For our 50th release, Modern Agenda is pleased to welcome Hacobb to the label with this four track EP called Dialogues. Aptly named, our connection with Hacobb started on the right foot through a face-to-face meeting in Athens a few months ago. We had already signed this Ep but had the chance to meet its maker too! We would love to tell you more but Hacobb is still pretty elusive, we couldn’t even find his bio. He is Scottish Greek and a talented producer, that is what we know for sure.
The Dialogues EP is made up of four solid melodic dreamy and tracks that are introspective and creative. The cadence varies along with each track’s intensity, making this an EP of super tunes to fit any set at any hour. A little lighter than some of our releases, this one will take you on a soundscape journey from the second you press play.
From hypnotic sets to energetic sessions, Jay Perlestein wraps the dance floor with a mix of Deep House, Tech House and Techno rhythms fused with the sounds of House, Disco and Electronica, creating an atmosphere full of dramatic and traveling melodies, powerful bass lines and Latin touches, a combination that sets him apart.
Jay can be found playing all over Mexico. He is a Resident DJ for: Fest-ON, Project Sound and 3rd Eye Music; Also from terrace Be Roof in Playa del Carmen, Mex. Any poster coming out of a variety of places in Mexico? Chances are you will see Jay’s name on it.
Modern Agenda happily released Jay Perlestein’s first release on Beatport alongside two other Mexican artists, Gustavo Logo and Audictive. His EP Moon Road came out July 1, 2019.
The Original Mix of Moon Road sets the mood for the entire EP. Its eeriness is only counteracted by the grittiness and this makes for a powerful, melodic, emotive track. Once the breakdown hits, all are curious how the story plays out, hooked on what’s to come. This one is more for the introspective music lovers, for the darkest hours of the night.
Jay Perlestein is making his way over the ocean to ADE this year and we have him on our showcase line up at Kashmir Lounge, Oct 18. You’ll be able to catch him live and hear his sound first hand.
Until then, press play on this mix and read up on our five questions. We didn’t edit Jay’s responses and you can “hear” his personality shine through. He’s talented, yes, but he is a really nice guy too.
Thanks for taking the time to make us a mix and answer our questions, Jay!
Describe the moment you realized you were destined to make music. Or even if not, “meant”, when did you decide to take the leap and try?
I think it was many years ago when I recently discovered electronic music, because it fascinated me to imagine what they would have done to create each of those sounds that blew my head and gave me a feeling of chills every time the track evolved. from that moment I knew that some day I would like to create those sounds and therefore music, at that time I was listening to Progressive trance & Minimal Techno, Lol
Describe your career to the year, to the three years and now. Where are you going from here?
It’s been 6 years since I started this story, this project was born after years of practice and define where I wanted to point: Jay Perlestein; I feel that they went by so fast if I think about it, and at the same time so many things happened that they feel like a whole life, when I arrived in Playa del Carmen it was where everything started to grow very fast, I feel grateful to have shared the stage with many talents ; Being part of the producers Project Sound and Go Out, Fest-On is an important achievement for me; and at the same time they are a fundamental part of my growth as an artist, I will always be grateful for their constant support, and we will continue.
This year without a doubt has been very important for me, and of course for my career as an artist, because after years of self-made attempts, and after several months of study and real dedication I was able to come up with a Track that I felt ready for was heard by all as mine, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gustavo Lobo and perphetual studio for their support and for the great remixes, and of course to Modern Agenda for opening the doors to me in their Label, infinite thanks.
And soon they will be listening to a lot of music from me, music from the heart of course, and I think that is where I want to take this, dreams fulfilled more and more often!
What changes did you experience as an artist and in your personal life, you discover that you have changed as a person over the years in which you have been an active artist? If so, how?
Without a doubt, it helped me to mature as a person, because when you take something seriously to make it vibrate in the right way, this helps you to align all the other aspects of your life, with clear ups and downs but always lifting.
What is your best source of inspiration and how do you find yourself in a creative mood when you do not feel especially inspired?
The music of the 80s, rock and pop can inspire me a lot, without a doubt listening to a couple of tracks from my favorites, or from my favorite producers helps if I’m a little discouraged.
Where can people find their work online (social links) and what are the details of upcoming concerts and / or releases?
Recently I will be doing a small tour through the center of the country, including on August 31 one of my favorite festivals in the heart of Veracruz: Sunset Soul, truly a unique experience in an eco-resort in the middle of the jungle, full contact with nature , sharing with great artists like Rick Pier O’neil, Amber Long, Neo Human … and many will surely surprise you !, super recommended for those who like the underground scene.
Soon my next EP will be released in the Label 3er Eye Music, based on tulum, be aware of the networks for more info.
Modern Agenda is thrilled to have Lucas Rossi back with this own complete EP on Modern Agenda. Parables, Lucas’ original tune was picked up immediately and played by our friend and mentor, Hernan Cattaneo as soon as we signed it. From there, Hernan went on to play the Funkstate remix as well at Ministry of Sound.
During Lucas’ career, he has shared the stage with great artists within the national and international scene. There are so many names, the list is long and impressive. Even more impressive how far his music travels around the globe, played by many, many Progressive House DJs, including the biggest ones out there. Just like this example, for Parables.
Lucas is currently Label Manager for the label Dreamers and his work as a producer continues to grow with and increasing fan-base internationally.
We wanted to ask him our five questions before his release next week and he kindly provided us with a guest mix on our Soundcloud page.
Thanks for your time and talent, Lucas! Modern Agenda loves you.
Describe the moment when you realized you were meant to make music? Or even if not, “meant”, when did you decide to take the leap and go for it?
Well, when I started doing music in 2012 I did not expect to have a career or travel in and out of my country spreading my music and the music of other artists, I dreamed of course but I never imagined that this could happen. The years passed and I was improving and growing as a dj and producer but I thought that growth was very slow to my liking, I personally had good years and bad years (like everyone else) and some circumstances in my life made me able to make the decision to dedicate all my time at 100% music less than a year ago and I can say that I am very happy to have done it.
Describe your career at one year in, three years in, and now. Where is it headed from here?
All these years have been of constant learning, of the people that I have known, of the places that I have had the possibility to visit and because of myself. My career has always been based on the part of music production, since I started, I realized that being just a dj is not enough and I have tried to grow from that side so I want to continue on that path to achieve goals that I have set out for some time .
What changes did you go through as an artist and in your personal life, do you find you have changed as a person over the years you’ve been an active artist? If yes, how so?
I had many changes in both aspects in these last 3 or 4 years, I learned from my own mistakes and also from other people’s mistakes that in some way or another could harm me, I surpassed them and I still do it, you have to try to be well with yourself because otherwise it will affect all your work and commitment. The most important thing is to focus on you and your goals.
What is your greatest source of inspiration and how do you get yourself in a creative mood when you aren’t feeling especially inspired?
One of my source of inspiration is to listen music and not only electronic music, when i hear something that I really like, that motivates me and encourages me to create.
There is a lot of material in my Soundcloud (tracks and sets) and
of course Beatport.
I have a few gigs here in Argentina in the next months including Buenos Aires and Posadas (Misiones) and a few TBC, and on upcoming releases i have “Parables” EP in Modern Agenda with great remixes of Funkstate and Dark Soul Project & Gustavo Calaf, a debut remix on We Are The Underground to Alejo Gonzalez & Max Blade, my return to Massive Harmony after a few years with a remix to Julio Largente & Mariano Rial, i also return to Dopamine Music with a remix to Christopher FaFa and an EP in Hoomidaas with three originals.
Latest Modern Agenda Release
True to proper progressive house form, Lucas delivers an incredible original. A nice round sound with effective mids throughout, keeping listeners teased. Dreamy vocal licks play amongst the synth work, all coming together in beautiful melodies, still with a bit of edge.
A deep and groovy version of the original, Dark Soul Project and Gustavo Calaf bring us their remix and join us on Modern Agenda with this, their first release with us. The synth work on this one is more intense and insistent, and the pressure rises and falls, just right.
The dreamiest of the three, Funkstate’s remix of Parables is sheer gold. Reminiscent of all things delightful and in flux, this remix has flow, melody and unbeatable optimism. The bass is rolling but stays light throughout. The right recipe for lift-off!
Modern Agenda is thrilled to have Lucas Rossi back with this own complete EP on Modern Agenda. Parables, Lucas’ original tune was picked up immediately and played by our friend and mentor, Hernan Cattaneo as soon as we signed it. From there, Hernan went on to play the Funkstate remix as well at Ministry of Sound. The whole EP is a must-have for all Progressive lovers.
True to proper progressive house form, Lucas delivers an incredible original. A nice round sound with effective mids throughout, keeping listeners teased. Dreamy vocal licks play amongst the synth work, all coming together in beautiful melodies, still with a bit of edge.
A deep and groovy version of the original, Dark Soul Project and Gustavo Calaf bring us their remix and join us on Modern Agenda with this, their first release with us. The synth work on this one is more intense and insistent, and the pressure rises and falls, just right.
The dreamiest of the three, Funkstate’s remix of Parables is sheer gold. Reminiscent of all things delightful and in flux, this remix has flow, melody and unbeatable optimism. The bass is rolling but stays light throughout. The right recipe for lift-off!
Juliane Wolf started DJing with vinyl in 2008 and played in nearly every bigger city in Germany in clubs like Golden Gate or Suicide Circus in Berlin, but also other places like France and the Netherlands. In 2017 she really enjoyed playing at ADE for Modern Agenda.
Juliane offers a versatile live act and acts as a talented DJ. For example, one week she played a techno set at Suicide Circus, but the next month she played a live ambient gig at a church in Cologne.
Besides DJing she discovered the world of producing and synths. This has led to many releases on labels such as Manual Music / MNL, Cinematique, The Plot Music, Stripped Digital – of course, Modern Agenda and many others. Juliane has just finished a remix for Nick Warren, which will soon be released on his label Soundgarden.
Juliane loves to do live, hybrid and DJ sets. She released her album ‘Peaceful Heart’ on Honey Drops Recordings in 2017 which went into Beatport Electronica and Progressive Top 10. Juliane loves diving into analog equipment and learn synthesis from the beginning on. She has a big passion for acid music but also loves the sound of the 80s.
Because of her love for special music, she started her own label Wizarding Wolf in May 2019 together with a radio show on DI.FM Progressive.
Thanks to Juliane for taking the time to answer our five “Going Underground” questions and for the fine guest mix.
Describe the moment when you realized you were meant to make music? Or even if not, “meant”, when did you decide to take the leap and go for it?
There were many of those moments… doing my
first vinyl transition, buying the first records, playing the first gig,
producing the first track, signing the first label contract, founding my own
record label… there are so many steps you take. But I remember one day when I
was talking to my mom around 2015, when I just finished my Master’s degree in
German Linguistics, telling mom I wanted to work as a freelancer, focussing on
doing music professionally. I think this was the biggest confession to music in
my life so far.
Describe
your career at one year in, three years in, and now. Where is it headed from
here?
I started DJing in 2008.. wow, time flies. So
in 2009 I was still a university student, playing DJ gigs travelling with my a
vinyl case bigger than myself all around Germany. My DJ name was Ayana Blume
back then. I even had a percussionist travelling with me. It was a lot of fun!
3 years in means 2011, then I was focussing on building up a live set and
getting into music production for the first time. Since then a lot more
happened: I founded my own label Wizarding Wolf, released music on a lot of
great labels and played in a lot of amazing places. I am so happy about
everything, also about the support for my own label that is coming from others
and I want to thank everyone very much for their support!
What
changes did you go through as an artist and in your personal life, do you find
you have changed as a person over the years you’ve been an active artist? If
yes, how so?
I moved a lot the last years and also
personally the last years were a huge rollercoaster ride. I see making music
and releasing it as a big emotional challenge, because you are constantly
creating something out of your feelings and you are transitioning your
innermost thoughts into a piece of art. Imagine, what if a person listens to
your music and just doesn’t like it or doesn’t understand the message you
wanted to transport? These moments are hard, but they also let you grow as an
artist. Since I founded my own label Wizarding Wolf I have the feeling that I
can fully express myself without taking care of borders and requirements. And when
I get support from DJs I admire, I am always so thankful.
What is
your greatest source of inspiration and how do you get yourself in a creative
mood when you aren’t feeling especially inspired?
My greatest source of inspiration is partly
the music I listen to, but also just life itself. I listen to electronic music
a lot, but when I run out of inspiration, I stop doing that and I prefer taking
a walk or talking to friends and family. Melodies are a thing which are going
around in my head most of the time, so sometimes I just record them to use them
later in my tracks. Later I build a drum pattern and so on.
Where
can people find your work online (social links) and what are the details for
any upcoming gigs and/or releases?
First of all I am so happy to have my first
release on Modern Agenda with True Love Has Wings / Forbidden Forest. My next
release on Wizarding Wolf is planned for September, I will have Luciano
Scheffer as a remixer which I am very happy about – he is just such a talented
artist. I just did a remix for Nick Warren which will be released on his label
The Soundgarden. This is so cool! I will be also releasing remixes for
Cinematique, Mirabilis and Strange Town Recordings. And of course I am looking
forward to play at the Modern Agenda party at ADE this year. In 2017 we had so
much fun together and now I can’t wait to meet the whole family again!
45,000 years ago homo sapiens managed to create the first tools to navigate in the open sea. This is how our ancestors sailed from Afroasia to Australia. The first new world. This event completely changed human life, it is as important as the discovery of America and the Apollo 11 expedition to the moon.
Although those ancient humans colonized other surrounding islands, they never reached the Island we will talk about in this edition. It was not until a couple of millennia that the Moriori arrived in New Zealand. An Island that remained without human presence for tens of millennia. In her they inhabited gigantic birds like the Moa that measured more than 3 meters of height, as well as other species of birds that could eat mammals the size of a lamb and according to the legends, until monstrous reptiles that devastated with whole tribes.
It was not until 1350 A.D. that the people who inspire the theme of this edition would appear in New Zealand; arriving in what was called "the great fleet" a large group of canoes full of inhabitants of eastern Polynesia who mixed with the Moriori to become the Maori of today. Those who lived in their world for centuries, under their own rules, traditions and gods.
This August 31 we will go from exploring the roots of Japan in the previous Sunset Soul - Shinto 2018 to enter the roots of New Zealand in Sunset Soul - Maori 2019.
New Zealand was originally named as Aotearoa, its gods are found in many islands of Polynesia, but nowhere else the cosmogony was defined more clearly and imaginatively than among the Maori, who loved nature closely and maintained their surroundings with an endless variety of personifications of natural phenomena.
The Maori people personified their world, the Ao-maarama, or "World of Light." With such gods and manifestations. They had their own vision of the creation of the world, the separation of the earth and the sky, the clothing of Mother Earth and the ornamentation of Father Sky with the sun, the moon and the stars. Natural and supernatural phenomena were interwoven in the various aspects of Maori culture, not only in myth, legend and enchantment, but also in song and dance.
Hace 45,000 años homo sapiens logró crear las primeras herramientas para navegar en mar abierto. Fue así como nuestros ancestros navegaron desde Afroasia hasta llegar a Australia. El primer nuevo mundo. Este acontecimiento cambió por completo la vida humana, es tan importante como el descubrimiento de América y la expedición del Apolo 11 a la luna.
Aunque aquellos antiguos humanos colonizaron otras islas aledañas, nunca llegaron a la Isla de la que hablaremos en esta edición. No fue hasta hace un par de milenios que los Moriori llegaron a Nueva Zelanda. Una Isla que se mantuvo sin presencia humana por decenas de milenios. En ella habitaban aves gigantescas como los Moa que medían más de 3 metros de altura, así como otras especies de aves que podían comer mamíferos del tamaño de un cordero y según las leyendas, hasta reptiles monstruosos que arrasaban con tribus enteras.
No fue hasta 1350 D.C. que el pueblo que inspira la temática de esta edición aparecería en Nueva Zelanda; llegando en lo que se le denomino “la gran flota” un numeroso grupo de canoas llenas de habitantes de la polinesia oriental que se mezclaron con los Moriori para convertirse en los Maorí de hoy. Quienes vivieron en su mundo por siglos, bajo sus propias reglas, tradiciones y dioses.
Este 31 de Agosto pasaremos de explorar las raíces del Japón en el anterior Sunset Soul – Shinto 2018 para adentrarnos en las raíces de Nueva Zelanda en Sunset Soul – Maori 2019.
Nueva Zelanda fue nombrada originalmente como Aotearoa, sus dioses se encuentran en muchas islas de la Polinesia, pero en ningún otro lugar la cosmogonía se definió de manera más clara e imaginativa que entre los maoríes, quienes amaban de cerca la naturaleza y mantenían su entorno con una variedad interminable de personificaciones de los fenómenos naturales.
La gente maorí personificó su mundo, el Ao-maarama, o “Mundo de la Luz”. Con tales dioses y manifestaciones. Tenían su propia visión de la creación del mundo, la separación de la tierra y el cielo, la vestimenta de la Madre Tierra y la ornamentación del Padre Cielo con el sol, la luna y las estrellas. Los fenómenos naturales y sobrenaturales estaban entretejidos en los diversos aspectos de la cultura maorí, no solo en el mito, la leyenda y el encantamiento, sino también en la canción y la danza.
🐚PERFORMANCE El espectáculo de Maorí se compone de 3 intervenciones teatrales que narran los mitos de los orígenes y 3 clasificaciones de performance: Po, Iwi y Haka.
🐚ESCENARIOS 🍃Rangi (Cielo) Rangi es el escenario principal; aquí suceden todas las intervenciones teatrales. Rangi se decora con objetos brillantes repartidos en las copas de los arboles. Fuego azul rodea la pista de baile que se difumina con la neblina que invade cada rincón del recinto.
🍃Ao-Marama (Tierra) La ambientación del Ao-marama consiste en imitar algunos aspectos del wharenui dentro de un Marae Maorí. Aquí inician los performance tribales y las danzas del haka.
🍃Papa (Inframundo) La ambientación de Papa se enfoca en generar efectos de iluminación por medio de luz indirecta ayudado por la neblina que invade el espacio.
🍃KUMARA (Área VIP / Tiki Mixology) El área VIP lleva el nombre de Kumara Tiki Bar; que se ubica en el escenario de Rangi. Convertiremos el bar de México Verde en un auténtico y exótico tiki bar.
Resort de Aventura con un concepto de hospedaje tipo Safari Inglés, donde puedes participar en actividades de aventura o sólo relajarte y disfrutar del paraíso natural de Jalcomulco.
“Adéntrate en este misterioso lugar rodeado de selva y escondido por montañas!
Configura un paquete y obtén descuentos reservando en conjunto boletos, hospedaje, transportación y más! http://bit.ly/2JItZJA
🐚ATMÓSFERA Los Maorí personificaron no solo elementos tangibles, también elementos como la noche, el alba, la luz y la niebla como seres sobrenaturales, seres sinientes y conscientes.
En Sunset Soul – Maorí la niebla es un elemento siempre presente, y es la señal que anuncia el tipo de espectáculo que va a suceder. Si la neblina es muy espesa; seres sobrenaturales malignos, espíritus de los muertos y seres del inframundo están a punto de llegar. En cambio, si la neblina es menos densa; seres celestiales, tribales o del mundo de la luz se manifestarán.
El fuego es otro elemento clave que se dispersa por todos los escenarios, copas de los árboles y espacios entre el follaje del lugar.
Los elementos tangibles a destacar son las características estatuas tiki que vienen desde la polinesia, pero que en la cultura Maorí adoptaron formas muy particulares. Más en www.sunset-soul.com/temas/maori/#Atmosfera
🐚CONSERVACIÓN AMBIENTAL Queremos reducir al máximo nuestro impacto ambiental, por lo que hemos implementado el uso del termo de aluminio.
Si ya cuentas con tu propio termo puedes acceder con el vacío. Termos con cualquier liquido no podrán acceder.
A partir de esta edición en Sunset Soul el agua natural es gratuita. Consulta más información en www.ancestral.life/conservacion.
Recibamos un nuevo amanecer; esta vez con el nombre de Hine-Titama (la dama del alba)
Todos somos visitantes a este tiempo, a este lugar. Estamos de paso. Nuestro propósito es observar, aprender, crecer, amar … y luego volvemos a casa«. Proverbio Maorí
It’s the peak of summer and spirits are high, so we’ve assembled a special lineup for our favourite month of the year! Thrilled to welcome the multi-talented and internationally renown dj/producer Amber Long for an elusive hometown dj set, alongside some of Toronto’s brightest musical and visual curators. You’re invited to join us for a night of progressive melodic/psychedelic techno and good vibes!
We weren’t sure if it was going to happen this year but it has!!! Hotelboat Angeline has joined forces with Modern Agenda for the third year in a row to bring you a day at the Oosterdok for a creative come-down from the week’s hustle.
Same as other years, we will have limited tickets for sale as the boat can only hold so many party-people at once.
There are only 75 tickets for sale and we expect to sell out for this one. PayPal link to send 20 euros: paypal.me/ModernAgendaMusic
Amsterdam Dance Event is a time to connect and meet people from around the world. It’s a time for great music and good vibes. Modern Agenda invites you for the third year in a row to float it out with us at our boat party.
With a great sound system and hot line up, why not spend your last hours in AMS with us?
Party number 7! Will we be sailing the seven seas? Well almost, yes, because as you may have guessed, the terrestrial realm does not always appeal to us astronauts, so this time, our musical journey will be by boat, on the River Thames. This means limited capacity, so you’ll need to move fast to make sure you get a ticket.
But where to? You might well ask! It’s the weekend before Amsterdam Dance Event and the boat is none other than The Dutch Master, which I’m reliably informed is installed with the finest sound system on the river (newly fitted Funktion-One – roars like a tsunami after an earthquake). So yes, we’re looking forward to this one and you never know, the Dutch Master might (courtesy of a tidal wave of the finest progressive house) transport us all the way to ADE…
So who will be our captain on this musical odyssey? We are pleased to announce that it will be Moshic (Contrast Records), whose Essential Mix is regarded as the best of all time. Joining him at the helm will be the titanically talented duo that is GMJ (Proton Music / Replug / Sudbeat / Parquet / Onedotsixtwo / Anjunadeep) and Matter (Proton Music / Replug / Onedotsixtwo / Anjunadeep). GMJ if you recall, made his UK debut with us in December 2017, when he played alongside Zoyzi, Sonic Union and Guy Mantzur. On that night, so bewitched were the crowd, that at 3am, the dancefloor looked like a murmuration of souls (or was it mackerel?), all moving with one collective consciousness. This being the case we can’t believe that this time, we have Matter too and he will be making his UK debut just like GMJ did. This is going to be incredible!!!! Completing the lineup we have able seawoman Nadia, who has been mixing up a tropical storm since arriving on our shores via a warm front from Algeria roughly two years ago.
Now the all-important pieces of information are as follows: the boat embarks from Blackfriars Pier and returns to Tower Millennium Pier (in London). You need to get to Blackfriars Pier by 4:15pm at the latest folks, to collect your wristbands, get checked by security and to board the boat. Please don’t be late, it would be heart breaking to leave you on the quayside as we sail away.
Please don’t forget to bring ID, the party is over 18s only. Wear what you like – if you’ve always wanted to be a space cadet or a pirate, this is your opportunity.
There is going to be an after party, upstairs at the Horse & Groom, 28 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3NZ. The first 110 people to arrive will get in for free with their event wristbands. After party DJs will be special guests.
SIMPLY CITY began his music career by playing the clubs and raves in his native Santiago, Chile. Afterwards, he toured throughout Latin America, Asia, Europe and North America eventually, in pursuit of his DJ career, Cesar ended up with a coveted resident DJ spot at the famous Stereo Montreal. There, he has opened and also teamed up for some of the biggest names in the industry (including Hernan Cattaneo, Guy J, Sasha, Digweed, Guy Mantzur, Eagles and Butterflies, Nick Warren, Henry Saiz to name a very few) as well as holding onto his own night, with great success.
Cesar Romero has released several tracks and remixes under his moniker, Simply City, on labels such as Sudbeat, Global Underground, Hope, Renaissance, Particles, Or Two Strangers, Proton, Modern Agenda and some others. He has enjoyed support from some huge names, including Sasha, Cid Inc, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren and Maceo Plex.
Now we have the pleasure of not only having Simply City here with us in Canada, but also we have him on Modern Agenda.
Currently, Simply City has the #1 Top Track on the label with his remix of James Gill – Out of Sight. We are excited to have Cesar on the label and have more to come from him in the future. First, let’s take a look at what’s happening in the busy life of Simply City by getting to know a bit more about him. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and be one of our first interviewees for our new site.
Describe the moment when you realized you were meant to make music? Or even if not, “meant”, when did you decide to take the leap and go for it?
I think it was about the year 2004 (i was living in the Riviera Maya in Mexico at that time) when i first started coming to Montreal as an international DJ to do clubs and festivals. The market was very competitive there, underground scene was just amazing (still is), I met some great producers and I got invited to visit some studios.
Couple years after of coming to that city
I realized it was time for me to start making music if I wanted to
stay relevant in the game and be competitive as well. I had no idea
of anything related to producing a proper track, so what I did, after
I played a big festival called Bal en Blanc in 2007 with DJ’s like
Deep Dish, Peter Rauhoffer, Above and Beyond, etc. With that salary I
went to a store in Montreal and bought everything I needed to
start producing, nothing complicated, the basic stuff and shipped it to
Mexico. Around 2009 I decided to move to Montreal and make it my new home
so i shipped everything back to Montreal. I’m a self-taught person
so through YouTube videos, blogs, etc I learned most of it. I guess my
vast experience as a DJ and my good ear for music were crucial. When
I was a kid I did an exam to enter in the best school for musicians in Chile
but my family failed to inscribe me when they told us the price, we were poor
so we couldn’t make it happen. I think over the years I filled
that gap being a DJ and now making my own music. Now I’m taking
private piano classes and this finally makes me feel complete, so
going back to your question I guess back at that time I decided to start
making music to be competitive but not long ago I realized I was meant to
make music when I saw how the tracks were impacting people from so many
places, getting the nicest emails, messages on Facebook, etc, the
many remixes request, big DJ’s playing and supporting my music, etc.
Describe your career at one year in, three years in, and now. Where is it headed from here?
One year in I can say it’s been the greatest of my entire career, but not the best i think the best is to come. Three years in i was searching what i just found not long ago. It all headed through a natural path to where i am now, complete as a professional DJ/producer and as a human, receiving all blessings and enjoying life. Last year i was also called to be part of a Documentary about progressive house where i ended up being part of the cast and the casting executive, we have already interviews conducted for this film with Hernan Cattaneo, Guy J, Henry Saiz, Nick Warren, Jody Wisternoff and some of the organizers and owners of the finest clubs and festivals in Canada and more to come, that’s all i can say about it for now but is a pretty huge project and VERY exiting.
What changes did you go through as an artist and in your personal life, do you find you have changed as a person over the years you’ve been an active artist? If yes, how so?
My life haven’t been easy at all, I had to go through lots of pain, sacrifices, tears, hunger, etc. I could write books with my life. Briefly I can tell you around the year 2000 I had already a 10 years of a local career as a DJ in Chile where over the time I ended up at the top of it with no more growth…I’m a computer engineer also and I had an amazing job there also but I needed to take a decision, whether I take DJ to the next level or I stay in Chile and that’s it. Of course I was too much of a dreamer to stay in Chile so I ended up leaving. The hardest part was leaving my whole family and start mine alone outside my comfort zone and try to make DJ a living, professionally.
Since then I have lived in so many places in the
world for 3 moths, 1 year, 2 years, etc. Played in so many places,
many residencies, etc. The beginning wasn’t
easy at all, but over the years I realized I needed all this to become the man
I am today. All the sacrifices, rejections, adventures, stories (good and bad), places, people, cultures,
languages were like a solid injection to mold my character, my heart and
soul as a person and as an artist. Today I can safely call Montreal
home, I am the resident DJ of one of the most amazing clubs in
this world called Stereo Montreal, some of my biggest heroes i can
now call them friends, I make the music I love,
I have an amazing family, a great woman that supports me like and trust my gut
like no one did, because of all this I am able to transfer amazing values
to my kids, so I look back and I feel proud of who I am and what
I accomplished. I worked VERY hard for all this, of
course i was lucky enough sometimes to be at the right place in the right
moment as well. The common denominator of all this was music, and
because of it, music for me is everything, music gave me everything I have
and i’m sure will keep providing blessings.
What is your greatest source of inspiration and how do you get yourself in a creative mood when you aren’t feeling especially inspired?
A: I usually on my free time i go to Stereo
to listen the artists i love, i go back to my studio and i release the
inspiration 🙂 best times for me are usually in December when Hernan and Guy J
plays the marathon, then i have inspiration for the whole year lol
Where can people find your work online (social links) and what are the details for any upcoming gigs and/or releases?
For Gigs, the highlight is August 10th finally with Guy J, I was waiting for this gig and it’s happening now.
For releases there are some originals on the way
but i cannot reveal too much info, also remixes are coming on
Club Sonica, Onedotsixtwo, Mistique Music and Stripped.
Music, Mixes and my new Podcast
NUANCES here:
As my next release it will be in
October on Mystic Music
Big thanks to our friends at Beatport who have chosen the latest release from Robert Mason, Smolder, as one of their Hype Picks this week and putting it on the Progressive House page for all to hear.
The title track is melodic and full of tech elements but maintains its flow, toggling it comfortably between Melodic Techno and Progressive House. It’s up to the listener to decide what they want to call the genre of this beauty. Either way, it will work in any of your sets that call for a little moodiness.
Metamorfosi was written while in Greece in 2017. It has taken some time for this tune to see the light of day but we are thrilled to have it now. It is definitely a Progressive House lover’s cup of tea but the percussion keeps this one upbeat and sexy.
Modern Agenda 