From Milan Ad Agencies to NYC Techno Sanctums

Federico Maccherone—better known as MAC—is a man of dual creative passports: advertising savant by day (having worked with Spike Lee’s DDB agency), deep-house devotee by night. Born in Milan but forged in New York’s underground, MAC represents a rare breed of artist who bridges the cerebral and the sensual, with a sound that’s as suave as it is subterranean.

His journey into music began unconventionally—pushing his childhood friend Dodo Martino (Digital Lovers co-owner) to DJ before discovering his own calling in NYC’s techno scene. Here, amid the dimly lit lofts and sweat-drenched afterhours, MAC found his voice: a smoldering, groove-heavy style that nods to Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage soul while locking into modern minimal’s hypnotic pulse.

Now, as a DJ, label curator, and collaborator, MAC is preparing to launch Clockwork—a new project with Francesco Leali that promises to dive deeper into the shadowy, sophisticated corners of house and techno.

The Interview:

Leila Antakly: Your influences span Larry Levan to Seth Troxler. How do these legends shape your sound?

MAC: Larry Levan taught me that DJing is spiritual—it’s not just beats, it’s church. Moodymann showed me raw soul can live in machines. And Seth Troxler? He proved techno can be both deep and deliriously fun. My sound sits where these worlds collide.

Favorite labels—what’s in your crate right now?

Liebe Detail (for textured, melodic house)
Supplement Facts (Wata Igarashi’s label—pure hypnotism)
Dial (Lawrence’s timeless elegance)
Crosstown Rebels (because Damian Lazarus is a shaman)

Clockwork is your new collaboration with Francesco Leali. What’s the vision?

A suave but sinister journey into NYC’s underbelly. We’re working with revolutionary labels and live musicians to create something that feels classic but sounds futuristic. The first EP is coming soon—expect basslines that slither and synths that glow in the dark.

Art Department – “Without You”. It’s heartbreak you can dance to.

Plans for the season?

Clockwork’s debut EP
DJ sets that blur house, disco, and techno
More midnight studio sessions than sleep

In a city oversaturated with DJs chasing trends, MAC stands out by honoring groove’s legacy while pushing it forward. His Summer Mix (exclusive to Ninu Nina) is proof: a sultry, slow-burning voyage that mirrors his ethos—music should seduce, not shout.

Must-Listen: