Tuned In: Yamil Uncovered in an Exclusive Interview

From the heart of Burgos to the global stage, Yamil's musical journey is a unique blend of introspection and broad-ranging influences. Steering clear of fleeting trends, he’s carved out a distinct space for himself in house and deep house. His tracks, a tapestry of cultural experiences, are as diverse in tempo as they are in mood. With major platforms like Beatport and Traxsource frequently spotlighting his creations, and nods from icons such as Black Coffee, &ME, Rampa, and Solomun, Yamil's resonance in the industry is undeniable. As his global audience continues to grow, we delve into the life, sounds, and sonic realm of this Spanish artist, Yamil.

How did growing up in Burgos influence your musical journey?

Being born in Burgos (an area with a limited electronic music proposal) has made me focus a lot on my music, my sound, on my projects and move away from the fashions or trends of the moment, therefore, I could say that the "disconnection" with the scene has helped me a lot to connect with myself. As they say: disconnect to connect.

Your tracks span a wide range of sounds. Is there a particular moment or place that inspired one of your favorites?

My sound is an accumulation of cultural insights, and it's fueled by my personal experiences and travels. My tracks can go from 90 BPM to 125 BPM. I don't care much about what people think if I release a slow track or a track to listen to instead of a club track; the same happens with the mood of my music.

I can release something darker or something happier because, for me, the important thing is to bring out what you have inside at every moment and have it reflect the different stages of your life. I like music to have a soul and express a feeling.

How do you approach collaborations with other artists? What's your process?

It depends a lot according to the artist, if we work with the same DAW, we share the whole project as we progress, but if they are different DAW's, it is more laborious to have to send tracks and limit resources. Sometimes we get together to start ideas in the same studio, but the distance makes the projects are completed remotely and connected via internet.

With such a global appeal, how do you maintain the unique Spanish essence in your music?

The truth is that I always try to be myself and not follow what others do in order to not lose the essence of my sound. Although, as you said my sound range is large and I like to experiment with different moods and styles, but I think some elements like drums are always present in my songs and make them easily recognizable.

Which of the esteemed labels you've worked with pushed you out of your comfort zone the most?

Honestly, I never write music thinking about the labels I'm going to send it to. I try to do what I feel, and if the music fits one of the labels I like, then perfect; I'm happy to release it with them. However, I don't feel that urge to make music just to sign here or there.

That's why we created our label, Pieces of Life, to get away from the trends and the specific sounds of certain labels. I think this is where I have left my comfort zone because there is no pressure, and we set the timelines and create the strategy to publish the music without third parties.

Beatport and Traxsource often feature your tracks. How do you feel when you see your work alongside industry legends?

It makes me very happy to see that these big platforms consider and support my music. It’s gratifying to see that the work of so many years is bearing fruit and is attracting the attention of the curators and the people in charge of these platforms. In the end, they are a very important gateway to our music, so I am very grateful for this.

There’s significant support from heavyweights like Black Coffee and Solomun. How did these endorsements influence your career trajectory?

That artists of this magnitude support your music is fantastic, it's like a trampoline to reach new audiences, they are such a platform that reaches millions of people and your music benefits from it. I think that today this does not change your life and you must keep working hard, but it is a great motivation to go back to the studio with a big smile and keep making better music.

We’re eagerly awaiting your show at Superior Ingredients on December 22nd. Can you give us a hint about any special preparations or surprises in store for the night?

I am very excited to join your event in New York, one of my favorite cities in the world, by then I hope to have my second album 100% ready. I am looking forward to testing some of the songs I am finishing so stay tuned!

Rapid fire: Analog or Digital? Sunrise set or Sunset set? Studio session or Live gig?

Analog and digital (mix of both).I prefer sunset sets, but I also love sunrises. I'm a studio nerd and I have a lot of fun in my cave creating, but I also love to get out there and try out my new songs to see how the audience reacts.

In short, the answer is 50/50 on everything hahaha. I'm not a strict person or pigeonholed into something, I like to take the positive out of everything.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, dead, or alive, who would it be and why?

Tough question. I could name several artists that have been a great inspiration for me, but without a doubt, I would choose Bob Marley or Manu Chao since both have been revolutionaries in their musical genres.

How do you wind down after an intense tour or music production session?

I relax from the tour by going back to the studio and I relax from the studio by going back to the tour, a rather vicious circle. But I also like to go out in the countryside, connect with nature, and ride my bike.

What's the most unusual venue you've ever played at? What's your dream venue to play at?

I have had the opportunity to play in very random places over the years, from a small island in the Antilles in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, to a 10th-century castle in Spain, to a remote cave in the South of France. For me, it's one of the most beautiful things about this profession and I love being able to keep exploring and discovering different parts of the world.

Can you name a track that never fails to energize the crowd, no matter where you play?

There are several of my songs that I love to play, and the reaction of the audience is always overwhelming as could be "Shesawa" or "Magma", I think I will never get tired of playing these two.

Outside of music, do you have any hidden talents or hobbies that fans might be surprised to learn about?

I love cooking, it's my second passion after music. I think I could be a chef in another life.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which three albums would you want with you?

Jahsta - El Mensaje, Manu Chao – Clandestino, Daft Punk – Homework

With 2023 on the horizon, can you share any upcoming projects or goals you're setting for yourself?

Now, I'm still focused on the present as I have a pretty full tour schedule until the end of the year. I'll be in Europe, the Middle East, and America. Also, I have a few releases about to see the light soon as my new EP on Sol Selectas, which I'm looking forward to coming out because they are songs that I've been playing for quite some time, and I'm very excited to finally drop them.

I also have a remix to Clemente that will see the light in the coming weeks. Then, the next step will be to finish my new album to finally release it next year - I love everything that goes into releasing an album, from the recording process to the moment of release, so super excited about this!