In an era where many producers chase trends and algorithm-friendly numbers, Gianluca Servetti moves in the opposite direction. Better known as Hey Cabrera!, the Turin-based Italian artist has quietly carved out a distinctive lane within the modern Italo-disco landscape—one defined by groove, attitude, and unmistakable personality.
Drawing from the genre’s classic roots while injecting punk rawness and indie-dance energy, his music favors simplicity with impact, where every element serves the rhythm. That approach has earned him a steady run of acclaimed singles and remixes on labels such as Love Attack, Toy Tonics, FLUIDOSTUDIO, and Pizzico Records.
With influences that stretch from vintage Italo disco to the confrontational spirit of The Stooges and Suicide, Hey Cabrera! continues to shape a sound that feels both referential and sharply contemporary.
In this interview, Hey Cabrera! sits down with House Nest to talk about the making of his latest single “Don’t Stop,” his groove-first production process, the role of AI in his vocal work, and how blending Italo, disco, and house continues to fuel his evolving sound—both in the studio and on the dancefloor.
Hello Gianluca, thanks for joining us today. How are you doing?
Hi guys, everything’s great. I’m recovering from the post-Christmas slump and slowly getting back into my usual work rhythm. It’s a dream..
Last year, on December 5th, you released your final single for 2025, “Don’t Stop.” Can you tell us how you started producing this track? Were you experimenting with sounds like the groove, synth design, or a bassline until everything fell into place, or did you already have a clear picture of how the track would sound from the start?
The track was born last summer and, as often happens, I didn’t have a predefined idea in mind. I like to approach music in a very free way, based on the feeling of the moment.
I remember I had brought my mobile studio to Puglia, in southern Italy, where I’ve enjoyed retreating for a few weeks for many years now. I had just returned from the beach, turned on the computer, and the track just came out. It was all very, very fast, I must say. That doesn’t always happen to me.
The single is incredibly danceable—such an unreal groove! I feel like the bassline might have been made with a KORG, at least that FM-style sound reminds me of it. Could you walk us through how you approached the sound design for the bassline?
Thank you for the compliment! Look, I usually start working on my tracks beginning with the basslines. I put on a four-on-the-floor kick and improvise over it with a synth or even with my Fender, until I realize the loop has its own groove.
You hit the nail on the head, mentioning Korg because the final sound is actually a layer that includes the M1, combined with a played part and a sub.
The vocals are the cherry on top; they give the track such a sophisticated finish. How did you end up choosing and working with the vocals?
Among other things, I have a background as a songwriter for various artists here in Italy, so for me, the voice always plays a very important role. Specifically, the mood of the track brought to mind certain hip-house tracks from the late eighties, like those by Technotronic, for example, and this immediately gave me a precise connotation and direction.
So, I recorded both the melodic part and the rap in one go and then transformed my voice with AI. I find this use of technology amazing because not having to contact and then go into the studio with a vocalist allows me to shorten production times significantly and, above all, to find exactly the timbre and interpretation I have in mind.
The single was released on Misty’s label, Love Attack. Was there a particular reason you chose this label?
I had already been in contact with Misty for a while: we were exchanging messages on Instagram, and there was an intention to do something together. Then one day Hassan, aka DJ F-Spins, who is the A&R for Love Attack, contacted me, saying they were interested in publishing a single. I sent a couple of tracks, and they chose “Don’t Stop”. It was all very natural.
We know you’re a huge fan of blending Italo, disco, and house into a fluid indie-dance sound infused with punk energy. Can you walk us through your creative process for merging these styles and what inspires you to keep this sound fresh and unique?
Let’s say that mixing all the influences I grew up with and trying to create a sound that is as personal as possible is my goal. I’m working on it, and I feel I haven’t fully achieved this objective yet.
It’s a continuous journey of discovery that excites me, but I have a very broad listening background that needs to be disciplined every now and then: for instance, you wouldn’t believe how many folk and new wave tracks I’ve written and kept on my hard drive… But maybe one day I’ll find a way to publish those too.
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While the Italo disco genre can sometimes feel predictable, you manage to keep your tracks fresh and unique. For example, your drums really stand out, and you have a recognizable production style. Do you consciously try to stay authentic, or does it all come naturally?
Drums have always been an obsession of mine: I can play them a bit, and it’s something I always notice in the songs I listen to, regardless of the genre. It’s also one of the reasons I fell in love with Italo: I find that reverberated and “fat” sound truly unique and irresistible.
It has this mix of energy derived from rock, but declined in a club and fun perspective. So I would tell you it’s something so rooted inside me that it comes out in a totally spontaneous way.
In 2025 alone, you’ve released more than seven singles and performed in your hometown, Turin, as well as in Athens, Greece. What’s next for 2026? What are your plans and goals for this year?
There are several things planned: a new EP with Bordello a Parigi in the spring and a series of other releases that are currently being finalized. What I would like to achieve, however, is to play as much as possible in clubs, because contact with people is essential to understand what works and what doesn’t. And besides, I have a lot of fun doing it.
Support the artist and buy ‘Don’t Stop’ on Beatport
Follow Hey Cabrera! on Social Media:
SoundCloud l Spotify l Instagram
