story and creative direction by
photography and editing by
styling by
formizzz
formizzz
From skate videos to music, Formizzz brings a fresh, genre-mixing sound to the new electronic scene in Milan. Read about his takes on inspiration, identity and AI.
Formizzz's creative journey started with skate videos. At the age of 14 he discovered William Strobeck's work and the videographer became his biggest inspiration. He recalls a slow motion scene as his waking up point.
Formizzz's creative journey started with skate videos. At the age of 14 he discovered William Strobeck's work and the videographer became his biggest inspiration. He recalls a slow motion scene as his waking up point.
formizzz wears JURY BLACK leather jacket, Ann Demeulemeester „holy” tank top, Dior jeans .
formizzz wears JURY BLACK leather jacket, Ann Demeulemeester „holy” tank top, Dior jeans .
formizzz wears vest by @angelbites33, Maison Margiela trousers.
formizzz wears vest by @angelbites33, Maison Margiela trousers
“I started having an artistic vision that I didn't have before. I became another person.”
“I started having an artistic vision that I didn't have before. I became another person.”
Formizzz began to experiment with videography himself, even did a campaign for Dsquared2 when he was only 16, but even then while editing he was the most focused on the sound and the music. Eventually, he got to a point of a creative burnout with videography and while listening to The Voidz he decided to see what he can do in music alone. He started out by himself, with no professional background, taking inspiration from his favourite genres like EDM or electro-pop, mixing them together but keeping his work in the vault, until he felt he achieved a truly fresh sound.
Formizzz began to experiment with videography himself, even did a campaign for Dsquared2 when he was only 16, but even then while editing he was the most focused on the sound and the music. Eventually, he got to a point of a creative burnout with videography and while listening to The Voidz he decided to see what he can do in music alone. He started out by himself, with no professional background, taking inspiration from his favourite genres like EDM or electro-pop, mixing them together but keeping his work in the vault, until he felt he achieved a truly fresh sound.
“A lot of artists are bringing the new electronic vibe, but I think it's all a bit too similar to a lot of things from the past. Like Crystal Castles. And so I wanted to bring something... I don't want to say new, but fresh, a mix”
“A lot of artists are bringing the new electronic vibe, but I think it's all a bit too similar to a lot of things from the past. Like Crystal Castles. And so I wanted to bring something... I don't want to say new, but fresh, a mix”
Formizzz kept on honing his production and vocal skills, in the meantime getting involved with now inactive DJ collective “meet me in the bathroom”. They used to play in the upstairs room of The Rocket Club during Viperrr nights, the same event where Formizzz had a solo performance on the day of the release of his newest single “I lose control”. He compared the energy of the song to his debut “last night we crossed the line”, independently published in March 2026. Since then, Formizzz dropped 3 more singles and performed them with a band, Sean, Gio and Erri, live at John Richmond’s Tiny Concerts during MFW SS27.
Formizzz kept on honing his production and vocal skills, in the meantime getting involved with now inactive DJ collective “meet me in the bathroom”. They used to play in the upstairs room of The Rocket Club during Viperrr nights, the same event where Formizzz had a solo performance on the day of the release of his newest single “I lose control”. He compared the energy of the song to his debut “last night we crossed the line”, independently published in March 2026. Since then, Formizzz dropped 3 more singles and performed them with a band, Sean, Gio and Erri, live at John Richmond’s Tiny Concerts during MFW SS27.
Coming up around a visual culture that was very influenced by skate/streetwear brands like Supreme. What parts of that world still feel relevant to you, and what parts do you think you’ve grown out of?
Coming up around a visual culture that was very influenced by skate/streetwear brands like Supreme. What parts of that world still feel relevant to you, and what parts do you think you’ve grown out of?
Formizzz: Definitely William Strobeck is still relevant to me because I started to make videos because of him and was super inspired by his music selection and cinematography. I wouldn't be an artist right now if it wasn’t for William Strobeck.
Formizzz: Definitely William Strobeck is still relevant to me because I started to make videos because of him and was super inspired by his music selection and cinematography. I wouldn't be an artist right now if it wasn’t for William Strobeck.
How did your sound come together? Was there a specific moment when you felt you had found the direction?
How did your sound come together? Was there a specific moment when you felt you had found the direction?
Formizzz: My sound is a mix of a lot of genres, EDM, electro-pop, pop, in a radiophonic vibe. I think the best advice that I could give to an artist that is just starting is to experiment a lot. You have to make bad songs to actually do good songs, we got a lot of bad songs that we never released, like 400 projects hidden on my laptop and among them only 20 that I actually think are good enough.
Formizzz: My sound is a mix of a lot of genres, EDM, electro-pop, pop, in a radiophonic vibe. I think the best advice that I could give to an artist that is just starting is to experiment a lot. You have to make bad songs to actually do good songs, we got a lot of bad songs that we never released, like 400 projects hidden on my laptop and among them only 20 that I actually think are good enough.
You have three singles out so far. Where do you see yourself going from here? Do you already have a clear direction for what comes next?
You have three singles out so far. Where do you see yourself going from here? Do you already have a clear direction for what comes next?
Formizzz: Making an EP or an album at this point of my career is too risky. I don't have a strong enough fan base yet, when I drop I get good feedback but I don't feel ready to drop a bigger project without a more solid audience. I had some offers from labels already but I also think it's too early to sign anything, maybe one day when I can get a good deal.
Formizzz: Making an EP or an album at this point of my career is too risky. I don't have a strong enough fan base yet, when I drop I get good feedback but I don't feel ready to drop a bigger project without a more solid audience. I had some offers from labels already but I also think it's too early to sign anything, maybe one day when I can get a good deal.
Sean: From an economic point of view it doesn't make sense to do an EP or an album when you don't have a fan base because it's putting a lot of work into something that won't get big at the moment.
Sean: From an economic point of view it doesn't make sense to do an EP or an album when you don't have a fan base because it's putting a lot of work into something that won't get big at the moment.
Formizzz: When I have like five or six singles out I could drop a compilation with some extra songs.
Formizzz: When I have like five or six singles out I could drop a compilation with some extra songs.
What kind of music were you listening to while making these first songs?
What kind of music were you listening to while making these first songs?
Sean: It's kind of funny. While making these songs we were listening to Belo Figo and other artists like him, to have a good time together. But, of course, this is not what inspired us, we all got different influences. I'm more of a metal guy, formizzz is electronic and the other two guys love noise rock. I think the fact that we all got different inspirations creates a really fresh sound.
Sean: It's kind of funny. While making these songs we were listening to Belo Figo and other artists like him, to have a good time together. But, of course, this is not what inspired us, we all got different influences. I'm more of a metal guy, formizzz is electronic and the other two guys love noise rock. I think the fact that we all got different inspirations creates a really fresh sound.
Formizzz: When I started, I knew I wanted to reach as many people as possible. So I always tried to have this pop attitude. I think that's the characteristic, the point, that we all agree on. To make our sound accessible.
Formizzz: When I started, I knew I wanted to reach as many people as possible. So I always tried to have this pop attitude. I think that's the characteristic, the point, that we all agree on. To make our sound accessible.
Do you think Milan has a strong enough electronic scene for an artist like you to grow within, or do you feel like you’re creating your own space?
Do you think Milan has a strong enough electronic scene for an artist like you to grow within, or do you feel like you’re creating your own space?
Formizzz: I’m not sure if people in Italy are ready for a new electronic scene, I think I'm creating my own space. For me the problem in Italy is that people are trying to act like rock stars or something and I don't think it's wrong, of course, you can have a character, you need to be interesting but before all that you should be yourself.
Formizzz: I’m not sure if people in Italy are ready for a new electronic scene, I think I'm creating my own space. For me the problem in Italy is that people are trying to act like rock stars or something and I don't think it's wrong, of course, you can have a character, you need to be interesting but before all that you should be yourself.
Who are some people around you at the moment whose work you find exciting?
Who are some people around you at the moment whose work you find exciting?
Formizzz: My friends, Erri and Gio, they have their own shoegaze band JUNO. Also, EMMA is a very good artist. I mean, I'm not a big fan but I like what he's doing, it feels very unique. I think he's bringing the electronic sound in a cool way and he has a cult fan base. His live shows are weird but at the same time fascinating.
Formizzz: My friends, Erri and Gio, they have their own shoegaze band JUNO. Also, EMMA is a very good artist. I mean, I'm not a big fan but I like what he's doing, it feels very unique. I think he's bringing the electronic sound in a cool way and he has a cult fan base. His live shows are weird but at the same time fascinating.
There are four of you working on the music, but the project is presented under your name. How did the four of you start working together?
There are four of you working on the music, but the project is presented under your name. How did the four of you start working together?
Formizzz: Like I said, I started alone because I wanted to do something new, something fresh. I never studied music, just always did what I felt. I write the songs, Sean plays the guitar and Erri and Gio play the instruments when we perform live. I prefer to play with the instruments, show real emotions. It's always gonna sound a little different but I think performing like I’m at a karaoke is boring.
Formizzz: Like I said, I started alone because I wanted to do something new, something fresh. I never studied music, just always did what I felt. I write the songs, Sean plays the guitar and Erri and Gio play the instruments when we perform live. I prefer to play with the instruments, show real emotions. It's always gonna sound a little different but I think performing like I’m at a karaoke is boring.
Sean: We started playing with Gio and Erri later, I met Formizzz first in Pesaro on vacation. We met at a bar. My cousin, who is another songwriter working with us, knew him already so he introduced me. Literally like the same day I think we already wrote a song together.
Sean: We started playing with Gio and Erri later, I met Formizzz first in Pesaro on vacation. We met at a bar. My cousin, who is another songwriter working with us, knew him already so he introduced me. Literally like the same day I think we already wrote a song together.
Gio: We, me and Erri, have a little studio so we go there to work together. We wrote the instrumental part for Formizzz’s newest song “covered in stripes” (unreleased) all together and I think that's a really good way of approaching music because when you work not as an individual but as a group that gives you more space for your ideas to grow. We are all friends and we really like to play together, for me it’s the same with JUNO. It's amazing to play with someone. It's one of the best things ever, you go with the flow. In music there’s always a flow that you have to follow to make sure that your music represents your feelings.
Gio: We, me and Erri, have a little studio so we go there to work together. We wrote the instrumental part for Formizzz’s newest song “covered in stripes” (unreleased) all together and I think that's a really good way of approaching music because when you work not as an individual but as a group that gives you more space for your ideas to grow. We are all friends and we really like to play together, for me it’s the same with JUNO. It's amazing to play with someone. It's one of the best things ever, you go with the flow. In music there’s always a flow that you have to follow to make sure that your music represents your feelings.
What does each of you bring to the project that wouldn't exist otherwise?
What does each of you bring to the project that wouldn't exist otherwise?
Sean: Me, Gio and Erri do the instrumental part of the project and we have more rock influences. Formizzz is the electronic guy of the group.
Sean: Me, Gio and Erri do the instrumental part of the project and we have more rock influences. Formizzz is the electronic guy of the group.
Formizzz: I write all the electro-synth-based parts.
Formizzz: I write all the electro-synth-based parts.
Sean: Yeah, you're the computer guy.
Sean: Yeah, you're the computer guy.
Formizzz: I'm the nerd. I bring the 80s synth pop, the EDM, the electronic vibe and they bring more, not shoegaze, but noise rock vibe.
Formizzz: I'm the nerd. I bring the 80s synth pop, the EDM, the electronic vibe and they bring more, not shoegaze, but noise rock vibe.
Gio: Formi it's the most composed part of the project and we are adding that live energy. Because we are the rhythm section but we try to be as hyped up as we can even though the music is more pop than noise. It's not violent, it's pop but we make it “che gasa”.
Gio: Formi it's the most composed part of the project and we are adding that live energy. Because we are the rhythm section but we try to be as hyped up as we can even though the music is more pop than noise. It's not violent, it's pop but we make it “che gasa”.
How do you divide that identity between you and the band?
How do you divide that identity between you and the band?
Formizzz: A few days ago my dad called my project “The” Formizzz, but please guys if you read this interview, it's not “The” or “I” Formizzz, it's just formizzz. Aesthetically, It's a solo project. I'm like the creative director and I make all the decisions. I just prefer to have a band when we play live. It sounds different, angrier, more indie rock. Playing without the instruments feels soulless, kind of empty.
Formizzz: A few days ago my dad called my project “The” Formizzz, but please guys if you read this interview, it's not “The” or “I” Formizzz, it's just formizzz. Aesthetically, It's a solo project. I'm like the creative director and I make all the decisions. I just prefer to have a band when we play live. It sounds different, angrier, more indie rock. Playing without the instruments feels soulless, kind of empty.
You are describing playing live without the actual instruments present on stage as “soulless”, a term often used in the conversation about AI. How do you feel about its usage in art and especially music?
You are describing playing live without the actual instruments present on stage as “soulless”, a term often used in the conversation about AI. How do you feel about its usage in art and especially music?
Formizzz: I'm scared. At the same time I understand it. I’ve never used AI for my music but I think it's a part of the evolution, or maybe we're gonna die, it might be the end.
Formizzz: I'm scared. At the same time I understand it. I’ve never used AI for my music but I think it's a part of the evolution, or maybe we're gonna die, it might be the end.
Sean: You can use it as a tool. Not as a substitute of your own art. If you have to use it.
Sean: You can use it as a tool. Not as a substitute of your own art. If you have to use it.
Formizzz: But humanmade music has energy. The difference between AI music and real music is that when you listen to real music you get the feeling that someone wanted to show. So you feel it. With AI music it doesn't happen. The best way to stand out as an artist right now with the AI stuff going on you have to be imperfect. When I record my songs I sometimes prefer to leave those imperfections because I want my music to be like me. No one is perfect and that’s something human. It's a human trait. You cannot fake it.
Formizzz: But humanmade music has energy. The difference between AI music and real music is that when you listen to real music you get the feeling that someone wanted to show. So you feel it. With AI music it doesn't happen. The best way to stand out as an artist right now with the AI stuff going on you have to be imperfect. When I record my songs I sometimes prefer to leave those imperfections because I want my music to be like me. No one is perfect and that’s something human. It's a human trait. You cannot fake it.
Sean: Because everybody has their own imperfections and they are the most personal thing about them. If we leave an imperfection in a song no one else is going to sound like that because that was our imperfection
Sean: Because everybody has their own imperfections and they are the most personal thing about them. If we leave an imperfection in a song no one else is going to sound like that because that was our imperfection
Your new single “I lose control” is coming out alongside the listening party at Rocket. How important is the context in which people first encounter your music?
Your new single “I lose control” is coming out alongside the listening party at Rocket. How important is the context in which people first encounter your music?
Formizzz: I love to write about parties. My first single “last night we crossed the line” is similar to “I lose control”, the vibe is crying on the dance floor but if you want you can even interpret it as a love song, even though the context is a party.
Formizzz: I love to write about parties. My first single “last night we crossed the line” is similar to “I lose control”, the vibe is crying on the dance floor but if you want you can even interpret it as a love song, even though the context is a party.
What does “losing control” mean to you in the context of the song?
What does “losing control” mean to you in the context of the song?
Formizzz: The literal meaning, but I don't want to say it means this or that, I want everyone to see it in their own way.
Formizzz: The literal meaning, but I don't want to say it means this or that, I want everyone to see it in their own way.
What do you want people who come to Rocket that night to take away from the show?
What do you want people who come to Rocket that night to take away from the show?
Formizzz: I hope they're gonna have fun. That's it.
Formizzz: I hope they're gonna have fun. That's it.
Sean: It's surely going to be an awesome experience.
Sean: It's surely going to be an awesome experience.