Groove is a Language: Elvis Ojeda on Culture, Connection & Techno

Hi Elvis. Nice to chat with you. Can you tell us how has your day been and where are you right now?

Hey there! My day’s been great, thanks for asking. Right now, I’m in the Philippines with my fiancée, soaking up the warm vibe and spending time with the cats we’re fostering. This place has become a grounding spot for me, which is helpful since Techno keeps me moving in a hundred directions mentally and musically. The calm energy here lets me dig deeper into my creative work, it’s been a blessing all around.

Can you tell us about your journey from a rock enthusiast to a techno artist? What sparked your interest in electronic music, and how did it lead you to the world of techno?

I’m fascinated by the raw, high-energy sound of rock in many of its forms; I resonate with its intensity and powerful expression. At age 14 I got myself a guitar to play chords of songs I liked just for the love of it; but At some point, I found myself craving more control over each element in the music, which led me to explore the world of the endless possibilities of electronic music. Techno grabbed me because of its focus on atmosphere and rhythm, —it’s a genre where subtle changes make a massive impact. I realized I could express the intensity I loved from rock through the soundscapes and heavy, pulsing beats of Techno. It became a perfect blend of control and freedom, that delivers impactful yet refined expression. 

How has your Dominican heritage influenced your sound? Are there any cultural or musical elements from Santo Domingo that you incorporate into your music?

Growing up in the Dominican Republic exposed me to rich, layered rhythms and unique beats that I carry with me even now. While my sound is mostly Techno, there’s a warm heartbeat from the DR in there—an instinct for rhythm and groove that comes naturally from listening to genres like salsa and merengue. I like to add assertive percussion to my tracks, which feels like a subtle nod to my roots. It’s not always obvious, but that influence adds a layer of rhythm that drives the track forward.

You’ve described yourself as a ‘digital wanderer.’ How has traveling and experiencing different cultures shaped your approach to making music?

Traveling opens up new soundscapes and rhythms that I wouldn’t experience otherwise. Being a “digital wanderer” lets me tap into different energies and perspectives, which I bring back into my music. Each place has its own vibe, whether it’s the calm of the Philippines or the intensity of a European city, and I take pieces of that with me. Sounds and emotions get imprinted into me as I go, and I weave those into my tracks, so each song is its own journey. 

Could you walk us through your creative process? What does it look like when you’re developing a new track? 

It usually starts with a feeling, —a bassline or a kick that sets the mood. I carefully sculpt the low end, ensuring it’s powerful, stating itself in the mix. From there, I build layers slowly, adding synths and percussion to articulate what serves the track. Arrangement happens based on the groove, the expression of the mix and the elements available. I’ll start laying down, tweaking and refining elements while playing with the mix in order to tell a story, until it all feels like a cohesive experience. 

Do you have a favorite style within techno, or does your sound change depending on your mood or environment?

I’d say my core style is Peak Time and Driving Techno, but I’m open to change. Depending on my environment or mood, I might lean toward harder or more melodic elements. It’s all about the balance between aggression and groove. Some days, I go all in with a relentless bassline, while other times, I’ll pull back and let the atmospherics speak.

What are some key influences that have inspired your work, both within techno and from other genres? Are there any particular artists, albums, or tracks that have significantly shaped your musical identity?

Within Techno, artists like Jeff Mills and Adam Beyer have been huge influences—their ability to create deep, rhythmic layers is something I admire. From outside Techno, bands like Nine Inch Nails showed me how powerful electronic sounds can be in delivering raw emotion. Albums like The Downward Spiral or Mills’s Waveform Transmission have left a lasting impact on my approach to music. 

As a nomadic artist, do you find inspiration from the places you visit? Could you share an example of a track that was influenced by a specific location or experience?

Absolutely, every place brings something new to my music. For example, In My Arms was inspired after a year of being in the Philippines, especially by how I feel in the last city we moved into. Is very calmed and reflective here, which has lightened my mood, inspiring me to this perspective of an atmospheric Kick and aggressive synth lead, going for an immersive feel and a sound that’s heavy yet sparse. I feel good and thriving right now, In that In ‘My Arms’ is a reflection of the calmness that allows me to express and aggressive sound. 

Techno is known for its communal experience on the dance floor. How do you envision the experience you want to create for listeners at your live performances?

For me, a live Techno performance should feel like a shared, almost hypnotic experience. I want people to feel the energy building with each beat, getting lost in the layers and grooves. I design my sets to keep listeners engaged but also leave room for personal interpretation. Each track builds on the last, creating a sense of anticipation that just keeps growing. It’s all about that collective release when the beat drops and everyone’s moving in sync.

What role do you think techno music plays in connecting people across different cultures, and how do you aim to contribute to that through your work?

Techno is a universal language—it doesn’t need words to convey emotion. It’s a genre that can bring together people from different backgrounds and cultures purely through sound. My goal is to create tracks that resonate no matter where you’re from, tracks that hit that primal, rhythmic need to move and connect. In that way, I hope to contribute to Techno’s ability to unite people on the dance floor.

What do you think makes a great techno track? Are there specific elements or feelings you strive to evoke in your listeners?

A great Techno track is one that balances intensity and groove, and hooks you up with a feeling that’s impossible to ignore. I strive to make tracks that feel driving and emotionally articulate. I want listeners to feel that deep emotional rush, a sense of something taking over, losing themselves to the sound. It’s that feeling of being totally present, connected to this moment. 

What are your goals for the future? Are there new sounds, projects, or collaborations you’re excited to explore?

Looking ahead, I want to keep pushing my sound, exploring darker and more experimental elements in Techno. I’m also excited to collaborate with artists who bring something different to the table. There are a few projects, I’m considering that involve integrating more cultural influences and live elements into my sets, so stay tuned—there’s a lot in the works.

Thank you Elvis for the interview and we are wishing you all the best for the rest of the year 2025 and beyond!