b. Gianluigi Di Costanzo, Italy. Via his collection of analogue synths, analogue drum machines and old samplers, Milan-based electro-composer Bochum Welt creates atmospheric electronic elegies to modern technology. He has claimed the influence of artists such as Kraftwerk, Thomas Dolby (with whom he has collaborated), Ry–ichi Sakamoto and the Human League, and his tracks share a similar future-retro lexicon (such as paeans to mannequins) with such inspirations. Former science student Di Costanzo takes his recording moniker from a juxtaposition of the name of a telescope that was built to explore unexplored regions of space (Bochum) and the German word for "world" (Welt) with the stated intention of the name meaning something akin to "see the world with different eyes". Perhaps unexpectedly for a science student, techno producer and sometime associate of the Aphex Twin (via his releases for Rephlex Records) Di Costanzo claims to be a fan of English literature and, in particular, the romantic poetry of Byron. Accordingly, via his combination of minimalistic electronics and heart-tugging melodies (albeit with frequently eerie undercurrents), Di Costanzo infuses his electronic music with a beguiling romanticism as if to suggest a particular empathy with Commander Data, the Star Trek automaton that craved to be able to feel real human emotions. His album titles have included Martians And Spaceships and Kissing A Robot Goodbye. Nokia Italia, Sony Japan and Games Workshop have commissioned Di Costanzo's sound design, and the musician fittingly scored the arcade game Pacman Deluxe. He has also applied his remodelling skills to a full remix set for maverick producer Like A Tim.

Listen to Bochum Welt at Finetune.

• La Nuit (Slumber Mix)

• Aphex Twin
• Four Tet
• Meat Beat Manifesto
• Paul Van Dyk
• Madonna
• Carl Cox
• Orbital
• Daft Punk
• Nine Inch Nails
• Timo Maas
• LFO
• Underworld
• Scooter
• Autechre
• The Black Dog
• Global Communication
• 808 State
• Fluke
• Squarepusher
• Coil

• Nivekian