After seven days bopping away to the impressive efforts of Galway man Daithí, it’s time to take a step in another direction. This week, WWD episode five, showcases a man turning heads in the vast domain that is underground house & techno. Some of you will already be familiar with him, he’s featured on here before with an impressive and intricate collaboration in the form of ‘Orchis Simia’ . With his releases on a massive, upward spiral, we’re only delighted to have him stepping up to spin the latest podcast. Hailing from Argentina and residing in Berlin, we have Pablo Ranacat, enjoy!
When We Dip with Ranacat 005 Free Download
Ranacat – When We Dip 005 by When We Dip on Mixcloud
WWD : Welcome Pablo! Thanks for taking the time for a quick chat. First off, to get things started, tell us something we don’t know about Ranacat!
Ranacat : Ranacat is half Frog (Rana) and half Cat. Two different groups of friends back in Argentina used to call me like that and I put both nicknames together to create this little monster that likes to rock dance floors and party hard!
WWD : Where are you right now and what have you been up to this week?
Ranacat : I’m sitting on my sofa watching my girlfriend watch ‘Penny Dreadful’ while she’s drawing mushrooms that have vaginas (for real).
WWD: You made the move from London to Berlin recently, a Mecca for electronic musicians. How have you enjoyed it so far?
Ranacat : What can I say about Berlin that hasn’t said before? I love it. What a city.
I’d been based in London for 12 years and I needed a change. I was getting quite stressed sometimes. Berlin is already more relaxing and it’s the perfect setting for being productive in the studio.
WWD : As you’re aware, we’re big fans of the recent Acumen collaboration. How did that project come about?
Ranacat : I met Antoine last year at the Mobilee rooftop party and we kept in touch. We sent each other a few demos and we started remixing them. It’s kind of difficult to work at the distance in terms of making decisions while making music. So the best way was to go with the flow and to be honest we never corrected anything that any of us have done on the tracks. So the result is quite experimental which I really like.
WWD : Your previous release, Mad Man, was signed by Anja Schneider’s Mobilee Records, an imprint having a stellar year. What was it like to get the backing of such a big name in music?
Ranacat : Professionally speaking I’m very proud to get my music released on a label such as Mobilee, and also be part of the agency’s roster. My music can be a bit experimental for moments and I’m very happy that they like it and are releasing it. It feels like a great achievement.
And then on a personal level, everybody in the team is very friendly and down to earth, which is something I enjoy a lot. Quite difficult to find in this industry!
WWD : You’re actually putting a lot of work into your own label Sneaky Records at the moment, tell us about that! What have you got coming up?
Ranacat : Yeah I’m very happy about how Sneaky is evolving.
We are releasing on vinyl and digital and yeah, it is hard work. Although putting out vinyl is really worth it and exciting for all the reasons we know.
The original idea was to release local London talent but then we came across Rick Wade. Now we also have lined up other great EPs by artists from different places such as my mate Echonomist from Greece, with one of his tracks featuring Stee Downes.
The next EP coming out soon is another one by Kiwi & Ashworth and that includes a remix by Nicholas & Marcoradi plus another one I did. I’m very proud of this one and I have high hopes for it, as it’s sounding amazing.
WWD : And lastly, with regard to Ranacat, what can we expect from you in the coming months? New music? Touring?
Yes. I’m always working on new music. Now I’ve just recorded two great vocalists based in London, Jasmine Rodgers and Kemi Akinbola. I’m very excited about these two tracks especially, as they are coming up very nicely. I also have many tracks that got delayed by my move to Berlin, but I’m already on it all, happily.
And then a bit of traveling is always on the plans so hopefully I will see you very soon at your favorite club!