2020 is already proving to be a highly productive time for Sebastián Sellarés, the wonderfully talented Argentinian DJ/Producer. Releases on Antrim’s Or Two Strangers imprint and AMITABHA, alongside a string of remixes that have popped up on Massive Harmony, Consapevole, Clinique, Viscerala and BQ Recordings, have seen his career flourish as his reputation continues to grow impressively around the world. Sebastián’s latest release, ‘Córdoba’is a tribute to his beloved birthplace and has been snapped up by Tripswitch’s ever-impressive onedotsixtwo label, as they continue to keep the positivity flowing and fly the flag for the finest rising global talent. So, we thought it a perfect time for DMC to sit down for a chat with Sebastián to find out what’s been going on…
Sebastián, a big welcome to DMCWORLD and congratulations on the release of you’re your ‘Córdoba’ EP. For anyone not familiar with your music, how would you describe your individual style? Can you put your finger on the elements of your music that make it so distinctive?
Hello DMC, and first of all thank you for inviting me to this interview, hope you guys are doing well! I would describe my style as Progressive with influences from Trance and Techno. You can find several elements in my music that might make it more distinctive from other artists. The groove is something that comes to my mind first and is always present in all my tracks, and also the melodies and almost all harmony might sound a little ethereal to some. One might also find some organic sounds or field recordings, since I love to use them a lot to add texture to my music.
Talk us through ‘Córdoba’ and ‘Higher Ground’? How does the creative process work when you’re making music?
‘Córdoba’ started off as kind of a blend between some Tech-House vibes with Progressive influences. I was trying to make something very percussive, more on the ethnic/tribal side, added a simple bassline and after a while of playing around with sounds, ended up writing the main melody that the electronic piano plays through the track. Once I had the track done, I knew I had to start working on a partner for it, so I just took the main idea of building a percussive track and started a new Project. After I was done with the main drum section I started playing again with some synths and ended up with the main acid line that plays in the track.
‘Higher Ground’ also features a remix courtesy from Australian legend Kasey Taylor. What do you think of his interpretation of your work?
I got the news that Kasey was remixing ‘Higher Ground’ and knew it was in the right hands. I hadn’t heard a lot of his music at the time, so I put some time in it and loved what he was making. Almost a month later the guys at the label got back to me with the remix and I got the chance to take a listen to Kasey’s remix and loved what he came up with.
Tell us something about the psychological effects of music that totally blows your mind?
The fact that it can so quickly trigger memories and events in our mind seems amazing. Even when you haven’t heard something before, it can still trigger something in the back of your mind, be it a melody, a sound, or even words.
Great music is often described as being “timeless” – is this a concept that you can relate to?
Absolutely! It’s something very difficult to achieve as an artist and as a musician/producer, I guess it’s something most have as a goal. Being true to yourself and trusting in what you create I feel is what will eventually help you reach this, as you start to create music that’s more of a reflection of your true nature you start to create pieces of music that people can relate more which is what creates timeless music, in my opinion.
How did your musical tastes develop? When did dance music come into your life?
All my life I spent it surrounded by music, mostly rock, pop, and some classical music. As a kid I listened a lot to Daft Punk and Depeche Mode without paying too much attention to the music. Eventually as a teen I started to get more into Drum & Bass, Dubstep and EDM. In my last year of high school a friend introduced me to House and Techno and I completely loved it! I tried listening to Progressive, but at first I didn’t like it, but it was just matter of time until I fell in love with the genre.
At what point did you get into producing and DJing? Who and what have been big influences in your music career so far?
I started to get into DJing when I was around 16 years old, and between 16 and 17 into music production. At first I had most of the big names in EDM / Big Room as my influences, but when I started to find the music I really wanted to play and make, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Guy J and Nick Warren became some of the names that were most important as my influences.
What piece of studio equipment couldn’t you live without?
Probably my headphones. They broke almost 2 years ago, and I had them for 4 years, so knowing them too well and having started to produce/DJ with them basically left me stranded. I worked for 2 years with other headphones and joking around a couple of months ago I managed to fix them!
How’s the music scene holding up in Argentina? In what ways do you think the scene can change positively to recover and develop in the future?
Here in Argentina everything regarding music, shows and entertainment stopped. Lots of artists are doing livestreams and lots of people within the entertainment and club industry are trying to work out ways to bring clubbing and such back as soon as possible, while keeping up with the protocols. I think the scene will grow stronger after this, since most international flights won’t come again soon, it’s the locals that will have to rebuild the scene, which I feel is something amazing knowing that there is a lot of talent here.
You’ve titled your EP as a tribute to your beloved birthplace. Tell us why Córdoba is so special for you?
There is something special about this place, and the people here. People are warm and welcoming with almost everyone, they also like to party a lot, and that’s something that came in my mind as I was working on ‘Córdoba’, I felt the track had a cheerful vibe, which I related a lot to the city.
If you could play for a whole night with any DJ (ever), who would be at the top of your wish list?
It would either be John Digweed or Guy J. I love how versatile they both are regarding genres blending and the way they play.
If you could remix any track by any artist (ever) what would be at the top of your wish list?
This one changes over time, and I don’t have a specific track, but it would either be something from Depeche Mode or from Bob Moses.
After this superb release for Onedotsixtwo, what new projects should we watch out for from you in the coming months?
After this release I have an upcoming one on Proton with a remix from one of the big names. I recommend to be on the lookout for that one.
And finally, what’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I already mentioned it above, but being true to yourself is, I feel, the best advice that could be given to anyone regarding almost anything.
Thanks for your time – much appreciated!
Thanks again to you for the invite!
Connect with Sebastián Sellarés:
www.facebook.com/sebasellares.music
Sebastián – Sellarés – Córdoba (onedotsixtwo) ODST0031
01. Cordoba (Original Mix)
02. Higher Ground (Original Mix)
03. Higher Ground (Kasey Taylor Remix)
Format: Digital
Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/release/cordoba/3081930
Bandcamp: https://onedotsixtwo.bandcamp.com/album/c-rdoba
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KYcPhkt1YwtiNklyKZJz0
