Lupe Fuentes brings us an up-front mix just in time for your bank holiday

 

 

When we were over in Miami for Music Week, Todd Terry invited us to his In-House Label showcase. Obviously when you get invited to a party by TT, you clear your calendar. So on a warm Thursday night we found ourself directing a perplexed taxi driver down a series off side-streets and alleyways until we found a single door with a red light above it and a security guard beside it.

After getting 'the nod' from the security we opened the door and proceeded into one of the coolest venues we've ever been in. As we entered some pounding house was playing that perfectly fit the moment, we looked to the decks and saw, who we'd later learn was Lupe Fuentes, deep in the mix.

We Shazamed the song there and then and when we got back to the UK we googled what came up and realised that the song was by the DJ we saw and that we definitely wanted to introduce this lady to the UK. So after a little help from Todd we tracked her down and thankfully she agreed to put together this upfront mix that'll be perfect for the impending British bank holiday. Crank this one up somewhere between Saturday and Sunday and get in the zone.

 

MoS: First of all thanks for doing an exclusive mix for us, what did you go for in the mix? Is this a representation of what you play out now or more what you listen to at home?

Lupe Fuentes: Thanks for having me on Ministry of Sound. When I was putting together this mix, I went for a bit of both. A combination of artists and tracks that I am playing out live right now, and also things that I listen to at home that inspire me. I tried to include some fresh upfront tracks as well, including some of my own from my label, In The Loop.

 

For those who may be new to your music, how would you describe your sound?

It’s always hard to answer this question when it comes to your own music, because as an artist I am always growing , developing and trying new things. In my opinion I always go for strong bass lines and and just keep it nasty and deep hahahaha!

 

How did you first get into music, when did you know you wanted to be a DJ?

Music has always been my passion. I started producing four years ago for a music group I had with some friends of mine. After that my direction developed organically to where it is right now. Its been a journey of discovery, since i was growing up in Spain and discovered house music at age 13. Going to clubs and having friends who were DJ’s back in Spain , I always thought it was cool, but it wasn’t until I started producing my own tracks that I decided to start taking it seriously.

 

You’ve released on Todd Terry’s In-House, how does it feel to work with such a legend and how did you first get involved with them?

It’s been amazing working with Todd. He is one of the people that I really look up to in the scene. Some of his earliest records are things that still really inspire me today. They are timeless and it’s been an honour to release on In-House. I will continue to release records with In-House (as long as Todd wants me to, hahaha). I met Todd two years ago at the Brobot Party at WMC and it was really cool, because it was the actual month of my first release on Brobot, Junior Sanchez’ label, and I was there playing with Todd, Junior, Harry Romero, Chocolate Puma, etc. It was a great experience. Todd was jacking while I was spinning and I couldn't believe it. After my set, he told me that he wanted to put out one of my records. Todd is like a big brother to me!

 

You’ve recently started your own imprint, In The Loop – what sort of artists are you on the look out for?

This is a very difficult question to answer. I am not looking for one specific thing. Mainly I am looking for artists who make records that make me feel something. The kind of records that I want to play at my gigs and I would be proud to put my name alongside.

 

What have you got coming up on the horizon? What are your summer plans?

Right now I am really focused on my label, and I have a lot of releases lined up through the summer from myself and other artists too, so be on the lookout and stay In the Loop. My next release is a track of my own called BASSLINE and the one after that is a remix of my current single "Holla if Ya Hear Me", by Vanilla Ace. After that I am debuting a brand new artist named Jack Cousteau , who has a vicious track called “The Ghetto Code” , and so on! I have a lot of gigs coming up this summer and my big project right now is launching my own party for In the Loop. I don't want to give away any of the details, only that it will be very experiential.

 

How do you prepare for a gig?

When I am preparing for a gig, I make sure to bring with me, all the latest music that I am really feeling, especially tracks that I just finished producing, and I want to try out on the  dancefloor to see how the crowd reacts. Also, now that I have  my label In the Loop, I get demos all the time from all around the world, and I like to try the tracks that I am feeling the most. Before a gig , I definitely need to calm myself down, but once I get on the decks, I feel at home!

 

What do you like to do on your day off, what’s a typical Sunday like for you?

Sunday for me is just like any other day, That is one of the things that makes me really grateful for the life that I have, That I can do whatever I want regardless of what day it is. Sometimes I go on a hike with my dogs, or sometimes I am producing in the studio, It just depends how I am feeling. Lately I have been going to Sounds Like Summer party here in LA on Sunday Nights with Trent Cantrelle and last week my good friend Doorly played there… its a really cool party!

 

Tell us something we don’t know about Lupe.

I am a really spiritual person and I believe in being present in the moment. This moment is all we have.

 

When we saw you play in Miami, it was in this dark little venue with bazookas and Tommy Gun’s on the wall, what was the coolest/most unusual place you’ve ever played? 

The place you saw me play in Miami is called Foxhole Bar. It is the 'in spot' for all the locals in south beach and a lot of the people who work at all the nightclubs. It is owned by some really good friends of mine, and its not every day that you play a house music gig with heavy artillery around! There are so many cool places. One time I played a really intimate  gig with Roger Sanchez where the DJ booth was suspended over the water. The wind started blowing really hard and water was splashing all over us and all over the decks. For a moment, I really thought I was going to get electrocuted, but in the end, it was a great party!

 

Finally, describe your mix in five emojis or less... 

😊😎😈🌚😝