Through rising support from industry heavyweights, and through her imprint In The Loop, Lupe Fuentes is making her mark on the dance community. In The Loop is currently building it’s early discography with releases from Lupe herself, as well as releases from Francis Kasibante, Jack Cousteau, and Skywalker. As the year comes to a close, Lupe Fuentes gears up for another release coming in the form of the tech house roller that is 1,000 Watts. Complete with feelings of dance floor elation, the track employs a unique vocal sample that plays off the crisp percussion that is designed exactly for the dance floor.
In light of her new release, we recently caught up with Lupe Fuentes to discuss a few things such as the label’s journey and her recent set at the Mixmag Lab LA. Read the full Q&A below, and be on the lookout for 1,000 Watts when it becomes available December 4th.
Photo Courtesy of: Freedom Film LLC
Hi Lupe, thanks for taking the time with us! I’d like to first ask about your label – You started In The Loop in 2014, correct? Where did the inspiration come from?
Yes, the label launched in 2014 and the idea started because I wanted to have a platform to release the music I make, without having a label in mind in terms of sound – music that really came from a place of true creativity without trying to fit in a box. But soon after I started to get really cool demos from artists all around the world that share my same music sensibility, and I realized that organically the label was becoming a global brand, and have a sound and life of it’s own!
Where do you feel the label is right now? And what are some of your goals for the label in 2016?
Right now we are in a stage of growth and development. We are very new at this and still have a lot to learn, but we are passionate and are getting the ins and outs of the industry fast. Our goal is to keep signing and developing new talented artists that can grow with the label and to be the tastemakers of tomorrow. We have a lot of plans for 2016, but I don’t want to spoil the surprises ;) . Some of the highlights have for sure been how well the label has been received, gaining support from industry heavy-weights such as Dubfire, Nicole Moudaber, Maceo Plex, Booka Shade, Leftfield, Richie Hawtin, Carl Craig, Kerri Chandler, Claptone, Shiba San, Gorgon City, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, Danny Howard, Oliver Heldens, Prok & Fitch, Tube & Berger, Claude Von Stroke, and countless others! We are excited for 2016! Just wait and see!
“1,000 Watts” has a great dark groovy sound ideal for the dance floors. Who are some artists that have inspired you?
I get inspiration from everywhere and everybody. When I am not listening to house music, I like to get inspiration from other genres. I listen to classic rock! I am a big fan of the Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, etc… I also listen to a lot of old Latin music, that influences me a lot in my current sound, but again there are current artists that also inspire me like Low Steppa, Sidney Charles, Juliet Sikora, etc…
Is this the type of sound you want to build around the label?
You know, it’s hard to describe sound, because music to me, it’s like a painting. How a song sounds to you, may not be the same way a song sounds to me. The only thing I know is that I want to keep releasing quality music for the dance floor. I want to keep signing artists that truly awaken an emotion in you with their production. If it feels right, it’s right.
We saw that you made a comment regarding the vocal sample in the track, and have been trying to figure out where it came from. Our minds have wandered with guesses haha Can you tell us where it’s from?
I will never tell ha haha. :)
Fair enough! What must you always have with you when making music?
The 808 sample pack that Kerri Chandler sent me and I thank him for that. Good food and my dog Meatball that makes me fetch with her while I am producing. She is a house dog haha
How was your recent set at Mixmag?
Thanks for asking! It was great and all good vibes. I was very happy that they asked me to play The Lab and that I was able to bring part of the In The Loop family with me. Francis Kasibante, is an In The Loop regular and creator of our latest release “Disbelief.” He set the tone of the night like a champion. I played b2b with my friend and In The Loop brother Jack Cousteau bringing 100% positive vibes with great response from the room. It really didn’t feel like a gig, but more like a house party with friends, everyone was super cool and just down with the music. It’s nice to play at a place where people really know about the music and appreciate the sound.
Do you find yourself playing differently at small/intimate events like that as opposed to a club night?
Honestly, I just feel the dance floor and I go with the energy that the crowd is giving me. I apply this for both intimate settings and big crowds. Of course always staying true to my sound. I just love to play places where people truly appreciate underground music.
For you, what’s the best part about techno?
I love techno, even though I would not say I am a techno DJ/producer. In terms of genre I would say that tech house would be a term that fit’s more my sound. The best part of it is the feel, the vibe, the drums, the bass lines, and how it takes you away from reality to a land inside your mind that is driven by the groove.
Connect with Lupe Fuentes: Facebook | Soundcloud
