For the latest edition of our Prima Lux series, When We Dip Magazine welcomes Sideral, the project of Italian producer Diego Gennaro, a name that has steadily carved its place within the evolving melodic underground.

Emerging from a period of reinvention, Sideral represents a clear artistic shift, one rooted in deeper, more cinematic sound design and a refined approach to storytelling. Since relaunching the project, his work has found a natural home within Habitat, the imprint led by Mind Against, where releases like Trills and I Give You have highlighted his ability to balance emotional depth with club functionality.

His trajectory has since expanded onto the global stage, with collaborations alongside Mind Against on both Habitat and Afterlife, as well as standout reinterpretations such as his remix for CamelPhat, each reinforcing a sound built on tension, atmosphere, and precision.

For this Prima Lux mix, recorded live at Bar Americas, Sideral delivers a set that captures the essence of his approach: patient, evolving, and deeply immersive. Moving between hypnotic grooves and melodic intensity, the mix unfolds with intention, shaped as much by instinct as by structure.

Alongside the mix, we sat down with Sideral to discuss his artistic rebirth, his connection to the Habitat universe, and the philosophy behind his sound.

You can now listen to the full Prima Lux mix and read the full interview exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!

WWD: Hello Sideral, welcome to When We Dip! For our readers who don’t know you yet, can you tell us your story ?

Hi everyone, I’m Diego, also known as Sideral. I’m a 33-year-old Italian DJ and producer. My journey began in 2009, playing at private parties with friends. The need to express myself led me to start producing music. In 2013, I began collaborating with Luca Agnelli and Etruria Beat under my first alias, Bastinov, until 2020. The COVID pandemic gave me the opportunity to take a break and restart with a new project, SIDERAL. Thanks to Mind Against, I’m here talking to you today.

WWD: Your sound has become closely associated with the Mind Against’ label Habitat universe. How has that environment shaped your artistic identity over time?

I believe I’ve been in my natural habitat since day one. Habitat and Mind Against give me the opportunity to express myself at my best, and together we are creating something very important. My artistic evolution is always active; I constantly strive to improve myself as an artist and as a person in general.

WWD: This mix you share on our Prima Lux series was recorded live at Bar Americas. What makes that room special for you, and how did the energy of the crowd influence the set?

It was my first time at Bar Americas, and I have to say it was very special. I deeply love this type of club: a great sound system, countless hours of performance, and a fantastic crowd. I think it’s the best experience for a DJ to perform in a setting like this. The crowd gave me so much energy to perform at my best, and I simply followed my intuition to deliver a great DJ set.

WWD: There’s a strong sense of tension and progression in your sets. When you’re building a journey, what elements are you most focused on, groove, melody, or atmosphere?

I always strive to create a set with a mental and spiritual philosophy. I generally prefer to start slower and then increase the BPM and beat, even though we live in a time where everything is immediate. To achieve this, I focus heavily on the songs’ tonality, the type of kick drum, the rhythmic pattern, and whether they include vocals. I believe it’s important to convey to the audience what ignited my passion for this world: understanding that within a DJ set lies an artist’s cultural and intellectual journey.

WWD: Your music sits between melodic techno and deeper, more cinematic territories. Do you consciously think about genre, or is it more instinct-driven in the studio?

I am very instinctive. While it is true that you know me as a melodic techno artist, my new productions will feature distinctly different sounds, with a more house-oriented style than I have explored so far. Evolution is fundamental to me; monotony makes me anxious.

WWD: What role does storytelling play in your DJ sets? Do you plan key moments in advance, or let the narrative unfold in real time?

It always depends on how much time I have available, the type of club or festival, and the venue where I am performing. Generally, I get a sense of what the night might be like based on these characteristics. I follow my instincts both before and during the event, as only a fool fails to reconsider and question their own choices.

WWD: Being part of a new wave of artists around Mind Against, how do you see this scene evolving over the next few years?

Daytime parties and more immediate music are the future. In part, they already are. It’s also important to understand that venue owners need support to keep this world going.

WWD: What has been the most important turning point in your career so far, a release, a show, or a moment behind the scenes?

Every moment has been important, both when I was working with Luca Agnelli and now with Mind Against.

Sure, there can be a hit song like “Dialogue” with Dyzen, but it’s thanks to my past that I’ve been able to create a song like that. There’s always something to learn and a way to grow.

Never stop trying, never stop believing.

WWD: Looking ahead, what can we expect from you in terms of new music and projects?

I’m working on the next Habitat EP and have new collaborations with Dyzen planned for this year. I definitely don’t want to stop; I’m just getting started. 😉