Mouth Water, the innovative project of Italian producer Lawrence Fancelli, blends electronic and acoustic elements in a sophisticated fusion that has captivated audiences across Europe.
Photo credit: Cristiano Miretti
Operating from his OSB Studio in Tuscany since 2019, Fancelli creates a distinctive sound merging modern house with nostalgic ’80s electro-pop. This style has earned him performances alongside artists like Röyksopp and at prestigious venues such as Primavera Sound Barcelona.
His latest single ‘Fireflies’ explores themes of communication breakdowns due to technology, serving as a bridge between his club-oriented tracks and more song-like compositions. The track, which began as an experiment with digital plugins while away from his studio, features the classic Juno-60 synth for its signature ’80s vibe. It follows his previous single ‘Blackout’ and previews his 2025 album ‘Technology Fueled Dream Obsolescence.’
Currently on a summer tour with Sophie and the Giants throughout Italy, Mouth Water continues to innovate through hybrid live sets that combine electronic and acoustic instruments with visuals.
In this exclusive interview with EG, Fancelli shares insights into his creative process, the themes driving his upcoming album, and his evolution from sound engineer to innovative electronic music producer.
EG: Hi Mouth Water! Welcome to EG. How are you doing today, and where are you joining us from?
Mouth Water: Hello again, EG. I’m doing rather well, and I’m currently in my studio in Florence, Italy.
EG: Your new single ‘Fireflies’ was recently released. What inspired this track, and what does it represent for you?
Mouth Water: The track was born out of experimentation with a new software plugin while I was on vacation far away from my studio because I didn’t have access to all my usual gear and synths. Lyrically, it’s about communication breakdowns due to the abuse of technology. It represents a bridge between my previous club-oriented tracks and the more song-like tracks in my upcoming album ‘Technology Fueled Dream Obsolescence,’ in which ‘Fireflies’ is the second single after ‘Blackout.’
EG: Your music blends modern electronic production with a touch of nostalgia. How do you balance these influences to create your signature sound?
Mouth Water: Usually, I start my tracks with some analog synths which give me the inspiration I’m looking for, but with ‘Fireflies’ I went with digital plugins first, then I added the analog sounds later to complement the track, such as the Juno-60 which always seems to add a heavy dose of ’80s vibe. I also attempted to record acoustic drums for certain parts of ‘Fireflies’ but could not get them to blend well with the rest of the track, so I went for some samples.
EG: Can you share a bit about your creative process when working on a song like ‘Fireflies’?
Mouth Water: With ‘Fireflies,’ I was listening to a track by one of my favorite artists, French79, and heard a clean synth sound which I thought would make a nice sample to use in one of my own songs. Instead of sampling it, however, I put it through this Synplant plugin which allowed me to reverse engineer it, turning it into a synthesizer so I could then tweak its parameters and change it as I pleased. That sound immediately inspired a chord progression which runs through the entire track. I then worked on the beat using some samples and other sounds that I ran into Synplant. The unfinished track sat on my hard drive for a couple of months until I started working on it again in my studio with producer Mario Romano, who got me to write some melodies and lyrics while keeping in mind the theme of the album ‘Technology Fueled Dream Obsolescence.’
EG: The title of your upcoming album, ‘Technology Fueled Dream Obsolescence,’ is quite thought-provoking. What themes or ideas are you exploring with this project?
Mouth Water: ‘Technology Fueled Dream Obsolescence’ stems from the realization that most people’s dreams for the future are almost entirely dictated by the state of technology today. Often when technology evolves, those dreams don’t even make sense anymore. So all the tracks on the album have something to do with dreams, the past, technology, or a combination of these.
“All the tracks on the album have something to do with dreams, the past, technology, or a combination of these”
EG: How have your Tuscan roots and American experiences shaped your approach to music and storytelling?
Mouth Water: I’ve always listened mostly to British and American music, but I have a few Italian favorites which I feel have shaped my approach to melody, arrangement, and lyrics.
EG: You’ve performed at major festivals and opened for artists like Röyksopp. How have these experiences influenced your growth as an artist?
Mouth Water: I feel it really ups your self-esteem to be appreciated by larger audiences and get complimented on your set by well-known artists. Your impostor syndrome starts to fade, which allows you to be unafraid to experiment more and be free to be weird.
EG: Collaboration seems to play a role in your work. How do partnerships with other musicians impact your music?
Mouth Water: I think the remixes have mostly helped me get new ears on my music, and coproducing with other musicians has helped my style evolve in areas I wasn’t as proficient in.
EG: Outside of music, what inspires you creatively? Are there particular experiences or interests that fuel your artistry?
Mouth Water: I personally enjoy activities that have nothing to do with music like sports, traveling, and riding my bike in the forest because they help you disconnect your mind from music and from anything else you’re thinking about. This way, you’re refreshed when you go back into it.
“The remixes have mostly helped me get new ears on my music, and coproducing with other musicians has helped my style evolve in areas I wasn’t as proficient in”
EG: With ‘Fireflies’ leading the way, what can fans expect as we move closer to the release of your new album?
Mouth Water: I think you can expect something unexpected with every single because each song is rather different from the others, and I achieved this by incorporating elements of various genres that I had previously never tapped into.
EG: Finally, what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Mouth Water: I hope it takes them away from their thoughts and worries for a few minutes and offers them something to think about that may come up in their day-to-day life.
EG: Thanks for the time and all the best!
Mouth Water ‘Fireflies’ is now available on Through the Void. Stream and download here.
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