Audioglider

There are points in every artists musical journey that highlight a sea change or a shift in consciousness. The first of those moments for Roberto Sodano was the time he saw Kraftwerk as a spotty teen with dodgy 80’s haircut. Their machine funk sound completely captivated him and his love of all things electronic began. Born in Wales to Italian parents, the ’Taffia’ as they were affectionately known, finally relocated to London after stints all over the UK and Central Europe. Growing up in a bleak post-industrial city drove Roberto’s need to escape through all manner of musical discovery: experience borne out in his esoteric musical influences of 80s and 90s shoegaze, from bands such as Ride, MBV and the Cocteau Twins through to synth pioneers including the aforementioned Kraftwerk and a pre-Dare Human League. “Music has always been there for me. It’s a friend that doesn’t judge you, a comfort blanket and a kick up the arse when you need it.” Choosing to make music as much as become a DJ, Roberto released tracks under a range of pseudonyms before finally settling on his current nom-de-plume ‘Audioglider’. His big break came with the licensing of two tracks under the new project name - Whiskers and Zusammenallein - for Nick Warren’s Global Underground CD, GU30 Paris. “These were my first official releases as Audioglider, it’s all been downhill from there!” he quips, as he’s now held in high regard by an army of fans and industry insiders alike. A master of both uptempo club tracks and more winsome downtempo fayre, he cites influences as wide ranging as Ulrich Schnauss, Massive Attack and School of Seven Bells for his more cerebral back catalogue additions which includes three albums for Tripswitch’s Section Records - Accidental Beauty, Subaquamarine and Kollision (with Xspance). Referencing his influences can be heard as echoes on everything that Roberto does, while at the same time, they glisten in their own unique light. Translucent in sound. “I don’t stick to a formula so I can explore and develop my musical identity without boundaries.” One of the most telling sea change events for Roberto was playing his first gig at a disused warehouse in East Berlin. “It was my very first go on 1210s and I blagged the gig after meeting some Germans at MoS.” he says, “I got a crash course at Zoom Records one afternoon from Billy Nasty and then flew to Berlin next day!” Gigs at Ministry of Sound and beyond bookmarked the 90s and early 00s, a vibrant time for dance music and for the development of progressive house. Even now Roberto’s ambitions are as strong as ever. with a flurry of releases this year and scheduled into next year, and an exciting new album with longtime collaborator and friend, Xspance is well under way with an exciting live show. Audioglider continues to be one of the most underrated producers in the UK; a master craftsman building sonic cathedrals in the minds of clubbers and music fans the world over.