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"Having fun and being patient is very important to me"
Undo creates music that works in all settings and transcends genres. His openness to a wide range of sound is what has both made him a widely loved favourite, but also someone who operates in his own parallel musical world. We had a chance to talk to him, so enjoy your reading and check out his latest releases.
Hey! Where can we find you right now? How did you start off your day?
I’m at my parents house in Barcelona right now. I live in Palafrugell, 120 km north, so today I’ve started off my day driving with my two sons. With the lockdown I’ve been almost four months without coming to my city. So after lunch I’m gonna walk around, maybe visit Discos Paradiso to buy some records and meet friends I haven’t seen for too long. I’m really excited!
How did you first get into electronic music? Was it your first real musical love or were you a keen listener of all sounds when you were younger?
My parents are music lovers so I’ve always listened to classical music and flamenco. My mum also had a few records from Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Leonard Cohen at home that I always dig. My first cassette was “Thriller” from Michael Jackson when I was 8 years old. I remember when I was a kid starting to watch video clips and tv shows with live acts I only liked bands with keyboards. When I was 11 I was listening a lot to my “Max Mix 3” double cassette. Then when I was 14 I started playing electric guitar in a band and I didn’t turn my attention back to electronic music til I was 18 and started the university… and clubbing.
How did you decide to dedicate to producing?
I don’t think I ever took that decision. It came along. I’ve always been into music, studied piano for a few years, played guitar and bass in bands and recorded demos, bought a 4 track cassette recorder. Then I got a sampler, a couple of synths and started to produce with a computer… And all of a sudden I started releasing my own music. Around 2005 I decided to focus only on my work as a producer, dj and label manager. My band split and I quit my job as booker at Lolita and Loft clubs at Razzmatazz. Since today.
Do you have certain criteria that you work to when producing?
Well after many years I’ve realized that having fun and being patient is really important to me. I’m not that kind of producer that works every day for 8 hours like going to the office. I’ve got to be in the mood. So I can work one day 14 hours and do nothing the next couple of days.
What does your studio look like? And what type of hardware/software do you like to work with?
I have the studio at home. A room big enough with a nice view and a lots of light. My hardware sits alongside my records and instruments collection. It’s an inspiring place. I like to start to compose without the computer. Playing synths, drum machines, guitar or bass. Only when I have a good idea do I start with the recording and producing process. I’m recording and mixing using Ableton Live and also plug-ins from Arturia, NI, Valhalla or Sugar Bytes.
What can you tell us about “Dark Woods”? What did you want to transmit? What inspired you?
Dark Woods is my new Ep on my label Factor City. It was supposed to be released in April but when the pandemic started heavy in Spain I decided to delay the release date. In the meantime I released a confined album only through Bandcamp called “The Last Plane” to keep my mind busy. There are 3 tracks included in the Ep with different vibes. “Dark Woods” is an “antifa” song with my own vocals, I don’t think Donald Trump would like it. “Footprintz on Mars” is more futuristic while “Life Is Not A Race” has a nice feel to it, a happy track.
What has led you to emphasize this album in genres such as EBM and electro, kraut, post punk, techno, house or weirdo disco? What draws you to these genres?
This is the music I’ve been always dancing and playing in my sets. So when I produce my own music there are always traces of what I’ve enjoyed dancing to and playing.
What can you tell us about David Imbernon's Cover Art? What brought you to the decision to work together with David?
I met David through Morgan Hammer a few years ago. I’ve discovered his illustrations and cover art work and I liked it a lot. We started working together with my album “Disconnect” back in 2016 and since then he’s done all Factor City artworks. This time he shared this illustration on Facebook while I was finishing the tracks and I thought it would be perfect for the Ep and the times we live in.
What kind of music do you listen to at home and have there been any go-to albums or producers helping you manage the Corona crisis with their music?
I’ve been listening a lot of Jazz these days, especially Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane. Also classical music from the 20th century, while I was reading “The Rest Is Noise”. And reggae. I’ve been struggling to get in the right mindset for checking new music and promos during the lockdown.
What are you most looking forward to doing when the corona pandemic is over?
After I’ve met family and friends I’m really looking forward to playing live and dj’ing in clubs and festivals. I miss it a lot.
What makes you happy?
I’m not complicated. There’s many simple things that make me happy. But the uncertainty doesn’t help.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
Music, music and music. I have a new 12” dropping soon on vinyl on Melodize Records, including a Fort Romeau remix. Right now I'm working on a couple of remixes. And preparing the release of the next Factor City from Durand. I’ve been composing a lot with the guitar and piano these confined days, let’s see what happens.
Do you have any final words of wisdom?
I’ve always been optimistic and I hope we’re gonna learn something after the pandemic. But I’m not sure to be honest.
UNDO
