Paco Osuna is one of the most renowned artists in the industry with a career spanning over 20 years. Blazing a trail for his fellow Spanish techno artists to become a vital cog oin the Spanish electronic dance music scene, Osuna has been recognised with several of the most important local music awards: Best Artist, Best Techno DJ and Dj of the year (Vicious Music Awards, from 2011 to 2014); Best Producer and Best Remix: Plastikman-Ethnics (DJ Mag Sp 2011). Production-wise Osuna has released techno on some of the global scene’s most legendary labels including Plus 8 and Minus (check the 2014 album release ‘Long Play’ on Minus), and he is also one of the most in-demand remixers going around. We can’t be more excited to have a legend like Paco Osuna on board for our final Balance Selections podcast of 2015. Enjoy!
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Balance Selections Q+A
Name:
Paco Osuna
Location:
Barcelona, Spain
Alias/Producer name:
Paco Osuna
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/paco-osuna
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PacoOsunaOfficial
Labels affiliated with:
Mindshake, Plus 8, Minus.
My last 3 releases:
What music did you listen too as a child?
I listened to compilations mixed by DJ’s that were popular at the time, like MaxMix or Los Boleros Mix. I listened to a lot of Italodisco, Disco, House and some Acid House. But mostly I listened to tapes that my older brother was bringing home from Studio 54, he was working there when I was young. Those sessions were very much influenced by Acid House and House but also had Techno and EBM which I used to love.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
I used to love listening to the compilations that were played on the radio, but I payed special attention to the mixing, the way in which they were turning from one track to another. Obviously they were mixes made in studios loaded with tricks and effects; this captured my attention and I started feeling curious which led me to want to learn how to do it.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
I remember perfectly the first time I saw a DJ playing in a club as it feels like it was yesterday. It was Raaul Orellana at Studio 54 Barcelona; it was a super bomb acid house session and everyone was wearing smiley T-shirts and pins (laughs), I will never foget it. Honestly, that day I felt amazed with what Raul was capable to do with the vinyls and the mixing table and it was when my passion for music and the DJ world escalated.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
In each period I have had a producer inspire me, I’ve never had just one artist I took as an icon, I have learnt from many people that i’ve met during my career. In the last 21 years the music has been in continuous evolution. I could say that Marco Carola has inspired me in the time that he was editing on his own record label (Zenit), he was releasing very powerful groovy stuff; i’ve always liked groovy music. Also, Matthew Dear is a genius, I love his productions as Audion and False and the structure of how his tracks develop. His work is always surprising in a very unique way. Nowadays &me and Kink are artists that I like a lot.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
The last album I bought was actually a compilation of the best of Frank Sinatra. I love a bit of Sinatra!
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
My set up in the studio is quite simple. I have my Mac desktop, I produce with Ableton Live, as well as all the plugins that I buy, and I use Genelec speakers and a Midi controller. The only Synth I have, which is not digital, is the Waldorf Pulse. I also have a Roland 909 although to be honest, I don’t use a lot to produce.
For my DJ set up I use a MacBook Pro, A Faderfox controller for the Ableton Live effects, an Allen&Heath controller for Tracktor Pro and a Redsound sampler record. I also use Ableton push as a rhythm toolbox, the Soundcloud Audio 10 from Native instruments for Tracktor and the Echo Audio for Ableton. I used to play vinyl with Tracktor, but nowadays after my operation, I play all in digital.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
After nearly two years of no producing, this year I am back to the studio. I’m currently involved in different projects with original tracks and remixes. My next remixes are for Nicole Mouldaber, Secret Cinema and Cuartero, as well as various original EPs for Mindshake, one of them made by myself and another one in collaboration with friends like Matthew Dear.
Where can we hear you perform?
Since I finished the season at Music On, Ibiza, I am involved in various tours; I just came back from touring around North America, where I played in Toronto, New York, Washington, Miami and Detroit. Europe is my next destination; I will be touring by the end of November in Italy, Holland, Belgium and Bulgaria. I’ll be touring in South America by the beginning of December in Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Puerto Rico. I’ve also been a resident for more than 10 years at Club4 Barcelona, where I am also promoter.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
This podcast was recorded during my performance in Club 4 Barcelona on the 22nd of October, when I played an all night long set. I wanted to capture the first hour of that set which contains 14-15 tracks; it may have taken me 1 hour to record it but much more time to prepare it. I always work at home to make a selection of music that I will be playing every night.
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My Recommendations:
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
It depends on the time; I listen about 30GBs of music every week so that means that I have a huge variety of tracks. But I always have the edits I prepare for myself which I consider much more special because I am the only one who has them! (laughs)
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Any track from Lil Louis is a master piece, French Kiss is possibly one of my most played tracks through my entire career. Even these days, when the occassion calls for it, I still play it.
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
Dark Places.
My favourite TV show:
I love cooking and I am a football fanatic so Masterchef and weekly football highlight shows
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance comp it would be:
Marco Carola!
Tracklisting
1. Javro – Storm
2. Lanuiee – Gravity (Adrianho Down to earth Mix) [Affinity Lab]
3. Amped – Secret Alls
4. David San – Ideas Growing (David San rmx) [Piscodelica]
5. Adrian Moya – Inserte (Ger rmx) [DYAIT]
6. A-Drex – That’s Right [Lemon-aid Music]
7. Ludowick – Paperclip [22 Digit]
8. Hugo – Scaramouche [Material]
9. Lower & OSP – Steak House [ExpMental]
10. Luca Lento – W/E Advices (GruuvElements’s rmx)
11. A-Drex – Trippin [Kaato]
12. Ahmed Mecnum – Microsleep (Gianno Firmaio rmx)
13. Bebadim – Watch Out [PLANT 74]
14. Sante Sansone – You Are Back [Kowloon]
