With an ear sharpened between Santiago and Stamford, and a record bag that bridges the warmth of Chicago House with the heady pulse of New York’s underground, Lucho has steadily carved out his place among the new generation of producers threading soul into Minimal grooves. Following releases on Decatur Records, Bliss, and Nug-Net, Lucho now joins Magic Carpet for the label’s upcoming “Family Trip Disc 1”, contributing the playfully titled cut “Uevajam” – a track born from spontaneous creativity and a nod to friendship, embodying the label’s communal spirit.
In parallel, Lucho has prepared a textured and deeply personal journey for Torture the Artist’s art:cast series, merging fresh finds with long-cherished selections that retrace his own evolution as a DJ and digger. Ahead of his Magic Carpet return, we caught up with the Connecticut-based artist to talk about his early days between Chile and the U.S., how the New York underground shaped his sound, and why sometimes the best jams happen when no one shows up.
Torture the Artist: Lucho, let’s start with the basics: tell us a little about yourself – where you grew up, what shaped your early years, and how you first found your way into music.
Lucho: I was born in Santiago, Chile, and lived there for five years before moving to the United States. I was fortunate to spend those early years surrounded by family and loved ones. Music was always around me, though not in a formal or classical sense. As an immigrant from South America, I was exposed to many genres – mostly through my parents’ taste in ’70s and ’80s Psychedelic Rock, Folk, and Disco.
We stumbled into Sankeys and caught Mark Farina and DJ Sneak playing back-to-back all night – that was the real turning point.
It wasn’t until I discovered American Punk and Skate-culture that I started listening to Reggae, Dub, Ska, and Punk – and eventually HipHop. That’s when I developed a taste for beats and the instrumental tracks behind the lyrics. I took electronic music classes in high school and never really stopped making beats, all through college and while working day jobs.
I didn’t dive into electronic music and DJing until midway through college, when I first got my hands on turntables and CDJs. I started going to EDM-style raves alongside jam music festivals we attended at the time. One night in NYC, after a jamtronica show ended early, we stumbled into Sankeys and caught Mark Farina and DJ Sneak playing back-to-back all night – that was the real turning point. After that, I began collecting digital music and DJing on whatever gear I could find.
A few years later, I got into vinyl, started attending underground and Minimal events and after-parties, and that’s when my production work really took off. DJing records while creating music has become a feedback loop that keeps pushing my sound and my sets forward.
I love driving into Brooklyn and Queens for a good party – when there’s no traffic.
Torture the Artist: You’re based in Stamford, Connecticut, just outside New York City. How has living there influenced your perspective – do you feel it gives you distance to recharge, or are you itching to cross into Brooklyn and Queens whenever you can?
Lucho: I love driving into Brooklyn and Queens for a good party – when there’s no traffic, that’s it. <laughs> Stamford’s a nice location, though sometimes I feel a bit far from the NY scene to be as present as I’d like, making connections or landing gigs. Still, I appreciate having more green space and being close to my parents and siblings. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages.
Torture the Artist: Do you see a local scene in Stamford or Connecticut that shaped you, or was it always New York City that pulled you in musically?
Lucho: It’s always been New York and the international dance music community that have influenced me. That said, there’s a small but growing scene here in Stamford – people bringing their own perspectives and energy into it. Many of my local friends are people I first met in the city at parties like Resolute, Decatur, and other classic NYC nights.
Torture the Artist: How did your first encounters with the New York underground happen – was it a record store, a party, or a friend dragging you out one night that changed everything?
Lucho: Some friends invited me to a Resolute party back when I was mostly into Chicago-style House. After that, I was exposed to all kinds of 90s and 2000s House, Techhouse, Techno, and Trance. I fell down a rabbit hole and started buying all sorts of records on Discogs.
There’s pressure to release content constantly, which often rewards people who put less focus on the music itself.
Torture the Artist: What’s the New York scene like for you today compared to when you first started going out? Do you feel the city is in a fertile period for underground culture right now?
Lucho: Everyone can see how overly marketed and branded nightlife has become – even the “underground”. There’s pressure to release content constantly, which often rewards people who put less focus on the music itself.
Crowds reflect their DJs. If the DJs are shallow or chasing followers, the crowd will be too – not really dancing or staying long enough to experience the music. It’s something that’s probably always existed but feels amplified now. Still, there are great parties with real energy out there – you just have to dig a bit deeper to find them.
Torture the Artist: How did you first link up with Sam Applebee and Harry Cochran of Magic Carpet?
Lucho: Some time after my first release on Decatur Records, Sam and Harry reached out and asked if I’d like to send them some demos. I jumped at the opportunity.
Torture the Artist: Your upcoming contribution “Uevajam” is part of Magic Carpet’s “Family Trip Disc 1”. What makes this track feel like a family affair for you?
Lucho: The names of my tracks usually come from inside jokes or random moments in my life. <laughs> I kept texting a friend of mine – who’s been a huge musical influence – asking if he wanted to jam, sending “Uevajam?” over and over. He never came through, so I made a track on my own and named it “Uevajam” as a tribute. That alone makes it a family affair. <laughs>
Torture the Artist: If “Uevajam” were a person at a party, what would they be doing?
Lucho: Probably rolling up something for everyone to smoke. <smiles>
Torture the Artist: You’ve released on labels like Magic Carpet, Nug-Net, Bliss, and Mirror Vinyl Series. Do you approach each label differently, or is it just about where a track feels at home?
Lucho: I usually make tracks depending on my mood or headspace, then sort through finished productions and organize them into playlists that might fit certain labels.
DJing vinyl pushes my taste toward higher-quality dance music and sharpens my production and mixing skills.
Torture the Artist: What’s your personal connection to vinyl – do you still dig as much as you produce, and do you have a record you’ll never part with?
Lucho: Too many! <laughs> I’m constantly digging. DJing vinyl pushes my taste toward higher-quality dance music and sharpens my production and mixing skills. That’s what keeps me recording mixes and hunting for gigs.
Torture the Artist: Take us back – what was the first track you ever produced that made you think: “Okay, I might actually be onto something here”?
Lucho: That’s tough. I’m my own biggest critic, so I still question whether I’m onto anything at all.
Torture the Artist: And on the flip side, which track you’ve released feels the most “you”?
Lucho: Another tough one. But there’s a track coming out before the end of the year called “Virtud”. That one encapsulates a lot of who I am.
Torture the Artist: Beyond the club, where else does your inspiration come from?
Lucho: Definitely film, philosophy, science fiction – but also daily life, politics, interactions, and experiences.
Torture the Artist: You’re not just about the music – you also work with hardware, DAWs, and piano. How do the technical and creative sides meet in your process?
Lucho: I’m self-taught – no formal training. I’ve learned from others or by trial and error. Once you understand how to express yourself through machines and software – sequencers, synths, DAWs – you can start creating from an experimental or intentional place.
Torture the Artist: Tell us about the mix you’ve prepared for our art:cast series. How did you select the tracks, and where do you imagine people listening to it?
Lucho: I wanted the mix to start on a laid-back note and gradually build into a more dance-driven energy. I mixed in a few new digs but mostly older tracks from my collection – ones that take me back to when I first started collecting.
Torture the Artist: When you’re digging, what draws you in most – groove, weirdness, or emotional tone?
Lucho: The style, energy, groove, BPM – and yes, the emotional vibe too.
Torture the Artist: Stamford, New York, London, Berlin – different places shape different sounds. Is there a city outside the U.S. you feel especially connected to musically?
Lucho: Not necessarily a city, but Tisno, Croatia has my heart. Dimensions Festival there is incredible – amazing views, outdoor spaces, and top-notch music. Barbarella’s Discotheque is a must.
Torture the Artist: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing? Any hidden talents?
Lucho: Probably cooking. I love it. Cooking and music are similar – blending cultures, flavors, and influences into something new.
Torture the Artist: Finally, what’s next for you after “Uevajam” – more releases, collaborations, maybe your own imprint?
Lucho: More vinyl and digital releases are lined up with some amazing labels. I’m also planning to start my own label soon – mostly for self-releases but hopefully with other producers I admire too.
Thanks for having me – hope everyone enjoys the mix!
Words by Holger Breuer
Cover by Stereo Monkey
Pictures by Steph Berlic
Torture the Artist 