In conversation w/ ENGALANAN
MARCH 24, 2025 → WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLÁS
Engalanan’s artistic identity is deeply rooted in Barcelona’s underground scene, a city known for its ever-evolving cultural landscape and vibrant music scene. Over the years, Engalanan has crafted a unique sound that merges local energy with global club culture, constantly drawing inspiration from the diverse spaces and communities around the world. From electrifying performances in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, NYC, and London to curating events at Barcelona’s iconic Razzmatazz, Engalanan’s approach to music goes beyond just beats and rhythms—it’s a conversation about identity, resistance, and societal change. In this interview, Engalanan shares insights into their creative process, their role in shaping the future of electronic music, and an exciting collaboration with OnTracks that explores the complex intersection of fashion, desire, and autonomy.
From Barcelona to the world—how has your upbringing in the city’s underground scene shaped your artistic identity and your approach to music?
Barcelona’s underground scene has been my main influence and incubator. However, my eyes have never stopped searching for inspiration from other scenes around the world. I feel like I’ve built my identity from many small pieces of inspiration. Barcelona is also a city that embraces and thrives on new identities coming and going, making it a great place to be enriched by influences from many different cultures. This constant flow of references has shaped my sound in unexpected ways, blending local underground energy with global club culture. I love experimenting with different textures and rhythms I’ve picked up along the way, making each set a reflection of this ever-evolving journey.
Your recent tour has taken you from Bogotá and Medellín to NYC, London, and beyond. How has traveling and performing in such diverse cultural landscapes influenced your sound and creative direction?
Exuvia at 50/50 (Medellín), Sunday Service by Bulto at Video Club (Bogotá), Papi Juice at Elsewhere (NYC), Paragon (NYC), Sextou (London), Total Spook at Spook (Valencia), and ENIGMA at SALA ON (Madrid)—all of these are collectives and clubs that have carved out their own spaces, creating room for sounds and communities that are often pushed to the margins.
They are a source of inspiration, a social reference, and, for me, an absolute honor to witness. I feel truly blessed to have been part of one of their celebrations. These projects prove that club spaces and nightlife are more than just entertainment—they are social work. They help build the society we long for and imagine within spaces like theirs.
You’re now a resident host and curator at Razzmatazz within Fuego—what can we expect from this new chapter, and how do you see your role in shaping the club’s sonic identity?
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Fuego project at Razzmatazz, so it makes me incredibly happy to be hosting and curating some nights throughout the year as part of their programming. This allows me to continue bringing both international and local sounds and artists to Barcelona’s scene—voices that I believe are shaping the sound of the future with their own sonic and artistic narratives. Having FASHION, ONLY FIRE, and AMANTRA for the first edition of the party was an absolute pleasure—it was a dream lineup!
Fashion and music often go hand in hand, and you’re soon launching a collaboration with OnTracks. How did this partnership come about, and what elements of your artistic universe are reflected in the collection?
This collaboration with OnTracks is one of the projects I’m most excited about this year. They are very close friends of mine, and it’s beautiful to create something together that truly inspires us. The collection is called BAREBACK, a name inspired by an essay I read that deeply moved me: “Hacia La Construcción de un Proyecto de Autonomía Sexual. El bareback como dispositivo de producción de subjetividades disidentes frente a la institucionalización del sexo marica” [“Towards the Construction of a Project of Sexual Autonomy: Barebacking as a Device for the Production of Dissident Subjectivities in Opposition to the Institutionalization of Queer Sex”] by Héctor Miguel Corral Estrada.
In our community, bareback is a term loaded with history, controversy, and resistance. Beyond its literal meaning, it reflects a negotiation between risk, desire, and autonomy over our own bodies. It represents the way queer identities have historically been pathologized and policed while also reclaiming pleasure as a radical act. Naming the collection BAREBACK is a way to acknowledge these complexities and open a conversation about the narratives that shape our experiences. Fashion, much like music and club culture, has the power to challenge, celebrate, and create space for dialogue. That’s exactly what we aim to do with this collaboration.
You’ve shared the stage with icons like LSDXOXO, Juliana Huxtable, and Villano Antillano. Has collaborating or performing alongside these artists influenced your creative vision in any way?
All of these artists embody everything I’ve expressed in my previous answers. They are creating breathtaking artistic work that will leave a lasting mark on our society and community. More than just musicians or performers, they are catalysts for change, shaping the future and pushing culture forward. Their impact goes beyond the club; they are opening spaces, redefining narratives, and challenging the status quo in ways that will resonate for years to come. These values deeply inspire and move me, making me look toward the future with hope and excitement.
With club culture constantly evolving, where do you see the future of electronic music heading? And what role do you hope to play in shaping it?
The coming years will be socially challenging—music and club culture must take a strong, clear stance. We are devices of resistance and strength. I want my role and presence to be one of support, standing by the values, social movements, and artists that inspire me. Through my projects, I hope to contribute, even in a small way, to this collective force pushing for change.
Beyond the music, what’s next for Engalanan? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or creative ventures we should be looking forward to?
I’m really excited about the future. I hope to keep sharing everything that makes me happy, everything that saddens me, and everything that frustrates me. I want to keep embracing my friends, creating spaces that bring us together, and celebrating life. I’m deeply grateful for where I am, and I can’t wait for what’s ahead. Soon, I’ll be announcing new projects I’ve been working on for a while.
In conversation w/ ENGALANAN
MARCH 24, 2025
WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO
PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLÁS
Engalanan’s artistic identity is deeply rooted in Barcelona’s underground scene, a city known for its ever-evolving cultural landscape and vibrant music scene. Over the years, Engalanan has crafted a unique sound that merges local energy with global club culture, constantly drawing inspiration from the diverse spaces and communities around the world. From electrifying performances in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, NYC, and London to curating events at Barcelona’s iconic Razzmatazz, Engalanan’s approach to music goes beyond just beats and rhythms—it’s a conversation about identity, resistance, and societal change. In this interview, Engalanan shares insights into their creative process, their role in shaping the future of electronic music, and an exciting collaboration with OnTracks that explores the complex intersection of fashion, desire, and autonomy.
From Barcelona to the world—how has your upbringing in the city’s underground scene shaped your artistic identity and your approach to music?
Barcelona’s underground scene has been my main influence and incubator. However, my eyes have never stopped searching for inspiration from other scenes around the world. I feel like I’ve built my identity from many small pieces of inspiration. Barcelona is also a city that embraces and thrives on new identities coming and going, making it a great place to be enriched by influences from many different cultures. This constant flow of references has shaped my sound in unexpected ways, blending local underground energy with global club culture. I love experimenting with different textures and rhythms I’ve picked up along the way, making each set a reflection of this ever-evolving journey.
Your recent tour has taken you from Bogotá and Medellín to NYC, London, and beyond. How has traveling and performing in such diverse cultural landscapes influenced your sound and creative direction?
Exuvia at 50/50 (Medellín), Sunday Service by Bulto at Video Club (Bogotá), Papi Juice at Elsewhere (NYC), Paragon (NYC), Sextou (London), Total Spook at Spook (Valencia), and ENIGMA at SALA ON (Madrid)—all of these are collectives and clubs that have carved out their own spaces, creating room for sounds and communities that are often pushed to the margins.
They are a source of inspiration, a social reference, and, for me, an absolute honor to witness. I feel truly blessed to have been part of one of their celebrations. These projects prove that club spaces and nightlife are more than just entertainment—they are social work. They help build the society we long for and imagine within spaces like theirs.
You’re now a resident host and curator at Razzmatazz within Fuego—what can we expect from this new chapter, and how do you see your role in shaping the club’s sonic identity?
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Fuego project at Razzmatazz, so it makes me incredibly happy to be hosting and curating some nights throughout the year as part of their programming. This allows me to continue bringing both international and local sounds and artists to Barcelona’s scene—voices that I believe are shaping the sound of the future with their own sonic and artistic narratives. Having FASHION, ONLY FIRE, and AMANTRA for the first edition of the party was an absolute pleasure—it was a dream lineup!
Fashion and music often go hand in hand, and you’re soon launching a collaboration with OnTracks. How did this partnership come about, and what elements of your artistic universe are reflected in the collection?
This collaboration with OnTracks is one of the projects I’m most excited about this year. They are very close friends of mine, and it’s beautiful to create something together that truly inspires us. The collection is called BAREBACK, a name inspired by an essay I read that deeply moved me: “Hacia La Construcción de un Proyecto de Autonomía Sexual. El bareback como dispositivo de producción de subjetividades disidentes frente a la institucionalización del sexo marica” [“Towards the Construction of a Project of Sexual Autonomy: Barebacking as a Device for the Production of Dissident Subjectivities in Opposition to the Institutionalization of Queer Sex”] by Héctor Miguel Corral Estrada.
In our community, bareback is a term loaded with history, controversy, and resistance. Beyond its literal meaning, it reflects a negotiation between risk, desire, and autonomy over our own bodies. It represents the way queer identities have historically been pathologized and policed while also reclaiming pleasure as a radical act. Naming the collection BAREBACK is a way to acknowledge these complexities and open a conversation about the narratives that shape our experiences. Fashion, much like music and club culture, has the power to challenge, celebrate, and create space for dialogue. That’s exactly what we aim to do with this collaboration.
You’ve shared the stage with icons like LSDXOXO, Juliana Huxtable, and Villano Antillano. Has collaborating or performing alongside these artists influenced your creative vision in any way?
All of these artists embody everything I’ve expressed in my previous answers. They are creating breathtaking artistic work that will leave a lasting mark on our society and community. More than just musicians or performers, they are catalysts for change, shaping the future and pushing culture forward. Their impact goes beyond the club; they are opening spaces, redefining narratives, and challenging the status quo in ways that will resonate for years to come. These values deeply inspire and move me, making me look toward the future with hope and excitement.
With club culture constantly evolving, where do you see the future of electronic music heading? And what role do you hope to play in shaping it?
The coming years will be socially challenging—music and club culture must take a strong, clear stance. We are devices of resistance and strength. I want my role and presence to be one of support, standing by the values, social movements, and artists that inspire me. Through my projects, I hope to contribute, even in a small way, to this collective force pushing for change.
Beyond the music, what’s next for Engalanan? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or creative ventures we should be looking forward to?
I’m really excited about the future. I hope to keep sharing everything that makes me happy, everything that saddens me, and everything that frustrates me. I want to keep embracing my friends, creating spaces that bring us together, and celebrating life. I’m deeply grateful for where I am, and I can’t wait for what’s ahead. Soon, I’ll be announcing new projects I’ve been working on for a while.