WWD: Hey Cali, hope you’re well ! Please introduce yourself and give our readers some background on you.
Hello guys, thank you for having me and hello everyone. I’m Cali Lanauze, 28 years old from a little island in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico. I’ve been making & playing music since I was around 16. I’ve released music on labels like Flying Circus, My Favorite Robot, Serialism & more. I’ve also been producing events & bookings in my hometown for around five years. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to play in some of the best clubs & cities in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Currently, I’m running a little label called Opulence.
WWD: How have you dealt with lock down, personally, creatively, professionally?
I took this time to reflect on every aspect of my life; this was a very productive time for me. Started with a little detox, exercises & clearing my mind. Creatively, I think it has opened a lot of doors since I am making different “kinds” of music. Some days I can do some stripped back stuff, other days work on something more heavy. One day I can go a little electro, then the next day a bit more housey, it is great I think. That’s been my motto always; I can flow around “genres”. Professionally, I’ve been organising Opulence next releases & my stuff also.
WWD: What will be the first thing you do once you can go out again?
I really miss playing & dancing. But being realistic, I don’t know when I’m going to be able to do it. So I think that the first thing I will do is to visit my favorite restaurant with my closest friends.
WWD: Has music been therapy and escapism for you, or too hard to listen to/work on?
It depends on the mood. During this lockdown you have to take day by day. I’m trying to push myself to be productive every day, even if it is working a few hours on a track. I think you have to kill the lockdown, you cannot let the lockdown kill you, and obviously, music helps.
WWD: Has this strange period influenced the sound of the music you are making specifically?
Definitely, I think I’m going on a little more “housey” vibe if you want to call it. I’m making more music for the dance floor.
WWD: Tell us about your upcoming ‘A Beautiful Lie’ EP on Berlin label Serialism? What inspired it or influenced it?
The EP started a while ago; to be honest, there are three original tracks and two remixes. The originals bring a really groovy minimal flavor with lots of emotions more than anything. I think it didn’t have a direct influence, I just went with the flow in the studio, and I presented a bunch of tracks to Cesare, and we picked up the ones which made most sense together.
WWD: How did you get to know the guys on the label? And were you any part of getting the remixers involved, Oshana, and Topper
Serialism is a label that I’ve looked up to for more than five years. The label is amazing; they have been releasing extraordinary music from people from Maceo Plex, Cristi Cons, Mike Shannon, The Mole, Cesare vs.Disorder & more. Cesare (its owner) is a close friend of mine. We know each other for years. He was the first DJ I booked to come to play in Puerto Rico. It’s someone I respect and admire a lot, his warmth & kindness makes him an extraordinary person, someone I really appreciate. Also, his music is amazing. The remixes came because Oshana & Topper are also good friends of mine. I’ve known them for years, and they liked the music, and they hopped on board.
WWD: You also run your own label Opulence, that so far has had very impressive names on it including Dan Ghenacia, Ryan Crosson & Roman Flugel. What do you set out for when looking for music for the label?
I look for versatility, flavor, grooviness & emotions if that makes any sense, haha. I’ve just been gathering all my closest friends from the industry, which has been natural. It is a small label. We are going with the flow, but it definitely has been an amazing ride, and it has been getting amazing support from everyone.
WWD: What else have you been working on/have you got coming up?
I have a lot of new music I haven’t even sent out yet. I’m still thinking about what the next plan is. But I have more than 10-12 new tracks. Also, the next release on Opulence is the new Sensory Various Artists, including a fantastic range of artists from Kozo, DJ Sneak, DJ W!ld, Ryan Crosson, Cesare vs.Disorder, Deaf Pillow, Andre Buljat & me.
Cali Lanauze’s ‘A Beautiful Lie’ EP is out now on Serialism. Grab it here
Follow Cali : Facebook // Soundcloud