#MusicInTheAir Podcast hosts this week :
A.C.N.

The artist protagonist of this week’s MusicInTheAir is A.C.N.. DJ and music producer from southern Brazil, he was born in Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where he grew up and still lives today.

He started his career in the music industry featured in DJ Ian Carey’s legendary “Keep On Rising” remix contest. He says: “My first contact with electronic music started in elementary school, when I set up a sound team and we played at parties with school students, friends and other events. And as a music producer, it was between 2006 and 2007 when I started rehearsing some projects and participating in remix contests”.

Until mid-2015, his productions focused on the most varied styles of electronic music, such as house, tech house and progressive house.

A.C.N. was a resident in Brazil at a club called the FBI Dance Department and sometimes played in other clubs in the city. He explains: “I haven’t traveled the world to play, except once, when I went to play in Colombia, right after my track “Acid Jack” was compiled on legendary Erick Morillo’s annual CD, Subliminal Invasion”.

In the years between 2015 and 2021, he dedicated himself exclusively to the production of samples and teaching the Music Production course at AIMEC / Porto Alegre.

In late 2021, A.C.N. returned with his productions, now based on Afro House/Melodic. His tracks signed on labels such as MoBlack Records, Wired Music and Bosom Records, have the support of Adana Twins, Black Coffee, Hanna Hais, Hyenah, Sef Kombo, Swedish House Mafia and many other djs.

His main project, since his return as a producer, was the track “Creatures”, released by Moblack Records. The track had great repercussions and had the support of several djs, including SHM, who recently played the track at a secret concert. He tells: “But another track that I can’t leave out is “Warriors”, released by Bosom Records, the track has the support of Black Coffee, one of the best DJs at this moment for me”.

He explains: “Throughout my career, I’ve produced different styles of electronic music; house, tech house and progressive house. But currently I’m producing Afro House / Melodic. The biggest influence, on what I do today in terms of genre is the Afro House roots and Melodic House/Techno”. Throughout his career, he worked with several labels, such as Housesession, Suka and Subliminal. Now, on his return, he is focused on Afro House, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Moblack, Wired, Bosom, Sunclock and Switch Lab!”. “Mwotaji” with Idd Aziz, released by Switch Lab is my latest release”.

At the moment, he is working on a new track, which is expected to be announced soon.

What music do you listen to when you take off your DJ headset?

Most of the time, I listen to electronic music, Afro House, but sometimes I like to listen to Pop, Rock, Hip Hop and Black Music.

Your artists / DJs / producers of reference?

As a DJ, I like to see guys like Carl Cox, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez, … these guys are really good DJs. As a producer I don’t have a specific reference, but I currently like guys like Moblack, Benny T and Vanco. They have a little bit of this melodic idea in their productions, something I also try to put in my productions.

What can you tell us specifically about your recent release with Wired, Enzo Siffredi’s label? What about your experience with this label?

It was great to work with the people at Wired, today one of the main labels of Afro House. They’re turning 12, so there’s not much to say about the brand, history is telling. Regarding Enzo, he is an amazing guy, he has a very cool story, of pure dedication to Afro House and its aspects. I’m glad that my name, at some point, is part of Wired’s history.

How was your summer and now how is your autumn? Do you have dj sets or festivals planned at the moment for the present and the future?

I don’t have an agenda at the moment, it’s a fresh start and right now my focus is on musical productions. But I already have some contacts and conversations, soon some shows should happen.

What do you think of the Brazilian music scene? What do you think are the differences with Europe and the rest of the world?

The Brazilian scene is a little different from the rest of the world, where DJs are more valued professionally. See, until a few years ago, DJs here didn’t bother to produce their own music. This became reality, when some Brazilians began to be successful around the world, such as Alok, Vintage Culture and others. Also, the Underground scene is not strong at the moment, the commercial styles predominate here. But we are learning to value the culture of electronic music.

What evolution do you think electronic music is experiencing on the international scene?

This moment is very good, it is an industry that has grown a lot in recent years. You see, even though the world has stopped recently because of the Corona Virus Pandemic, several djs / producers, beginners and experienced, took advantage of this period to study and work hard. Splice and other production sample platforms moved billions of dollars when the world was at a standstill. This reveals that the market has grown a lot in the last years.

What can you tell us musically about your Podcast for Villahangar?

This podcast includes some of my productions and what I like in terms of music right now, I hope you like it!!!