The founder of the legendary dance music imprint Azuli Records and Ibiza's beloved Amante and Aiyanna beach clubs muses on a life spent at the cutting edge of the global underground music scene.&nbsp;

'I grew up in Huddersfield, a northern English town where, frankly, I never felt I fully fit in. My dad was Italian, a miner who&rsquo;d left his homeland to work in England&rsquo;s pits, and my mum was South African. Their backgrounds were worlds apart, and I felt like I straddled two cultures without fully belonging to either. Dad became an ice cream man after leaving the mines, and I spent three summers helping him. There was something humbling and honest about that job, though as a kid, I didn&rsquo;t yet appreciate it.
I was a rebellious teen, and at 15, punk rock drew me in. I&rsquo;d take the train to see The Clash, The Ramones, and other bands, living for those loud, frenetic gigs. Punk made me realize I didn&rsquo;t have to conform to my small-town reality&mdash;I could shape my own life, even as a working-class Northerner. <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/whomadewho-danish-indie-electronic-band-is-this-the-band-of-the-moment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dance music</a> soon became my new passion. My friends and I would frequent clubs like Gemini in Huddersfield, soaking up the music and the freedom of those nights.
When I went to college in Liverpool, a few friends and I started our own club night called&nbsp;Busting Loose. We rented a local gay club and spun mostly early dance tracks from Black American artists. To our surprise, it was a hit, and soon enough, the club gave us Saturday nights. That club changed me. I knew I&rsquo;d found my calling.
After college, I wanted to dive into dance music&rsquo;s epicentre&mdash;New York. In 1986, with only $300 in my pocket, I took off. New York was the pulse of house music back then, and I soaked up every beat at places like the legendary Paradise Garage. It wasn&rsquo;t long before I got my first DJ set in a small club, eventually leading to a Saturday residency at The World. Those days were electrifying. There was a fierce, unstoppable energy to New York back then.

Those days were electrifying. There was a fierce, unstoppable energy to New York back then.

But after five wild years, I returned to London with my now-ex wife. London was a different beast. Unlike New York&rsquo;s open <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/the-mystical-energy-of-ibiza-s-ley-lines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy</a>, it was more closed-off and cliquey. I worked at a record shop, then bought it, and eventually launched Azuli Records. We put out hundreds of records, and for 25 years, the shop thrived as a hub for music lovers and producers alike.
By 2007, digital media had upended the record industry, so I took a leap of faith and moved to <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/ten-ibiza-restaurants-to-soak-up-the-early-autumn-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ibiza</a>, where I&rsquo;d long dreamed of transforming a beach venue into something magical. Everyone told me I was mad, but I pressed on, trusting that gut feeling I&rsquo;d always relied on.
Now, <a href="https://www.amanteibiza.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amante</a> and Aiyanna are recognised among Ibiza&rsquo;s best <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/five-beaches-for-spring-sunshine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beach</a> clubs, but for me, they are more than that. They are the fulfilment of a vision I&rsquo;ve carried with me from those first club nights in Huddersfield, through New York&rsquo;s vibrant dance floors, and across decades in the music and hospitality industry. I&rsquo;ve learned to blend music and hospitality to create experiences that resonate deeply with people. Whether it&rsquo;s through an extraordinary track or a beautiful moonlit supper on a beach, it&rsquo;s always about crafting moments people never forget. I may not be a traditional restaurateur, but I&rsquo;ve found a way to stay true to myself and share my love for unforgettable experiences.'

People of Ibiza: David Piccioni

Tags

Related Articles

People of Ibiza

People of Ibiza: Li Ramet

People of Ibiza

People of Ibiza: Mads Kornerup

People of Ibiza

People of Ibiza: Sofija Mehta

Recommended posts for you

Culture

The Many Lives of Carla Bruni: Model, Musician and First Lady

Design

Style and functionality: objects that redefine your interior

Portraits

Emma Chamberlain, the voice of Gen Z: "I always have a Swiss Army knife in my bag"

Ibiza

Baubles, Twirls & Holiday Curls - Bringing Christmas nostalgia with the 60’s beehive

Fashion

The Most Beautiful Red Dresses for New Year's Eve 2024

Soul

Open the tarot card, receive a holiday gift dedicated to the 12 Zodiac Signs

Beauty

The hottest makeup trend of the year: Freckles that sparkle like stars

Fashion

Calvin Klein Returns to New York Fashion Week with Veronica Leoni's First Show