“I’ve always been a fan of experimenting with many subgenres” Carlos Pineda interview

Carlos Pineda is a rising Nicaraguan DJ and producer making waves in the electronic music scene. Based in Miami, his sound ranges from classic house to tech house, earning recognition with his track “300 Releases,” which caught the attention of Green Velvet. Pineda’s work has been featured on notable platforms like Beatport, and he has contributed to various compilations including “Circus – Latin America, Vol. 2” and “Tech House Heroes, Vol. 11.”

With a growing discography and a reputation for dynamic, groove-centric productions, Pineda is establishing himself as a prominent figure in the electronic music community.

His Unlearn debut is a tech house two-tracker N.S.T. (No Sleep Tonight) + Crazy Deep. With the EP out now, we caught up with Carlos for a chat.

How has your Nicaraguan heritage influenced your approach to producing electronic music, particularly in the tech house genre?

In my country, Latin music predominates, and the music of Nicaragua is known for its strong rhythms, which have always influenced me. In some of my songs, I’ve managed to include marimba sounds, as it’s an important instrument in my country. I feel this has shaped my sound.

“300 Releases” garnered attention from Green Velvet, a significant figure in the industry. How did that recognition impact your career trajectory and creative process?

That was a big surprise for me since the track was created spontaneously with a colleague. In fact, it was my first collaboration with another artist, and we never thought it would have much impact. After seeing Green Velvet play and champion the track, it opened my mind and motivated me to take my project more seriously, as I had previously treated it as a hobby. After that support, my sound evolved significantly, and I focused on producing more professionally. Today, that change has positioned me as one of the top producers in Central America.

Your sound ranges from classic house to tech house. How do you balance these influences in your productions, and what draws you to these specific subgenres?

I’ve always been a fan of experimenting with many subgenres when producing, and I feel this has defined my sound and helped differentiate my productions. Since childhood, I’ve been influenced by disco and house music, which always caught my attention due to the rhythm and vibe they transmit.

Miami is known for its vibrant electronic music scene. How has being based there shaped your sound and opportunities as an artist?

Miami has contributed a lot to my sound because, for the first time living in this city, I was able to attend electronic music concerts, which greatly expanded my creative process. Being in this city, I found the opportunities I had always sought. In 2024, I even managed to play at a couple of events during Miami Music Week, which I never imagined would happen.

Your tracks have been featured on platforms like Beatport and included in compilations like “Circus – Latin America, Vol. 2.” How important do you find these platforms and compilations for reaching new audiences?

Being signed to Circus Recordings has been a great help in my career this year and has helped me gain more recognition in the industry. Yousef, the label owner, has believed in my sound and given me two appearances in top compilations for Latin America. This makes me very proud to represent my blue and white Nicaraguan flag.

Your Unlearn debut features two tracks with distinct vibes. Can you walk us through the creative process behind “N.S.T. (No Sleep Tonight)” and “Crazy Deep”?

“Crazy Deep” is a mix of classic hip-hop sounds and the new tech house style of this era. It’s always been my plan to fuse these genres, as they complement each other and create an excellent vibe on the dance floor. The bassline of “Crazy Deep” is unique, as I had never before experienced sampling a sound like this. I had spent a long time searching for this specific sound.

For “N.S.T.,” I wanted to return to my minimal roots, with a more defined groove and bassline. I incorporated the classic sounds of the Roland 909 and adapted them to achieve the characteristic sound I was aiming for. As a reference for this track, I looked to Sidney Charles and Alexis Cabrera, two of my great influences in this genre. The vocal is a key element, as I was looking for a deep yet soft vocal to create a darker vibe.

The use of a Korg-esque lead line in “N.S.T. (No Sleep Tonight)” gives the track a hypnotic quality. What inspired the sound design choices for this track?

The sound of the M1 in this track originated from a different genre. The main melody and bass were part of a house track I had been working on for a few days, but I wasn’t convinced by it, so I ended up changing everything except the melody. I felt the melody had potential, so I decided to incorporate it into a new genre, which gave the track its special touch. This happens almost every time I’m producing music—I start with one style and end up in another.

“Crazy Deep” is described as having a playful bassline with old-school effects. How do you incorporate elements of nostalgia into your modern productions?

In most of my tracks, hip-hop is always present indirectly. In this case, I wanted to incorporate a sample from one of my favorite artists who influenced my childhood since I’ve always been a fan of ’90s hip-hop. Bringing this sound into this track felt innovative, as I’ve searched the internet and found it hasn’t been used as much as I thought. It will be a fresh proposal for the audience, which I’m sure they’ll enjoy.

As a rising figure in the electronic music community, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them to establish your reputation?

When I started producing, electronic music, especially underground music, was not widely popular in Nicaragua. Gaining a reputation was very difficult, but that didn’t limit me. I always kept working steadily, without paying attention to whether I had support in my country or not. I believe that you have to be consistent with your goals, and sooner or later, opportunities will come. After gaining the support of great artists, I began to focus more on the international market, which has received me very well.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next phase of your career, both in terms of music production and your presence in the electronic music scene?

Right now, I’m working on improving my sound and learning from new mentors who have been showing me new things. In the future, I’d like to sign with major labels like Insomniac, Dirtybird, and Hot Creations, as I’m a fan of their sounds. I also hope to get more gigs and have more people listen to my music.

N.S.T. (No Sleep Tonight) + Crazy Deep is out now on Unlearn Records