Emerging from the UK’s underground electronic scene, LEGATO has been carving out his own niche with a blend of deep house and melodic tones. Since his 2019 debut, he has dropped tracks on labels like Anjunadeep, Eton Messy, and Nightcolours, crafting a sound that merges emotional depth with pulsing energy—appealing to both fans and tastemakers.
In 2024, LEGATO made a decisive move, releasing his new material independently with the help of LabelWorx. His latest EP, Midnight Rendezvous, is a four-track journey that explores new territory, weaving live violin and mandolin into his signature synth-heavy production. This release marks a fresh direction for the producer, merging organic instrumentation with his unmistakable electronic style.
With the EP out now, we caught up with LEGATO to talk about his roots and plans for the future.
Growing up in the UK, what musical influences shaped your sound, and how did your background contribute to the deep house and melodic electronic style that defines your work today?
Music has been a huge part of my life since I was young, growing up in a family of music lovers—especially my mum, who was really into ’70s rock. When I was nine, I put up my hand in class to learn the violin but ended up with a viola instead. The viola shaped my teenage years into early adulthood, playing in orchestras and performing solo. It wasn’t until I got to university that I fully embraced electronic music. While I was still focused on classical performance and composition, that started to take a backseat as I got swept up in the nightlife of Leeds (North UK) and its electronic music scene. I was obsessed with dubstep/garage but then found myself moving more toward house and techno. After Leeds, I moved to London, got into the music industry, and my love for house and techno just kept growing. I started DJing and producing more, and that’s when my LEGATO project was born—and here I am today!
You’ve mentioned incorporating live instruments like violin and mandolin into the EP, especially blending them with your signature synth sounds. What inspired this fusion of organic and electronic elements, and how did it evolve during the production?
Looking ahead to Midnight Rendezvous, you can expect a vibrant mix of sounds, featuring live instruments like violin, mandolin, and marimba. I’ve always loved blending live instrumentation and samples with synths, and I enjoy recording my own guitar and piano as well. This definitely comes from my passion for instrumental music that isn’t purely electronic. I draw a lot of inspiration from genres like classical and jazz, and I hope that influence shines through in this project. This EP feels like the beginning of a new chapter for me, and I’m excited to share it with everyone. While it stays true to the LEGATO sound I’ve been crafting over the years, it also breaks new ground.
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The track “Either Way” draws on influences from the UKG and future garage scenes of the early 2010s. What is it about that era that resonates with you, and how did you balance nostalgia with forward-thinking production in this single?
Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a nostalgia trip, revisiting a lot of UKG and future garage from the 2010s. I’ve been drawing inspiration from artists like Burial, Four Tet, Koreless, Floating Points, Joy Orbison, and many others. That era was huge for me in discovering new music. The online scene was buzzing with groups and forums, and there was nothing like the thrill of hearing a track at the club, then diving deep down the rabbit hole to find a download link. But it wasn’t just about the music—it was the community I had around me at the time. We were all obsessed with music, and UKG/dubstep was our thing. “Either Way” is my tribute, in a way, to that special time.
Midnight Rendezvous features Latin American vocals and a blend of real-world sounds like acoustic piano and guitar. Can you walk us through your thought process in selecting and integrating these elements into a track aimed for both clubs and personal listening experiences?
My production process always starts with something simple, like a sample, melody, or chord progression, and grows from there. With Midnight Rendezvous, it all began with a bassline and synth chords. From there, I layered in real instruments to build up the track’s texture and structure, adding new elements as it developed. The Latin American vocal came in last, adding an evocative, emotive melody that really brought the track to life. For me, it’s not just about the lyrics but how the vocal melody fits with the rest of the music, and this one just fit perfectly. It also inspired me to incorporate more regional instruments, like Spanish acoustic guitar. At its heart, it’s made for the dance floor, but I hope when people listen more closely, they’ll catch the little details they might miss at the club.
Since launching your career in 2019, you’ve gained attention from major names like Disclosure and Lane 8. How has their support influenced your trajectory, and do you feel any pressure to evolve your sound in response to this recognition?
It’s always great to see big names support your music—it still surprises me, and I often find myself thinking, “How did they even find my track?” Haha. I was completely blown away when Disclosure mixed my very first release, “Smile When The Sun Is Shining,” with the vocals from their hit “Help Me Lose My Mind” during their Cercle set. It definitely brought in some new fans. There’s always that pressure to fit your sound into a specific style, but I’ve worked hard to stay true to my own vibe while sticking to the general framework and energy of house music. Signing a distribution deal with LabelWorx has been a game-changer because it’s given me the freedom to create exactly the music I want. Even though I still work with a few record labels, I no longer feel the need to conform to a particular sound.
Self-releasing music is a bold move for many artists, especially in today’s industry landscape. What motivated you to take this step for your *Midnight Rendezvous* EP, and how has this newfound creative freedom influenced your artistic decisions?
Stepping away from the traditional record label setup just felt like the right move for me at this stage in my life. Now, I’ve got the freedom to make exactly the music I want, without feeling boxed into a particular style. My manager, Tom, and I have complete creative control over everything—from assembling a brilliant new team to collaborating with artists on art direction. I’m not ruling out releasing with other labels in the future, but right now, this new level of freedom has been a huge boost for my creativity. Partnering with LabelWorx means I can release music more often and grow my catalog at my own pace.
You’ve been noted for gaining traction in the underground scene, but now with a growing presence, how do you plan to stay true to your roots while also appealing to a broader audience?
I’ve always believed that good music naturally finds its way, no matter the genre. As I move forward with my next releases, my main focus is to keep developing my own unique sound and style. Of course, it’s tempting to think about how to appeal to a wider audience, but I feel like when you make that the priority, it can sometimes hold back true creativity. I think the most important thing is to stay authentic, focus on building your own fanbase, and let everything else grow organically from there.
The EP showcases your evolving sound across four tracks. In your opinion, how does Midnight Rendezvous reflect your personal and artistic growth since your debut in 2019?
Midnight Rendezvous marks the start of a new chapter for me. My sound is naturally evolving into something more raw and expressive while still staying true to what I’ve released before. This evolution is partly inspired by a recent personal challenge—the partial loss of my hearing. This setback has made me reconsider how I approach music, resulting in a surge of creativity and deeper emotional resonance in my work. My music is starting to shift into shorter forms too. I’m naturally moving away from longer progressive tracks with big builds and breakdowns into music with a structure that’s more succinct and precise.
Electronic music is constantly evolving. Where do you see the genre heading in the coming years, and how do you hope to contribute to its progression?
Electronic music is always pushing boundaries, and I think we’re going to see a quicker evolution than ever now that we’re in the age of AI, which is both exciting and daunting. With advancements in tech, AI, and new production tools, artists have more ways to experiment with sound than ever before—whether that’s through composition, performance, or interactive platforms like VR. As for my contribution, I hope to continue developing my sound while experimenting with new techniques and influences. My goal is to push creative limits while still keeping a human element to music, ensuring it connects emotionally with people. Ultimately, I want to be part of the wave of innovation but remain grounded in the idea that good music is about feeling, not just technology.