Portuguese DJ/producer EDUARD presents the vision, which sees the light after a collaboration with Brazilian Annëto, who both bring a hypnotic rhythm, melodic layers and tension.
The track landed on Marginalia records after a meeting in the Lisbon studios that led to the collaboration with Annëto and, subsequently, the introduction to label head ELIF. Released on 16 September as part of Bestiary, Vol. 5, the track gives a glimpse into EDUARD‘s budding production identity, forged through years of musical experience, from classical training to live performance and production.
While his production journey has only begun in the last four years, EDUARD has had a long-standing relationship with music, starting at the age of 11 or 12, when he began learning French horn with the Bombeiros Voluntários de Loures wind band. He later moved on to playing bass guitar in local bands and double bass at the university. Music took a backseat in his life as he focused on his professional career until one night, when a casual DJ set with his friend Paulo Moreno re-inspired his passion for music. EDUARD went on to invest in some gear and teach himself the craft and, after a particularly memorable birthday set for around 200 people, he received invitations for more gigs and enrolled in a music production course.
At 123 BPM, Vision sees the producer utilise prominent vocal lines, as he layers a melodic house production with Afro-tech undertones. EDUARD’s production is generally more digital than not and the interplay between synths takes on an important role in the track. Annëto provided the lead synth, upon which EDUARD layered additional phrases, providing rhythmic and melodic tension around the build-ups and drop. Atmospheric and harmonic pads colour the empty spaces, with the transitions helping the individual elements flow into one another.
Rather than crowding the production, each element is given room to breathe and develop. It is a collaborative effort that sees the two producers strike a careful balance between a steady rhythmic pulse and the evolving melodic motifs.
For EDUARD, finding that balance is part of a wider goal to carve out a production niche, in which an instantly identifiable production house his music. “I‘d like someone to hear my music and think EDUARD without having to look at the artist bio,“ he says. The diverse musical palette informs his production, with the utilisation of various instruments informing his melodic choices, while the groove and tension are fundamental parts of the language he speaks. Aside from the music, the DJ also sees his sets as an opportunity to give people a much-needed break from everyday life, allowing them to live in the moment.
EDUARD‘s relationship with Marginalia began after the completion of Vision, when the track was sent to label head ELIF, who began playing it in Ibiza before Marginalia approached him to release the track. It received support from the likes of David Mayer, Argia and Yamil, but, for EDUARD, the track was a chance to reach outside of the usual orbit of collaborators.
As EDUARD builds his production discography, Vision is a vital stepping stone on his path to creating a consistent sound. More original productions and collaborations are due to be released in the near future, but the DJ/producers is still very much focused on his releases. At present, Vision provides a glimpse into his wider intentions as a producer, focussing on a collaborative approach, melodic motifs and a more groovy approach to production.
‘Vision’ is out now on Marginalia as part of Bestiary, Vol. 5. Listen on Spotify and follow EDUARD for forthcoming music.
