We caught up with Max to find out more...

How did you get into music production?
When I was 14 I got my very first dial up internet connection (long distance calls equals massive bills), I got into the Scandinavian hardcore and demo scene. At the time there were various groups on the early internet, competing with each other by producing so-called ‘Mod tracks,’ to be created and played in DOS software such as FastTracker II and Impulse Tracker.

After winning five or six of those competitions, with genres ranging between gabber, terror core and speedcore (not really mainstream), I got noticed by a local hardcore DJ and started making some tunes.This guy eventually introduced me to Francesco, my Italian studio partner, who I’ve worked with for almost eight years, doing pretty much everything from commercial house to minimal techno and progressive house, under aliases including Lovemakers, 2Advanced and Soulcast.

Do you come from a musical background?
Yes, I studied classical music and piano for seven years when I was a kid, although I have to say I didn’t enjoy it so much back then.

Where did you live before London?
Before London I used to live in northern Italy, in the countryside, the nearest city was Verona. I definitely call London home now, I don’t think I could go back where I used to live, it’s just too boring!

"I think DJing is a really cool thing, and although not as creative as production can give you a lot of satisfaction, especially when you do it with computer programmes."

Did you ever explore the gay scene in Italy? How did it compare to London?
I saw some clubs (they’re all 100 km apart from each other, so more than clubs you’d end up seeing the motorway for hours), but it’s not extremely exciting. Most clubs are very cruisy and almost always feature dark rooms and other paraphernalia, music is a secondary aspect of those clubs normally, and the music policy usually involves Lady GaGa and Madonna all night.

That said, the scene is pretty similar in many other countries, it’s a few stages behind compared to London where there’s choice of music and scenes. It has been taken to the next level here.

What was your first experience of a gay bar or club?
I think it was in Romeo’s club in Verona, I remember it because in Italy you need to pay for a membership card in order to enter the gay clubs. I remember being very nervous, but it was interesting at the same time.

Do you prefer gay clubs or straight clubs?
I usually prefer straight clubbing, to be honest, mostly because of my personal music taste that leans a lot towards minimal and techno. Also, when I go clubbing I love seeing the masters at work, such as John Digweed, Carl Cox and Mark Knight, at the best venues like Matter and Ministry of Sound (hoping it won’t close down!). That said, there are some very cool gay/friendly nights that I often go to, and which never disappoint me, such as Black Rabbit, YouAreHere, Gutterslut and Trade.

You’ve been pushing into the DJing world quite a bit recently, with gigs including Lovechild in London and Love Muscle in Sydney. Do you enjoy DJing as much as production?
That’s true, I wanted to do something more than just sitting in the studio making tunes, that’s why I decided to hit the decks, although I used to DJ years ago back in Italy as well. Sydney has been amazing, really nice crowd and atmosphere, can’t wait to do it again. I think DJing is a really cool thing, and although not as creative as production can give you a lot of satisfaction, especially when you do it with computer programmes such as Ableton Live and Traktor.

I’m sorting out some more gigs for the rest of the year but it’s still top secret at the moment!

Your tracks have been getting some serious playlist action from the likes of Radio 1, GaydarRadio and many others. How does it feel to hear your tracks played out by some of the country’s top DJs?
It’s always a very nice feeling, especially when we get A-playlisted. Kiss 100 has been caning our remix of Owl City and Florence with more than 70 plays a week, you get to a point that you go like ‘OMG, they’re playing it again!’

Who would you most like to work with in the world of dance music?
I’d totally love to do a collaboration with Axwell and the rest of the Swedish House Mafia. Well, I can have dreams too!

"I usually prefer straight clubbing, to be honest, mostly because of my personal music taste that leans a lot towards minimal and techno."

Would you agree that you’ve managed to turn a lot of pop records into credible dance tracks with your remixes?
I like to think so. I hate naff remixes, if I don’t think the track can be suitable for a good remix I usually turn down the job.

Do you have any plans to do solo work?
I’m planning to do a new single on my own very soon, probably new school or tech house, as soon as we finish the queue of remixes myself and Steve [Pitron] have to deliver.

What do you want to achieve in 2010?
For this year I really want to release more original material, and get more gigs abroad.

Top five tracks of the moment:
Christian Smith, Reset Robot – ‘Air Miles - 2000 And One & DJ Madskillz’; D.Ramirez, Mark Knight, Underworld – ‘Downpipe’; DJ PP – ‘Miami Viace’; Mauro Picotto – ‘Fragments (Original Mix)’; Dirty South & Mark Knight – ‘Stopover (Original Club Mix)’.

Find out more at www.myspace.com/maxsanna and http://maxsanna.podbean.com

Forthcoming releases from Max Sanna & Steve Pitron include Florence and the Machine ‘Dog Days Are Over,’ Alexandra Burke ‘Silence,’ plus new tracks from N.E.R.V.O and Milk & Sugar.