Our guest interviewer talks to Carlo.
When we think of Carlo, we instantly are reminded of his Aterral imprint, the label that’s been putting out tons of great House with cutting-edge artists. This time, Carlos Alvarez hits us with a radical new project, on his new label Bisiesto. His album ‘Todo Bien’ (it’s all good) drops on 29th February, leap year, and the label plans to deliver an album every four years on the same date.
Originally from Malaga but a Berlin resident for the past 13 years, Carlo’s ‘Todo Bien’, in contrast to his previous style, blends a myriad of musical influences into a mixtape of sample-peppered instrumentals. Inspired by lockdown and its insular circumstances, his closer bond with his son during that time encouraged him to create a musical world in which to escape, hence the samples from classic animations like Sesame Street and ThunderCats. If Nightmares on Wax were playing at a late-night speakeasy with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and DJ Shadow walked in to join them, this would be the vibe.
We have the pleasure of talking to this fascinating individual on the week of the album’s release.
Thanks for talking to us today. Where are you at this moment and how are you spending the day?
Thanks for reaching out! Right now, I’m just chilling on the sofa, juggling album promotion tasks while also being on dad duty with my son. Keeping it low-key this weekend, you know?
Where are you from originally, and where are you based these days?
I come from Málaga, Spain originally. However, for the past 13 years, I’ve been calling Berlin home, and I absolutely love it here.
What do you love about where you are living? What keeps you there?
Despite the gray days that sometimes dampen my spirits, Berlin has been an incredible place for me. It’s where I gained invaluable knowledge about music, immersed myself in vibrant club culture, and developed a deep love for DJing. At this point, I’m not entirely sure what keeps me here, perhaps it’s the comfort of a familiar life after all these years. Feeling like a local took time, but now I have built such strong friendships here that I couldn’t imagine my life anywhere else.
What came first for you, DJing or production?
I actually started with production before venturing into DJing. For the initial years of my career, I focused on producing music and doing live sets. It was only later on that I made the decision to start spinning records in front of audiences.
What kind of artists, DJs, and genres were you into growing up?
Growing up, my musical interests were quite eclectic, spanning across various genres. I had a deep appreciation for Heavy Metal, Rock, Spanish Hip Hop, and Electro, and eventually found myself drawn to electronic music as a whole. Some of my early favorites included bands like Iron Maiden, Héroes del Silencio, as well as Spanish acts such as Mecano and OBK. In my early twenties, tracks like “Sunglasses at Night” by Tiga sparked my fascination with electronic music. Moreover, witnessing unforgettable live performances by artists like Michael Mayer and DJ Koze at the Benicàssim Festival during my formative years left a profound impact on me.
Where were your first gigs?
My early gigs were primarily in Malaga, where I started building my presence. Gradually, I expanded to other cities in Andalucia, broadening my reach within the region. Eventually, I ventured beyond Spain for my first international gigs, with Frankfurt and Thessaloniki marking significant milestones in my career.
What was your first release?
My first releases were actually on a label called neovinyl, which I used to run. I put out my initial three releases through that platform. Later on, I also had a release on a Greek label, although I believe it’s no longer in existence.
Tell us about your label Aterral and what is happening with it currently. What are your plans with the label?
Aterral is currently one of my main focuses and biggest commitments. I’ve been pouring a lot of effort into building this platform, aiming to showcase my own music while also providing a spotlight for other talented artists. As we’ve recently celebrated our third anniversary, we’re gearing up for some exciting developments this year. I’m thrilled to announce upcoming releases from artists like Tatie Dee, Black Loops, and Emanuele Barilli, along with some of my own new material. Our goal is to continue nurturing and promoting quality music and staying true to our vision of artistic expression.
Do you keep your eyes and ears focused on new music? What is the most recent record you purchased?
Absolutely, while much of the music I play may have a timeless quality, I’m always on the lookout for new gems to add to my collection. Recently, I purchased the “Baci Ballers EP” by Kyle Hall, which has been a delightful addition to my repertoire.
How do you search for new music? Are you a big streamer?
I employ various methods to discover new music. One of my go-to platforms is Bandcamp, where I explore the collections of fellow music enthusiasts and artists. Additionally, I often browse through MixesDB to see what tracks are being played by my favorite artists. By observing what other people are playing, I can uncover hidden gems and incorporate them into my own repertoire. While I do utilize streaming services occasionally, I tend to listen to a lot of podcasts about science rather than focusing solely on music.
Your new label Bisiesto has an interesting premise. Tell us a little about it?
Bisiesto has a unique premise. The concept is refreshingly simple yet distinctive: we release one record every four years, precisely on the 29th of February. As far as I know, this makes us the only label in the world following such a schedule.
Your new album shows another side of you. Tell us a little about the inspiration for this album and the time in which you made it?
The inspiration for my new album came during the lockdown in 2020. It was a period where I found myself devoid of inspiration for dance music, so I redirected all my creative energies toward expressing myself through these beats. Every night, I would read “Where the Wild Things Are” to my son, and the parallels between the journey to the wild world in the book and the tumultuous times we were living through became a catalyst for the album’s creation. This connection served as the foundation for shaping the album’s themes and direction.
It’s kind of Nightmares on Wax meets DJ Shadow in some ways. Are these guys musical heroes to you?
Absolutely, Nightmares on Wax and DJ Shadow are definitely musical heroes of mine. It’s incredibly flattering to be compared to them, as they’ve had a significant influence on my own musical journey.
Session Victim recently did an album that feels like it was in the same zone. Did you check it?
Yes, I absolutely checked out the new Session Victim album, and I must say, I love it. I have a very close relationship with them, and I’ve had the privilege of being in the studio with them a couple of times recently. They’re genuinely amazing guys, and I consider them to be true legends in the music industry.
You’ve used a lot of interesting samples, from kids’ programs to some old soul and funk classics. Talk a little about these selections?
Incorporating samples from kids’ programs and old soul and funk classics was a deliberate choice to create my own sonic universe within the album. Growing up, I was heavily influenced by TV programs like Mazinger Z, He-Man, and Dragon Ball, all of which hold nostalgic significance for me. The samples I selected are exclusively in Spanish, adding an extra layer of authenticity and personal connection to my upbringing. For instance, in the first track, there’s a sample that says, “Poor guy, he’s always from one place to another” (pobre criatura, siempre está de un lado para otro), which resonates deeply with me on a personal level. Incorporating these samples allowed me to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and infuse the music with layers of personal significance and emotional depth.
You talk about this album becoming a sense of escapism for you and your son during the pandemic. Do you feel that you are still living any of those same challenges or are you fully back to normal? Do you feel there have been any lasting effects from this time on you?
While things may appear to have returned to normal, the pandemic’s effects still linger in certain aspects of life. The music scene has certainly undergone significant changes. Personally, I find myself treasuring every moment I spend playing music, as there was a time when being inside a DJ booth felt like a distant dream. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the opportunities and connections that music brings, reminding me to seize each moment and make the most out of every experience. After all, we never know when the next lockdown could be upon us.
All of the tracks on the album are fairly short. Tell us about your rationale for this?
The rationale behind the shorter tracks on the album is to leave listeners wanting more. I aimed to create a sense of anticipation and intrigue, encouraging listeners to crave another listen. For instance, in the track “Todo Mal,” I deliberately only dropped the full sample once, leaving the listener yearning for its return. Rather than creating a repetitive loop, I opted to strip back and leave listeners hungry for more after experiencing the album. This approach is intended to engage the audience and keep them coming back for repeated listens.
Who are the other musicians on this album that you would like to shout out?
Big shoutout to Black Loops, Piek, Intr0beatz, Jose Fernancaster, and Lora Ute for their incredible contributions to the album. Each of these talented musicians brought their unique skills and creativity to the project, helping to shape its distinctive sound and vibe. Much respect to all of them!
What are you working on next that you can share? And what style of music should we expect?
Next up, I’m diving back into House music. I’m excited to share that I have a deep track in the works, which will be released on Gabu Records in collaboration with my friend Baloo. Additionally, we’ve got an amazing remix from Brawther lined up for this release.
When you’re not making excellent music, what do you like to do to kick back?
When I’m lost producing music, I like to kick back by listening to more music. It’s the way I find my way back to the right sound I’m looking for.
We look forward to checking in with you in four years!
Thank you! Can’t wait to catch up in four years!
Buy Carlo – Todo Bien on Bandcamp Here
Carlo on Instagram
Carlo on Facebook
Aterral on Instagram
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