*image from el_txef_a myspace

stylistberlin Interview: El_Txef_A (Fiakun)

by Y. C.

 

How do you exactly pronounce your moniker? (When I was asking SUOL people at Watergate who that guy on the decks was, they told me they don`t really know how to pronounce it and showed me the time-table with it)

Hahahaha. its so dificult. If you are no Basque, definitly you can’t do it.

 

What does it mean?

Has no meaning. My second name is “Etxebarria” and I am known as “Etxeba” in my hometown, so it’s just a derivation of it.

 

You belong to the FIAKUN crew, could you please introduce your members and a bit of the history of the crew? how did you guys meet?

Fiakun Team: we are Aitor Etxebarria aka El_Txef_A, Asier Martinez, Javier Fernandez, Jon Barandika, Jonathan Loma, Mikel Olasolo.  We are friends since we are like three years old. We started on the school together and years ago we are still rocking the streets. Hihihihi. Fuck teachers that didn’t believe in us. This is for you!

Fuck teachers that didn’t believe in us. This is for you!

You did remixes for Girl Scout (Sweat Lodge`s resident DJ Magit Cacoon`s new label) and Nunu (dirt crew). It`s a long way from Bilbao to Israel/Berlin. How did the collab happen? Did you ask, or did they ask you to do the remixes?

We are running a club here called “Picasso” we just asked Sweatlodge booking about Magit because we love her work. Then we partied together, Claudia P.toile, Magit and the Fiakun Team here in Gernika. We love each other and we love to work together too. She is a unique person alongside Claudia.

 

You are not unknown to connaisseurs of electronic music. You did remixes for Dixie Yure, Till von Sein, loads of edits and above all, you released a lot of tracks recently for example on Nils Penner`s label wazi wazi, also hypercolour, Flumo and Factor City. I want to focus on the German connection, especially the Berlin crew: Till von Sein mentioned you guys met a while ago, and how did you meet the SUOL crew including Nils Penner from wazi wazi records?

I think all the relations I got with the Suol crew is growing so naturally. First, I remember that we do a party here in Gernika with Penner + Muder. Like three years ago. Was amazing to have Nils and John here. We had a real good time. Then we stayed in touch with all our projects and ideas. We used to do every year a party with Chopstick and Johnjon (heads of Suol) here in Gernika.

Till is absolutely amazing, he teaches me lot of things about the game

The encounter with Till was special too, we were great fans of Till for years. Finally, we got the chance to book Till at Picasso. And like you say we just hooked up; Till is absolutely amazing, he teaches me lot of things about the game.

 

You play the piano, do you use the classical techniques to create a house track or is it just another hobby?

It’s true that I used to use classical instruments on my productions. I’m in love with the Piano, I´m not a fan of using or investigating new sounds. I always start my ideas with a piano and a beat.

 

Where do you get your inspirations from?

I must shit in my studio and start creating, that is “my daily need”, if I don’t do this all week long, I don´t feel good. Then the inspiration comes, I think.

I must shit in my studio and start creating

Any idols in the music scene?

My idols are My Mom, My father and my Brother. But I got very much respect for a  lot of people in the scene and out of scene.

 

2011 has been a busy year for you. What were the greatest moments of 2011?

Uffffff. I think the two biggest moments of 2011 have been the Mexico and USA tour and the Watergate party for the Till von Sein album release. Both were a dream for me, I got a real connection with America and it was stunning for me to play in cities like Austin, NY, Mexico df……

 

And what can I say about to be invited to play in Watergate with Till von Sein and the Trickski guys. Living the dream, like Till would say.

 

Some say you are from Bilbao, some say you are from Gernika. Where do you come from? Has the city influenced your style of music?

If people talk about me is a good sign. I am from Gernika. Beautiful place to live. So chilled and so familiar. I love my friends. But now I live in Bilbao, it is a city that has changed a lot, it is close to Gernika, too, so I`m not so far from my homies. Quality of life is so good in Bilbao and I´m so happy to be here. It was just a matter of time end up living in Bilbao.

 

Tell us a bit about your childhood – were you good at school? What did you love/hate the most about school? (Favourite subject..)

In my chilhood I spent most of the time playing football. I loveeeeeeeeee football. I was not the best at the school, I must say, but I have always been savvy. The only thing I loved about school was that I could play with my friends.

 

Where was your favourite spot to hang out and why?

We used to have a log cabin in the forest for a years . We used to go there always and smoke joints as there would be no tomorrow. I’m talking about 13 till 16. Best years!!!!!

 

So, what did you want to become when you were “little”?

I think I have never been sure what to be in life, just let it go. This is my style of life. Just let it go.

 

And when did you decide that house music will be your destiny?

When I saw my brother sampling like 10 years ago, my eyes just opened. After that, everything just went on, I have not been able to stop. I don’t know if it is my destiny but I enjoy a lot every day, learning, creating and partying.

When I saw my brother sampling like 10 years ago, my eyes just opened.

How much of your time do you spend on music (listening, creating, playing…)?

24/7.

 

How would you describe your music in three words?

HEART. DELICATE. HOUSE

 

Lovely Minds (wazi008) Music Video

 

Your profile states that you are the newborn star in the deep house scene. I just listened to “Lovely Minds”, what would you call the genre? Does it matter at all to you to name a genre at all?

I hate the genres. I think they are only matter of time. Like my brother says “Everything is Blues” and I say “Everything is House.” Anyway, I think I do MUSIC, in House key. It’s like that,  by the twist of fate I create on house tunes, but music is music – I think there is no line between real house music producers or real pop or country music producers, it is all about to be honest with you.

sync is being the worst venom I saw in years

There is currently a debate going on about vinyl vs. laptop DJs. Which medium do you prefer? What is your opinion about it?

I used to play with CDs and vinyls. Years ago, I used a laptop with Traktor, but now I’m more comfortable with my bag. Anyway, I think that sync is being the worst venom I saw in years.

 

DJ culture in the digital age – where do you see yourself as a DJ right now and how will the culture change with the technical developments? (i.e. some DJ just released a song composed with just an iphone application…)

I think I’m still in a time of very continuous learning (of myself ), I love to spread just what I got inside,  and I don’t waste any of my time investigating in new technical developments. I don’t know if this is good or no but it is what I do intuitively.

 

What is the role of a DJ nowadays in your opinion?

To teach the public the hard work that is behind those hours they spend dancing and enjoying, we must teach the world about the work that is under the ground, whether in music studies or in the distribution in the labels….. 

I am updated about Jay’s work in Lima

Many DJs/producers are doing charity work, Jay Haze for example is one major figure when it comes to getting socially involved as a musician. He actually used his fame to support the victims of Japan recently, and for a long time now, he tries to do something good in Lima, where is currently resides, like collecting toys for children etc. Did you know about this?

Yes I am updated about Jay’s work in Lima. I got too much friends here in Basque country that works in South America Cooperating, I really appreciate any piece of true love.

 

What is your aim now, being a DJ? What do you want to achieve?

I see my own as a Musician. My aim is just to be recognized as a musician, and don’t stop creating and opening my feelings all around the world.

 

Sampling, no sampling, what the fuzzz…? Everybody argues, especially after the Oliver Dollar vs Moodyman issue. Your related statement? Oliver Dollar made a fantastic track with Doin`ya thing, which was a long time number one on the beatport chart. Moodyman gained a lot of recognition with this track, even though his name was not listed as “sampled”, but he made a big fuzz about using his voice in Oli`s track. What is your opinion about it?

Is all about little bit of respect, but with yourself.

 

Compared to the German scene, how is it like in Spain? You got loads of big festivals like Sonar and so on… Any characteristic differences you noticed?

The Spanish scene is growing day by day , many new labels , many great artists are upcoming, but I think there is still a serious error, clubs or promotors don’t believe in this scene, so they still book lot of international artist paying so big fees.

 

If you could name it, who would you like to work with?

Uffff lot of nice artist all around the world. Difficult to say.

 

What is your soundtrack of your life currently? 

Bee Gees  ” Massachusetts ” and James Taylor’s whole discography

 

Do you listen to electronic beats in your free time as well?

Not too much.

 

In your spare time, what do you do? Got any hobbies?

Wine and Pintxos.

 

If the inspirations are gone, how do you get out of the situation?

Pes 2012. or Washing up.

 

What keeps you going on with creating electronic music?

I love when someone unknown from any city all around the world gets in touch with you just to say that he loves your work. This gives a lot of energy.

 

How is the house scene in your country?  

I absolutly love the Basque underground scene, love people from Kogollo (Bergara), DJ Mister (Durango) – real vinyl people, real people.

 Kogollo (Bergara), DJ Mister (Durango)

Compared to Berlin, how does it differ?

I don’t know from the deep inside Berlin’s scene but I know that we got loads of years of work here to do, we are far behind.

 

Any plans to move here?

I love Berlin but I love my country too much to leave, I am such a patriot.

 

What`s coming up next?

The single will be out on a special 10″ vinyl this Jan, 16.

My debut LP “Slow Dancing In a Burning Room” is coming out in March. I’m so excited about it. The single will be out on a special 10″ vinyl this Jan, 16.

“El_Txef_A” IN from xarlene visuals on Vimeo.

We are involved on a European Tour for the album release, too, so I am very happy because of the start of this year, 2012.

 

Are you happy at the moment?

YES.

 

Define happiness, please.

Family, Friends and my Love

 

The world is supposed to end in 2012… What do you think?   

Could be, I trust in the Mayas.

 

A last word?

Thanks you so much Yuna

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AITOR

 

*******

Facts about El_Txef_A

. Name: Aitor Etxebarria Bilbao      


Date of birth: 30-07-1985


Living where: in Bilbao
.

Occupation: Musician


Collective Name: Fiakun


Label: Fiakun


Online appearance: http://www.facebook.com/pages/El_Txef_A/287254891139