On the road since 2001 Chus & Ceballos are nowadays one of the most prestigious and successful production and remixing pair in the international electronic scene. Famous for their trademark Iberican Sound, a delicious blend of hypnotizing, warm, inviting tribal soundscapes laced with a brilliant use of modern tech elements they have travelled the world spreading their musical message. With an impressive list of credentials it is no mystery why Chus & Ceballos are some of the most in demand DJs on the global circuit. They hold residences in the most prestigious clubs of the electronic circuit: Stereo in Montreal, Pacha in New York and Space in Miami. This interview follows notably the one of other duo we interviewed like Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y., Lemaître or Catz N Dogs. First of all we would like to thank the duo who answered our questions with enthusiasm. Have a good reading!

 

“Hi Chus and Ceballos,

Honestly, it's a real pleasure and honor to interview you, because I discovered your music some years ago through your Balearic releases and it is thanks to you I discovered also more than 10 years ago other producers like Wally Lopez and Dr Kucho who I’ve interviewed. So I was really impatient about your new compilation, the main reason for this interview!

Indeed, a few days ago you released the new compilation of Toolroom Records with a selection of 30 tracks. Could you please clarify us how did you work on this massive selection?
> We are really excited to launch our first compilation with Toolroom records; it´s a very respected label and we put a lot of effort and love into it. The main goal for the mix CD was to have a good reflection of what we are doing at clubs right now. We used as much exclusive material as we could to make the compilation attractive to fans and DJs, with some new original tracks like ‘Nobody freaks like us’ or our collaboration with Rafa Barrios ‘Lambestic’. We are very happy of how it came along :)

And what about your next release or remix. Do you already what it will be?
> Yes we do :). It is a new studio collaboration with the American indie artist ‘Temporary Hero’, called ‘I want 2 fall in luv with a human’, and is a beautiful and hypnotic vocal song re-interpreting the human-love connection from a different angle. It will come along with an amazing video clip, taken from the short film called ‘528’ by Manifest Film Los Angeles, USA. You can watch it very soon on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/ChusCeballosTV.

After you give us this info about your music news we would like to go back to your musical roots. Could you briefly tell us how did you become DJ and producer?
> If there is a word to describe our relationship with dance music, that word is 'Passion'. Since we were kids, we were on a mission of making this passion our way of life. Chus's father was a music lover and a great records collector. Chus started mixing his dad’s tapes and vinyls, and quickly became a DJ in high school. Pablo was crazy about electronic music and music production since he was very young. He did his first performances with computers and keyboards at the early age of 8 years old. 

At the beginning, did your family understand what you did for a living? And now are they proud of what you achieved?
> We are really proud of the support our families gave us from the very beginning. We both come from humble and hard working families, it was not easy when we started but they were very patient and they trusted our talent, our story is a true one of how hard work pays off.

More and more people are asking us about the material DJs and producers used. What is the software or instruments you use to produce and create a track? Could you please be more specific on a technical side let’s say?
> Basically, we use 2 platforms, Ableton Live on the creative process for its flexibility - it is very fast and inspirational when you are looking for new ideas - and Logic Audio for mixing, arrangement and mastering. Regarding the instruments, we use a bundle of analog hardware and hundreds of plug-ins. For the loops and percussion, we use recorded live percussions, electronic programing, processed or chopped loops from our discography and loops from sampling libraries like the one coming soon on Sample Magic, Chus & Ceballos ‘Iberican Grooves Vol1’.

Concerning your career as producers, have you a pre-determinate role in the production of the tracks? How do you composed together? What is respectively your role inside Chus and Ceballos?
> With the years, we both can do everything in the studio, but still, Ceballos enjoys more the experimental process on the early stage and Chus prefers the arranging and finishing of the track, that’s why we are a great team.

Besides your production schedule, you have worked tirelessly to bring several imprints to fruition. How do you manage all these tasks? You need to have a good team to help you I can imagine! When we interviewed Marc Romboy some weeks ago, he was mainly help by his father. What about you?
> First of all, we work a lot, sacrificing a lot from our personal lives. But nothing will be possible without our trusted team. This team is split in two different territories: we have our Stereo Productions HQ (studio and office) in Madrid where we manage the label and the marketing and management agency in Montreal (threehundredsixty) along with our booking agency in New York (Bond Music Group), for everything regarding Chus & Ceballos. They are very creative and professionals, and a big part of our success.

Previously to your duo, you had solo careers with other alias or own productions. There were also other duos for Chus for instance with DJ David Penn. Since you’ve decided to join force, these solo projects seem more and more rare. What about this solo career? Do you miss it?
> It is always good to have solo projects or work with different people. As you said Chus has a great solo experience but when we join forces with the duo, all that shared experience comes up and helps us improve our projects. At this moment of our career, we feel very confident with the Chus & Ceballos duo, and that is the reason why we are focusing in the studio right now. We have a big goal for next year: presenting our first artist Album.

You’re known for your remixes like the one for Madonna, Deep Dish or Christina Aguilera, but you did also a lot of productions together. What do you prefer? Start from scratch or start from an already existing track reusing vocals and samples? Why?
> We definitely love both. Maybe to start a remix is easier and more fun because you already have good elements to work with; we just need to bring it to our music world and give that magic touch. In the other hand, to start a track from scratch is more difficult but also more rewarding and challenging.

More recently you released a great video to celebrate the 10th anniversary of your duo. After being teased for weeks, the documentary is finally here: Chus & Ceballos - 10 Years in New York. You joined forces in Spain to showcase your love for house and techno beats, which eventually solidified into their trademark ‘Iberican Sound’. There are notably some parts with Danny Tenaglia who invited the two of you to play in New York. Could you please tell us more about this pioneer of electronic music and the relationship you built with him along the years?
> Danny is without any doubt our mentor and biggest inspiration as a Dj and producer. He represents everything we believe a Dj should be and he made legendary masterpieces of the electronic music history. When we started to do our first tracks together, he was one of the first persons in America to support our music and tell the world at his famous parties during Miami Winter Music Conference who Chus & Ceballos were, so we have nothing but admiration and gratitude words for him, ‘Maestro’.

Knowing that you both come from Spain and I think currently living in Madrid, could you please tell us a bit more about the Spanish electronic scene, mainly knows for its iberican tracks played in the nightclubs, a style that most of people have agree to say that you invited it. It is exactly what people say in the documentary release recently.
> Spain is a great country to live in and it was a great cultural background to create our musical movement. We believed in the Spanish music talents and artists from the very beginning, that’s why we named it 'Iberican Sound', to associate the Spanish music and our international artists on the map. Spain is a great country for Festivals, so many huge events are happening. People really love music and understand the meaning of FIESTA.

Any other things to say to our readers?
> We want to thank all our fans and Djs who support our music around the world because they are the reason for our inspiration and endless passion for this beautiful way of life. Stay Tuned, many good things are coming up, and we are sure you will love it!!

 

Chus and Ceballos, before we conclude this interview we have a few more questions. Sometimes one word is enough!

Where are you right now for answering our interview? Studio, airport?
> Studio

The song you advices us to listen in your discography?
> Cuba Computers - Haunting Me (Chus & Ceballos remix) [Yoshitoshi records]

An artist you would like to work with one day?
> Dépêche Mode (Classic) and Bruno Mars (Modern)

3 words to define your music?
> Drums Always Present

One privilege, being DJs, gives you access to?
> Never wait on lines at club’s door, lol.

One word about France?
> Respect. Land of some of the most talented Electronic Artists.

Some words about our website, the one where the interview will be published? 
> Very nice website, very well organized and always with great content, don't forget to visit :)

The best club in Spain (name of the nightclub and city)?
> Space Ibiza, Balearic Islands.

Your favorite track these days?
> Chus & Ceballos feat. Temporary Hero 'I want 2 fall in luv with a human' [Stereo Productions].
Coming out November 29th, 2013.
 

Chus and Ceballos, thank you so much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this full and exclusive interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions and especially your tour dates. A bientôt!”

Dj Aroy

MORE INFO ABOUT CHUS AND CEBALLOS
https://www.facebook.com/chusceballos
http://www.stereo-productions.com/artists/chus-ceballos
https://soundcloud.com/djchusmusic
http://www.chusceballos.com/
http://www.djchus.com/
https://twitter.com/chusceballos