Lis Sarroca And The Flourishing Creative Energy Of Maai Records
We ask a few questions to Lis Sarroca regarding her new label as well as her recent and upcoming endevours
The thing that always striked me the most about Lis Sarroca is her irrepressible energy, something that you can immediately feel through her music. Both in her DJ sets and productions, the half-Mexican half-Spanish artist adds a special touch of vitality in anything she delivers; her style as a DJ lingers between classy house hinting at the 90s and cutting-edge, modern beats that don’t shy away from changing the vibe with occasional electro or trance references. You can listen to her Hoer set from last year as an example of her dynamic selections and skills.
At the same time, Lis has been developing her skills in the studio as well: since 2018 we’ve seen releases on renowned labels such as Hot Haus Recs, Mobilee Records and !K7, delivering groovy and melodic house music of the finest kind. 2021 marks an important year for Lis Sarroca, with the launch of her own label ‘Maai Records’ featuring two tracks from herself and an upcoming EP on the top-class house music label Chiwax
We had a chat with Lis to celebrate the launch of MAAI, connecting the dots between her artistic development and the different recent and upcoming endevours that are taking her career to the next level.
Hi Lis! Very happy to chat with you for Guerrilla Bizarre today. We’d like to ask some questions regarding this moment in your career and move onto some queries about your new label. Let’s get the tedious yet inevitable topic out of the way: how did you live through the last year and a half? How did it change you as an artist?
A bit of everything happened during the last year and a half, the first part was definitely the most complicated as everything was unsure and very weird for the whole world. But I think it definitely helped to have more time on my own and reflect about my situation as a dj and producer, to have a look back and think about the present, and not much about the future, that was all we had back then. Last months have been much easier as I was able to travel and play in a few countries like Mexico, Spain and Germany. The comeback has been amazing, I am feeling my best after all!
You are based in Barcelona which is one of the best hubs for the underground scene of Europe. What’s the environment of the city looking like right now? How do you envision its development in the next few years?
I've been based in Barcelona for the last 5 years, back then the city had most of the scenes going, from house to techno, like these micro scenes in the same place, which I liked a lot. Having the choice to decide what party or artist you wanted to go and check, it was great, I missed that! Favourite hubs to go and dance are Red58, Apolo, Small gatherings and parties in different locations, festivals during the summer are such a great thing to do.
Right now the city is slowly opening with Covid restrictions, we are waiting for clubs and closed spaces to be open again soon. Although bars can work, the production, and capacity can not be ideal sometimes. So the fun stuff at the moment for me and the best choice is record-shopping. There are plenty and nicely curated by the locals and foreign owners.
“After working with some labels, talking about it with friends, and learning about the industry, I felt ready to start my own project. I thought it was the right moment to start a new adventure with having full control of it.”
How do you think the city influenced you, musically speaking?
In many ways, having the offer of different options to go and check out, it definitely shapes your taste and makes it grow. I always want to keep exploring for the next experience, good meetings and conversations.
You just launched Maai Records this summer with two original tracks by yourself. Why did you decide to launch a label at this moment?
It was something I had in mind for maybe a couple of years before. Over time and after working with some labels, talking about it with friends, and learning about the industry, I felt ready to start my own project. I thought it was the right moment to start a new adventure with having full control of it, which makes it easier to release my music and to build a sound around other artists.
“I like to put out different styles, this is how I was taught since the start of my career. As a Dj I love to play different moods and styles, therefore my goal as a producer follows the same vision.”
The two tracks seem to bring together different styles to the label’s output; as ‘Kobie’ delivers an enthralling acid house groove, ‘Spaze X’ plays on a breakbeat rhythm and layers of distinctive melodies. What do you look for in music for Maai Records? What’s peculiar about the label in your vision?
Yes, you are right. I like to put out different styles, this is how I was taught since the start of my career. As a Dj I love to play different moods and styles, therefore my goal as a producer follows the same vision. As a label our goal is to be showcasing distinctive dance floor sounds, providing a platform for artists and creative energy.
Could you list 3 records that were a major inspiration for the sound of Maai?
Kobie is a track that I made 3 years ago, it wasn’t planned for Maai, but a piece of music I felt was saying something else about my sound, so I ended up keeping it for some reason, a great moment to release it.
On the other side with Spaze X, I tried to bring something more fresh and actual, to name a reference or inspiration, the main idea came from a futuristic EP, from Casa Voyager.
We couldn't help but notice you also have a forthcoming EP on the famous, Chiwax, 'Booyah'. How did this release come about? And how does it feel to see your name on the same catalogue as the likes of DJ Deeon, Boo Williams and the late great Paul Johnson?
I've always been a big fan of Rawax. I was lucky to meet Robert one day. I tried to reach out to him with my music, and I was very close to signing a record but it didn’t happen at that time. I kept trying and releasing my music more constantly, the music I released made it possible. They listened to my last SNF EP and I was asked for new demos. Barcelona 92 A2, is the track that made it possible to get in, after this I made Booyah a very special track for the Chiwax sound. The other 3 tracks were added too from my demos I had, most of them recently finished.
To share this with legends means the world to me, always listening to their records and collecting them, it feels amazing to come as a new artist to the label and be abIe to connect with them. I recently played in a party at Rawax micro Festival and experienced amazing energy and vibes, it’s a unique family.
What else is coming up for you into the rest of 2021?
End of October Shall Not Fade will release its 6th anniversary compilation with all their artists, and finally in December a Various Artists with Eton Messy, plus more to come for 2022.
