The future might be hard to predict right now, but maybe that’s why Spanish DJ/producer Danny Serrano named his latest track “The Future”, eh? Speculation aside, Serrano has been busy working as one of tech house’s hardest working producers for the past few years. Indeed, he has the credits to back up this claim, with releases on the likes of Circus and Truesoul very much strong indications that he’s no slouch when it comes to killer productions. His latest album, Craft, emphasised this point, and it’s with some pleasure that we have him on the site. Here’s what happened when we caught up with Danny Serrano recently ….
Danny Serrano’s The Future is out now via his label, Serrano’s Kitchen.
Keep up with Danny Serrano on Facebook and check out the release on Beatport.
When coronavirus first hit, what was your immediate reaction?
I thought that everything that was happening was a bad dream, unfortunately, we are living a horrible reality. I – like everyone else – is just hoping that this nightmare ends soon. 2020 Is a year that’s hit us hard.
You’re from Madrid, a city that’s been hit hard. What’s your take on how the Spanish government has handled all?
My opinion about this government isn’t great if I’m being honest. I think that our government did not act well or fast enough. Even now, they’re still not. Trying to be positive, but it’s not always easy right now!
Did you spend a lot of time in the studio over the last while? Did you manage to make a lot of music during this period? How did what was happening outside of Serrano’s Kitchen affect the music you made?
Well one thing you should know about me: I am always in the studio working! Now that I am working as a mixing and mastering engineer for great labels and artists, I barely have a moment to myself. I also do productions for pop groups, funk stuff too. The situation here is difficult but we hope to get ahead looking to the future. Serrano’s Kitchen is a recording studio and music school, so it’s never quiet!
You mentioned you make music for other artists and labels. Can you tell us a bit about that process? And were you still busy during coronavirus?
Yes, as I said I work as a mixing and mastering engineer in the studio for a bunch of great labels and artists.I love this, as I love all sorts of music and inspired by all different types. So I’m also doing it outside of electronic music working with pop, jazz, rock, urban, rap artists. I love working in the studio with musicians, great things always happen – and I think it helps improve my own sound too.
A place that you love, Ibiza, has been effectively cancelled this year. Do you think this is the right decision?
Yes, and I am very sad about what is happening. But I think that clubs and festivals are the most affected by all this and those who are suffering the most from this pandemic. It is a difficult situation to control and until we get a vaccine it’s hard to say what will become of places like Ibiza. We can only hope.
Have you had a chance to spend time as a ‘tourist’ in your home city of Madrid yet? How has that been?
I love Madrid and am always finding new things I love about it too. So not a stouris as such, but it’s been nice in an odd way to have the place a bit less busy than usual.
What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing the electronic music community now? Do you think it can recover?
We are in a difficult situation and I strongly believe as I said before that until we have a vaccine for this virus that festivals, clubs etc… will not be the same as before. Do I think it can recover? Well, I hope so – but I’m not a scientist of course.
Do you think places like Ibiza will have to look at different ways they can support themselves? Do you think it got way too expensive there anyway?
Ibiza will always be Ibiza … it has many beautiful places, the island is wonderful and there is so much to do aside from the clubs.
Can you tell us a bit about your start in Madrid as a clubber and producer?
I started music when I was 9 years old, when I turned 16 I started playing in a rock club here, the only thing I wanted was to play in front of people and remove the stage fear. I had a rap and hip hop group.
It seems Madrid is starting to rival Barcelona in terms of gigs and acts and parties etc. Is it somewhere you consider to have a great nightlife anyway?
It was always like this, like the rivalry of soccer Madrid – Barca!
What are your hopes and dreams for the rest of the year?
Hoping that everything will be the same as before and find a vaccine soon, I would like to wake up from this bad dream. Much health and love for all and thanks for having me.
Thank you!
