afraid of “dirtying the groove” or being imperfect. It’s consistent, it’s passionate, and it’s rooted in a real connection with people, not just a digital profile.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
