Juan Buitrago [Interview]

Praveen Achary's Juicebox Music's welcomes Juan Buitrago back to the label for his solo EP featuring "Anja" & "Emerald". The Colombian artist made his first appearance on the Indian imprint late last year through his collaborative EP with Nicolas Leonelli. Juan's widely expressive style can be seen through his productions, earning releases on well known imprints from the likes of Nick Warren's 'The Soundgarden', Mango's 'Mango Alley' and Paul Thomas' 'UV', amongst others.

With his latest offering, Juan Buitrago allows us a little snapshot into a special moment in his life, delivered in the form of "Anja" & "Emerald", both encapsulating a deep & soulful aura to reflect on while a little toughness and edginess drives the story forward.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Juan to learn more about the release of "Anja" & "Emerald", 2024 and ADE favourites, progressive house in Colombia, DJing, and much more. Enjoy.

Hi Juan, I hope all is well and thanks for speaking with us today. How has your 2024 been now that we’ve reached the final month of the year?

Hi guys, first of all thanks for getting in touch, it's always a pleasure to chat with you and I really appreciate the work you do.

My 2024 was a great year looking back, I had some great releases on super established and professional labels. Some new gigs and new places to visit. I think it was a year of great growth for me.

Let’s look back on the year, what gig of yours has stood out the most and why?

Without a doubt, the Inception party in Colombo was very special, the Sri Lankan people are very warm, cultured and knowledgeable about music.

Now let’s look at tracks (not your own), what is a track or tracks which have come out this year that has impressed you the most and why?

In Circle, by Julian Millan. He is a Colombian producer and DJ. I find in his music the dance feel that you might expect for the dancefloor, he captures it very well in this release I mentioned.

Waves, by UpstairsPeople. It's a breakbeat that manages an intensity that immerses you in a catchy trip. Coupled with his vocals, it's a song I could listen to every day.

In terms of electronic music, were progressive and organic house the styles you discovered first? And what was it about those styles that made you want to pursue it at the level you are now?

The first styles I discovered were mainly House, Trance and Techno. Then life led me to progressive house. I think living in Argentina now has a lot of influence, here the music genre is very strong and influential. I think it's growing every day and that makes you want to grow more.

For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you?

It was a period in my life where I finished a lot of ideas, I took a lot of references and I think that if you look back you can see and analyse the growth, it is very important to understand that growing as an artist takes time and is a long process.

Colombia is quite well known for its progressive house talent, we’re curious who else from your home country inspired you when you first discovered electronic music? And what was it about their DJing or production which led you to pursue it yourself?

In fact, we have very strong artists in Colombia now, Kamilo Sanclemente, Dabeat, Julian Millan. They are all great references there.

I've been living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for about 11 years now, I think it's shaped me musically in a different way and helped me to take other references, without a doubt Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy J, are an inspiration for the trajectory they have here in Argentina, both DJing or doing events, managing labels or making their songs, it's all constancy and following a path with the conviction that it's the right one.

You’re a prominent fixture in Colombia’s nightlife as a DJ, what have been some of the most memorable nights you’ve played and why?

As I told you, a few months ago we had a super important sold out event in Buenos Aires where I played at the closing party for Sonnar, Natural Waves and Inusual, who were the organizers of the event. It was very special to play for so many people at a time when people were super connected to the DJs of the night. The people of Buenos Aires are very passionate.

What is a track that reminds you of your early days DJing and what event/club do you associate with it?

Jerry Ropero - Coracao, is a very special track from a few years ago, I associate it with Discoteca Paradise in Pereira Colombia. A very special place in my beginnings.

You’ve also recently played events in Sri Lanka and also Amsterdam during ADE, if you could pick one track which was a standout in your sets across those gigs what would it be?

Paul Arcane, Abaze & JØAK - City Of The Clouds (Gorkiz Remix) [UV].

This track worked very well in the last shows. Very good work from Gorkiz and UV.

You’ve been a producer for the better part of a decade now, when you look back on those earlier years can you pinpoint pivotal moments to the success you’ve achieved today? Maybe a release or two which really helped your propel career?

A key moment in my life has undoubtedly been dedicating some of my time to growing as a producer and being able to compose my own music. I think it was quality time.

YEM, for Nick Warren's The Soundgarden.

Fluweel, for Mango Alley.

You have a new EP ‘Anja / Emerald’ out now via Praveen Achary’s Juicebox Music, please tell us about the EP and what sort of vibe you were going for on the tracks?

These are very special songs that we have planned to release with Praveen, I've been playing them in all my shows for a long time now and it has created a lot of anticipation. They are melodic songs but with a solid groove that work very well on the dance floor.

This is your second appearance on Juicebox Music, with your first coming last December, please tell us why you wanted to return to the label and why it was a good home for ‘Anja / Emerald’?

Juicebox is one of the most representative labels in the industry, it's a goal that I know a lot of new guys and a lot of established producers want to get to. To be able to share ideals and my music with them is great for me.

To be able to work with Praveen and his whole team is an honour for me.

Shifting to DJing for a moment, as mentioned you’ve played some notable gigs and venues over the years, so I’m curious what were some of the main challenges and goals when you were starting out as a DJ and how have they changed over time?

I think the most important thing in the beginning is to be able to connect with people, because you know when you start you might play for a few people or sometimes nobody. Then the goals change and move on, like being able to give your vision of music in a 1, 2 hour DJ set.

What is it about DJing, compared to producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

To be a DJ is to be able to give the feeling of many different songs in one big idea, where you have some softer, more intense or even more twisted moments, and at the moment of producing I think you are looking for something similar to the moment of composing, you are shaping an idea that goes towards a certain intensity. I think music is made with intentions, it gives you feelings of joy, sadness, love, euphoria etc.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ and performing for larger crowds has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

As the years go by all of this takes on an incomparable importance, every day you learn more from all the people who work with you, no doubt someone will recommend you an artist or a song and you have to be open and receptive to all these new things you hear, often you want to understand how they do it and that awakens my enthusiastic side when it comes to composing songs.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

I try to listen to new music every day, either from promos, from friends or from many people who send me music. So I'm always putting together some playlists for events with new music, and when I'm playing it's all spontaneous, always respecting or going to the intensity that the event and the audience demands.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

Ewan Rill - Mental Activity (ISMAIL.M Remix) [Wander Nation Records]

Fran Garay - Apex (Kebin van Reeken Remix)  [Nightcolours]

Tiefstone, Ric Niels - Opposite [Proportion]

Sam Scheme - Confusion [Shambhala Music]

Da Luka, Electric Dada - Rubicon (Subandrio Remix) [roku]

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

I really enjoy spending time with my partner or my pets, and sometimes just getting away from work or the world is enough.

What’s something people do not know about you?

I'm a Formula 1 fan.

Who would you most like to collaborate on a track with and why?

Kamilo Sanclemente, it would be nice to work together because we are from the same country.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

Suits is one of my favourite series.

What can we look forward to from you in 2025? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

For 2025 we are preparing a new tour with my team in Asia and the Middle East, Oceania, without a doubt Sri Lanka is in the plans, Pakistan, Australia.

As far as music is concerned, there is a long awaited release coming out in April with the support of Hernan Cattaneo, I can't tell you more.

I'm also looking for new goals and objectives, alliances and new ways.

'Anja / Emerald' is available now via Juicebox Music: https://tinyurl.com/mw2urbmr