Terr is the project of Daniela Caldellas, a Barcelona-based DJ-producer who grew up in Brazil’s Belo Horizonte. After spending her earlier years playing guitar in several punk bands, she asked her friends to teach he the basics of “computer music” only to unearth an infatuation with electronic production at the age of 19.
Born in 2016 as Caldellas’ first solo project, the TERR moniker stems from the the 1970’s film “Fantastic Planet”: It is the name of the main human character. The debut release, a three-track EP titled ‘Burn the Past’, landed on Scuba’s Hotflush Recordings, followed in early 2017 with ‘Misantropicalia’ which “extended Terr’s musical horizons,” Caldellas explains. Her most recent release on Correspondent Records, the sprawling Neuromancer EP, has elevated Terr to a serious global contender. Stay tuned for her upcoming EP ‘Dust’ which will be released on the 5th of October through her own label Clash Lion. (You can find the pre-order link here).
Balance Selections Q+A
Name:
Daniela Caldellas
Location:
Barcelona
Alias/Producer name:
Terr
Labels affiliated with:
Permanent Vacation, Correspondant, Clash Lion
What music did you listen to as a child?
My mother used to play a lot of music she liked to me when I was little, usually it was soft disco from the 70s and 80s and some romantic pop stuff, like Elton John, David Bowie, Queen, ABBA and some Brazilian music too. She always said that playing music was the only way to keep me calm when I was crying as a baby. Almost all of my childhood memories have some music in the background.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
When I was a teenager I was into punk rock, grunge and that stuff, and I was already playing the piano and guitar and ended up joining some bands in school. Some years later I discovered artists like the Chemical Brothers and other easily accessible electronic music which really caught my attention. All the sonic experimentations, the never-ending beats, the psychedelia, I loved it. A few years later I discovered Electroclash and it’s punk DIY attitude and it was a one way ticket for me into this world.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
A friend of mine took me to a techno rave in the middle of nowhere when I was really young. I don’t know who was even playing, probably some local DJ’s and I didn’t exactly understand what was going on. The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that each song was 2 hours long, I thought it was a really interesting concept. But then someone explained to me that it was actually a selection of song mixed together, and then I found about mixing.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
Despite being an electronic music / dance artist and producer, the musicians which have inspired me the most are not in the dance world. I listen to Philip Glass and Erik Satie on a regular basis. I listen to music all the time, when I’m walking around, doing my daily shopping or at the gym, and my phone had endless music options to be discovered. Some artists that have inspired me for my whole life are Gary Numan, Brian Eno, Radiohead, Juan Atkins and Cybotron, but that’s just the start!
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
I actually just pre-ordered Thom Yorke’s ‘Suspiria’ soundtrack. I can’t wait for that! I love what I have heard so far. From the electronic world, I am really digging Jon Hopkins ‘Singularity’. I think it was the last track that I have bought. Serious stuff!
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
I have various studio set-ups, in fact. In depends on where I am, what I need and want to do at that specific moment. I’ve been using a lot of synths like Korg Minilogue, Moog Subphatty, Moog Sub37, Andromeda, Access Virus and the Roland Boutique series. For effects I’m really into Strymon’s BigSky and TimeLine, two small beasts in a box. Of course, I also use a lot of software, like Ableton Live and some Waves Plugins, for example. Usually I play with CDJs than vinyl, but I’ve played vinyl for a few years before, then changed to Traktor. However, at the moment I am happy with my 2 CDJs and an RMX 1000 pedal.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
My next EP is called ‘Dust’ and I will be releasing it on my own label, Clash Lion. It’s my first release on the label, I am really excited about it. It’s the darkest thing I’ve ever made, a really dystopic little electro tale. The EP includes a raw electro version I’ve made of the track plus three remixes from Curses, Daniel Watts and Cardopusher. I also have 2 remixes for 2 special artists on labels that I love and respect a lot! But more info soon on those ☺
Where can we hear you perform?
My next stops are in Lyon, Valencia, Tel Aviv and Paris! More to come before the end of the year, so keep up to date on my FB page, as I generally update that with all my shows.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
I made the mix with Ableton, as it’s not a recorded set from a shot, but a special studio mix which I spent a few days making. A lot of careful research went into this podcast and I consider it to be special as it has a few unreleased tracks, new tracks and some old space disco classics. I have been listening to Disco and Space Disco a lot recently and this music has been influencing me in many ways. I wanted to also make a bridge between the past and present with this mix, so hopefully that’s something you feel when listening to it.
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is…
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be…
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be…
My favourite Balance compilation is:
Stacey Pullen
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
An Argentinian movie called “The distinguished citizen”
My favourite TV show:
Homeland
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance comp it would be:
Jennifer Cardini
Track List
1. ESSS – Take your body down
2. Clara_Mondshine – Die Drachentrommier (Pilooski edit)
3. Chinaski – Zeichen Der Zeit
4. Perel_Super Venus
5. Carlton Doom – Bad Batch
6. TERR – Dust (raw 909 mix)
7. Fiberroot – Recodrillo (Shall Ocin Remix)
8. Opal Sunn – Mirage
9. Space – Magic Fly (Sare Havlicek Extended Version)
10. The Immortals – The Ultimate Warlord
11. Arpadys – Monkey Star
12. Der Dritte Raum – Hale Bop (Maceo Plex Edit)
13. TERR – Multiverse
14. Soft Cell ‘So’ (HiFi Sean Remix)
