Barcelona-based French artist Juanito talks about his latest ‘We Don’t Play’ original, his approach to working with record labels, and how different cultures have influenced his own music.
How has 2025 been for Juanito so far?
What a start to 2025! I dropped three new tracks — On The Block, Dale (on the legendary Nervous Records), and We Don’t Play — and all of them charted on Beatport. I also unlocked my first tour in Asia, playing unforgettable shows in Bali and Malaysia — a huge milestone in my journey. In the studio, I’ve been working hard and staying true to my sound — groovy tech house, Latin rhythms, and deeper emotional touches.
What was the starting point or initial idea behind ‘We Don’t Play’?
Angel and I have known each other for a while, and we’d been talking about doing a collab for some time. We finally made it happen by bouncing ideas remotely — trading grooves and basslines until we locked in the right vibe. From the beginning, we knew we wanted something raw, punchy, and made for the club. Angel laid down a solid foundation, I added my touch with some new elements, and he wrapped it up with killer vocal processing and effects.
Can you talk a bit more about the production process, were there any creative techniques that brought the track together?
Absolutely. One thing that really shaped the track was our focus on groove first — we spent a lot of time locking in the drums and bass to make sure it hit hard in the club. We also played around with distortion and saturation to give the low end more grit and attitude. The vocal was chopped, processed, and layered with FX to create that bold, hypnotic hook. It wasn’t about overloading the track, but making every element count — raw, tight, and straight to the point.
You’ve released on a number of established labels. What do you look for when deciding where to release new material?
For me, it’s all about the fit — musically and energy-wise. I look for labels that truly understand and support my sound, but also have a strong identity and community around them. The way they communicate, their artwork, the DJs they reach… it all plays a role. I want each release to feel like it’s part of something bigger, not just a drop into the void. And of course, it’s always exciting to work with labels I’ve respected for years — it keeps pushing me forward.
You’re French, and live in Barcelona, what effect do you think the different cultures have had on your music?
Being French and living in Barcelona has definitely shaped my sound in a big way. In France, I grew up with house music culture, heavily influenced by the French Touch — that groove and finesse really stuck with me. Then moving to Barcelona brought a whole new energy: the city is super international, with a vibrant club scene and strong Latin influences that pushed me to explore different rhythms and textures. The mix of both cultures keeps me open-minded and constantly evolving.
What’s your favourite non-music related thing to do in the Barcelona?
For me, it’s all about chilling, exploring the city, and enjoying the great weather. I love sitting on a terrace with a cold beer, some tapas, and just soaking in the atmosphere of Barcelona. It’s the perfect balance to my busy music life.
Do you have anything particularly special planned for the rest of 2025?
One of the most exciting things for 2025 is that I’ve joined the roster of Sleeping Giant Music for the U.S. market. I’m really looking forward to finalizing the work visa process and finally discovering the U.S., especially given how incredible the electronic music scene is there. It’s a huge step forward, and I can’t wait to dive into this new chapter!
Anything to add before we finish?
Thank you guys for having me — really appreciate it! Big love to everyone supporting the journey. I’ve got plenty of new music, gigs, and surprises on the way, so keep an eye out. And if we haven’t met yet on a dancefloor somewhere, I hope we do soon!
Juanito & Angel Heredia – We Don’t Play is out now on And Dance.