Luis Miranda: I like to make my musical influences quite visible in my productions

Luis Miranda has emerged as a formidable force in the techno music scene. Known for his vibrant techno style, Luis has graced the decks at prestigious clubs such as Fabrik in Madrid, El Row, Privilege in Ibiza, Baum in Bogotá, and Vertigo in Costa Rica. His ability to share stages with techno luminaries like Truncate, Drumcell, Cristian Varela, and Dj Hyperactive underscores his status as a respected figure in the techno community. Luis\’s music has not only enthralled live audiences but has also dominated the charts, with his EP “Sensation” on KD Raw hitting #1 on Beatport in February 2021. With releases on renowned labels such as KD Raw, JAM, Tronic, Analytic Trail, Unrilis, Octopus, Phobiq, Odd, Unity, and Transmit, Luis Miranda\’s discography is a reflection of his broad appeal and versatility within the techno genre. His tracks have received support from techno\’s elite, including Carl Cox, Sam Paganini, Richie Hawtin, Truncate, Rohad, Mark Broom, and Anne, showcasing his widespread recognition and respect among peers.

Three days ago his new release “Terminated” was out on Modular States. And today Luis is the guest of Tune In Magazine! So, let’s talk!

ー Hello, Luis! We are happy to see you on the pages of Tune in Mag! How are you? What exciting things are happening in your life right now? What has 2023 brought to you – in your personal and professional life?
ー I’m great, thank you! I am starting the new year with lots of projects and positive energy 🙂
2023 was great; I released 17 tracks, some of them with strong support from top artists like Mark Broom, Truncate, Rohad, and Anne, to name a few, among many charts. I’m happy I got #4 in the Beatport Techno Raw chart. I played more gigs in new places, allowing me to connect with more fans worldwide.
On the personal side, 2023 was a year of physical recovery. Finally, I got back to 100% mobility after Achilles surgery. Apart from that, my family is good. I got engaged and visited India for the first time, so I\’m grateful for what the universe brought to me at all levels.

ー Congratulations on the engagement! Luis, your journey from Madrid to the USA and the international techno stages is inspiring. What initially drew you into the world of electronic music and especially techno, and who were your early musical influences?
ー I could fill the whole interview with this question 🙂 I have a wide range of influences and styles that have shaped my personal taste.  For electronic music, I grew up with acid house, EBM (not EDM), hard trance, goa, and then riding the wave of house, hard house, electro, and techno.  I like to make my musical influences quite visible in my productions; that’s part of my creative personality. I’ve done quite a lot of that during the past year, especially with the electronic music I used to listen to in the early ’90s. When it comes to DJs and producers that have influenced me. As DJ, Christian Varela has been my reference for technical skills and creativity on the decks. I grew up with many techno gods. I looked up to Carl Cox, Ben Sims, Sam Paganini, and Adam Beyer. As producers, Luke Slater, Marco Bailey, Mauro Picotto, Kai Tracid, and Mark Broom, Truncate…Overall, I have been influenced by many different genres, and I’ve drank from many good old techno labels back in the day: Primate, Dance Opera, Bonzai, Attack, Hardgroove, Primevil,..to name a few.

ー Congratulations on your new release “Terminated” on Modular States! It is highly anticipated! What was the inspiration behind the release? Share with us the behind-the-scenes process. What can we expect more releases from you via Modular States this year?
ー Thank you, I\’m very excited about its release!  “Terminated\” was inspired by a deep listening dive into classic old-school breakbeat sets, which I\’ve always loved. I wanted to bring that vibe into this track with a modern and driving feel to fit today\’s dance floors without speeding up the beat. Regarding the behind scenes, I used a Repro1 for the melodic driving parts, among other things, and sampled some quality breakbeats sequences. Then I played a lot with it to layer sounds and ensure every part of the track contributed to its powerful energy. 

ー You worked with such esteemed international labels like KD RAW, Tronic, Odd, Phobiq, Unity and others. What factors are important to you when choosing a label for future releases? What do you appreciate about working with labels?
ー First, labels that match the vibe I’m producing and believe in my music, but the goal is to build a relationship, so then I look for a mix of key elements: professionalism, credibility, and human connection. I follow a mixed yet balanced approach between being loyal and developing a stronger relationship with the labels that support me and expanding my work with new labels that I admire.

ー Luis, you are renowned for your performances and productions in the most famous clubs and venues around the world. Can you share a memorable experience from one of your past performances or tell about the event which has been the highlight for you so far? 
ー There are so many memories and places, but I would choose my set at Fabrik Madrid for El Row. It was on Halloween, so the vibe was special and more immersive than usual. The crowd gave it all, and the production level was top-notch. On top of that, the hospitality from Fabrik’s team was superb, really made me feel at home.

ー What do you think is the most important factor in creating a successful collaboration between artists? If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
ー I think communication is always the key, and talking at the beginning to agree on the vision, the style we want, the sound palette, and other details helps the process significantly, especially in a remote collaboration like this one. Sharing references of what each has in mind is another helpful technique I like to use. Apart from that, when I collaborate, I need to connect on a personal level and build a relationship. I feel that’s when you enjoy it the most, and also, better synergies happen between the two artists. As a wish collaboration, I would choose Truncate and Chlar, both are artists I admire, and each of them has a different style and approach to production that I would love to jam with.

ー As an American artist, what can you say about the local techno scene if you compare it with scenes in other countries?
ー With regards to techno, the scene in Europe as well as in the US, is very passionate, with great talent and an audience. Europe still feels more dominated by the clubbing scene, and the US more by the underground warehouse party scene. I feel Techno artists from both regions push the boundaries of electronic music, blending different genres, incorporating new technologies, and challenging traditional norms. LA has a vibrant and passionate community of techno enthusiasts, including DJs, producers, promoters, and fans, who are deeply passionate about the genre and support big names and all the great local talent. Luckily the talent offer has become more diverse for top and new artists, and more options from different subgenres: main stage techno, hypnotic/raw, and the trendy faster hard techno.

ー Outside of your music, what hobbies or interests do you have? How do you unwind and recharge?
ー Cooking is something that helps me disconnect, relax, and focus at the same time. I also love running, tennis, and fitness, but you can also find me enjoying a good book on a quiet beach.

ー I offer you a short blitz survey:) Share with our readers your favorite:
ー non electronic artist always inspires you: Concha Buika;
ー book: “Dragonlace Chronicles”;
ー film:  “12 Monkeys”;
ー dish: “Paella Valenciana”.

ー Maybe you want to share something with our audience that we didn\’t ask?
ー Well, most people don’t know that I’m literally a ninja in the making 😉 as I had studied and practiced ninjutsu for years. I love martial arts. It gave me a strong focus, discipline, and respect for others. I’m also a black belt 2nd dan in Judo, plus have some experience with Jeet Kune Do.

ー What about your plans in 2024? Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming releases and collaborations?
ー For this year, I have already signed releases on Tronic, Kneaded Pains, KD Raw, JAM, and OnEdgeSociety. I love collaborations, and I\’ll release a couple with some friends, but this year I\’m more focused on elevating my sound and finding a new creative path for my solo productions.

ー Thank you for the interview! We look forward to the new releases from you!
ー Thanks for having me!! Cheers.

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