Julian Millan [Interview]

Based in Colombia, Julian Millan lays claim to an impressive resume with releases via Stereo Productions, Circus Recordings, Monday Social and Serranos Kitchen, while world renowned DJs such as Chus & Ceballos, DOSEM, Guy J, Hot Since 82 and Oxia have championed his music. Now adding Port 81 to his resume, Julian collaborates with newcomer and fellow countryman Santiago Pava on a three track showcase entitled 'Medusas'. We had a chance to catch up with Julian for an interview leading up to the release. Enjoy!

Hello Julian, thanks for joining us. What is your current mood and what was the last piece of music you listened to?

Hello guys, thanks for inviting me, In this moment am very grateful for all the things that are happening to me around the music, and right now I am listening to some chill-out and downtempo music.

How’s your year so far? And what are your plans for the coming week?

This year starts with some interesting gigs, like playing along with Oscar L in Medellin and knowing new cities and clubs around my country. Next week I will play at my monthly residence at Sonido Central Club.

Can you name five tracks that were important in your musical development and why they are so significant for you?

- Khamelyn (Oxia Remix) Definetly the Oxia`s Remix on diversions must be on the top. This track Is so significant for me
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- Korazar (Danny Serrano Remix) I love this track as much as the original. it was released on Yet Records
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- Corbel (Original Mix) Released on serranos Kitchen. This tracks was played and charted by artist like Hot since 82, Oxia, Karotte, and was several weeks on the tech house top
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- Meeting point (Original Mix) it was a collab with my bro DJ Fronter and released on Circus Recordings, this track was played and charted by artist such as Guy J (on his Lost&found Stream) , Yousef, Chus&Ceballos, Francisco Allendes, David Tort and many more
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- Full Hearts and empty pockets (Original Mix) This track was a collab with dilby and is still on the deep house top since last year. It was played by Quivver in his album launch on Bedrock Stream and played by Simon Doty on his Anjuna Deep podcast.

Talk to us about growing up and living in Colombia, how has it affected your musical taste and the music you make?

Growing up in Colombia is a musical adventure, here you can find a lot of influences, most of them from Africa and the native tribes. My dad was a Salsa music Lover and a passionate music collector. I think that’s why I do mix all that swing on my tracks.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs in your country? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

I remember so much (17 years ago) when Mauro Picotto came here and arrived at the party by helicopter, it was a freak! and the set from him that night blew my mind. Another party I remember was with carl cox in a love parade tribute, I played that night as the first artist in a truck, there were no DJ and the promoter called me and I accept, of course, the people were crazy, I remember a lot that night.

What are some of your favorite venues to play in Colombia and why?

One of my favorite places is no doubt “Sonido Central” it is a basement club in my city with a mysterious and warm vibe that makes all the people dance and. Another place is “Salon Amador” in Medellin, which is a very nice and fancy place with the best sound system in the country.

Who are some up and coming Colombian artists to look out for?

Colombia has a lot Of talent, Dj/Producers such as Kamilo Sanclemente, DJ Fronter, Gux Jimenez, Dabeat, Julian Collazos, Grasso y Maxim, Hassio, Juand DDD are definetly artist to look out for in this moment.

You have a new EP ‘Medusas’ out this week with Santiago Pava on Port 81 Records, tell us about the release and how it showcases your sound.

This is a very special release because I could show another side along with my friend Santiago. As many of you know, I create some melodic techy stuff full of percussion, but this time I took advantage of the collab to minimize elements and make the track sounds like melodic techno, also thinking of the sound of Port 81

Please walk us through the production process on one of the tracks, whichever you feel is most interesting.

Medusas: we explored a lot until we found the rhythmic pattern of the melody. We made the first version, but we didn’t really like it, so we went through the whole track making some adjustments until we were finally satisfied. Then David asked us for a dub version, and we thought it was a great idea, removing some parts and leaving the atmosphere, we loved the result

Port 81 Records is a label you’ve not released with previously so what makes the label a good home for your music?

The label owner (David Norena) is one of the oldest and most respected artists in Colombia, His electronic music vision has led him to create one of the labels with a great future in our country.

This is also your first time collaborating with Santiago Pava, tell us how you guys met and decided to work on these tracks together.

I have known Santiago as a DJ for many years, but he had never been interested in producing electronic music, until a couple of years ago he started working and showing great results in a short time. One day he went to my studio and we began to experiment, I was surprised by the result and that is how we began to create Medusas

What does your set-up like? Do you favor physical gear over digital? And what studio tools featured heavily in the writing of this EP?

my setup is quite simple, and I think that's why I love digital, but I know that physical has a lot to offer, I think in the future I'm going to unite both.

Generally speaking, do you find it more difficult to come up with original tracks than remixing a track from another artist?

I think it will always be easier to start a project with an idea already created than to start from zero

What’s a piece of gear or software that always gets used when you’re writing a track?

I love “u-he Software Synthesizers and Effects”

How much road testing or friend feedback is done before you’re ready to say a track is finished? And who is someone you share your new music with first for feedback?

In the first years of music production, I tried it everywhere and showed it to my closest DJ friends. Over the years I only showed the tracks to two friends, and now with more experience, I only try them in the studio with my headphones.

What would be a musical extravagance for your studio you would pay for, if you were very wealthy?

A lot of light! Haha, I love spaces with different lighting, but of course, I would also love to have a big analog console with lots of synths.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

Five is too short, but Here it is:
1. Seth troxler
2. Carl Cox
3. John Digweed
4. Hernan Cattaneo
5. Adam Beyer

What’s a book you’ve read or film you watched that has left an impact on you, and why?

It's called "Techno Rebelde" it's in Spanish written by Ariel Kyrou and it's fascinating from the beginning to the end, it speaks very clearly about how electronic music started and its impact on society, also at the end of the book there is a very friendly glossary for understanding the world of electronic music.

If you could travel anywhere for one day, all laws and limitations void, where would it be?

Hawaii, I would die there.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest risk you’ve taken and what made you do it?

Leaving my office job to pursue my musical dream.

What is your current favourite place to eat and what do you generally order there?

Haha funny question, I love the burgers from a place called Martin`s

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

My son, he is my treasure and my reason to live

What does the remainder of 2022 hold for you? Anything you can share with us?

Well, There are coming some exciting releases, On May I will go back to circus recording along with my bro Sergio Parrado, also a special EP is coming on Monday social with a remix from Harry Cho Cho Romero. About gigs: In October I am going to the Amsterdam Dance Event to play in some showcases and my manager is setting up a special Latin American tour in Brasil, Argentina, and Peru.

'Medusas' is available now via Port 81 Records: https://bit.ly/3xweDT0