The Los Angeles techno scene is stronger than its ever been, with line ups topped by the worlds best selectors scattered across the city every weekend, alongside a consistent flow of great producers.
One of those artists is Madrid-born, now LA-based, DJ and producer Luis Miranda, who has seen his music appear on imprints such as AnalyticTrail, Tronic, and Unrilis in the past.
The latest production to come from his West Coast studio is an excellent 3-track offering which will arrive next month on KD RAW. The EP combines two of his own originals with a remix from DJ Dextro.
We spoke to Luis about the new release, his thoughts on the LA techno scene, his comparisons between Europe and the US, and more. Read the full interview with Luis Miranda below.
Hi Luis, how are things with you out in LA at the moment?
Hi, everything is going well; alternating gigs, studio time, and recovery from an Achilles injury. Since December, the weather has been quite bad compared to what we are used to in sunny LA, which has helped me be productive in the studio.
You’re currently preparing for the release of your ‘Morituri’ EP on KD RAW, how would you describe the three originals on this one?
For this new EP, I wanted to work on something different from my previous releases on KD RAW, but still keep the same raw sound. This time I experimented with mixing some modular sounds with the percussion and vocal snippets. Each is different, but all three share a hypnotic and groovy vibe.
And the fourth and final track is a remix from DJ Dextro. What are your thoughts on his edit?
His remix has a lot of drive and adds an extra layer of energy to the original that I love. He’s a great artist who I admire, and I’m super happy with the result of his work.
You’ve also released music on AnalyticTrail, Tronic, and Unrilis in the past, what do you typically look for when searching for new labels to work with?
I look for labels that represent the music I create, and are managed professionally. But, I also like to develop a relationship, so I look for labels that create a community, and support the artist. It’s really important that I feel like part of a family where everyone is working toward the same goals.
And which other labels could we see you on in the near future?
2023 is going to be a big year for me, as I also have releases coming via Tronic, RX, On Edge Society, and EI8HT. Those are just what I have lined up so far, and I’m always busy making more new music in the studio. So, stay tuned!
The techno scene in LA continues to grow every year, what do you think is driving its success?
LA has a vibrant and passionate community of techno enthusiasts, including DJs, producers, promoters, and everyone who is on the city’s dance floors.
We are all fans of the music and are deeply passionate about the genre, and give equal support to the international big names and great local talent. The rise of new promoters contributing to the scene is an essential factor, and those guys are doing a great job.
The talent that the city has to offer has become more diverse in terms of both big names and new artists. This includes more options from different subgenres including styles such as main stage techno, hypnotic/raw, and hard techno.
Also, the West Coast techno scene is growing, and that’s creating more synergies among LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, which helps amplify the impact on the local scene. Last but not least, the sense of community among all promoters, clubs, and local DJs is more alive than ever, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
And being from Madrid, how would you compare the European scene to the US?
With regards to techno, the scenes in Europe and the US are both very passionate. Europe still feels more dominated by the clubbing scene, but the US more by the underground warehouse parties. The European techno scene has a well-established music industry with a significant market for techno music and events.
In addition, major techno labels, booking agencies, and festivals are based in Europe. Many renowned techno DJs and producers also hail from this part of the world. In contrast, the US techno scene is a bit more niche, with a smaller market and infrastructure, although it has steadily grown in recent years.
It’s sometimes crazy to think that electronic music has its roots in the US, as it often feels like Europe has more influence on global electronic music trends, but hopefully this will change in the coming years, as LA plus lots of other US cities have thriving underground scenes.
Regarding genres, I think Europe still has a more classic techno vibe than the US, but I feel techno artists from both regions push the boundaries of electronic music. It’s always great to hear people blending different genres, incorporating new technologies, and challenging traditional norms.
Is there anything else you want to add before we go?
Thanks for having me, and thank you to everyone supporting me and my music. I also wanted to give thanks to a new service called Aslice, as they are an excellent community initiative that supports music producers via the DJs that play their tracks. I encourage all my fellow DJs to try it, and support the people behind the tracks they play.
Luis Miranda – Morituri EP is out May 12th on KD RAW.