Hailing from Mexico City, label founder Victor Ezcurdia, better known as VAZIK, has opened up about his latest piece of work, ‘Proceso Cerebral Remixes,’ with fresh takes from legends like Timo Maas, TIM, and Mexican producer Luz Sanchez.
Almost three years ago, the Mexican producer released a track that quickly gained international recognition. Driven by electrifying energy and a distinctive vocal sample from notorious Mexican psychologist Jacobo Grinberg, the track stood out for its originality and depth, resonating strongly across clubs and festivals worldwide.
Following the success of the original release, anticipation grew for new interpretations. Last month, a compelling remix package was unveiled, featuring a diverse selection of respected artists from across the electronic music spectrum. We sat down with VAZIK to get the details on how the package came to be and more!
WWD: Hi Victor, thank you so much for being here. How are you feeling today? Congratulations on releasing ‘Proceso Cerebral (Remixes)’ on SOE. Can you talk us through the release?
I am doing great, back home after a short holiday. I released the original mix in December 2022, and it received fantastic feedback from many artists worldwide. We also achieved very interesting chart positions on Beatport. It is now a track that is quite well-known on many dance floors, and it felt natural to release it with outstanding remixes.
WWD: What made you choose this fragment from Jacobo Gringberg, who is well-known for his research on expanding the mind? Do you think that we could reach the expansion of consciousness through music?
Jacobo Gringberg is a very interesting character from Mexico, a neurophysiologist and psychologist. I do like his studies and I do feel he was opening new research topics that conventional institutions have never studied.
Music is a powerful tool and we can definitely reach the expansion of consciousness through it. There is so much to study and learn about it.
WWD: In this EP, we see great names like Timo Maas and TiM TASTE. What draws your attention to these two artists? How did you connect with them musically?
My connection with Timo Maas was through the original track. He was playing it all over the world for nearly two years; after that, Timo invited me to make a track together, and we released ‘Cruzando Fronteras’ on Systematic Recordings in 2024. Timo was the first artist in my mind when I thought about the remixes, he did a great job.
TiM TASTE is one of those artists that are constantly sounding in my sets; I love his dark and minimal approach to music. I had the chance to play his remix at Radiance 2024 and it rocked the place.
WWD: We also see Luz Sanchez’s participation, who injects a powerful vibe into the track; what can you tell us about her contribution to the remix?
I thought it was a good idea to have feminine energy in this release. It was also essential to have a Mexican artist on board, and Luz Sanchez was the perfect fit; the result is an amazing peak-time remix that everyone is now talking about.
WWD: Can you share some insight into your creative process when producing the track? Do you have any particular methods that help you stay inspired?
Well, I still produce on Cubase, it is a DAW that I am very familiar with. The most important thing is to be focused; I try to go to the studio only when I have the time and energy. Otherwise, it gets harder. Most of the time, I start with the bass line and the kick, drums, etc. Most of the flow starts from there. I do have fun writing music, but I also enjoy the technical side of things, applying EQ, effects, distortion, etc. The ideas are important but it is just as important to make them sound good.
WWD: Your SOE brand continues to grow at an extraordinary rate. What can your audience expect regarding events and releases for the rest of the year?
I normally release 1 EP per month, but this year I have tried to make a busier schedule. Every release is coming every 3 weeks, so we are putting more music out there. We have very interesting music for the rest of the year, featuring artists such as Circle of Life, Teiko Yume, IRIÉ, Sebastian Mora & Mosher, Kolja, EYEawake, and Xavier Fux, among others.
Regarding events, my team and I are looking for an alternative date for our Radiance Festival. We are going to try something different, and I am pretty sure it will be a pleasant surprise.
WWD: You have been one of the most recognized producers in your country for many years. How do you see the evolution of dance music in Mexico? What do you see as an issue or challenge that we as a community have to be aware of?
I have been DJing for over 27 years, so I’ve witnessed many changes and trends come and go. It has been a positive evolution, also a slow one. It is still hard for a Mexican artist to break through globally and we deserve a stronger scene.
I feel we are struggling with pretty much the same challenges as the rest of the world. Instagram DJs, ghost producers, fake model artists, and big companies are trying to eat the whole cake. But on the other hand, I do believe this will be over soon and there will be more space for real talent and artists everywhere, I hope so.
WWD: Wise words! Thanks for the chat 🙂
The ‘Proceso Cerebral Remixes,’ EP is available here