Can you tell us about this track/release?
AUX1 is a project that emerged in October 2023, starting as a party that provided a space for several artists I admired who were touring Europe at the time. My goal was to collaborate with Latin, migrant, and queer people, as I feel they can always bring a much richer and more interesting universe than many other European people.
After organizing the first party and creating the world of AUX1, I felt the project had a solid foundation to launch LA LLAVE, a compilation that would bring together people I admire, and whose music has been a constant part of all my sets. The compilation gathers 19 tracks of adulterated electronic music genres, bringing classic club sounds from many ages (techno, hardcore, breakbeat, electro) into dialogue with both urban and folkloric Latin sounds. Rhythmic patterns beyond the 4/4 structure, acoustic percussion, experimental sound design, and abject samples are some of the features that recur in a collection that finds authenticity through rupture and hybridization. It features 25 artists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uganda, the US, and Venezuela, going from guaracha and aleteo to dembow, baile funk, and bachata among many other genres.
What's your process?
The project is mainly focused on the sounds of the Latin and deconstructed club scenes, as well as music from the Latin diasporas. It features Latin, dissident, and migrant artists, some of whom I know personally, while others I’ve only connected with online. As a DJ, I dedicate a lot of time to listening to music and curating tracks for my upcoming sets. I have numerous playlists that capture various moods; while it can sometimes seem a bit chaotic, everything aligns perfectly in my mind.
The Latin club has been a part of me for about 10 years. At first, I didn't fully understand it, but over time it became an obsession that I can't let go of. Unfortunately, in many compilations I was listening to, most of the artists were men, often European. DJs like Linapary have already spoken on TikTok and other platforms about how people who play genres like guaracha face discrimination, as in the case of Nina Kraviz, who played a track by Colombian DJ Aleroj at a party in the US.
That's precisely why AUX1 was born, to continue to build a community across all the genres that make up the universe of the Latin club, created by dissident people who truly belong to it, always from a FLINTA perspective. This is how I make my selections: prioritizing trans people, women, and people of color. As someone born in Europe, I am very aware of my privileges and the privileges that men have in the music industry and life in general. So far, I have been quite fortunate with the people I have worked with. Everyone has been very kind to me and has appreciated my intentions to create spaces and strengthen the community for those who don't fit into normative spaces.
Tell us about the scene in Barcelona.
The scene in Barcelona is becoming increasingly dynamic and diverse; the audience is gradually learning to enjoy the nightlife more consciously and respectfully, opening up to the experience of listening to different musical genres in the club. Concepts like “safe space” and “consent” have become fundamental in these conversations.
One of the positive outcomes of the pandemic was the absence of nightlife spaces to socialize and enjoy music, which led to significant growth in independent projects in recent years. Today, the offerings go beyond parties dominated by white gay men, giving way to a wide range of initiatives created by migrant people. Many of these projects are not focused on making large profits but on building community, giving visibility to new ideas that challenge the cultural norms of Barcelona and Europe, and promoting gatherings where everyone can enjoy more consciously and genuinely.
FOC, Isla6, El Pumarejo, and Latineo are some of my favorite projects in the city.
Who are your favorite local artists?
Sofy Suars, FKS, M8nse, Cardopusher, Genosidra, Simona, Rio Molinengo … This is just the beginning of a long list of friends and migrant artists I respect and admire. I'm very happy to work with and share lineups with many of them. :)
Who are your biggest influences?
At the moment, several projects are impressing me greatly. One of them is Naca Worldwide, a project created by trans people in Mexico. Although they have only released three compilations so far, their unique style and strong identity promises to take them very far in the future. Another project I love is Rebote Discoteca, an Argentine label known for its delirious tracks. Their music and aesthetic fascinates me, and I believe they are doing something truly special in the scene. Last but not least, Tandera Records has captured my attention with its ability to showcase the freshest and most vibrant sounds from Brazil in recent years. I feel they are at the forefront of Brazilian music.
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to my friends, ALWAYS, to the artists who joined the first compilation, LA LLAVE, without even imagining the potential that AUX1 as a label could achieve; to Asdruval, for creating that mercurial universe that I never tire of exploring; to trans people, non-binary individuals, and all the dissidents in the music industry; and finally, to all the artists who are about to release their music in upcoming releases.
