We come to offer your ears an absolutely exquisite mix from Venezuelan-born, now BCN-based Verushka, multi-disciplinary artist, DJ, and co-founder of Me Siento Extraña, the recurring Monday FLINTA* night BCN was craving.
Can you tell us a little bit about the energy behind this mix, is there anything you would prescribe doing while listening?
There’s something I really love about making mixes, and it’s that many times you can start with a clear idea in mind and end up somewhere completely different. I really wanted to create a piece again that could transmit a bit of my daily life, that very personal sense of everyday-ness each of us builds for ourselves.
For a long time I was collecting tracks that carried this feeling, but without any strict criteria like “I want it to sound this way or that way.” It was more like gathering moods. So I had this folder full of tracks, I lit some incense, made myself a nice coffee, opened the windows and just let the mood take me somewhere while pressing the rec button.
That’s why, even though there are imperfections and things that technically could maybe be better, I didn’t want to record it again. The whole process happened in a very spontaneous flow state, and that’s what made the mix sound the way it does, almost like a sonic snapshot of how I was feeling that day. I hope some of that feeling comes through while listening.
“That’s why, even though there are imperfections and things that technically could maybe be better, I didn’t want to record it again. The whole process happened in a very spontaneous flow state, and that’s what made the mix sound the way it does, almost like a sonic snapshot of how I was feeling that day. ”
Actually yes. One day I fell into a Reddit rabbit hole and discovered so many incredible tracks. That’s where “Juarez” by Tori Amos came from. Back in the early 00s, when I was still living in Venezuela, I was completely obsessed with “Cornflake Girl”, so discovering this side of her, with a sound that felt more trip hop and less cheesy, was fascinating to me.
Around that same season of my life I was also listening to a lot of industrial music and really loved Kidneythieves. Through those endless Reddit threads I discovered “In Love With A Machine (Beat Ventriloquists Remix)” and for me it became one of my favourite tracks in the mix. I immediately thought: wow, I need to do something with this.
I’m fascinated by the fact that, even many years later, there are certain genres that still click with you in such a special way, almost like they’ve become part of your personal DNA of vibes hahaha.
How did Me Siento Extraña come into being and what challenges did you face in creating an identity and a space for the collective in the scene?
Me Siento Extraña started in a very casual way. We were offered a Monday residency at a queer bar in Barcelona and Maia and I were basically like: why not? Was Monday the worst day of the week back then? Yes. Is it still? Maybe not in Barcelona anymore….
Almost five years later we’re still there, and honestly we couldn’t feel more grateful for the beautiful community that has grown around it. MSE has taken us to many special places and connected us with incredible people. I’m actually writing these answers from the island of Lesbos, where we’re here with MSE for Queer Ranch Festival, which really feels like a little paradise for FLINTA* identities.
As for challenges, I think they’re probably the same ones many of us face worldwide: trying to build things from precariousness and from dissidence, while still creating projects where you put your whole heart into. From there, we just try to keep existing, making space for ourselves in a world that often feels dominated by individualism. Through MSE we try, in our own scale, to insist on the idea that collectivity, care and community are where our real strength lives <3
What sounds are you gravitating to at the moment?
Recently I discovered this EP from this year that honestly feels absolutely incredible: “Rubber Scar - modheaven”. It sits a bit in the world of “Trickpony” and those kinds of atmospheres, ufff.
Other things I deeply love: Sneaker Pimps - Becoming X (one of my favourite albums ever), bowery electric, Now Always Fades, Sassy 009, Lamb, Cortex of light, helen island, Saffron Bloom, Stone, hysterical love project, dregs, bby eco, Nina Emocional, Kelela…
And one project I became fully obsessed with last year was “After - After ep”. Ufff I love it. Maybe it’s a little cheesy, but we love balancing things out.
“That’s why, even though there are imperfections and things that technically could maybe be better, I didn’t want to record it again. The whole process happened in a very spontaneous flow state, and that’s what made the mix sound the way it does, almost like a sonic snapshot of how I was feeling that day. I hope some of that feeling comes through while listening.”
This mix really showcases the scope of your music sensibilities and tastes, how does it feel coming back to recording mixes like this as opposed to what you’re playing out at parties? And what would you like to explore more of in future?
Last year I had the chance to play at a festival in Bilbao where the rule for the stage was not going over 100 BPMs. At first I thought it would be more of a listening session, something focused on laying down and chilling, but no, it was actually a dancefloor stage. Even though it felt like a challenge at first, I ended up loving that plot twist.
It gave me the opportunity to play genres that maybe aren’t the most common thing to hear in clubs, but that can absolutely still make people dance. I’d really love to keep exploring that territory more in the future, music that is supposedly meant for listening, but somehow still finds its place on a dancefloor. Who wants to try it? ♥︎
What’s next for Verushka :)?
At the moment I’m really excited about the gigs coming up this summer. I love travelling and honestly I love being able to connect with people through music, as cliché as that may sound hahaha.
This year I also want to finally start producing… but everything slowly and with calmness <444!!
Stay up to date with Verushka here.