Spanish techno artist Paco Osuna will bring the sounds of his Mindshake Records imprint to Detroit during Movement weekend with a Saturday night party at Oslo.
Osuna has made his presence known in Spain for more than 15 years, and he's currently the resident DJ for Barcelona's Club4 night at City Hall. As a producer, his work stretches back almost a decade, with tracks and remixes on Plus 8, Drumcode and Minus as well as Mindshake, which founded in 2005. The label is currently in re-launch phase, with the first of two EPs having just come out last month.
Osuna will top a Movement afterparty bill that features Mindshake artist Dela, Detroit icon Daniel Bell and Dutch artist Kabale und Liebe, who will perform an exclusive live set.
RA caught up with Osuna through email to talk about Mindshake and his plans for a weekend in the Motor City.You founded Mindshake in 2005. What made you want to start your own label? According to the Mindshake RA page, the label takes a "family first" approach, would you like to explain that?
Well, the truth is that I first started Mindshake to have the possibility to release my own music without any influence of the label it was to be released on. I also wanted to create the chance to offer new artists who could release the music they want without these same influences.
The label has gone on tour with showcase events around the world. Is there one recent party that stands out as especially memorable?
I've done a few now, but 2011 is when I decided to focus more on the parties in every way possible: artwork, video, promotions, etc... and if I had to pick some memorable ones this year, we had the party at Amnesia in Milan with Paul Ritch, and of course the party at The Shelborne during Miami Music Week with Dela, Carlo Lio, Victor Calderone, and visuals by CPU... who does an amazing job. This was also the best party I experienced at the conference this year. Everyone had an amazing time. From our friends, to the DJs, fans and promoters. Wow. Whenever I remember this night it brings a big smile to my face.
Mindshake will head to Detroit for an official afterparty during the city's Movement festival. Dela will help you showcase the label's sound but the party also features Detroit's own Daniel Bell along with Dutch live artist Kabale und Liebe. How do these musicians appeal to the Mindshake philosophy?
Well, with Kabale und Liebe it is easy. He and I are working on a few projects together musically. Mindshake too. And Daniel Bell is easy as well. He is Detroit... and he is one of the most important artists in the history of techno and also one of my favorite producers ever. When I got the chance to do something during Movement Festival with Mindshake, right away I thought it would be really special to make sure we include this "Detroit appearance" too. It will be Kabale und Liebe's first time in Detroit and we'll have one of the city's biggest legends. Works perfect for this philosophy.
The rest of Movement weekend is of course filled with music from around the world, both at the festival and in the afterparty scene. Are there any other artists you look forward to seeing in Detroit?
Of course! I will try to be at all the parties I possibly can after the show. I have many friends in the city during this weekend: Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, Anja Schneider, etc. It is a weekend to have fun and enjoy the city with many friends.
Finally, as the label continues its re-launch, what's next for Paco Osuna and Mindshake in 2011 and beyond?
Yes, as mentioned before, we have many good ideas along with some great upcoming releases for Mindshake. Personally I have some releases coming up with Mindshake, some projects with a few friends, and an upcoming release with Plus 8... which should be out around the time of Sonar. I am also doing a few remixes for friends that will soon see light.