No, some things can’t be said enough. And when someone finds the words—and the sounds—to express them so honestly, you want to hold onto that for a moment longer. “The era of cold machinery has come to a close for me. Now, it’s time to embrace relatability, humanity, vulnerability, and the emotions we all silently share in our daily lives,” says NOCUI about his new single High Hopes. A statement that captures the shift in his musical world—one that now leans gently into emotion and connection. The track itself wraps this feeling in a comforting blend of deep house and electronic textures, with touches of pop that give it lightness and warmth.
NOCUI, the Berlin-based artist born Leonardo Di Fiore, doesn’t just make music—he observes how it moves through people. With a background in classical piano and a degree in neuroscience, his path into sound has always been shaped by a deep curiosity for how things feel, not just how they sound. That same curiosity led him to explore the relationship between perception, space, and memory—insights that continue to shape his songwriting today.
“I felt insecure and anxious about how it would be received,” he shares when talking about using his own voice more prominently for the first time. High Hopes marks a moment of quiet courage for NOCUI, a choice to step out from behind the machines and into something more personal. It’s the first single off his upcoming EP Club Exit, and it holds the warmth and hesitation of new beginnings—emotions that are rarely loud, but always true.
We spoke with NOCUI about this new chapter—his move toward emotional depth, the meaning behind his artist name, and how his scientific background influences the way he builds sound.
photography: press
Hey Leo, you have quite an interesting background. You are a composer, singer-songwriter, sound designer, and electronic music producer based in Berlin. But you also studied neuroscience in Boston. During this time, you explored the intersection of sound and perception, gaining insights into how music influences emotions and experiences. We find neuroscience really fascinating. Could you explain a bit to us about what you discovered during your research regarding how music affects emotions and experiences?
Hello, and thank you so much for having me! During college, I dove deeply into understanding how music, sound, and perception work. To put it simply, sound—particularly frequencies—can have a direct impact on our consciousness and mental state. It’s fascinating because sound can be used for various purposes, from healing and mood alteration to influencing memory and much more.
However, the knowledge I draw from most often isn’t necessarily about sound itself, but rather about perception and its connection to space and memory. While this isn’t strictly a scientific approach, it’s more about how I apply these insights to the songwriting process, using the ideas I explored in university as a lens to view and shape music.
For your new EP Club Exit and the lead single ‘High Hopes,’ you decided to take a more personal approach, using your own vocals and blending elements of R&B and deep house into your signature club sound. You recorded your own vocals on your debut album Italian Robot, was that a completely new experience up to this point? How did it feel to hear a song with your voice for the first time, and did you feel any insecurities?
I wasn’t entirely new to singing, but it was definitely a new venture for me. I used my voice in some very old projects, but over the years, I shifted my focus more toward instrumental music.
This was the first time I truly put my voice out there, and I’ll admit, it was a bit terrifying at first. I felt insecure and anxious about how it would be received, but fortunately, it went really well. That experience gave me the confidence to explore this side of myself further. I absolutely love it now and feel like I’ve unlocked an entirely new dimension of my musicality and artistry. I’m excited to continue exploring and diving deeper into this aspect of my work in the months ahead!
“This was the first time I truly put my voice out there, and I’ll admit, it was a bit terrifying at first.”
The lead single ‘High Hopes’ – can you tell us what inspired the track?
“High Hopes,” like all the tracks I plan to share in the coming months, reflects a shared experience we all go through—often in silence, but something we navigate alone. It’s about that powerful warmth that comes at the start of a new relationship or life chapter, paired with the subtle fear of the unknown and the vulnerability we feel in those moments.
Meeting my girlfriend and going through so much change and self-discovery during this period of my life has truly been the spark behind this track! There’s been a lot of excitement, but also a bit of healthy fear. This song is a reminder to both myself and others to stay hopeful about the future and not let those fears hold us back.
Is there a particular track from the EP that stands out to you, and what makes it your favorite?
Yes! It’s “CLUB EXIT,” the focus track of my upcoming EP. In this track, I take accountability for my mistakes and past life choices, confidently leaving the past behind and looking toward the future with the maturity gained from my experiences. It’s a closing chapter for me, and for that reason, it means a lot. Also, the track is fire to my ears!
In 2023, you founded your label ShapelessCulture. Can you explain the purpose behind it and what people can expect from it?
After working with so many labels in the past, I wanted to create my own outlet to free myself and other artists of hierarchical creative constraints. My label is simply a place of exploration where the art comes before the business. Simple as that.
“It’s about that powerful warmth that comes at the start of a new relationship or life chapter, paired with the subtle fear of the unknown.”
Given your classical piano training, how did you transition into electronic music?
I literally saw a YouTube video of an AKAI controller when I was 14 and bought it with my grandma’s Christmas money! It looked so different from everything I was used to, and that excited me. I’ve been producing ever since. Before that, my family had some friends involved in the music industry who introduced me to some incredible electronic music at a very young age. I guess that had a big influence on me too!
I just googled the meaning of NOCUI – in Latin it means that something hurt me. Is that what your artist name means or did I get that totally wrong?
It actually is the plural of “nocuo” which means toxic or “not pure”. This comes to mind because my music, regardless of how much effort and skill I put in it, is always an approximation of the feeling I have inside… therefore “not pure”. I used the plural because this is an experience we all face constantly. Thank you for this question! Ironically, not many people asked me the meaning behind my name.
How did you end up in Berlin? Would you say it’s a place where you feel at home, and do you see yourself living here in the future?
After the US, I wanted to experience a truly international city in Europe, and of course, Berlin was at the top of my list! With its incredible music scene and reputation, I knew I had to give it a try. And well, here I am almost four years later.
It’s definitely starting to feel like home, but Italy will always have a special place in my heart. I’m not sure where I’ll be in the future, but honestly, I see myself living in more than one city throughout the year.
“My label is simply a place of exploration where the art comes before the business.”
How do you like to spend your free time when you’re not making music or performing?
I enjoy cooking, reading, visiting museums, playing sports, and spending time with loved ones and friends! Ironically, though, I’m not a huge fan of clubs or that lifestyle haha.
What would you say are the biggest challenges you face as a musician and artist?
Getting out of my head and putting myself out there.
If you had the chance to instantly master any skill outside of music, what would it be and why?
Ahhh that is a hard one, so many interesting things in this life! I would like to be an amazing computer scientist maybe, but really too many cool things to pick.
What do you think is something in life that people often overlook but is really important?
I think people put too much emphasis on happiness and short term gratification rather than gratitude, hope, and serenity!
Check out High Hopes here: lnk.to/highhopes
Follow NOCUI for more:
www.instagram.com/nocui_
www.facebook.com/nocuimusic
x.com/NOCUI_
