As the summer draws to a close and the vibrant beats of the season start to fade, we had the pleasure of sitting down with one of Ibiza’s most iconic DJs, Sebastián Gamboa. Known for his electric sets that have kept dance floors alive for decades, Gamboa has cemented his place as a key figure in the global house music scene. In this exclusive interview, we delve into his journey, the evolution of Ibiza’s nightlife, and his thoughts on the future of music as the island prepares for its next chapter.
words by Paulo Meixedo
Paulo Meixedo: Growing up on the renowned island of Ibiza, how did the local music scene and visiting House icons influence your early career?
Sebastian Gamboa: It influenced me significantly. Entering a nightclub and hearing house music for the first time undoubtedly marked my entire adolescence. We can say that when I started playing music it was practically the only music I knew. Seeing and meeting great DJs of the moment worldwide made me learn a lot about this job and form an idea of where I wanted to take my career to.
PM: You started your professional career in 1990. What were some of the key challenges and milestones during those early years?
SG: Making a place for yourself in the music industry has never been easy, but I think it’s important to gradually get better opportunities. This gives you time to improve at work and learn to manage everything better. For opportunities to arise, you have to work harder and better than others, be in the right places, and keep your eyes wide open to understand how things should be done.
“Entering a nightclub and hearing house music for the first time undoubtedly marked my entire adolescence.”
PM: How did your high-profile performances at iconic venues like Pacha, Privilege, Amnesia, and Space shape your reputation as a pioneer of the Spanish House scene?
SG: I have always tried to work in the most important venues that could contribute the most to my career. Moreover, these venues are usually the ones that contribute the most on a personal level as well, as they have an incredible audience. Luckily, little by little, I started getting opportunities in these clubs and taking advantage of important events. Of course, internationally, they have been a good showcase, and good things always came from there.
PM: Can you share your experiences from your residencies at Pacha Ibiza, particularly working with legends like Frankie Knuckles and David Morales? How did these collaborations influence your music?
SG: They influenced my music long before I worked with them at Pacha and even before I met them. They had always been a musical reference for me, and it was a true pride to share such good moments with two of the greatest people in the history of house music at an international level. Without a doubt, one of the most important things I have achieved professionally became a reality thanks to Francisco Ferrer, Danny Whittle, and Mark Netto.
PM: Your solo project “Muévelo” was nominated for Record of the Year by Deejay Mags Awards in 2008. What was the inspiration behind this track, and what did the nomination mean to you?
SG: Possibly “Muévelo” has been the record that has contributed the most to my musical career. It’s a song that still plays to this day, people recognize it, and it was very successful at the time. Tuccillo and Rafael Carreras contributed a lot to its creation, and the truth is that despite the passing of time, it is still very much alive.
PM: You’ve released 13 records and 15 compilations, including collaborations with artists like David Penn. Can you tell us about your creative process and what drives your music production?
SG: When entering the studio, I always had a clear objective: making people want to dance when that song played. Of course, always within the house music style that has always characterized me. In the studio, I have always opted to let the ideas flow and improvise melodies until you find the path, and from there, everything flows. What is very important is to always be well accompanied by great musicians, as in recent occasions with David Penn or Tuccillo.
“One of the best things my job has given me is traveling around the world, meeting people from different cultures, and opening my mind to have a more realistic view of what the world is.”
PM: Your yearly compilations, “Las Tardes en Ibiza” and “Vintage,” have reached top sales in Spain. What inspired you to create these compilations, and what do they represent for you?
SG: Many regulars at my sessions always asked me to record some sessions for them so they could listen to them in their car, at home, or at the office. From there, it gradually became more professional until it turned into an incredible promotional tool. With the sale of CDs, we managed to reach every corner of the world and have many people get to know my work.
PM: In 2011, you launched your own party, “Vintage by Sebastián Gamboa.” What was your vision for this party, and how has it evolved over the years?
SG: The Lio Ibiza project started in 2011 and they offered to have my own night there, where I could create a party that represented me and where I could showcase my vision of what an Ibiza party is, and summarize a bit of everything I had learned up to that point. Now, after 14 seasons and bringing together a great team of people who make this possible, we continue learning, trying to improve, and giving our best to the audience so they have a fun night listening to music that makes them dance and take away a memory so good they would always want to come back. Over time, what we have achieved is that for many people Vintage is a must-visit on Fridays in Ibiza.
PM: As an international artist, you spend winters traveling and performing in some of the world’s finest clubs. How do these global experiences influence your music and performances back in Ibiza?
SG: Possibly one of the best things my job has given me is traveling around the world, meeting people from different cultures, and opening my mind to have a more realistic view of what the world is and the differences or common points that exist despite the miles of distance. Even so, traveling is very hard and tiring, and since 2019 I try to only do dates in Ibiza. And that’s where the idea of starting another career as music curator for the company Ibiza Songs came from. At Ibiza Songs we manage musical content for many brands around the world. This way, I can play music of all existing styles in thousands of places around the world without leaving Ibiza.
PM: You’ve received numerous awards throughout your career, including Best Ibiza DJ and Best Soulful & Deep House DJ. How do these recognitions impact you, and what do they signify for your career?
SG: Awards are always nice to receive as they are a recognition from colleagues and the music industry in general for a job well done. But you can’t let them affect you too much because the day after receiving them, you have to keep conquering the dance floors and looking for ways to connect with the audience.
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