Q&A: Tiago Miranda

The sounds of Tiago Miranda have been penetrating the walls of Lisbon’s most iconic nightclub for 17 years. In a city where the underground music scene is and has always been strong, Lux Frágil is at the pinnacle of its music culture and Tiago its most venerated resident DJ.

Over the last two decades, the time he’s spent behind the decks has manifested into sets that can sometime span the entire night, sets that have come to define the club worldwide because of Tiago’s radical yet flawless ability to segue between genres for hours upon hours. No matter the crowd, no matter the generation, no matter the city – his ability to commandeer and connect with a crowd is on point.

His studio productions have that same ability to connect with disparate audiences and have captured even the ear of James Murphy, which resulted in a playful release on DFA Records. He also connected with Johnny Jewel and his label Italian’s Do It Better (think Chromatics and Glass Candy) but more recently he’s begun releasing under his own homegrown label called Interzona13.

As Tiago’s sets his sights on Asia, Mixmag Asia caught up with him before his gigs in Hong Kong, Taipei and Japan and asked him 20 questions so we could get to know Lisbon’s legend a little better.

How would you describe the vibe in Lisbon?

It’s ok. I mean I could go on a rant about how the recession is really fucking up almost every family, that jobs don’t pay, that the quality of life is becoming lower and also how tourism will eventually be our way out of this but is actually destroying the vibe and ‘culture’ of the city. I mean, the list is long but still, it’s ok. Things are still happening one way or the other. Musically the city is representing like never before. New generations are growing strong. The sun shines almost every day. Many good things are here still. It’s ok.

What song one song could you play for the rest of your life?

Pop Dell Arte Illogik Plastik. When I was 17, I moved to Lisbon from up north. Pop Dell Arte was my first band there, they had been around since the mid 80s and I was a fan as a kid. They were doing a crazy mix of industrial with disco and pop. A lot of different people played in the band, in and out, and most of them still are very active in the Portuguese music scene, people Like Rafael Toral, Zé Moura, Sei Miguel, João Peste, etc. Really worth a look.

What’s the longest set you’ve ever played?

Can’t recall of any gig passing the 10th hour.

What’s your most interesting hobby aside from music?

I like to walk. Mostly through places I don’t know. That’s it.

Italians Do It Better seems like a rather unconventional association for an underground dance music DJ. What’s the story behind this production?

I don’t know exactly who but someone on the label (I think Mike Simonetti) approached DJ Kaos for a single. Kaos and I go way back, since the early 90s. We met in Lisbon because of a mutual friend. Anyway, we had been in touch for a while and Dennis (Kaos) thought that would be nice for us to do something together, so he came up with this T&K thing and that’s what you can hear on that 12”. I did two tracks, K did one I think. Much later I met Johnny (Jewel), he’s a super nice guy.

Of all the music you’ve released, which was your favorite to work on?

There was this particular session for a live recording we did for a Japanese label, I booked a six piece band, we jammed for two days straight, that was fun.

Also recording my very first record in a real studio. Everything was so vibrant and exciting that I couldn’t sleep.

What glued you to the idea of DJing over playing in a band?

I always did both, then life got in the way and I stopped with the live music but I’m about to put up a new band soon. Recording this album for the Public Possession guys. I will book a band for the last stage of recordings and hopefully will bring it live in the near future. Still looking for some sections of the band though. I will be conducting and playing drums.

What’s on your bucket list?

Generally being more calm. This is something that I never accomplished.

What do you miss most about DJing in the 90s?

My friends from back then mostly. Also the less posing and more dancing kinda spirit, less glamour more smoke.

How has technology changed your approach to DJing?

Never had to transition from acoustic to electric so not much, although it’s true that I get a few more options now. I like the effects buttons on the shit mixers.

If you could go back to when you began DJing and tell yourself one thing, what would that be?

Do your thing.

How did you hook up with DFA?

Around 2009 I was playing in New York and Jonathan Galkin called me for a meeting and I signed the contract for the release. I think he heard of me through James Murphy because we had DJed together a couple of times.

Nearly two decades at club is a long time. How do you keep things from getting boring or stale?

Keep myself interested. I like to witness the constant change of crowds, you know, the new generations and all.

What’s the biggest problem in the world today?

Too many and I guess at this point none is bigger than the other.

If you had to choose between DJing and producing, which would it be and why?

DJing. It’s a live thing. Studios can be a very depressing environment, especially if you are there alone all the time.

What’s one thing every person going to Lisbon should experience?

Lux. Walking at night during summer time. Alfama. Bairro Alto. Sopa de legumes.

I would be happy if I never had to….

Witness human life value turn to shit.

What’s the most important thing to you when it comes to balancing spending so much time in a club with the rest of your life?

Waking up early every Monday.

How would you spend a million dollars?

In a million ways.

In five years, you will be…

Still spending those million dollars.