Bunker on crafting dark melodies, inspiration in solitude and more [interview]

Bunker, an Italian DJ and producer, is redefining electronic music with a fresh fusion of Techno, Hardstyle, and Bounce. Launching his career in the summer of 2023, he quickly made waves with his debut track, ‘I NEED MORE’, gaining attention for high-energy beats and standout collaborations with top artists and record labels in the Hard Techno scene. Bunker’s rise proves he’s a name to watch as he continues to push boundaries on the dance floor.

Read our interview with this purveyor of hard beats below.

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
I would represent my music with dark colors symbolizing darkness, but with small perforations of light that reveal the emotional side of my melodies. My lyrics and the atmosphere in my tracks aren’t random—they represent hidden parts of my life.

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
There’s no set starting point. Sometimes I produce as a way to vent, and the idea forms afterward. Other times, I already have a clear vision of what I want to create.

Does your material feature any collaborations?
Yes, I’ve collaborated with artists like Axl, Zentryc, System Overload, and GEWOONRAVES. I’ve released tracks with labels like SporeCore (Tribal Trap), and there are more collaborations on the way.

What’s on your current playlist?
My techno playlist includes artists like BYØRN, Jayron, Restricted, KX CHR, and KIRK.

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
I haven’t performed live yet, but I will soon. I want fans to understand from the very first show that I’m not here to joke around.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
I refuse to produce “anonymous” music. My tracks aren’t simply techno; I mix various EDM sub-genres like Hardstyle, Trance, and Techno to craft a unique sound with hard kicks, cinematic intros, and catchy melodies.

Take us through a day in the recording studio.
I often hit the studio in the evening—my desire to create always wins over sleep. I spend hours in front of the PC producing something unique while drawing from my past work. When I hit creative blocks, I shift focus to social media content production and listen to music for inspiration.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
After finishing school and going through a breakup, I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I wanted something more than my peers and started working toward it. Just weeks after leaving school, I released ‘I NEED MORE’, which went viral. That success confirmed that my music was resonating with people.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
A vinyl of Avicii’s album—he’s one of my favorite artists who hid pain inside himself, much like I did.

Any emerging artists on your radar?
Yes, I listen to artists like THISO, KNTRLVRLST, and DJSM.

What gets your creative juices flowing?
The drive to continually improve musically and grow my presence. When uninspired, I go to relaxing places alone to clear my mind and find new ideas.

Take us through your collection of gear, tech, or software that accompanies your creative expression.
I use FL Studio as my DAW, paired with a MIDI keyboard for melodies and the TD-3 synthesizer for acid bass. I mostly work with headphones but rely on monitor speakers for final listening.

Any side projects you’re working on?
Nothing for now—I’m focused on giving my best in production and making my entry into live performances.

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
I’ve improved my production skills by learning from past mistakes and comparing my work to high-level artists.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
Expect a wave of new tracks with higher production levels, a debut live performance, and exciting collaborations with even more interesting artists.

Famous last words?
“The music is a Bunker.”

Follow Bunker:

Spotify – Youtube – Instagram