Cristian Varela interview: Techno and sex!

Cristian Varela interview: Techno and sex!

9 December, 2010 | 3.43PM

• Written by: Gorana Romcevic
• Filed under: Music News : cristian varela, donkey head recordings, pornographic recordings

Internationally recognized as one of the most renowned techno DJs, Madrid`s Cristian Varela is a classically trained artist, as well. Beside techno, which is in his focus for almost 20 years, he plays piano and composes classical stuff, music for movies and theatre shows. Audience knows him as the four decks wizard, whose amazing technical skills, combined with bursting energy, rocks the clubs all around the world! He has a huge list of releases for the most influential labels, won more than 25 flattering award prizes, and, together with Marco Bailey, runs Pornographic Recordings and Donkey Head Recordings. In this interview, he revealed that he has just finished his simphonic album and explained connection between pornography and techno!

He is active as a composer and pianist again and has just finished his new album. “It is a mixture of symphonic and electronic, but more symphonic”, he explains. “We recorded it in Abbey Road Studios in London, one of the most prestigious studios in the world. Many interesting people were involved in the project. One of them is soprano Rachel Weston, which sang at “Lord of the Rings” soundtrack! We hope that, next year, we will realize our live shows, also. It will be special performances with orchestra, lasers, contemporary ballet. I will play piano”, reveals Cristian at the beginning of the conversation.

After piano and solfeggio lessons, and high music school graduation, he showed interest for electronic music. “That’s why I have two faces, like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, he laughs. “In that time, I have discovered the soundtrack of the “War of the Worlds” movie, composed by Jeff Wayne. I had listened that vinyl 100 times every day! I still think that it is one of the most important albums in electronic and classical music.”

Before techno, he experimented with other music genres which, by his words, always had tech kick. “My beginning is connected with industrial electronic, bands like Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, Cassandra Complex, Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk. I was a little bit into hard trance in `90, `91, when that genre started to grow. But since than, house and techno are dominant in my work”, he explains.

Acclaimed as a mixing magician, Cristian admits that decks are still he still very important for him. “I use four channels, for two turntables and two players. It is essential for me, because I like to make dynamic sets”, he reveals.

Last six, seven years, he plays more funky techno, but he is flirting with tech house, as well. He has his way of interaction with audience. “I keep growing up, growing up and just study the audience, see and feel reactions at the dancefloor. Depending on that I decide will I continue even more higher”, he explains.

In the past, he worked under moniker Carlos Duran, but he doesn`t need that name anymore. “Everyone knew Cristian Varela as a techno DJ, but I liked to play house also, so I performed under other name. Since my music became mixture of styles, Carlos and Cristian are the same person”, he laughs.

In order to cover both genres, he formed two labels - Donkey Head for house and Pornographic for techno. He has interesting explanation for connecting music and pornography. “My partner and brother, Marco Bailey, and I, are sick for sex from a long time ago! We were speaking about techno and about sex equally, so we decided to name a label in a way of linking those two things. 20 years ago, porno was taboo, something forbidden and underground. We made a parallel, because techno was underground too”, he reveals.

He ran a DJ school from 1994. till 2001, but had to stop it due to a lack of time. Lately, he became a professor again! “I re started master class at Madrid CEV Academy for video, audio, DJ-ing, new technologies. I already have 20 students!”

Cristian thinks that, last couple of years, techno became popular again, and explains his way of seeing it. “Now, it is a fusion of many styles. It is not only hard techno, but tech house, progressive, minimal, as well. Artist can make long sets and play different genres, which is great! I think techno now is very rich.”

Besides symphonic, he is preparing electronic album, also. At the end, he reveals two details: “The name is “My Way” and it will be released on Pornographic Rec!”

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