Contributing Writer
Vila (AR) is part of an exciting crop of new school talent currently emerging out of South America. Hailing from Buenos Aires, his previous tracks have been released via Vanilla Ace’s WyldCard Records and Natura Viva. With his debut Adesso Music release out last month, we sat down with Vila (AR) to discuss his home town, influences and more.
Hey Vila (AR) and welcome to Music is 4 Lovers! Thanks for speaking with us, how is your year going so far?
This year was incredible for me as an artist, teacher and student. Right now, I’m working on an assortment of productions that will be coming out soon. As a teacher, I’m very happy to see that all the effort I put in produced the results I was looking for. As a student, I’ve been learning and studying, discovering new approaches to music, be it analysis or composition. These are tools that are needed on a daily basis if one wants to live from this.
What’s the dance scene like in Buenos Aires, and how do you feel it compares to other cities?
The electronic music scene in our country has an audience that you will not find anywhere else in the world. They really put a lot of energy into it and the DJs and producers that play here love it. We still need a lot more growth, and sometimes the massive events that I see on the internet seem to be on another level. But, I still believe it’s not the lights and the screens that make the party – it’s the people.
Your latest release, ‘Weekend Driving’, is out this September on Adesso Music. What can you tell us about this record?
It was a release that I proposed to Corva. Our bond began as a teacher and student, and as he developed better and better in musical production I asked if he wanted to make an EP together. It’s a great release and very versatile for any DJ. On one side, we have the original mix, which is a bit darker, and on the other, we have a slightly fresher and more groovier version.
This is your first release on Adesso Music. What was it that led you to release this track on the label?
When I am looking for a record label, I make sure that the company is serious. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a big label, but I do consider the trajectory of the artists they have worked with. Junior Jack is a great linchpin in electronic music, and his label meets everything necessary for me. I am grateful to be able to work with them!
Your sound tends to be tonally on the darker side of house. What is it that draws you to this sound?
It’s dark because sometimes, with electronic music, I tend to go that way. I believe that to connect in a deeper way sometimes arrangements, and consequently the harmony, should be in minor scales. This often means I work with progressions and arrangements like you can hear in ‘Weekend Driving’, where I’m able to express some motifs similar to the Baroque era.
Who were your main influences before you started making music?
Among others, I would say artists like Jamiroquai, Michael Jackson, Eminem, Phill Collins, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta and Fito Paez.
As well as producing, you also play piano. Do you find this bleeds into to your electronic music or do you see them as worlds apart?
Piano and production go hand in hand. In the periods when I’m just playing the piano I don’t pay as much attention to the musical production, but I guarantee that what I play is internalised and some incredible songs are born. Turning everything into an electronic track is the challenge, and studying improves your performance when creating new ideas.
Finally, what else can we expect from Vila (AR) in the near future?
I am preparing a lot of new music. I am currently working with my band ‘VAD’, on our new single. I also do a lot of electronic music productions (Techhouse, Progressive, House) that will be coming out between this year and next. Luckily, there is a lot to do!
Follow the artist:
