For today’s installment of the Magnetic Mix series, we’re pleased to be joined by Dr. Sud, whose latest effort “Zaffiro – Jayyz Mix” has just released on Q1E2 Recordings.

Dr. Sud, real name Gregorio Marigliano, was born in Rome and raised in Berlin, and has been releasing intricate, percussion-focused music for years now, fusing elements of jazz, funk, house, and more to create a unique sound that you can’t quite get anywhere else.

He’s been a regular on Q1E2 for quite some time now, releasing the forward-thinking “Heading South” EP there in 2023. To celebrate his return to the label, he’s prepared an hourlong mix for us including music from Robert Hood, The Rabbit Hole, Sherman C, and some unreleased goodies from himself.

We also got the chance to sit down with him for a quick chat about his background, his thoughts on the difficulties of the music industry, and how the time of year impacts the music he’s working on. So, throw on his mix, and read on to see what makes this creative mastermind tick.

Where did you grow up, and how did your environment shape your relationship with music?

I grew up in Rome, and my mother comes from a very musical family. I was raised on her vinyl collection from the ’70s and ’80s, and later her CDs from the ’90s and 2000s. My dad also had some CDs; more rock-oriented stuff. We listened to a lot of music at home. My grandfather is a conductor, and I think seeing him perform, and all the buzz around it, really influenced me. It shaped my ear quite a bit.

Later on, around age 16, I was living in Berlin, and my love for music naturally shifted toward the city’s most prominent genre: electronic music.

What’s the first memory you have of making music?

That’s a tough one. I guess it depends on how you define “making music.” If we’re talking earliest memories, then it was probably just messing around with an instrument. I remember a harp lesson when I was really young, maybe five. I was blown away by how heavenly it sounded. It was just one lesson, but maybe I should revisit that and find a harp player someday…

Another memory is playing a djembe at a friend of my dad’s. I really enjoyed it. I think my dad might’ve been playing guitar too. I must’ve been around nine. Later, we had a darbuka and a djembe in the house. But the real fun began when I started taking drum lessons at 13.

Why do you think persistence is such an important part of making it in the music industry?

Because trying over and over is really the only way to learn and improve: through experience. Being in the industry isn’t just about making music. A lot of it involves networking, learning the ropes with releases, promotion, and everything else that comes with being part of the scene.

Sometimes I have to force myself to do all that. I’d honestly prefer to just make music all day. But if I did only that, it would remain just a hobby. I think it’s important that people actually get to hear what I create.

What’s a key piece of advice you would give your younger self at the start of your journey?

Sometimes we get these passing thoughts, like a breeze in the back of your mind, saying, “I’d really like to try X.” My advice: go and do it.

For me, that was learning piano when I started producing. It took me five years to finally follow through! I’m really glad I did, but I often wonder where I’d be if I had just started right away. That said, I try not to dwell on regrets. Everything happens in its own time.

What’s the hardest part of maintaining a music career that people don’t often talk about?

The moments of emptiness. When you’re not getting booked or there’s not much going on, it can feel like a defeat. It’s easy to slip into self-pity or judgment if you’re not careful.

But honestly, most of the time it has nothing to do with you personally: it’s just the ebb and flow of life. Staying true to yourself and continuing to move forward is really the best way to handle it.

How has your sound evolved as you’ve grown as a person and artist?

I’ve noticed something funny – my sound changes drastically in the winter. As boring as it sounds, I think I’m just very influenced by the weather. The beats get slower, darker, more metallic and moody. Nothing like the usual Dr. Sud “sound,” except maybe the track “3/4 AM” (which, surprise, was made in the winter).

During those times, I dive deeper into ideas I already know but haven’t fully explored. As I’ve grown older, I’ve turned over a lot of stones, and while that limits the number of “new” things to try, it also makes discovering something fresh, while bringing in all that experience, much more rewarding.

Right now, I’m finishing an album that reflects this kind of exploration. It’s taking time, but I’ve learned that patience is key.

Why do you think it’s important for artists to share their struggles as much as their successes?

Because struggles are what make us human. Mistakes and low points are part of the process, and they give meaning to the highs. We learn the most from them.

The issue is, social media is built to grab attention, and often that means showing off. It’s always been that way. People often use it to escape, to feel better or just out of curiosity. So, I get why most wouldn’t want to read about failures or sad moments when they’re already feeling low.

That said, I really admire artists who post honest, reflective stories about challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them. That takes courage. It’s a form of shared wisdom, and that’s important.

The post Magnetic Mix 256: Dr. Sud [+ Interview] appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.