5 questions to Juani Laborda the DJ “Open Format” reference of Latin America

Juani Laborda knew, a little playing, a little curiosity from a very young age that the world of music had something to offer him and vice versa. Because while he fluttered the things of his brother who played at school parties and kermeses he found his passion. Today Laborda is one of the leading DJs in South America, a showman on stage that exports the Argentine Cachengue, merging it with the Latin and World Open Format.
After a great year abroad, he returns to tour Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and the region; The prelude to Fuerte Nuevo Año, while producing music and answering the call of brands, creating jingles for advertising campaigns. That’s why from Filo.News we talked to him about his musical projection, his beginnings and what is coming. 1) How did you approach the consoles and what made you fall in love with them to decide to follow this musical path?-“Stealing my brother’s equipment when he didn’t see me haha, that’s how it started. Every afternoon after school, I would go to his closet and take out his DJ stuff – “DJ stuff” in quotes, because it was just a very old mixer and two discman without a lid. With that he played music at very small parties of friends in 2013, 2014, “he begins telling us. “I always liked stories, and it was there with the console and a suitcase with thousands of CDs, where without knowing it or looking for it, I learned that this was also a discursive way, mixing and looking for a reaction in the public was communication,” he continued. At the same time he recalled those first experiences: “Those afternoons, if I was not mixing at home, I was in some Musimundo or TowerRecords listening to the CDs with the premieres of the week; I spent hours and hours there. With this super clear fanaticism, and with the support of family I joined the DJ’s venture that my brother and a friend had, a micro company where we musicalized school kermesses, family parties and we earned some mango, “he said. “I started assisting them as lead, and little by little they gave me a place in the trays, or in the discmans rather… Being so young, with 15 years, that party, no matter how small, was my thesis of the week, it was to put into practice what I had learned and tried at home, it was to go out and try it, “he said. 2) The movement in your field was undoubtedly modified, and although the protagonist is always music, today the different styles of Dj’s give it a unique touch. Constantly changing. Create, get tired of what I do, and change again, without losing the essence.- “It is true that DJs or approaches were changing over time, although the role persists and will continue to exist, what changes are the trends in the genres, and I feel that Therein lies the key, to be perceptive, receptive and proactive. Know how to digest and propose, because if you take distance from reality, from what sounds, when you realize it you are already totally outside. And in the Open Format that practice is daily, that’s why it is the foundational genre and basis of any type of DJ. A good Open Format DJ has more tools to move in genres than the one who plays only one; And that shows strongly.” And he adds: “I love living the night, the set, living that freedom and vertigo, feeling and looking for what each audience needs. Play, risk and generate a dialogue between us, become accomplices that that night he, she and I are giving everything; And I think it shows,” he said. “People chose to go out, go see you, and if you’re not enjoying yourself and convinced that you’re giving everything, no one else is going to be.” 3) You played with great musicians and participate in the most relevant events, but what were your musical references and who would you like to work with that you have not done yet?– “I had incredible experiences, I come from sharing stage with guys I always admire. I also had the opportunity to work with bands and artists but from behind the scenes. I shared shows working with Babasonicos for example, they are my idols since I was very young, and being there was like visiting Disney every day. I learned and enjoyed it very much,” he said. “Today, without a doubt, I would love to be able to share a session with them,” he risked. While listing, “I have a lot of people I’d like to work with, I’ve always been very open about genres, and I’m very intrigued by getting to know and sharing work processes. Contribute my look, and first of all learn, with Disclosure, Kaytranada, Tiny, Big one, Taiko, Snakehips, Phoenix, Calvin Harris, so many … “And he told us: “As for the show, I’m creating a different proposal that I’m going to soon.s to launch, a fully collaborative live show platform between artists, a live show but in festival format. It has me quite busy and anxious because I know it is going to be taken out.”4) What are the most frequent myths that surround your profession that you would like to banish?” It seems to me that myths are extinguished by time. For example the classical, if we play, or if we put music, or the verb they want to put. It doesn’t matter to me, it’s not going to be more or less; And I think our generation was and is part of that change,” he said. “Another myth that is being banished is that of “ninguna” the DJ of a party, from the disc jockey of a birthday to the DJ of the biggest festival; It is increasingly important to know who is going to play, and whether you heard it or not, because it gives you a guarantee. The difference shows.” Nowadays people are much more analytical and critical, and it’s great. I think it’s thanks to everyone knowing a little more about how to be a DJ, that demands all of us, raises the bar completely, and gives power to the audience. They know who to see again and who maybe won’t anymore.” That relevance and change is clearly seen in the distribution of a party. When I started DJs we were on the side, behind a screen, or in a room, maybe you didn’t even know where I was. Today the place is the center, it is the stage, it was understood that everything runs around, and that a DJ has the power to give you one of the best nights of your life, or the most boring, and generating the axis of that storm is a responsibility that is great. ” 5) What’s coming in 2023?” At this moment I am living this summer tour to the fullest, very happy, since before the pandemic that I did not enjoy these laps so much. I’m traveling through Mar del Plata, Pinamar, Buenos Aires, Tucumán, Rosario, Necochea, Punta del Este, Montevideo, and it’s nice in every place to meet so many people. This is almost a farewell to Argentina, at least for a few months.” After this I start a tour outside of Argentina, starting in Bolivia, in Cochabamba, following Mexico and the map continues to open more.” Meanwhile we continue to produce new tracks and an album that we are putting together with Juan Cruz Marino, my partner and producer,” he closed.   

Original source in Spanish