Hot off the back of their ‘And Then We Were Surrounded’ on Nie Wieder Schlafen, WWD had a chat with Peruvian duo Luis León & Unseener. Luis León, a versatile artist and DJ originally from Lima, and currently based in Barcelona, is best recognized as the co-founder of Blankhaus and a notable producer and remixer in his own right. Currently based in Seattle, Unseener is a skilled electronic music producer and DJ. His musical journey is a fusion of various genres, including electronic, ambient, hip hop, and breaks, to mention the most notable. Influenced by a wide spectrum of sounds, Unseener’s compositions and DJ sets reflect a unique blend of contemporary textures and rhythms.

WWD: Hey Guys, Congratulations on your new EP ‘And Then We Were Surrounded’ on Nie Wieder Schlafen. How does it feel?

We are very excited to have finally released some of our new experimental proposals on this EP, and even more so with the support of Steppi, the label manager, who accompanied us throughout the production process of the tracks included in this project.

WWD: Talk us through the release, are there any standout tracks you’re particularly excited about?

This project has been an attempt to step out of our comfort zone and find new ways to express our ideas, albeit somewhat risky, but always maintaining the essence of what we consider as music for immersive dance experiences.

WWD: How did your relationship with Nie Wieder Schlafen come about?

Initially, there were some discussions about releasing original music, but the relationship with the label was only solidified after Luis did a remix for Pete Lazonby, aka Padre. This marked the beginning of a series of projects over the following years.

WWD: Can you describe the connection between your music & the German electronic sound, and how it influences your work today?‍

Although we don’t actually have German roots—actually, we are Peruvian—we have been strongly influenced by German artists who have inspired our sonic interests in both production and DJing. Germany has nurtured incredible artists, and we have always closely followed the development of the electronic music scene in that country.

WWD: Which other artists have had a big influence on your sound? 

DJ Koze is probably one of the artists who has inspired and nurtured us the most throughout our development as producers. However, any attempt to replicate or resemble his sound is simply a waste of time. The most valuable aspect is appreciating how he processes his sounds and the sampling techniques he employs—always unexpected and meticulous.

Burial and Aphex Twin are two extremely important references, especially in terms of sound design and unconventional ideas. They have always left an impact on everything they do, and albums like “Untrue” and “Selected Ambient Works” have served as a source of inspiration and reconnection with electronic music whenever our ideas felt scattered.

WWD: What has been the highlight of your career so far? Can you talk about a specific moment or accomplishment that stands out as particularly meaningful to you?

We met almost 18 years ago and connected through music from the start. We always had the idea of producing together, but we never thought it would become a reality after so many years, especially signing with some of our favorite labels and connecting with recognized artists in the international scene. I think this, in itself, is an achievement for us, but it’s only the beginning.

WWD: Can you share some insight into your creative process when producing music? Do you have any particular rituals or methods that help you stay inspired?‍

Our creative process is straightforward. We create a folder on Dropbox with various unfinished ideas and take the time to listen to them and provide feedback. Once we agree on selecting the same demos, we start working on them and exchange parts of each project, progressing simultaneously in our own studios. Our work philosophy is that each of us has the freedom to change and rework the project as we see fit, as long as it brings us closer to a more interesting idea. We then review the progress and filter out the projects with the most potential. These selected projects are the ones that will eventually be completed.

WWD: Can you tell us about any challenges you have faced in your career and how you overcame them? Have there been any specific obstacles or difficulties you’ve had to navigate as an electronic musician?

We live in cities with different time zones—one in Seattle and the other in Barcelona—so having online meetings to discuss our projects has always been tedious. However, we have always trusted common judgment and strived for excellence in everything we do. We don’t have a large presence on social media; our focus has always been on releasing innovative work and creating genuine interest. It’s important to discuss concepts or new ideas, but we have always learned more through trial and error.

WWD: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to make it in the industry? Are there any particular tips or strategies you’ve found to be particularly effective in building a career as an electronic musician?

Be humble, especially when you’re starting out. Surround yourself with people who share the same motivation, be consistent, and dare to explore new ideas. It’s good to have close people to share feedback with, but primarily trust in what you like. Don’t let yourself be influenced by what seems successful on social media. Create your own style, forge your own identity. Your project may seem strange to some, but it can also be inspiring to others.

WWD: What’s one artist we should be listening to right now?

We’d like to recommend some of our colleagues: Mattr, Kooscha, Conoley Ospovat, IT-XPO, and Wichniowski. They have been in our circle for a long time and never cease to surprise us with each new release.

WWD: What else do you have coming up that you would like to mention?

We will soon be releasing new music through Oleeva Records and Manjumasi, with a couple of superb remixers. Stay tuned, it’s going to be amazing.

Stream/buy ‘And Then We Were Surrounded’ here