How Traditional Spanish Music Inspires Wade’s Modern Productions
Wade has rapidly risen through the ranks of the global tech house scene in recent years, releasing a torrent of heavy-hitting tracks on multiple labels. But underpinning his slinky beats and modern rhythms is music that harks back to his Spanish cultural roots.
Wade was born in a small Spanish town and grew up listening to flamenco music, a traditional genre originating in southern Spain. He first got involved in music at school, but despite studying it there, he didn’t initially focus on music outside of classes.
When Wade reached adulthood, he actively sought to integrate traditional Spanish instruments into his productions as much as possible. You can hear this in the vibrant Spanish horn sample on “Mi Amor”, his collaborative track with UK tech-house heavyweight Cloonee.
The Spanish maverick has since worked on tracks with the likes of David Guetta, Joel Corry, Solardo, DJ Snake and more. In 2020, Wade launched his event brand, Criterio, at a sold-out All Night Long event at Fabrik Madrid. A year later, he partnered with Universal Music to transform Criterio into a fully-fledged label.
Wade’s hectic touring schedule has seen him play shows in every corner of the globe. Nevertheless, his favorite shows are with his beloved hot hometown brand, elrow. “I like what elrow parties transmit,” he says in an interview with Gray Area. “I always enjoy them because the theme is super fun.”
“When great artists of the electronic scene started playing my music,” he says of the support he’s received from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola, Chris Lake, and Paco Osuna, “I realized that I could really take advantage of my talent and make a career in the music industry.”
Expect to see Wade at Elrow XXL in Padova, Milan, on November 18th alongside an array of industry heavyweights, including Alan Fitzpatrick, Chris Liebing, Layton Giordani, Mau P, and James Hype.
