Synonymous with a very musical aesthetic and approach towards the culture of electronic music, Acid Pauli (aka Martin Gretschmann) is as eclectic and determined as an artist can get. Over the last 20 years Martin Gretschmann has been exploring new fields of music off the mainstream paths: psychedelic, adventurous and full of musicality. Born in the 70s in the Bavarian region of Germany, Martin started to play bass guitar in a punk/indie band in the late 80s, whilst at the same time developing a keen interest in the evolution of electronic music and its instruments. The introduction of affordable samplers in that period led him to produce his first electronic tracks. His initial forays under the name Console were released in 1995, and with the help of an Atari computer, a four-track tape machine, a sampler and a small synthesizer, he made his first album Pan or ama in 1996. Between 1997 and 2014, he was a member of the band The Notwist, with whom he released several albums, performing and touring the globe extensively.
In the year 2000, the moniker Acid Pauli was born, since then he has played at renowned festivals and clubs all over the world, from Australia to Mexico, and his first full-length album, Mst, was released on Clown & Sunset in the summer of 2012. It was the subject of both wide-ranging praise and comparisons with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos and Björk - who used a Console track for her album Heirloom. “Acid Pauli’s music falls somewhere between planting basil on your windowsill or breaking into a dancing frenzy. It’s delicate and floats in the ether before being brought back with long drawn out kicks and slithering basslines.” Martin’s DJ sets are characterised by a deeply personal artistic approach, mixing often up to 4 tracks at a time which he weaves into a sound collage, incorporating live edits as well as edits inspired by artists and cultures local to the venues he is invited to play in. This pursuit of diverse sources of inspiration has led to many exciting collaborations, such as at Sacred Music Festival in Jodhpur (India) where Martin collaborated with traditional musicians, and “Dialoge 2020 – Radialsystem” where Martin provided the soundtrack to a dance performance by Sasha Waltz, entirely improvised, an immediate, intensive artistic exchange. Collaboration feeds inspiration, and his sources of inspiration are something Acid Pauli often pays homage to in his sets. When he was invited to perform at Mutek Festival in Montreal (Canada) in 2018, he decided to pay tribute to his favourite singer/songwriter, himself born and raised in Montreal, by creating a live-set consisting only of samples and songs taken from Leonard Cohen. Later, in 2023, he presented a very special set with Viken Arman at Frue Festival in Japan, an homage to Sakamoto.
When he isn’t touring the globe, playing unpredictable sets in unpredictable places, Acid Pauli can be found writing scores for radio plays or films, working on the launch of his new label “All is Acid”, his next studio album, or projects in the non-electronic realm of music such as the jazz album “Letter to a friend” by Raphael Pannier, or his next Ambient set - his most famous was played for and in the renowned museum “Fondation Beyeler” in Basel. The curious can check out his extensive discography. One thing’s for sure, this unique character and musician will never cease to surprise us and dream spaces for connection into reality through his rich musical tapestries.
Osunlade is a musician who lives his art. Both his music and his being create unified melodies awash with life, wisdom, and equilibrium. Hailing from St Louis, Missouri, a place which pioneered jazz and blues, and spawned such innovators as Miles Davis, Osunlade discovered the piano at age seven. Like a dove from the sky the vision of his life’s destiny was born. By the time he was twelve he found an interest in creating and producing his own songs. He formed a local band, taught himself how to play several other instruments, and further pursued the development of his unique sound. He had managed to learn the drums, bass and guitar, and had discovered his voice. His deeply personal musical testimonies had begun. His professional career began in 1987 at the age of seventeen, during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of Toni ‘Mickey’ Basil, a choreagrapher/performer who offered him work developing music for several projects, including a role scoring the b-movie ‘Rockula’, and the children’s television series ‘Sesame Street’. With her encouragement he quickly moved to Los Angeles to begin a long career in music production. A few years later he would produce the very first album for the then independent label Interscope Records, by the aspiring actor/dancer Gerardo, a long time friend. The album spawned ‘Rico Suave’, one of the very first latin pop songs in America. With a multi platinum album and four gold singles to his name, it wasn’t long before Osunlade was given ample opportunities to master his craft.
Over the next ten years, with credits for over 20 albums, Osunlade began to feel the pressures and practices of the music business had overshadowed his passion for music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influence of corporate demands, he chose instead to seek spiritual solace and honour his soul. This spiritual pilgrimage led him to Ifa, a naturalist ancestral culture based on divination, deriving from the Yoruba tribes of Africa and subsequently practiced by African American slaves.
In 1999 Osunlade embarked on what has become his dream come true: the founding of Yoruba Records. Recognized as one of the most important dance music labels worldwide, Yoruba Records is a pure source of music created to elevate the spirit. In little under a year, and with only two singles, Osunlade would receive praise from his peers, finally finding the love he sought for years within the underground dance music community. As the label became more successful, there was increasing demand for Osunlade to expand. In 2001 he released his debut album on the respected Soul Jazz label. ‘Paradigm’ quickly became one of the biggest house albums that year, and he was dubbed the messiah of ancestral house music. With the support of DJ’s worldwide, his music was now being introduced to a wider spectrum of listeners. Furthermore, the artist had finally achieved a balance within. A year later Osunlade moved to Puerto Rico, and relocated his label operations to London. While he still produces and remixes for other labels and artists, his passion remains with Yoruba Records, and in maintaining their reputation for unparalleled quality in the music business. With its own family of talented producers and artists developing a sound that bridges several genres, the label’s evolution is endless and bright.
As he embarks on an intensely personal new project, Osunlade has evolved and is currently sharing his vision alongside a new band. With a new album in the works, fans will finally hear the true inner voice of the man and feel the honesty and conviction of his spirit.
Following the huge success of his Habibi Funk label, Jannis Stürtz has since become similarly lauded for his DJ sets under the same name. Spanning a plethora of genres from funk, soul and jazz to punk and hip-hop, Stürtz unearths hidden gems released in the 1960’s-80’s across the Middle East and North Africa, reissuing the records in eclectic compilations for the modern listener, as well as more recently releasing music from musicians in the current day. His reputation and demand as a DJ have been increasing in equal measure in recent years, with the Habibi Funk sound holding a unique place in the dance music world and his high energy, vinyl-only sets connecting with fans in ways that are deep, personal and long-lasting. With a focus on building connections with local communities via regular DJ residencies, Habibi Funk has cultivated a dedicated following who attend his shows time and again. In London, having built a solid foundation with his quarterly residency at the legendary Jazz Cafe, he has since gone on to sell-out massive headline dates at Colour Factory and the iconic KOKO Camden, while his 2024 underplay at The Lower Third (announced only via a single IG story) sold out in under three hours. Similarly, repeat shows at the likes of La Bellevilloise in Paris FR, Blå in Oslo NO, Frankhan in Istanbul TK, Tunnel Club in Milan IT, Alcazar in Rome IT and Back From The Crate in Beirut LB have seen sell-outs across the board. In 2024, the Habibi Funk energy is being brought to fans in the form of a live showcase; a unique opportunity to bring the label’s beloved catalogue of music to life on the stage. Either in the form of a club or festival stage takeover, the event features some of the imprint’s most revered artists live and direct on stage.
Luca Bacchetti, originally from Italy, is now one of the world’s most sought-after DJs and producers. His professional career began in 1992 as a radio speaker on various Italian stations. For 12 years, he curated the production of radio programs focused on club culture, while also DJing in local clubs and venues. Initially drawn to Hip Hop and Black Music, he soon fell in love with emerging sounds such as Drum’n’Bass (Jungle) and other mid-nineties urban styles. The terms eclectic and multifaceted are often overused, but in Luca’s case, they are perfectly fitting—reflecting the variety and depth of his musical background and evolution. In 2002, he began working in recording studios, and by 2004, he released his first productions, delving deeper into House and Techno. As a producer, he started developing a creative streak in what would become known as Minimal Techno. It only took a few releases—on labels like Tenax and Wagon Repair—to put him on the map. By 2006, he had launched his career as an international club and festival DJ.
He has since released music on Ovum, Crosstown Rebels, Bordello A Parigi, and remixed for respected labels including All Day I Dream, Anjuna Deep, Bedrock, and Peter Gabriel’s Real World X. In 2013, he founded his own imprint, ENDLESS. His approach to production mirrors his DJ style—Luca is often described as a storyteller, with music that reflects a poetic perspective of the world around him. Over the years, this has led him to explore a wide range of musical aesthetics, often surprising listeners, occasionally risking misunderstanding, but always staying true to his own path within the club and electronic music scene.
This unique vision can be felt in his legendary sets at Burning Man’s Robot Heart, where he brings together seemingly distant sonic worlds. His constant search for identity—always close, yet just out of reach—fuels his personal and artistic growth, keeping him free from market constraints. A pivotal shift came in 2013 with EPs like Ovo, Genesis, and Vento, where he moved toward a deeper fusion of electronica, techno, ethnic elements, melodic and psychedelic tones, and ambient soundscapes. Despite these evolutions, the club remains his primary playground.
Luca has performed in over 80 countries, gracing iconic venues such as Womb (Tokyo), Fabric (London), DC10 (Ibiza), Avant Gardner (New York), Stereo (Montreal), B018 (Beirut), Panorama Bar (Berlin), Volt (Milan), Pacha (Buenos Aires), Lost Beach (Ecuador), and D-Edge (São Paulo). His festival appearances include Creamfields, BPM Mexico, Tomorrowland, Moga, Burning Man (2016, 2018, 2023), and many more.
There is a strong connection between Luca’s music and his travels. Touring constantly feeds his creativity—a discovery of the world that he embraces with wonder, photographing places he never imagined visiting, all thanks to music. In 2017, he began work on his debut album, aiming higher than ever before. Recorded in the heart of Tuscany, within the lush Living Mountain of Il Ciocco, and mixed by Luca himself, the album featured several guest musicians. A true journey into his inner world, it comprised thirteen tracks exploring different sonic landscapes—all bound by a common thread that discerning listeners will recognize as his signature. The album, Secret World, was released on ENDLESS in October 2019 as a double 12” and in digital format. 2019 was also the most prolific year of his career, with several remixes and two new EPs, including Disco Blast on the Japanese label Mule Musiq.
Since 2020, Luca Bacchetti has been the curator and co-founder of Limbo Festival.
“The best music on the Italian scene today”
(Ernesto Assante, La Repubblica)
Emma Morton & the Graces is an Art Rock / Jazz / Folk band who’s work aims to deconstruct myths and stigmas around mental health, sexuality, class and gender with an approach to making music which is visceral, experimental and personal. Emma Morton & the Graces have been growing steadily since the release of their debut album Bitten by the Devil (250k+ spotify downloads) in 2018. They won this year’s European Commission’s Social Sound’s Critic’s Choice Award, funding their next studio album. Their music has been heard in film and documentaries (Sky, Netflix) and their European Tours of 150-200 shows a year in theatres, clubs, TV, and major festivals like Paris Jazz, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Great Escape, Wilderness (UK) have had phenomenal reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Their debut album Bitten by the Devil was recorded live in an analog studio. Guests and collaborators include Grammy Award winner Gene Paul (USA), known for his work with Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin, Rolling Stones and many more, Antonio Gramentieri who’s collaborations include Alejandro Escovedo, Dan Stuart, Hugo Race, Raphael Gualazzi (piano) and Gabriele Evangelista (Doublebass).
Emma has collaborated on stage and in studio with artists such as Glen Hansard, Alejandro Escovedo, Paolo Nutini, Olly Murs, Gary Lucas and Petra Magoni.
Her work on film soundtrack “Saremo Giovani e Bellissimi”WAS nominated for a David De Donatello Award in 2019, and won Venice Film Festival’s Soundtrack Stars Awards 2018. She has also written and produced music for Samsung, Expo, Rai as well as high fashion brands Piquadro, Sergei Grinko and Edda Berg. Emma uses her music to raise awareness on political and social issues facing today’s society. Her unique and empowering performative act of song and dance takes us on a journey of rebirth and discovery of cross-cultural sounds. Inspired by her personal life experiences she tells us stories of epic battles with devils, with loss and fear. Bitten by the Devil is a courageous rebellion against inequality and a call to all people to unite with compassion for a fairer world.
Tommy Soul is an italian DJ, music producer and record collector with a huge passion for vinyl; he grew up between two Technics1200s with the first disco sounds: Soul, Funk, Disco and House. After a deep apprenticeship as a resident DJ in underground clubs, his vinyl mixes uploaded online have exploded globally, receiving much appreciation from pioneers in the sector; coming to play in almost all of Europe, especially in such nations as: England, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Tommy Soul is a curious and music-hungry artist, in his DJ sets he prefers sound quality without being a slave to a pre- established genre. His empathy and musical research are a perfect mix for the dancefloor!
DRĖĖĖMY is a genre-bending multifaceted experience delivering transcendent sonic journeys internationally. Blending organic and electronic elements, they fuse global rhythms, synthesized frequencies, soulful song and storytelling to create an unforgettable ceremonial symphony designed to connect and elevate. With live loops, lush vocals, tribal percussion, and driving energy, DREEEMY’s high-vibrational performances merge mysticism with dancefloor energy. Drawing from their indigenous ancestries and native New York City roots, they offer a soundscape for collective awakening, daring you to dream.
Moustapha Dembélé, known as "Zam," from Mali, belongs to the Griot caste, the African storytellers and musicians by heritage. He sings, plays, and builds traditional African instruments: kora, n'goni, balafon, tamani, calebasse, barà, and djembé. At Limbo, he will be supported by MOZAIT, the band consisting of Filippo Guerrieri, Luca Giovacchini, and Andrea Melani. An irresistible live afrobeat performance!
Having grown up in the Videomusic Studios at Il Ciocco, Alessandro Stefani is a creative enthusiast passionate about art and music. After attending the Academy of Fine Arts of Carrara and working as a communication consultant for UNICRI United Nations Agency and as a freelance videomaker - directing, among others, the videoclip Poems by God by the italian singer Elisa - he is actively committed to Il Ciocco as a Brand & Communication Manager since 2011 and Creative Director since 2020. Known in underground music circles as Vitamina Jeans, he is co-founder of Limbo Festival.
Luca Giovacchini, a guitarist and composer born in Lucca in 1971, began studying classical guitar at the age of 8 and achieved excellence levels at the conservatories of Lucca, Bologna, and Livorno. From a young age, he has been passionate about Afro-American music and collaborated with various Blues Bands, performing at the Maxweel Street Blues Festival in Chicago in 1995. Influenced by artists like T.Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and The Beatles, he quickly became involved in the Italian Jazz Blues scene. He has gained experience in jazz, blues, and soul, as well as nurturing a passion for folk and popular music. He has worked with various singer-songwriters, winning the prestigious Premio Ciampi in 2000 with the group Il Colectivo. He has also contributed to soundtracks for films by Gabriele Salvatores and Don Antonio. In 2018, he co-founded the trio Emma Morton & The Graces and has collaborated with numerous artists, making his mark on records by Niki La Rosa, Michela Lombardi, Francesco Guccini, and Vinicio Capossela.
Composer, musician, and international handpan teacher, percussionist, performer, and traveler. He has brought his music to all five continents, embracing an emotional and instinctive approach to sound. Friello’s music is made for live experiences—it’s in those moments that its full strength and delicacy truly come to life. He has performed in prestigious theaters across Italy, as well as at festivals and cultural events worldwide. He has a particular love for concerts in the forest, in the mountains, and at sunrise or sunset. He collaborates with the world of yoga, various music therapy associations, art therapy schools, and holistic centers. His music often intersects with cinema and theater. Davide studied at the Educational Music Academy in Milan and has released five albums to date. His latest work, AMPLEXUS, was recently recorded in a studio in Los Angeles.
FONX is a veteran DJ/Producer from Pisa (Italy). An eclectic DJ in the true sense of the word, his sound ranges from the origins of black music (funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and disco) to its contemporary expressions (hip hop, drum'n'bass/jungle, dubstep, breakbeat, nudisco, electro, bassmusic). He has played records in a variety of places: from social centers to clubs, from Formula 1 paddocks to street neighborhood parties, from b-boy jams to the most renowned jazz clubs. He is part of several teams and projects and currently manages I Maniaci Dei Dischi, The Brother Green, and the direction of Massive Night alongside his solo DJ career.
I Maniaci Dei Dischi is a DJ group formed in 1999 by DJs Fonx and Painè. They perform a 4-turntable show mixing classic tracks with contemporary beats, with releases in Europe and Japan. The Brother Green is a band led by Fonx that mixes funk, electro, disco, and jazz. Their debut album "No Country for Young Men" was released on Burnow Records, his own label that also released two albums by Apes On Tapes. He is one of the founders and managers of the music club Deposito Pontecorvo in Pisa.
Philippe Franchini, the Musical Alchemist, is a guitar master, composer, and kirtan singer, a multi-instrumentalist, and a Yogi. Of Italian and American heritage, he spent many years living in California. His studies and performances have taken him around the world, offering workshops and concerts at numerous festivals, retreats, and yoga centers. He has shared the stage with artists such as Krishna Das, Deva Premal, and Jai Uttal, among others. Between the Notes, Philippo’s video series on Nada Yoga and sound healing, has reached millions of viewers. He currently resides in Tuscany.
DJ, dad, digger. Obsessed with music and records for over 30 years, you can find him almost daily spinning (and dealing) vinyl and more at Sanantonio42 in Pisa.
