CLOCKWORK @ HOT NATURED MIAMI
work MAC + Francesco Leali · Life or Death · B.O.A.T.S.
A suave but sinister journey into NYC's underbelly. Two Milanese transplants forging a sound that feels classic but sounds futuristic — and a debut album that proved they were the real thing.
B.O.A.T.S. — Based on a True Story. The debut album that earned Clockwork their place alongside Maceo Plex, Tale of Us, and DJ Tennis.
Two Milanese friends, a Brooklyn loft, a shared obsession with groove — and a debut album that landed them on one of electronic music's most respected rosters.
Federico Maccherone (MAC) and Francesco Leali met through the bonds of their hometown Milan and found their creative chemistry in New York. MAC had already been making his name in the city's underground circuit — playing ReSolute and Blkmarket, building his sound between advertising campaigns at DDB. Leali arrived in January 2011, joining MAC in Brooklyn after completing his studies in London.
The objective was simple: lock themselves in the studio, make new tracks, and play a few parties. What came out was Clockwork — a project that quickly caught the attention of the Life or Death imprint, home to Maceo Plex, Tale of Us, and DJ Tennis. Their debut album B.O.A.T.S. (Based on a True Story) arrived in 2013 to exuberant critical reception — praised for its range, from slick electro-funk to dub techno to ambient interludes.
Born in Milan, forged in New York. MAC found his voice in the city's underground loft parties — a smoldering, groove-heavy style that nods to Larry Levan's Paradise Garage soul while locking into modern minimal's hypnotic pulse.
Before music, he worked at Spike Lee's DDB advertising agency. The creative instincts carried over: know your audience, trust the groove, never shout when you can seduce.
"New York taught me that the best parties aren't events — they're accidents."
Italo-Canadian, his work ranges from dejected modern classical to punishing sound design. He arrived in New York in January 2011 having completed his studies in London — and immediately joined MAC in the studio.
Francesco finds his deepest inspirations outside music: a book, a moment, a word said in a specific context. "For some unknown reason I tend to find more inspiration in non-music related sources that I then translate to sound."
His instrument of choice, if pushed: the cello. "It has its own way of conveying emotions and speaks to me more than any other instrument."
Do you think some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in sound?
Having said that, I did grow up in a household where music was ever-present — so that probably played its part.
Do you experience strong emotional responses towards certain sounds? What kind, and why?
Not necessarily a specific sound. But I'm a sucker for string sections. If I had to pick a single sound source it would have to be the cello.
On B.O.A.T.S. — what was the creative intent behind the album?
The result demonstrated an impressive range — slick, Junior Boys-style electro-funk, dub techno, and ambient interludes. Most people saw it as a cohesive statement. Leali saw it as a beginning.
You grew up in Milan but New York was your muse. Many colleagues choose Berlin, London, Barcelona — why across the ocean?
Federico had already been there for just over three years. Francesco joined him in January 2011 after completing his studies in London — the objective: lock ourselves in the studio, make new tracks, and play a few parties at ReSolute and Blkmarket.
New York gave us a positive energy and motivated us a great deal. We've never been the type of people who follow trends. Going to Berlin or London didn't feel like a necessity so much as a whim. We then decided to move back to our hometown Milan — here we have everything we need, and for travel it's as convenient as living in London, Barcelona, or Berlin.
The DJ/producer profession has become a status symbol. What are your artistic roots and what's your view on the craft?
It has seemed to us lately that saying "I'm a DJ" is a phrase that's become a little too common. But I don't think it's a problem — in the end, the results speak for themselves. If you don't have talent, it shows immediately.
The personal satisfaction of having given a great performance playing unknown and devastating music — that is priceless. Promoters should take more risks, maybe giving more space to local artists. It could be an excellent way to improve the musical quality in clubs and hear some new music.
"After the first Clockwork record became a relative hit, Leali and Maccherone had another stroke of luck — being asked to join the Life or Death imprint, a label whose roster includes Maceo Plex, Tale of Us, and DJ Tennis."
Critical reception, 2013At the Hot Natured party at the Electric Pickle during Miami's Winter Music Conference 2011, Clockwork delivered the set that announced their arrival. Alongside Soul Clap and Art Department, Federico and Francesco proved that their Milan-to-NYC journey had produced something genuinely new.
The photograph by Alex Grazioli — now part of the Clockwork story — captures the energy of that moment: two Milanese transplants, a Brooklyn-built sound, a Miami crowd, and a room that never forgot it.
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photo by Alex Grazioli
Although I was unable to be in Miami this year for WMC, Im so glad I am able to enjoy this fantastic set from the Hot Natured party at the Electric Pickle. Clockwork, Soul Clap, Art Department, need I say more...
Click here for the Clockwork Set and a big congrats to Federico Maccherone and Francesco Leali, we love Clockwork!