At Home With… Pedro Vian
We've long since championed the music of Pedro Vian, the Barcelona based producer and label boss behind Modern Obscure Music. For many years he has explored the abstract and has crafted delicate soundscapes and textures alongside whimsical electronics. Ever subtle, his music often features a playful edge whilst touching upon the experimental and the sometimes odd. All of the above is what makes him perhaps one of the most underrated producers and disc jockeys in the city – something's gotta' give.
We invited him to provide us with a tour of home, an insight into his world and what lies beyond the music.
Share with us your favourite recipe. What is the go to meal/ or perfect romantic fine-dining experience for yourselves? How did this recipe come about and any tips for our readers?
I enjoy any recipe that contains lots of spice. So much that I am at a level where I am reaching and discovering new levels of pain! Other than that I am currently addicted to ceviche but to be honest my favorite meal is paella. You should really come to Spain to eat it. It’s one of the best food destinations in the world.
What’s your favourite room in your home and why?
I don’t have rooms actually; my place is one big loft space where I have everything. It’s quite inconvenient when trying to avoid my dog to jump on me to wake me up!
What’s in your fridge right now? How often do you clean it?
It’s completely empty right now! Thanks for reminding me I should go to the Supermarket soon if I don’t want die!
How would you describe the decor in your home?
I would say it’s quite Minimalist. I don’t have lots of things to decorate it apart from, books, records and some pictures. But it’s a nice way to keep it tidy all the time LOL.
Are you handy at DIY or do you get someone in?
I’m totally a DIY guy but I am getting lazier every day so it might change.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I just grab something near my office, usually coffee or tea and a little sandwich. That’s all I’ll have in the morning. And I’ve been drinking coffee for the past two months only to be honest. That’s because our offices are located close to Nomad, which is one of the best coffee places in Barcelona. I already feel it’s become my new drug; it helps me work twice as hard. Although I reckon I got hooked quite late but hooked now nevertheless.
Do you have a nutri-bullet? Have you ever used it? If so, any health boosting juices you would recommend?
I don’t. I do some sport, usually swimming, but I don’t use any. What energizes me the most is ginger with honey and lemon. Ginger is another thing that drives me nuts!
Who is your neighbour? What do they do? If you’ve not talked to them… maybe now would be a good opportunity to.
I have 10 neighbors in my building. Not sure what they all do but one of them is a musician and he is currently working on a project with the same guy who was the other 50% of my previous project Aster. What are the odds?
Have you ever locked yourself out? What did you do?
It happened to me once when coming back from partying. I had to call in a locksmith and the joke cost me 120€ so from that day I gave a pair of spare keys to my brother and another one to my parents. Best decision I’ve made in a long time!
Bath or shower?
Shower and everyday. Bath only if I have time and I wish I’d have more to time for that.
Has your neighbour ever seen you naked, accidentally or on purpose?
I don’t think any has seen me yet but I did see one of them. She’s was gorgeous, sometimes that image pops in my head – and it was accidental of course.
It’s a lazy evening, no time for cooking. What’s your takeaway option? Who do you use? Do they know you and expect the usual order from you?
I live 30 min away from the city center, in the middle of the forest; so the apps I used to get delivery don’t provide their services that far. It’s one of the downsides. But for take away I can have anything from pizza, burritos, nachos, sushi, a burger…
Do you eat your dinner at the table or on your lap?
I have dinner on the couch or on the studio table but if I have some friends over for dinner we use the table like civilized people.
Do you have a local shop or are you a supermarket whore like the rest of us?
Since I live a bit isolated from the center there is only one local shop close by and it’s really expensive! So when I have time I go to the supermarket and do groceries for the whole month. I kind of miss the luxury of just going out to the local shop next door and grab a snack or a soda to cure the hangover.
Is there a piece of art or ornament that holds particularly fond memories for you, from childhood or travels perhaps?
Hard to pick one but I can tell you I have different pieces as I enjoy pictures, paintings as well as rare instruments or ritual objects from different cultures. I try not to accumulate too many things either as I don’t want to feel as if I had Diogenes Syndrome!
Animals. We love cats here at R$N, but just love people with pets. Is there a special furry/ feathered/ scaly creature in your life, tell us a little about them?
Yes! I have my dog Bruna. She is a 4-year-oldbeautiful Labrador and she is hyperactive.Paradoxically she is 100% deaf so she can’t hear my music. Where we live it’s paradise for her.
Are you a messy person? What’s the worst state your home has been left in after a party?
I’m not a messy person but after a party at home it reached to the point my house looked like a proper ashtray.
Is there a view from your window, balcony, front door, terrace? Can you share that with us? Who do you look for coming along the street.
Wherever you look you’ll see trees. Trees everywhere! And aIso the “Collserola Tower” which is the communications tower designed by Sir Norman Foster for the Olympics of 92´. Sometimes you’ll also see a lost pig but it wouldn’t be one of my neighbors.
Pick 6 dinner party guests from history, real or fictional to invite to your home?
Might be a boring choice but I’d like to invite: Boris Vian, Laurie Spiegel, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Sade and Tim Maia.
Do you know the name of your postman?
No, I’ve never met him or even seen him. Might as well be a ghost!
Where do you listen to music in the home and what’s the set up?
Either in my studio or from a Technics turntable I have connected to two Bosse speakers I bought for 150€. Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear recommended these speakers to me and I think it’s one of the best purchases of my life. They’re cheap and they sound great. Perfect set up for a home party and fully recommend them.
What would you change about your home?
I would add a little terrace from which I could enjoy the Mediterranean sun. Why not?
Anything else we’ve missed about your home you’d like to discuss?
I think we covered it all but I’d just like to thank my friend and artist Pablo de Pastors who spent time taking and developing the pictures for this feature.
Follow Pedro Vian on Facebook HERE. Buy the new release on Spring Theory HERE.
