Italian melodic techno duo Agents Of Time have gradually created a strong signature sound over the course of their twelve-year-long career. Emotional depth and rhythmic intensity come together as one in their performances, which almost literally draw the listener into an enchanting tunnel of sound. 

Andrea Di Ceglie and Luigi Tutolo, the two Italian friends behind the project, come from different subcultures of electronic music, and it is exactly that difference that fostered the creative energy behind their project. Time for a chat to figure out how that works!

‘Only Human’, your single from last February, represents a signature, melodic Agents of Time sound. In recent years, you seem to have shifted from more introverted to more outspoken, trance-like melodies. Has this been a deliberate move or is the development part of a natural progression?

Andrea: “You’re absolutely right about our progression. It’s been a natural evolution. We never really plan things when we’re in the studio; we prefer to let creativity flow freely. As human beings, we change over time – we adapt to new technologies, new scenarios, and new inspirations. That growth naturally finds its way into our music.”

You generate your musical energy from a kind of synergy between rhythm and melody. How do you see the interconnection between the two in your own music?

Luigi: “We definitely come from different musical backgrounds. I used to listen to Trentemøller, Hernán Cattáneo, and the whole progressive sound. Andrea was more into the modern deep house scene – labels like Pampa, for example.

Together, we’ve always had a strong synergy. We know we can’t be separated, we each play a unique role. I’m drawn to melody, while Andrea brings the groove and spreads the energy through rhythm. That’s our balance.”

Growing up, you must have listened to a lot of music. Can you name one artist that really influenced your sound, and tell us why?

Andrea: “One of the first artists I really followed was Mathew Jonson. His melodic creativity always captivated me. He has this pure, unique energy – his sound made a big impact on me early on.”

Luigi: “For me, it’s definitely Trentemøller. I saw him live years ago in Australia, and I completely fell in love with his sound. That experience was one of the reasons I got into electronic music. He’s had a major influence on my journey.”

Can you name other artists who inspired you more indirectly? What do you appreciate about them?

Luigi: “I’ve been a huge fan of Freddie Mercury since I was a kid. His lifestyle, artistic vision, and energy were all so unique. He constantly pushed boundaries. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is the perfect example of his genius and the boldness of Queen as a band.”

Andrea: “I’ve always loved guitars, and one artist who really inspired me is Nile Rodgers. He’s so versatile – he wrote some of the biggest pop hits of the last two decades. His charisma and confidence really stand out.”

You recently did a big remix for James Hype’s ‚Don’t Wake Me Up’. Did you enjoy working on it? How did you approach it? And how would you describe the result?

Luigi: “Remixing James Hype was a real challenge. He has a strong musical identity, and the original is a massive hit. We tried several approaches before finding the right one – we weren’t happy until it felt just right. In the end, we’re really proud of what we created. We managed to bring our world into his, and the result feels fresh and unique.”

James Hype’s sound overlaps with yours in the sense that it’s electronic at least. But you also recently remixed Zerb, Ty Dolla $ign, and Wiz Khalifa – a very different vibe. How do the two projects compare? How do you approach a hip hop remix?

Andrea: “Honestly, we don’t compare them. Each remix forms another journey. We start by listening to the original and imagining how our sound can merge with it. Our goal is always to leave our signature while respecting the original. With the Zerb remix, it was all about that fusion. It was an exciting process and there’s more like that coming soon.”

Did you notice your fanbase expanding to hip hop listeners after that remix?

Luigi: “Absolutely. That was one of the reasons we were excited to take on the remix. We love the song and are fans of the artists involved, and this gave us a chance to reach a new crowd and showcase what we can do in a different context.”

With such a packed touring schedule, do your best tracks always originate in the studio, or do you also create while on the move?

Luigi: “We’re total studio addicts - we love being at home, coffee in hand, making music. But with the tight schedule, we’ve adapted. We started creating ideas on the road and even got portable speakers to help recreate the studio vibe wherever we are. Inspiration doesn’t wait, so we stay ready.”