INTERVIEW: NonCitizens

12/01/2022 17

Radiating deep grooves and mesmerising soundscapes, NonCitizens are the Argentinean duo that have captivated audiences around the globe with their passionate performances and productions over the last few years.

Lifelong friends Francisco Rotta and Mateo Moreno embarked on their musical journey in early 2015. Marking their first official EP in 2017, the pair delivered a three-track offering that introduced their magnetic rhythms and reflected their musical alchemy. Moving from strength to strength, 2018 marked their biggest year to-date, securing sought-after residencies at Void Mykonos, Rumors Ibiza and Tox By Night at Destino Ibiza. Sharing the decks with the industry’s most influential acts, including Sven Väth, Dubfire, Cassy, Bedouin, DJ Tennis and Damian Lazarus, NonCitizens enchanted crowds from week to week and became a household name on the international dance circuit.

Opening doors to release on some of the globe’s most in-demand imprints, such as MoBlack Records, RADIANT. and Deep Tech Records, NonCitizens also launched their own imprint, Black Circus Recordings, as a home for their hypnotic creations. In 2021, their single Lost Trumpet In Space made a huge impact, gaining worldwide support, including from Pete Tong on his BBC Radio 1 show. In summer 2022, it was handpicked as one of only four tracks to be featured on the MoBlack Gold Vol. 3 Vinyl release.

What was the first thing that attracted you to the world of electronic music?Everything started at ULTRA Music Festival in Miami.We were on Carl Cox’s stage, in a huge tent, enjoying his music and everything that was going on around.We couldn’t believe it, everything was on point, while we were talking about how amazing was that job, traveling a lot, and doing your own music and showing it to the world.We saw him very happy and enjoying a lot, so since then, our dreams started.From this day, we knew this was our path, we loved music but we never thought about being DJs, so we decided to start studying to be DJs & producers.We didn’t know it was this hard, that the travel that looked amazing was so stressful, and everything that it’s behind an artist, that not everyone can see.Since you got into this professionally, what helped you the most to grow, even to believe in yourself?When you start doing it professionally, it’s not a hobby any more, you start having pressures that they didn’t exist before, you need to survive, pay the rent, and at the beginning it’s very very hard.Luckily, we notice that the path was the best thing , that we needed to enjoy every moment of our carrer.Doesn’t make sense to do it professionally if we were not going to enjoy it.Was amazing that we were both, Pancho Rotta and Teo Moreno on the same page, so we help each other not to stress, and to keep pushing 🙂How is the music scene where you live?We’re based in Barcelona, and it’s getting bigger and bigger.Every big DJ is coming to play there every week, and there are lot of big festivals.What are your favorite places to hang out in the city?For sure in Costa Brava, it’s super near, like 1 hour from Barcelona, the mix between mountains and beaches is something incredible.The air it’s very fresh, and there are amazing golf courses, we love to go and disconnect a little bit.Have you had time to focus on making music, spending time with your family, or planning future projects?Before the pandemic started, we were touring and doing lot of shows around the world, but we didn’t have time enough to make music.Luckily for us, the pandemic was something positive, as we found time to sit on the studio, and make lots of music. We have more than 10 releases coming soon, on some of our favorites labels.During the end of the year, we’re going to Buenos Aires, where we would be spending lot of times with our family and friends. It’s like charging the batteries for us, we love going there, as it’s summer, holidays, and we enjoy great time with family and friends.How was your last project born?Our last project, was born in Egypt, with our friend Darksidevinyl, as we loved the music from there, and we made a single that would be release on Moblack, at the beginning of the next year.We’re also working on our new party concept, that we did already in Buenos Aires and Punta del Este, and the idea is to do it In Barcelona, Valencia and Ibiza as next steps.What do you want to convey in this work? What is the concept behind?Regarding the single, the concept its a track that any dj could play at 4 am in a club, with a very nice vocal, we think we made a very good job, and it’s going to be a good release 🙂What’s the one equipment you’ll never get rid of, no matter what?Our technics 1200 mk2 🖤What would you say is the definition of your sound?Hypnotic, happy, melodic, progressive with very nice grooves and African percussions.We consider our sound as a full trip, where you would listen to some different styles, but all connected.What was the last record store you visited and what did you get out there?Was a little record store in Amsterdam during ADE, we wanted to know if they have our vinyl that was release in Moblack, and they did have it, so we got it , haha!