Djs Pareja: The Ransom Note Mix

 
Music

The influence of South America has run deep through dance and electronic music for many years. From the percussion like trance of Ricardo Villalobos to the recent surge in Brazillian electicism, there is a consistent presence across style and genre.

DJs Pareja are a dynamic duo from Argentina who have released music on a variety of labels which include Cómeme, Turbo, Huntleys & Palmers and more. Their sound draws upon influences from home, yet distinctively challenges the stereotypical sound of Latin America. Acid, rugged drums and the sludge of electronics runs deep throughout.

Their sound is intensely listenable and spectacularly individual. We are delighted to welcome them to our mix series, 

Listen and read the interview below:


Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

Hello, we are Diego and Mariano, we are Djs Pareja, we are in Buenos Aires right now and we are a couple both in the dj booth and away from it.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)? 

Basically, it sounds direct, intense, primal, rhythmical, raw and effective. We love effectiveness.
 

  
Growing up in Argentina, what were your early influences?

As 80’s kids, we would listen to a lot of music on the radio. We love 80’s techno pop, British acid house, Belgian new beat, italo disco and Chicago house, and these were definitely our early influences.

How did you first meet and establish a relationship which led to production?

We met in the early 90’s at the Age Of Communication, one of the most exciting underground clubs the city has ever had. There the djs would play loads of Murk and Strictly Rhythm stuff. We loved that club! We have always been real party animals. We would go to every club and party around town as well as to see indie bands and contemporary art exhibitions. We got to meet many interesting people and became part of the local underground scene. We kind of nourished our minds as much as we could, gaining lots of information and of course buying piles of records. We started Djs Pareja as a way to share our love for music with others. Our friends pushed us towards djing and producing our own music, and since then, we have never stopped.

Latin music remains integral to your sound, what relationship do you think exists between the two?

We don’t think our music sounds Latin. Perhaps it is because Mariano sings in Spanish or because we are from Latin America, and that somehow might be reflected in our productions. But we don’t listen to Latin music at all, in the strict sense of the word and what everyone understands by "Latin music" as a genre. Of course we like a lot of producers and bands from this part of the world, but their sound isn’t strictly Latin neither.

Where was the mix recorded?

At home, in our studio where we make music.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

At night for sure. It could be at your home before going to a good party or club or on the way to it.

What should we be wearing?

Formula One fashion style.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

At our Fun Fun party here in Buenos Aires. But we have already done that. So dreams come true.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Diego: Photonz – Astral Acid.

Mariano: Justin Cudmore – Moment

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Diego: Aphex Twin at Sonar 2011 and The KLF – Chillout, I know it is an album but it could be the best ambient mix ever recorded.
Mariano: “Kompakt Köln präsentiert Michael Mayer” and “Live & More – A Strictly Rhythm Mega Dance Mix” by Erick Morillo.    

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Anyone djing at one of those early illegal acid house parties along the M25 in the UK.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

It is the same set up as almost twenty years ago. Two Technics 1200 turntables, one cd player and a mixer, with the difference that now-a-days we don’t buy new dance records anymore. When we started we used to spin vinyl, we love records but we only buy rare vintage electronic stuff or classic rock and pop records now, and a lot of cds as well. Unfortunately we don’t have a Pioneer CDj at home.    

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

It depends on the place, the set time too, but in most cases we prefer to give more importance to the first track.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Diego: As far as I remember the first one was “Memorabilia” by Soft Cell & Marc Almond on CD, and the last one “Without Mercy” by The Durutti Column on vinyl.

Mariano: The first one was “Colour By Numbers” by Culture Club on cassette and the last one “The Queen In The House” by Liz Torres on vinyl.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

As acidic as a lemon!

If it was an animal what would it be?

A mixture of owl and leopard.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

There is one track by All (Wolfgang Voigt) called “Überall” that we have never been able to mix into anything. It’s so confusing!

Upcoming in the world of …

There will be remixes of our latest ep “Alto” on Cómeme records and a new ep with Cologne based producer Bryan Kessler (Get Physical, Numbers) on Sanfuentes Records. We have done a remix for Steve Lawler which will be out in June on Turbo Recordings. And hopefully our fourth European tour later this year.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Not really. Thanks.


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