Diego Barrera talks main inspirations, upcoming releases and more: Interview

Creating his very own legacy within the dance scene, Diego Barrera is the epitome of an act that has dedicated his life to mastering his craft. An artist to watch, this is one interview that will have you hooked throughout its entirety.

Ensuring nothing less than the most feel-good of vibes, Diego Barrera is the true embodiment of hard work and dedication towards one’s craft, with each of his endeavours speaking volumes on the undeniable musical prowess that he possesses. Hailing from Peru but residing in Argentina from a young age, Diego Barrera has been influenced by his South American roots, whilst his unique blend of Funk, Tech House, Techno, House and Deep House, most certainly help in him standing out from all the rest. A truly versatile act, his productions have been amassing millions of streams, which in turn, has also led to him garnering support from the elite of the dance scene, including the likes of Lee Foss, GORDO, Claptone, Dj Tennis, Mark Knight, George Privatti and Martin Garrix when just naming a few. An artist to watch indeed, we could not be any happier to be joined by the man himself, as he talks about main inspirations and influences, the origin of his signature sound, the diversity in his style of play, the preparation process before each of his shows, upcoming releases and so much more.

Hello and thank you for joining us! Could you provide us with an insight on the main inspirations/influences that led to your chosen career pathway in music?

“Thank you for having me! My musical journey began at a very young age. When I was 11, I started playing the trumpet in my school’s big band. Growing up, I was deeply influenced by Latin music, especially salsa, which was the soundtrack of my mornings at home. My family and I are big fans of artists like Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Soda Stereo, and Fito Páez. A few years later, while playing in a jazz ensemble, I discovered the French house duo JUSTICE, and their music completely blew my mind. I was only 12, but that moment inspired me to start experimenting with DJing and music production on my laptop at home. That’s where my journey in electronic music truly began.”

Renowned for your unique blend of Funk, Tech House, Techno, House and Deep House, we would like to know how your signature sound came to be, as well as the impact this musical approach has had on your career thus far?

“Regardless of the genre I’m producing or playing, my music always carries a piece of me—most notably, the influence of Latin percussion. You’ll always find a Latin element in my work because it’s such an integral part of my identity. My goal is to ensure that whether it’s a song or a set, people can hear my essence and recognize it as uniquely Diego. This connection to my roots has been a defining factor in shaping my signature sound and has allowed me to stand out in the electronic music scene.”

Influenced by your South American roots, could you talk us through the diversity in your style of play, and how your sound has developed when having produced music for over a decade and counting? 

“Finding my identity as an artist took many years. It wasn’t until I truly embraced my own sound that I felt 100% comfortable. For me, creating music is about leaving a part of yourself in every piece—it’s what makes it authentic and unique. Exploring different styles throughout my career helped me realize that authenticity is what defines a sound. In my case, my music tells the story of my life, often featuring Latin elements or sampling tracks that have personally inspired me. These touches make my work deeply personal and help me connect with listeners on a meaningful level.”

Reaching the top Beatport charts with the majority of your releases, we would like to know how significant such recognition has been throughout your career, as well as the motivation it provides going forward? 

“It’s been incredible to see how many people, including DJs and artists, have connected with my music over the past few years. Having the opportunity to learn from and be mentored by legends like Timo Maas or receiving support from Martin Garrix on his radio show has been surreal. Charting on Beatport has definitely boosted my career, helping me build a stronger community of listeners who not only enjoy my tracks and sets but also resonate with the story and message behind my art. This support has been a huge motivator to keep pushing boundaries in my music.”

Delivering the most electrifying of live performances, as well as boasting a truly versatile nature, could you talk us through your preparation process for each show, and your ability of keeping the energy levels high at all times? 

“I always aim to keep my sets fresh and exciting. Whether it’s a new ID, an unreleased track from a friend, or something exclusive for the event, I ensure that my performances feel unique to the moment. Before every show, I focus on refreshing my playlists and diving into my own vibe, rather than pregaming. This allows me to channel all my energy into curating a set that I enjoy and that leaves the crowd with an unforgettable experience.”

Releasing music under the most well-renowned of labels, could you provide us with further insight on your upcoming release under Tube&Berger’s Kittball Records, as well as the main thought process and inspiration behind this track? 

“Of course! My upcoming release is a two-track EP titled ‘Filthy.’ It’s packed with groove, energy, and hypnotic rhythms. The title track, ‘Filthy,’ blends Progressive House, Minimal, Tech House, and even Trance, resulting in a powerful track that’s mainly Tech House but enriched with these additional influences. Its counterpart, ‘Getting Low,’ takes a more delicate approach with dreamy vocals, making it perfect for those magical closing moments. This EP is a journey from start to finish, and I’m excited to share it with everyone.

With 2024 coming to an end, we would like to know what the future holds for Diego Barrera, always in terms of new music, upcoming collaborations and live performances?

“The future of my sound is heading toward darker, more introspective, and bold productions. I’m currently working on a range of projects, including collaborations with some iconic Peruvian bands that I’ve admired for years. My next release will drop in January on Glasgow Underground, which I’m really excited about. Beyond that, there’s a lot of new music and exciting collaborations in the pipeline, along with plans for tours around the world. So stay tuned—you might just catch me at your favorite club next year!”

More than set on leaving a lasting impact within the dance scene, we will be keeping a close eye on Diego Barrera and all his future endeavours, but for the time being, you can stay fully up to date by following him on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify!