Fabricio – A Freak In The Groove
Playing a range of genres and styles, it's obvious Fabricio connects deeply with music in its whole form. A quick look at his Influences on his artist page and you'd get how much of a music freak he is: starting with "Mi familia" followed by a sweeping list of genres: "Ambient, Drum & bass, Dubstep", "Detroit techno", "house de Chicago, New York y San Francisco", "Disco" and "Downtempo" to "New age, Rock, Pop, Metal, Post-punk, Hip hop, Trip Hop", "Jazz, Future jazz", "Candombe", "Afrobeat" and "El interminable mundo de la musica brasilera" (the endless world of Brazilian music)...musicians from Herbie Hancock to Caetano Veloso and "las bestias nacionales" (aka the best or "beasts" of Uruguay) in particular Hugo Fattorusso to DJs and friends Koolt, Lutz, Melina Serser, Jorge Gamarra and Emilio, and finally ending with "la vida, los amigos, el amor, todo....." (life, friends, love, everything.....).
Having learnt how to mix ten years ago at DJ Koolt's school, Fabricio has been crafting his own sound while playing in some of the best parties in his hometown Montevideo, around Uruguay and in Europe too. Having shared a mix from a set at Phonotheque from 2014 and prepared podcasts over the years for collectives such as My Own Jupiter, Classic in Barcelona and Toi Toi, as well as being a contributor to the SUR label and an artist in the bSIDE agency, his name by now is a staple of the underground.
Before he heads to Europe again at the end of August to the end of November, we have a 'lil chat (you'll have to find out more about him in person!) and a big listen to his new podcast he recorded for the mag. Choosing the electronic route- it’s the genre that stole his heart, so telling by the fact that he never lets go of that groove, Fabricio starts with ambient and experimental melodies and steadily progresses to the kick!
So what have you been up to lately?
A lot of stuff going on - I moved out, recorded a podcast, digging for music, teaching DJing, planning the upcoming tour and then of course spending time with folks and family.
How did you learn how to mix?
I learned with DJ Koolt back in 2008 at the DJ school "Diablito". Without any doubt, he is my strongest influence within my profession.I learned the technique at the school and a whole load of other things just by watching him playing records at many parties over many years. But I’ve always been working to find my own style, to improve my mixing technique - I'm gonna keep doing this until I die I guess haha.
Your new mix has been a super nice ride. Did you have a direction in mind?
Concept and flow (groove) go hand in hand, in every podcast or DJ set. I paid attention to both – as a DJ I have the responsibility to convey an idea and to generate a feeling, a movement. I think that's the most important thing in a podcast, set or any form of artistic expression.
You’ve recorded some really interesting podcasts for different collectives... you have one on Frecuencia Garabato as Fabreaks- is it your pseudonym for more non-dancefloor music?
Haha yes, I’ve kinda abandoned it now. I used to do a lot under that pseudonym but then I started to travel and play more often as Fabricio. Fabreaks was based on the non-electronic music that I listen to, jazz, Bossa Nova, Brazilian and Uruguayan music, funk, r&b, soul, hip hop, tribal, ambient, black music, the list goes on. So entertaining and little bit exhausting because those many styles are kind of hard to mix as there’s a lot of bpm changes and percussion. I'm not used to it but what the hell, once in a while I like to do it!
What are some singers/bands that had a big impact on your life?
That's a hard question – I don’t think I can list it out… but I’ll make the effort. I’d say these are the ones who changed my life: Caetano Veloso, Hugo Fattorusso & OPA, Aphex Twin, Radiohead, Nana Vasconcelos, Prince, Jimmy Hendrix, Fela Kuti & Tony Allen, Sade, Erykah Badu, Billy Cohbam, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Paco de Lucia, J Dilla & Madlib, Flying Lotus, etc. Although you know, I still feel an emptiness inside for not being able to name them all, I think all the music I've liked is my favourite music.
Can you share a record with us, one that has a special meaning for you?
"Steam" by Cab Drivers, that was the first record I listened to.
You’re coming to Europe in August until the end of November. Where will your base be?
Barcelona for sure, I've got many friends there, I really like the city.
You’ve already been to Europe a few times before- what are some of your favourite places/spots?
Yes, I've been there two times, there's a lot left to know. Besides Barcelona, I really liked Berlin, London, Toulouse and Rotterdam.
We’ve looked briefly back at past moments. How about the future- what do you have planned?
To do what makes me happy, every day. To improve in my profession. And to love and be free. Those are my plans.
Fabricio - A Freak In The Groove
Photograph by Conejo SC