Spain – a country of fine red wines, sunny beaches, bull fighting…and breakbeat?! With the media more often than not focusing on the strong breaks scene here in Australia, coupled with breaks central in the UK, the low-down on breaks dj’s and producers from other countries around the globe often gets glossed over. In doing some background research before this interview, and speaking with a couple of Australian dj’s that have played in Spain, well…from all reports, the Spanish breaks scene is MASSIVE!

Along with guys like Deibeat, one individual that has been there from the beginning of the Spanish breaks scene is tech-breaks dj/producer Peter Paul (Pedro Perez). Since 1992, Peter has been dropping his progressive breaks sound to dance floors across Spain and Europe, from club nights to festivals, even appearing on national Spanish TV at one stage. Not content resting on his dj laurels alone, he has also released an impressive back catalogue of tracks on both his own label, N-Mity, as well as track releases and remixes on various other labels. A recent association with Meat Katie’s label, Lot 49, has seen Peter drop tracks such as ‘Reverendo’ in 2006, which saw extensive airplay from artists such as General Midi, Friendly and the Plump DJ’s. With his own unique brand of tech-breaks in hand, Peter Paul is about to bombard Australian dance floors for the first time, playing a few select shows in WA and Victoria. I caught up with Peter in his studio in Seville, Spain, for a chat about his love of breaks and his upcoming tour of Australia…

ITM: What’s been happening for you these past few months show-wise and on the production front?

PP: Months of hard work in the studio preparing new material that will soon hit the streets and gathering new producers for my label N-Mity. Show-wise… fantastic!!

ITM: I’ve been told Spain has a pretty solid breaks scene…would you agree?

PP: Spain has one of the strongest breakbeat scenes in the world. It is said that Australia and Spain are very similar in this sense, as they dedicate large events exclusively to breakbeat music.

ITM: (Apologies for the cliché question!), but how did you get into djing originally?

PP: In my case it was very difficult. Spain has always been very receptive to electronic music and this led to a big dj Boom 15 years ago. My friend Alex taught me how to mix, and that was the day I decided to become a dj. Later came the small gigs and my name became more and more popular. I then started to produce, this I had to learn to do myself, as in those days, you could count with one hand the total number of producers in southern Spain. (and you would still have fingers left over!). Ten years ago my first reference was out on the streets and this led to the big gigs. In fact a month ago I played my first track and I thought it was still quite cool, so I will probably re-edit it.

ITM: How are your dj sets structured – is it mainly cd’s and/or vinyl, or do you also use software mediums like ableton?

PP: I combine vinyl and cd in my sets and I will probably use Ableton at some stage. Although if I had to choose, I would stick to vinyl, I just adore it. But on the other hand we all know that technology is technology and that cd is very useful. Normally DSL receive Mp3 promo material in this format. Also if you are working in the studio and finish a track, all you have to do is burn it on a cd and you are playing it that night. I still prefer vinyl though!

ITM: What’s you’re view on the use of ableton/various software in dj sets – is it still djing, or something different?

PP: I think that Ableton is very useful and that you can call it Djing if you combine it well. It comes in handy when you are going live, launch the track, play with the effects, etc. It all depends on the imagination you put in to it.

ITM: Which producers would you say have been most influential and inspirational on your own production work and dj sets?

PP: When it comes to producing I have a very personal style and my own way of creating music. The only thing that has been of an influence to me is sound quality, no matter what style; producers with top sound quality such as Christian J. have always caught my attention. As I say, It just doesn’t matter what style he produces, it always sounds great. I like to stick to my progressive style, a style I decided to follow a few years ago and that I just love. Obviously I respect and like many artists such as Vandal, Meat Katie, Deibeat, Psure, Introspective, Uberzone… to name a few.

ITM: You also have released a few tracks on Meat Katie’s label, Lot 49. How did that association come about? Will you be releasing more tracks on Lot 49 in the near future?

PP: Meat Katie performed at the same club that I had previously in Madrid. Marcos from Good Mood gave him a cd with four of my tracks and he liked them. I then edited two singles for lot 49, “Cristalline” & “Reverendo”, both tracks ending up being very successful. At the moment there are no tracks on line to be released on lot 49 if we are talking of a short period of time, but it is something that will occur sooner than later and it will be a pleasure to do so when it happens!

ITM: What software/equipment do you favour when producing in the studio?

PP: I usually combine both programs, Logic & Cubase, a few synths such as Acces virus, a few Rolands and rhythm boxes with a Mackie as a mixer.

ITM: What are you’re top 5 tracks in you’re record box that you’re absolutely working at the moment?!

Peter Paul – Reverendo
Psure – Lights & Shadows
Kid blue – Nothing to lose
Introspective -Pole Kat
Peter Paul – Sexy Tech

ITM: Will this be you’re first time to Australia? What can we expect from your upcoming Australian shows?

PP: Yes, this will be my first time in Australia, and I really want you guys to enjoy my sets and music, loaded with no nonsense Tech-Breaks that I so much enjoy. I’m looking forward to getting to know Australia, the breaks scene and the ambience… I can’t wait!
You can catch Peter Paul at the following Australian shows:

Friday March 16th @ Backbeat, Geisha nightclub, Perth
Friday March 23rd @ Fractured, Brown Alley, Melbourne