While many look to drop their debut project within the primary stages of their career, Dubfire is only just doing so, some three decades into his whirlwind ride around the music industry. Looking to serve up a full-length project for the first time, the electronic artist promises intergalactic sensibilities and sounds ahead of their time in nature on album EVOLV. And, with single “Elevation” offering all of the above and then some, it is safe to say that Dubfire has ignited some serious excitement around his upcoming project.

“Many felt the need to try and win validation or acceptance as a ‘serious’ artist by making albums which don’t represent what they’re known for or what they express in their DJ sets,” says the artist of the industry he is operating in. “EVOLV was always aimed at the dance floor. The only difference is that the collection of tracks all felt and sounded like they were coming from the same creative space. So, in that regard – and in the interest of the excitement that an album campaign stirs up – I decided to release them as such.”

Ahead of the album’s release, the artist spoke to Wonderland about what we can expect from his upcoming shows and why he has waited until now to release his first fully-formed project. Head below to enjoy our interview with Dubfire…

Hey Ali, thanks for speaking with us at Wonderland. Let’s start with your plans this weekend – where can we find you playing and where are you speaking to us from today?
My pleasure! This weekend I will be performing at Lick in Algarve as well as the first big Brunch Weekender event in my hometown of Barcelona along with Ellen Alien, Deborah de Luca and Renato Ratier. I am very much looking forward to both!

The pandemic hit the music industry very hard, we kicked off 2022 with shows and festivals back on the schedule for many in full force. What have been your peaks and pits of the year so far?
Well while we’re all very happy and relieved to be back on the road, it’s been difficult to get acclimated to the weekly grind; namely travel conditions which are much less ideal than in pre-pandemic times as airlines and airports struggle with staffing issues and more passengers than anticipated. But the actual shows have been incredible, and it’s been nice to see so many come back to the dance floor to feel that communal energy.

You have been in the electronic music industry for most of your life, what do you think you’d be doing if not a producer and DJ?
I’ve always said that I’d have probably been a chef, restauranteur or probably doing something in the film industry. It’s important to pursue a career which you’re actually passionate about.

We have had the chance to listen to your new album EVOLV, why after all this time have you decided to release your first album?
To be honest I’d always viewed electronic music albums as being a sort of excuse for eccentric and indulgent behaviour. Many felt the need to try and win validation or acceptance as a “serious” artist by making albums which don’t represent what they’re known for or what they express in their DJ sets. EVOLV was always aimed at the dance floor. The only difference is that the collection of tracks all felt and sounded like they were coming from the same creative space. So, in that regard – and in the interest of the excitement that an album campaign stirs up – I decided to release them as such.

Can you tell us what you want the listener to experience from this album?
The song titles all reference space travel or galactic wonder, so I guess that as with the music, I wanted the listener to feel as if they are floating through the universe, traversing through distant planets and galaxies.

Do you have a favourite track? And if so, why?
I feel that “Dark Matter” represents some of my best work. Moody, trippy and dark, it’s not obvious techno music in any sense of the word. I think the expectation was for me to release something akin to the current hyper-fast-constant-breakdown formula but that would have been way too predictable and boring.

Inspiration comes in many forms, is there someone or something that has been a constant source for you since the beginning?
Carl Craig and Richie Hawtin have probably been my two closest and favourite kindred spirits. They’ve wowed not just me but audiences around the world for many decades now and continue to raise the bar within electronic music and performance.

It’s to be released on your label SCI+TEC. What was the vision behind the label? Do you feel you have achieved this since its inception back in 2007?
The vision initially was solely as an output for my own productions as I didn’t want to “shop” my material in those early years as a newly solo artist. But that quickly gave way to me receiving so many amazing demos that I just couldn’t ignore. This then gave way to me mentoring and developing a host of young talent, like Carlo Lio, SHADED, Alex Mine and others.

You’ve managed to garner success over three whole decades — what would you say is your key to success?
I think that I’ve always tried – with varying degrees of success or failure – to stay one step ahead of my audience; to try and set trends, not follow them. To inspire, be inspired and not ever be content with my past musical output or legacy. To stay thirsty, hungry, curious!

EVOLV will be accompanied by a live show, can you tell us where you plan to tour this over the next 12 months? What can ticket holders expect to see at these shows?
We had done about 3 ‘test’ shows from 2018 to 2019 but had to table the whole project when the pandemic shut the world down. So now we’re working hard on upgrading the stage and visual design as well as my tech setup. But expect a mesmerising audio-visual assault on the senses.

And finally, after so many achievements over the years, where do you see yourself taking your artistry next?
I want to continue to inspire the legions of emerging talent around the world and to leave behind a legacy of music and performance which is an honest representation of who I am as an artist. I feel that I am only on the cusp of expressing my best work to date. Perhaps I’ll also eventually get into artist management as I love working with new talent. Wherever I take my career it will have to be interesting and break new creative ground.