Pau Roca: The Wednesday Alternative Mix

Music

The emergence of a new wave of European producers has led to the culmination of an enticing array of enchanting interpretations of dance focussed music. Pau Roca has been critically praised by the likes of Sonar for his involvement in the Barcelona house scene in which he is a hugely active member. As a journalist his ability to network and determine the variety amidst people has led him into exploring music from across the world.

He also runs two record labels in his spare time, Bons Records & Black Money Records. Both have been determined to showcase variety and have been involved in the reissue of exciting music lost amidst the passage of time. Bons Records for example recently re- released an EP from Joey Kay which had become notoriously hard to find.

We spoke to Pau Roca about his musical roots as he steps up for our first mix of 2017…

Please introduce yourself…

I'm Pau Roca from Barcelona, I'm 29 years old.

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

Well, I'm just a journalist (working for Time Out Barcelona and also Good2b) and music lover based in Barcelona. I'm running two labels called Bons Records (with my brother Gon) and also Black Money (with Dan Resende from The Monkey Bar). Aaaand, I'm also running a night-party called Libido at Nitsa Club in Barcelona.

I'll start a radioshow for Dublab, so you can hear me there one Thursday a month (dublab.es) with my show called 'Can Ràbia'. The first one will be the next Thursday 5th January!

What does your music sound like?

Where was the mix recorded?

Im my room, with two Technics + one old CDJ Pioneer 400 + my mixer E&S DJR400.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Well it's dance music, but you could listen it in the bathtub of your house with a glass of wine, hugging a woman (or a man) if possible.

What should we be wearing?

Nothing, you must go naked. You are in a bathtub!

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location, system, format?

Depends on the vibe, but for me, my home is a dream location to make music.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Hmm, difficult to choose one, but I can't stop listening Lyn Christopher – Take Me With You. It appears at the beggining of the mixtape. I can't imagine a sexiest song right now!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I love how Nightmares on Wax or Mr Scruff focus their mixes, but I can't choose only one. On the other side, I borned listening Sideral ‎– Schizotronic & Techno, so that could be one of my fav compilations so far.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Well, of course I would love to play b2b with Larry Levan or Ron Hardy. Def I'll choose Ron Hardy, but I have to recognize that playing 2 times b2b with Chez Damier last year was a dream for me. I learnt a lot and I was very inspirational cause he is one of my mentors. And I would love to play b2b with Kerri Chandler -in the early 90's, but It should be difficult because in 1990 I was only 3 years old haha. I also love the energy of Jeremy from MLIU. I can't understand why there are so many Dj's that don't use to dance while they are playing…

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Two old turntables and an old Ecler mixer. It was funny and I learnt beatmaching in a very heavy conditions. Every Dj should try to mix with that Turntables. It was completely impossible!!

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

If you mean in this mix, it doesn't matter, both are great tracks. If you are talking about a club or in a public place, I think you have to think hard about your last track. People always reminds the last track of the night…

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first one was an AXIS record, I can't remember the name. Good techno stuff. Or maybe it was Laurent Garnier's Shot in the Dark LP, I can't remember it to be honest. The old one was the Favorite's reissue of the amazing 'I love you' by Karriem (originaly released in 1979 Pashlo Records).