Catalonian producer UNER exploded onto the electronic scene as UNER just over four years ago. Released in 2009, his Raw Sweat EP on Solomun’s Diynamic imprint (produced alongside Suara Records chief Coyu) combined funky, glitch-y guile with sleek summer-house sheen; enough to storm Ibiza that year and establish Damian Lazarus, Laurent Garnier and Luciano as major supporters. With his debut artist album now about to drop, Defected’s Ben Lovett caught up with him to discuss his new approach to its production.
Since the release of debut EP Raw Sweat, the sonic payload of Manuel Garcia Guerra – better known as UNER –has only increased, with each new EP and DJ set fanning fiercer flames of dancefloor impact and engagement. UNER has dropped belting tracks on Saved, Suruba, Cocoon, Cécille, Cadenza and Visionquest, bolstered his relationship with Diynamic (via striking EPs Bassboot, 2011, and Four Consecutive, 2013) and contributed incisive remixes of Ost & Kjex, ATFC, Nick Curly, Sasha and Luciano; to name but a few. All while satisfying crowds everywhere from Watergate in Berlin to Ushuaia in Ibiza via major festivals Sonar and Monegros.
It is with a certain sense of inevitability, then, that UNER is about to unveil his debut artist album, due on Diynamic next month. Tune 432 leverages the producer’s classical training, skilfully splicing acoustic instrumentation and analogue expression with the cut ‘n’ thrust of contemporary club groove. The album was, Guerra explains, an enriching experience. “It’s a big moment for me. My first thought was to release it at the end of 2013 but then it would have very quickly been referred to as ‘last year’s album’ so it made sense to bring it into 2014. I’m very pleased with it” he reflects. “It’s taken me around a year to record but it was a nice process; the right opportunity for me to take the next step in my career.”
Indeed, Tune 432 – all of its instrumentation tuned during production to sampling rate 432 Hz to provide a deep, sweet tone and quicken the record’s emotional pulse – demonstrates a musical versatility and subtlety of feeling well beyond UNER’s usual Ibiza-compatible club fare; as strong as that fare is. “This album reflects a different feeling from me” he says. “It represents a different phase of UNER, where there are deeper feelings and sensations, and a greater examination of my soul.”
Recording ‘on the fly’ has aided that realisation, enhancing UNER’s creative process immeasurably. “I used to record entirely in my own studio in Spain, but that space reflected my own life and nothing else” he admits. “Two years ago I started travelling to gigs a lot more and so started recording on my laptop to make the best use of time. I discovered a different way of making music on the road – different energies. When I was staying in Berlin, Chicago, Ibiza or at the airport, those locations all offered different, interesting energies which translated to the music. When I’m in the studio, I try to feel different but it’s not always possible. You have the same views, the same people around you, the same experiences...it’s difficult to sound different always.”
What, you might ask, is UNER’s raison d’etre? What is he trying to say through his output; are there any particular motives? “I just want to show the audience my pure love of the music” he matter-of-fact-ly replies. “It’s that simple. I started learning the piano when I was 4 years old and classically trained after that. As a teenager, I played in electronic-influenced bands in clubs around Spain; I was really into Jean Michel Jarre. It was always a passion; I knew I wanted to be in music forever.To be able to explain my emotions on record is amazing; it is the love for music that really does drive me on.”
Is he confident that this passion will sustain him in the years ahead? The life of an electronic artist is a relentless one, punctuated by everything from family commitments and monotonous travel to business admin and the changeable moods of the masses. “I’m the sort of person who can’t always sleep, I’m literally bouncing around with ideas and thoughts” Guerra indicates. “My brain is always on 300%, so I’m confident I can stay fresh and motivated! As an artist I consciously try to be different everyday; it’s like, I recorded something new yesterday and now today I’ll be looking to record something in a totally new direction.
“I can’t do the same things over and over. It’s too easy to become bored and I really don’t want that. I’m basically a different UNER every single day. I need to be surprising myself with every new record or performance. It actually helps not to listen to too much other music; I find my inspiration in the silence....”
If quiet really does help, it follows that Guerra is not at all concerned about the increasing noise of fans, journalists and commentators around him. Whether he likes it or not, his profile as UNER is rapidly climbing and a wide number of people are talking and, in turn, expecting. “None of it really bothers me” he urges. “I try to stay disconnected from this thing called success, because it can become dangerous for the soul and the mind. I’ve seen people start thinking only of big tours and money. As I’ve said, for me it is about the music only. I concentrate on that. I live my life the way I want with the people I want and I’m very content.”
Beyond the release of Tune 432, UNER will tour the world extensively to promote it. In February he travels across Europe, in March its America (via the Miami Winter Music Conference,) April sees a return to Europe and dates in South America, and May, an extended visit to Asia. However, Guerra usually keeps to his Spanish homeland, to Ibiza and Europe’s immediate surrounds if he can help it – such is his commitment to his wife and family. “It’s a juggling act, as it is for many DJs and producers” he ponders. “Sometimes it’s difficult to find holiday time with my family because something really special [a gig] comes up. But I like to protect the time I have with my family; they’re important for me and I need that break, sometimes, from what I do. It’s why during Christmas and New Year I only toured around Spain, so that it would be quick and easy for me to return home between the dates.”
Guerra lives in a small city, Lleida, an hour’s drive west from Barcelona: “My wife, my family and my close friends all live there; it’s a great place, really peaceful with no clubs or scene. It’s a great place to think, live and relax when I need to.” His parents, however, are seemingly even more passionate about the music than he is: “They really love to follow what I do; they get a real buzz when someone posts something positive on Facebook or one of my records charts. When I was a teenager, my father would accompany me to all of the clubs my band was playing. He helped me so much because being so young I had to get special paperwork from the government to play those sorts of venues, and he’d help me do that, load up the van with gear and drive me around. I owe my family so much for their support.”
Live performance has remained a key component for Guerra as UNER. The DJing has followed. “Performing is full expression” he suggests. “I got into DJing after the live shows because in many ways it was easier in terms of travelling around with all the equipment; as a DJ, you can still be so creative but there’s less baggage! Right now, most of my gigs combine DJing with the live set; I’m mixing both aspects together via Traktor and Ableton which allows me to do some amazing things. On special occasions, like certain festivals and stages, I’ll present a full-on live show. I’m constantly looking for new ways to express myself when I’m on the road; the album tour will be no different.”
UNER is one of many relatively new artists transforming Spain’s electronic reputation. Names like AFFKT, Pional, Damian Schwartz and, of course, John Talabot have helped shift some of the emphasis from major scenes in England and Germany closer to the Mediterranean. “There was a period when Spanish dance music was very tech-y and samey. I think lots of producers were trying to imitate what the top Spanish DJs of the time were doing, and what was hitting the Top 10 on Beatport. A lot of local artists focused on the money and celebrity” Guerra comments. “But it’s easier now. The younger generation of Spanish artists coming through have new ways and new ideas. There is also a lot of new clubs, both commercial and underground, which has allowed everyone to show all the different things they can do. Against all of this is the economic struggle much of Europe has been experiencing. Generally speaking, I think the mindset of people now – both artists and fans - is simply to be happy; that has become the most important thing...do what you want to do. Spain is a very creative place right now, and that’s exciting.”
Beyond a Diynamic new album and tour – the Diynamic association born of Guerra’s idolisation of label regular Stimming; inspired, he would send his first material to label head Solomun and the rest is history: “they support me but give me my freedom” – UNER will release several new EPs, “attack” Ibiza and, amongst all of that, start work on a second album. “I want to record something ASAP” he smiles, “I enjoyed the experience of the first one more than I can say.”
Long-term, things are less clear, and rightfully so perhaps. “I’m trying to remain in the present” he concludes. “It is the best of times right now and, for me, that’s enough to focus on. Tomorrow...well, we can deal with that tomorrow.”
When it does come, it’s likely to be equally special.
Words: Ben Lovett
UNER’s debut album Tune 432 is released by (Ger) Diynamic Music on February 8.
