With a commitment to pushing musical boundaries, Ignacio Arfeli, the talented musician from Argentina fearlessly explores new sonic territories, infusing modern sounds into his mesmerizing tracks.
Photo credit: Natalia Dymkowski
Renowned for his exceptional artistry, he has garnered support from industry heavyweights such as Adam Beyer, ANNA, and Eric Prydz, demonstrating his unique style.
In addition to his DJ career, Ignacio hosts his own radio show, 7even Radio, where he shares his knowledge of cutting-edge sounds. Each episode is a carefully curated selection of tracks that embody Ignacio’s artistic essence, seamlessly blending genres and styles to create an immersive experience for his listeners.
His latest release, ‘Singularity,’ is featured on Drumcode’s A-Sides, Vol. 12, further solidifying his position as a leading force in the techno scene. This compilation, already released, showcases 20 future-facing cuts spanning the breadth of the techno spectrum.
In an exclusive interview with EG, Ignacio Arfeli discusses his latest release and provides insights into his creative process and upcoming projects.
EG: Hi Ignacio and welcome to EG. Where are you right now?
Ignacio Arfeli: Thanks for the invite. At this moment, I am in Portugal, living here for almost 1 year.
EG: Congratulations on your upcoming release on Drumcode Records! How does it feel to have your track ‘Singularity’ featured on such a prestigious platform like Drumcode?
Ignacio Arfeli: It’s a wonderful feeling! 2 years ago, I set out to achieve this goal. I didn’t think it would happen so fast, but I have also worked very hard to make it happen. It feels comforting to know that artists like Adam Beyer recognize your work.
EG: Drumcode is known for its high standards in techno. How did the collaboration with the label come about, and what does it mean for you as an artist to be a part of the Drumcode family?
Ignacio Arfeli: It all started thanks to ANNA. She has been playing all the songs I sent her at festivals and clubs around the world for a year now. One day, she asked me if I was interested in sending my material to Adam Beyer, and I didn’t hesitate for even a second and said yes haha.
After several months of waiting, I received an email from Drumcode announcing that they were interested in signing ‘Singularity’ for their next A-Sides, and I couldn’t believe it! The first demo I sent, and they already signed a track for me? It couldn’t be true! Haha, it is very rare for something like this to happen, but it did.
EG: ‘Singularity’ showcases your unique style and musical prowess. Can you share some insights into the creative process behind this track? Any specific inspirations or challenges you faced while producing it?
Ignacio Arfeli: I remember perfectly how I made this track. It all started with a sample (atmospheric melodic) from a trap pack, which inspired me to create the whole song. I made the track in 4 hours in the kitchen of my house during my vacation in Tandil, Argentina. That night, I was inspired and knew exactly how I wanted the track to sound. Before starting to produce, I was listening (as always) to Drumcode Radio, which always serves as inspiration for me when I am not producing Techno for a few days.
“What I like in my productions is to mix between the mainstream and the underground”
EG: As an artist from Argentina based in Portugal, how has your diverse cultural background influenced your music? Are there any elements of Latin American or Portuguese music that you intentionally incorporate into your techno productions?
Ignacio Arfeli: I think what influenced me the most was undoubtedly living in Berlin for 3 years. In my country, Argentina, although the electronic culture is great and growing much more every time… it is incomparable with the electronic culture in Germany (more precisely Berlin). In that city, every place you went, every corner you stepped… they were always listening to Techno haha. There I heard sounds I had never heard before.
My influences come from artists like Flume, Skrillex, Deadmau5, ANNA, Wehbba, Victor Ruiz, to name a few. What I like in my productions is to mix between the mainstream and the underground. I really enjoy doing that.
EG: With support from industry heavyweights like Adam Beyer, ANNA, and Eric Prydz, among others, your work has gained significant recognition. How does it feel to have such influential figures appreciate and support your music?
Ignacio Arfeli: It feels very good! But when they are artists that you always had as a reference or that you thought you would never be able to reach that sound level and suddenly the artists that you thought were never going to play your tracks, not only are playing them, but they are sending you messages asking you for promos/demos… I honestly didn’t imagine it.
EG: Beyond your success as a producer, you are also an accomplished DJ who has played in various countries. How does your experience as a DJ inform your approach to producing music, and vice versa?
Ignacio Arfeli: Having the opportunity to present your music to audiences from different countries is something wonderful, and it is an experience that I would like to do much more often next year. These days, I have been focusing more on production, honestly, so I haven’t focused my career so much on DJing, but it is a focus that I will have more in mind starting in 2024.
EG: Hosting your own radio show, 7even Radio, provides a unique platform to share your musical vision. How do you curate the tracklist for each episode, and what do you aim to convey to your audience through the show?
Ignacio Arfeli: In 7even Radio, I have found the best way to show my audience the new projects I’m working on, as well as my musical tastes. I can play everything from techno to something a little more ‘daring,’ like mixing dubstep with techno, for example (something I love to do). I feel like it’s a space where I can really express myself as an artist and DJ.
“Produce ideas, experiment, and don’t take things too seriously. At the end of the day, this has to be fun too”
EG: Techno is a genre known for its evolution and constant exploration of new sounds. How do you stay innovative and push the boundaries of your music while maintaining a connection to the core elements of techno?
Ignacio Arfeli: For me, it is vital (even if those productions do not come out) to experiment a lot in the studio with other genres. In my case, merging dubstep with techno or using elements of drum and bass, color house, hyper pop, pure experimentation. Those productions will probably never come out under a renowned record label, but it does force you to stay creative all the time. Sometimes combining some small ideas from other genres to techno can also serve to bring freshness to the table, not be so repetitive, and give shape to a more unique and personal sound.
EG: Landing a track on Drumcode is undoubtedly a significant milestone. Looking forward, what are your goals and aspirations for your musical journey, both in terms of production and your career as a DJ?
Ignacio Arfeli: My goal for 2024 is to try to sign an EP on Drumcode, but at the same time, continue to be consistent with releases on Terminal M and Volta, which are two labels that I not only have a good relationship with the owners but also give me the freedom to express myself as an artist, which is essential for me.
As a DJ, I am about to sign with an agency where we are going to focus on America, Australia, and Asia, so my goal is to build an audience in those continents. Europe is still my responsibility, and there are already confirmed dates in Holland for the next few months. In general terms, as we say in Argentina, it is ‘going out on the field more’ and having more live performances. It’s a long road, but if there’s something I’ve learned to embrace and love, it’s patience (laughter).
EG: Finally, for aspiring producers and DJs, what advice do you have based on your own experiences in the industry? Any key lessons or insights you’ve gained that you would like to share with the next generation of electronic music creators?
Ignacio Arfeli: I would say that consistency is everything. Patience is the key, and I would suggest that whenever you have time, whether it’s 15 minutes or 4 hours, make music. Produce ideas, experiment, and don’t take things too seriously. At the end of the day, this has to be fun too.
EG: Thanks for your time and all the best!
Ignacio Arfeli: Thank you very much for the opportunity!
Ignacio Arfeli’s ‘Singularity‘ is out now via Drumcode. Stream and download here.
Follow Ignacio Arfeli: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
