Skip to content

Juanito: “I’m always trying to keep things fresh and unpredictable”

French-born, Barcelona-based Tech House DJ and producer Juanito has spent over a decade perfecting his style, releasing on labels like Hottrax, Moon Harbour, Deeperfect, Glasgow Underground, and Nervous.

Photo credit: Juanito – Official

Backed by support from tastemakers such as Jamie Jones, Matthias Tanzmann, Nicole Moudaber, and Nic Fanciulli, Juanito has carved out a signature sound built on groove, energy, and Iberian flair.

His latest release, ‘We Don’t Play’, is a collaborative effort with Malaga-based artist Angel Heredia. Released via Spanish imprint And Dance, the track blends crisp percussion, a chopped vocal hook, and a bassline engineered for dancefloor pressure. With over 3 million Spotify streams and 32 Beatport Top 100 tracks, Juanito continues to push his sound worldwide, supported by a tireless touring schedule and a dedication to authenticity.

In this interview, Juanito opens up about his creative process, what it’s like collaborating with Angel Heredia, the challenges facing modern artists, and how he stays grounded in an ever-evolving industry.

EG: Hi, Juanito! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?

Juanito: Hey! Thanks for the warm welcome! I’m doing great, just catching a bit of rest before heading to London. I played yesterday in Montélimar (a city in the same region as Lyon) for an open air and it was amazing. Now, I’m in Montpellier, enjoying the calm before the next gig.

EG: First of all, congratulations on the recent release of your latest collaborative single, ‘We Don´t Play’. What has the initial reception been like so far?

Juanito: Thanks so much! The reception has been really positive so far. We’ve received support from great artists like Tony Romera, Marc Maya, and George Privatti, as well as from the Beatport team with a big banner and several features. We reached top 5 in the hype tech house chart. Also, it’s been getting some good playtime on the dancefloors. It feels great to see people enjoying the energy and vibe we put into the track. I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve!

EG: Now, ‘We Don´t Play’ finds you linking up with Angel Heredia. What can your fans expect to find on this new cut?

Juanito: Yes, teaming up with Angel Heredia on this one was a great experience! With ‘We Don´t Play’, we’ve really aimed to create something that hits hard on the dancefloor but still keeps that groove and energy flowing. Fans can expect a blend of driving percussion, infectious basslines, and a catchy vocal hook that gives it that special vibe. It’s definitely designed to keep the crowd moving, with a little touch of our personal style coming through. It’s fun, it’s energetic, and we’re both really proud of how it turned out!

EG: And how did the connection with Angel come about? What was the creative process for ‘We Don´t Play’ like?

Juanito: 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.

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. The whole process felt really fluid, and we’re both really proud of how it turned out. It was great to collaborate and combine our individual styles into something that really works on the dancefloor.

“The key is carving out your own space, building a loyal fanbase, and staying consistent without compromising your vision”

EG: We know you just shared a carousel on Instagram containing a lot of unreleased music. Is there anything that you can anticipate on that front?

Juanito: Yes, I’ve been teasing some of the unreleased stuff on Instagram! There’s a lot of exciting new music in the works, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I’ve been working on a mix of tracks, some with a bit of a deeper groove and others with more energy, so you can expect a nice variety. I’m always trying to keep things fresh and unpredictable, so there’s definitely some surprises coming. Stay tuned for more details soon!

EG: Now, you’ve been doing this for quite some time, but we’d like to go back to the start. How did you first connect with electronic dance music? What were those first interactions like?

Juanito: I was definitely immersed in the scene early on, as my parents and sister used to go out to parties. So, I was exposed to that world pretty quickly. But the real turning point came the first time I stepped into a club. I remember I was hit with such an intense vibe from the DJ playing that I was like, “This is what I want to do!” That moment really sealed the deal for me, and it’s been my passion ever since.

Seeing people lose themselves in the beats and rhythms gave me a sense of purpose, and it pushed me to dive deeper into DJing and production. From there, everything just started falling into place, and I began to find my own style. It’s been an amazing journey ever since!

EG: And what sort of things fuel you to get back in the studio? Any quirks or rituals to get things going?

Juanito: There’s definitely a few things that fuel me when I get back in the studio! I think what really drives me is the excitement of creating something new and fresh. I always feel that rush when I sit down and start working on a new idea. The creative process is what keeps me coming back. As for rituals, I wouldn’t say I have anything to set in stone, but I do have a habit of starting with a small loop—usually just a kick and bassline—to get the vibe going. I also love experimenting with sounds and textures early on to see where the track can go. Sometimes I’ll take a break, clear my mind, and listen to some music to get inspired. That always helps me approach my music from a new angle. And honestly, I’m fueled by the idea of sharing what I create with people, knowing it’ll be something that connects with the crowd. That’s a huge motivator!

EG: With all your experience…what would you say is the biggest challenge for artists in the coming months or years?

Juanito: The biggest challenge for artists in the coming months or years is definitely staying authentic while navigating the rapidly changing landscape of the music industry. With trends shifting so quickly, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s popular and lose sight of what makes you unique. The challenge is finding that balance—staying true to your style and artistic vision while also adapting to new technologies and audience expectations.

Another challenge is the oversaturation of content. Everyone has access to the tools to produce music now, which is amazing, but it also means there’s a constant flood of releases. Standing out amidst that can be tough. The key is carving out your own space, building a loyal fanbase, and staying consistent without compromising your vision.

Lastly, the pressure of mental health and burnout is something that isn’t talked about enough. The grind of constantly producing, touring, and staying relevant can take a toll. It’s important for artists to find a healthy balance between their career and personal well-being to avoid burnout and keep the passion alive.

“Seeing people lose themselves in the beats and rhythms gave me a sense of purpose”

EG: Looking forward, what can we expect from Juanito? Where can your fans catch you next? What are your next scheduled shows?

Juanito: As for shows, I’ve got a gig in London this weekend that I’m super hyped about, followed by a few more dates across Europe. I’m also in the final stages of securing my U.S. visa—so fingers crossed—I’ll be heading Stateside soon for my very first tour there, which I’m genuinely excited about.

On the music side, we’re currently planning out my releases for the next six months, and there’s a lot I’m really looking forward to sharing.

So yeah, lots of new music, gigs, and surprises coming up. Stay tuned—and hopefully I’ll see you on a dancefloor somewhere soon!

EG: Thank you so much for your time, Juanito! We wish you all the best in the future. Take care!

Juanito: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. I really appreciate the support over the years and I’m excited for what’s to come. Take care, and hopefully we’ll cross paths soon!

Juanito’s ‘We Don´t Play’ is out now on And Dance. Stream and download here.

Follow Juanito: Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram | Website

SHARE THIS
Back To Top
Search

Crop Image