Javier Carballo has lived in some of centres of European partying; grew up in Gran Canaria, then lived in Berlin for two years and now London. A fixture in the electronic scene ever since his emergence, Carballo has been releasing consistently interesting music over the course of the past few years. This latest EP, ‘Morning Vibe’, is being released on the Black Woods imprint and features three Carballo originals plus a remix from Mobilee regular, Yaya. We caught up with him recently – and here is what he had to say.

Can you tell us a bit about your early involvement with electronic music? Do you remember the first time you were really inspired in a club, for example?

Hi there! Well, I started listening to electronic music when I was 12 years old. My cousin had small after parties in my town, and he and his friends used to play records in his room. I will always remember listening the to the jungle sounds and amazing bassline for the first time of “Sueño Latino” in 1990. After this, I started listening to cassettes of English DJs who used to play in Gran Canaria and names like Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, Depeche Mode, KLF etc.

Naturally joining Vatos Locos has been huge for your career and you now regularly DJ around the world. That aside, what would you say is your proudest moment to date?

Yes, that’s right. Vatos Locos is a really great platform to show my music philosophy and it’s allowing me open new opportunities and live amazing experiences in big festivals and clubs where I hadn’t the chance to play before. We are a family and I’m very happy to be part of it. I don’t know, I’m really proud of my contribution to building the electronic music scene in the Canary Islands alongside some more great artists, opening the way for the future generations through good quality parties, consolidate labels and always fresh and new ideas.

You’ve played in some amazing places – are there many cities and places you’d love to play in that you still haven’t? What about clubs and festivals etc?

Yes, the last 2 years I’ve played in a lot of countries for first time like Argentina, Peru, Mexico, USA, Lebanon and Romania but I’m looking forward to doing it in countries such as Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Brazil. In terms of clubs and festivals, there are so many names like Panorama, Robert Johnson and festivals like Kappa Future festival (Italy), Time Warp (Germany), or Dimensions (Croatia) to name a few.

You moved to London a while ago – somewhere that’s very different than your hometown of Gran Canaria. How are you adapting to it all so far?

I moved to the UK a year ago, first to Brighton and 8 months later to London. Obviously, it is completely different from my hometown but a city like London can offer me such an amazing opportunities and make me be connected directly with the global scene. Adapting hasn’t been difficult at all. I’m from the Canary Islands and we have a strong connection with the UK, as a popular tourist destination for Brits.

As a DJ, what made you opt for London as opposed to say, Berlin?

I was living in Berlin for 2 years, which was an important experience for me and a useful time but I felt was not my place after all, living in London was something that I’d always had on my mind. My first introduction to electronic music was through English DJ’s, who were residents on the island. I began to listen Break Beat, UK Garage and English House at a really young age, and always was fascinated about all the sounds from London.

Lets chat about this latest release on Black Wood. What’s your relationship with the guys behind the label and how did the EP come about?

I met Marcos and Alvaro some years ago. They are 2 of the most important producers and DJ’s from Madrid and Spain. We have got really good times together playing and enjoying our music. Ever since the first moment a few years ago when Alvaro told me about his new project and if I wanted be part of the label, I said yes with any doubt. Working with them is always a good idea.

It’s a real dubby affair and the press release even talks about it sounding a bit like Ron & Chez. Usually these things aren’t true but it definitely is here! Who else influenced the release?

I’ve always been a big fan of Chicago and Detroit and sounds like Broken Beats, classic Deep House. The last few times I’ve been releasing Minimal Tech and House tracks, focusing a bit more to clubs. With this work I’ve tried to do a sound more classic and atemporal, without losing the dance floor. I’ve been inspired also by artists such as Matthew Herbert and his ability to do music for different moments with the same quality and surprise.

You’ve released on some great labels over the years such as One Records, Surface and Drumma. How is everything going with your own label?

Yes, have been great last years releasing some eps, remixes and labels like Tabla, Get Physical, Drumma, One records or Vatos Locos.

At the moment I have 2 labels, Overall Music with my mate Hanfry Martinez where, after 5 years of hard work, we have got a solid brand focused now as a vinyl only label and are working at the moment on the next release that will come out in the next few month.
After 10 years making parties with Underyourseat, my partner Berna and I though it was the time to start a new adventure with the brand, “Underyourseat Label”. The first release was the ‘Zuchini’ EP by Lowwaxx & Terms, a work together with my mate Carlos Sanchez.

You also played last week with Tini in your home city. Do you get back there often and is it always a special night when you do?

Yes I played with her on one of my nights with “Underyourseat”. Yes, every time I back to the island to play is special for me. I don’t usually play at events when I’m not involved but if I do it, I always try it in those where the people share my musical philosophy.

What’s next for you that’s keeping you busy aside from music?

The Music has the 80% of my life, the rest of the time I try to do some sport and enjoy the company of my family and friends. Of course every time I can, I try to rave, it’s part of me.

Finally, if you could give us three productions by Gran Canaria producers – apart from yourself! – worth checking out, what would they be and why?

Gran Canaria have a lot of good producers and some of them are good friends .

Berna : Amazing DJ & producer, he is doing the best warm ups in Spain so far. Amazing selector, house, broken beats, minimal, detroit, chicago, classy sets and perfect grooves. He is working on his first productions that will see the light soon on the Underyourseat Label.

Carlos Sanchez: It’s an old known name in the house scene, released on labels like 8 Bit, Home Invasion and Overall Music, to name a few. He is a versatile artist doing some of finest house music, the darkest minimal techno. At the moment, he is doing amazing work with his alias “Lowwaxx”.

Moray: Young DJ producer with a great future in the music. His is the next release on Overall Music Limited and owner of The Focus On Egoless label. House and Techno with a future perspective.

Javier Carballo’s Morning Vibe EP is out soon on Black Wood Records. Buy/listen to the release here.