Following a plethora of hard-hitting releases on the on the likes of Set About, Techburst, Gain Records and Dolma Red over the past twelve months, hotly-tipped Spanish techno maven, Auriga, now looks to continue her prolific run of studio form with the announcement of her latest huge single release, Paipah.
Due for worldwide release on June 11 via Ramiro Lopez and Arjun Vagale’s formidable Odd Recordings, as part of their upcoming ODDyssey Vol. 5 Compilation, Paipah marks Auriga’s eagerly-awaited debut outing on the revered Spanish imprint as she delivers yet another impressive addition to her flourishing career discography. We caught up with Auriga to find out more…
Hello Alejandra and a very warm welcome to Techno Mood! How are you?
I’am very excited and hopeful. The clubs are starting to open and it seems that the situation improves for everyone. I have two gigs this month in Lisbon and Madrid and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the crowd again.
Please can you introduce yourself to our Techno Mood readers?
I am a Spanish DJ and producer. I started to get interested in techno in the 2000s attending techno parties at the La Real nightclub in my hometown Oviedo. But it wasn’t until many years later when I was in my 30s that I realized that something was missing in my life and I gave up my computer science work to dedicate myself fully to music.
Where does your artist name Auriga come from?
I am very interested in astronomy and I took the name from a constellation. When I started DJing, I was a bit shy and I wanted to hide my real name and now what happens is that everyone calls you by your artist name!
Who or what were your biggest musical influences growing up?
I discovered techno in the 2000s, artists like Joey Beltram, James Ruskin, Richie Hawtin, Surgeon, Oscar Mulero, Dave Clarke, Monika Kruse, DJ Rush … they surprised me every weekend at “La Real” nightclub in my hometown, Oviedo. They made me fall in love with techno night after night and I’m glad all of them are still active today as they became true legends of electronic music.
How did you first get into electronic music?
It was 2001 and my friends took me to a techno party in “La Real” nightclub in my hometown Oviedo, Surgeon and James Ruskin were playing and I literally got shocked with that music! I was 18 years old but it wasn’t until my thirties that I realized that my current job didn’t make me happy and decided to quit and started to work in music.
Congratulations on upcoming release on Odd Recordings. Can you talk to us about the record?
Paipah is a highly danceable track conceived at a time when fun was almost extinct. It’s a breath of fresh air that brings us back to packed dance floors and good vibes. A forceful track with attention-grabbing vocals that break the beat to bring in an old school synth to make a groove that is impossible not to move with! Hope you enjoy it. On a personal level it is a great milestone in my career since Odd Recordings is one of my reference labels.
How did you connect with the label in the first instance?
I was very excited to release a track on Odd Recordings since Ramiro López is a Spanish artist that I’ve always admired.
I sent several demos to the label and they’ve always been very kind, because even if they did not fit them at that time they encouraged me to keep sending. I also met Ramiro Lopez in a gig that both played and had the opportunity to talk for a while.
Can you tell us about the electronic music scene where you’re living right now?
Madrid’s nightlife has always been very intense and diverse. From house to techno, several live concerts and festivals. We have suffered this break due to the pandemic but it is already beginning to move, the situation is improving and parties are emerging throughout the day. Can’t wait to play on May 28th in Madrid! I’m so excited.
Top 3 favourite records you love to play at the moment?
1. Raindrop, Hazmat Haze – Alpha Orionis (Original Mix) [In-Psy Records]
2. Hector Moreno – Space Return (Auriga (SP) Remix) [Eclipse Recordings]
3. Witzemann – Apperance (Original Mix) [NewKids Records]
Can you tell us about some of your favourite non-electronic music artists?
I listen to different styles, from classical music to Spanish hip hop and rock, Extremoduro, SFDK, Kase.O, Michael Jackson, Prodigy…… I also like 80s bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys
What have you got planned for the rest of the year?
I have some releases already scheduled this year on Odd Recordings and on a German label that I’ll be able to announce very soon and I am also finishing an EP that hopefully will come out this year.
I have two gigs this month in Lisbon and Madrid and then a very special livestream in June which I can’t wait for. I am very excited about everything to come.
Any final words for our Techno Mood readers?
It’s been a pleasure to have a talk with you! Stay healthy and hopeful. We will be dancing together very soon.
