South America Uncovered: Part 4: Colombia

South America Uncovered: Part 4: Colombia

11 September, 2007 | 1.31PM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: Felipe Javier

In part 4 of Beatportal’s South America Uncovered series, we traveled to Colombia to take a look at two aspects of the scene: the established DJ Fist and newcomer label Trebol Records. 

Producers in the House

To imagine Colombia, we must think of a beautiful land, with excellent warm weather and lots of hot rhythms.

We traveled to Colombia to get a deeper picture its electronic scene - a scene that is full of energy and motivation and artists with long and successful careers.

There are lots of new artists producing fresh material on the scene.

The electronic scene in Colombia is a very developed movement that has spread into various cities within the country, including Bogotá, Medellin, Cali, Cartagena and Barranquilla.

The Colombian level of commitment and professionalism is evident, based on the excellent level of producers and DJs they have like DJ Fist and Mario Ochoa [right] and the excellent quality of their labels such as Adverso Records, Overline Records, Bogota Beats, Technical Dee Jays, Trébol Records.

The clearly predominant style in Colombia is house. Electro house, Progressive and some tribal house are featured, but as is the global trend, minimal has gained a lot of attention.

In this segment, we look at both sides of the coin.

First, we spoke with one of the most respected Colombian artists on the world scene.

Next, we spend some time with two producers and owners of a new label from this land.

The Colombian Fist

DJ Fist, with a 16-year career as a DJ, and 8 years producing and remixing is one of the most respected and popular artists from Colombia.

DJ Fist [right and first right image] has remixed for prestigious artists like Antoine Clamaran, Dave Spoon, Austin Leeds, Bryan Cox and others.

DJ Fist has also released music on lots of prestigious labels from all around the world.

When asked about the Colombian scene, DJ Fist has a clear point of view and expresses it with lot of enthusiasm.

“The Colombian scene has grown a lot in the last 5 years.

“The realization of festivals like Summer Dance Festival, Ultramar Festival, South American Music Conference (SAMC) and many other big parties, had caught the attention of a lot of new fans,” says Mr Fist.

DJ Fist also adds, “Here the main clubs are always full.

Places such as Lobby, La Kasa, Circus, Carnival, Wild Club, B, Penélope, Le Club, Like Me, Cha Cha, Real People and Poium (among others) are the most important.”

“And there are a lot of excellent artists in various regions of Colombia - at the coast, center and south.

“Some of my favourite artists are Mario Ochoa, Noizzer, Robinson Valentti, Alex Armes, Ortzy and Junatik,” says Fist.

“There is a lot of new Colombian talent that is getting attention around the world, such as Southern Brothers, Grooveman, Alfonso Padilla, DJ Spot, Kike Serrano, Julio and Carlos Montes, Jumble and lot of others.”

We also have to mention some the talented DJs Alexa and Kriss Salas [right], who have played with the best of the scene and are constantly playing at the best clubs in the country.

About the future of the Colombian scene, Mr Fist tells us, “I’m very happy with the position we reached here.

“In many parts of the world, people know that there are a lot of good events and there is a large quantity of producers constantly bringing fresh material.

“I could even say that in a couple of years, Colombia could turn into the epicentre of dance in America,” says a very motivated Fist.

Fist is currently working on various releases for different artists from France and Latin America.

He is preparing the launch of his own label and sub labels called Reel Music, Bazooka and Dirty talk, each with their own style.

He plans on using surnames like Carlos Tejada, Charlie Snitch, Drums Inc – and of course DJ Fist.

He is also preparing a CD of his greatest hits, remixes and unreleased tracks.

Finally, DJ Fist is preparing a tour to Brazil in October to play a couple of parties there.

The new kids on the block

DJ and producer Jose M is the co-founder of Trebol Records [check out the label’s releases in the player below], along with D.Ochoa.

Trebol Records is very new and its producers are very young.

Trebol is based in Medellín. Their first release, ‘El Miximo’, was out in May.

They focus on “electro, house and minimal styles,” says Jose M [right].

“We want to show how great our talent is here in Colombia and South America.”

Some of the artists that work with the label are Widerklen, Leonesco, Deepjay Project, Ivan D, A Sanchez, Vanch, Jhon Rios, DJ Moffy, The Office and Kazz (who is one of the youngest and most promising producers on the label) [below].

One of the most interesting aspects of Trebol Records is that they promote new South American artists and are constantly looking for new jewels on the scene.

Trebol is working with Fabian Argomedo from Chile, Dirty Room from Argentina and Daith and Yobb from Mexico. Daith and Yobb have recently released the single ‘Groovy’.

In the future, they expect to be “the label with most distribution from Colombia, to strongly promote all the releases and to put together a Trebol Sessions tour throughout all Colombia,” says Jose M, who is currently accepting demos from new artists from South America through the Trebol Records MySpace page.

Colombia is in tha house baby.

Colombia is one of the best places to enjoy electronic music in South America.

Colombia is known worldwide for its rhythms full of groove and passion, and it’s wise for every dance floor lover to keep an eye on all of these labels.

With its hot weather and hot artists in a scene that’s bigger everyday, Colombia is an explosive center of house music - and not just in South America.

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