Argentina's Mujik: Everybody Saw the Poverty Coming Up, But Nobody Cared

"The economic crash had an impact on every single lifestyle here in Argentina, absolutely everything was really fucked up. In less than a week, if you had your money in a bank, you realised that actually you didn't have any money at all. For me, and every Argentinian musician, the impact was devastating."

When Argentinian's economy experienced total meltdown in 2002, many might have expected the country's club scene to similarly implode though chatting to Skrufff this week, Buenos Aires electro producer Mujik (aka Eduardo Gallardo) insists it isn't so.

"Maybe people are still going to the clubs or using drugs as a way of escapism, but I don't see it in this way, it's because the people here love to have fun; a lot," Eduardo insists .

"But really the crash was something that should have happened earlier, because we were already living in 'Fucktasy island' - but no one gave a shit," he continues.

"Before the crash all people wanted to do was travel, take dream holidays in Cancun, buy unnecessary products, keep their cell-phones, and not do anything for the common good. Everybody saw the poverty coming up, but nobody cared; this was case as much with the people as our politicians. It's sad to say, but it's true. Then suddenly everybody realised that everything everybody believed in was a lie. For me and for every Argentinian musician the impact was devastating."

Two years on Eduardo (and to a lesser extent Argentina's economy) has bounced back to the extent where he's recently started travelling again, visiting London, Spain and Austria earlier this year. However, the purpose of his jaunt has been work not pleasure, specifically the promotion of his new synth-pop electro project Mujik. Debut single Nothing came out recently on London label Delta Recordings placing him sweetly inside the international electro (clash) circuit built around London, New York and Berlin, though for Eduardo, his love of Buenos Aires (BA) remains strong.

"Sometimes the idea of leaving Buenos Aires did enter my head, but - and there is always a but - when spent some time abroad I realised that I really love living here," he explains.

"I found out that BA really is my city; I love it and the people here, particularly the girls ('they're the hottest in the world', he laughs).


Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): What inspired you to start making synth pop-

Mujik: "I'm not sure that I would call MUJIK synth pop though I must admit I'm big fan of the 80's music, it's the music that I heard when I was a teenager. I think my sound is sometimes too dark to be called synth pop, I would describe it as a mixture of electro, pop, punk and industrial, though I usually just call my music electro. I never really planned to go in this direction on purpose, it's just what I love to write without paying too much attention what kind of music I'm writing. I also think it's the best style of electronic music to put lyrics on. I love writing lyrics and I pay so much attention to them - in each and every lyric I am giving away to people what's going on in my life . . .what I'm feeling, thinking…..or not feeling at all."

Skrufff: What's the electro scene like in Buenos Aires-

Mujik: "Right now it's growing and all the fashion people are starting to get into it, although there's not many bands playing live shows - probably not more than 4 or 5. There aren't many well-known Argentinian dj's playing electro either. A couple of years ago DJ Hell was here, and I think he was living here for a couple of months."


Skrufff: How connected were you with London, Berlin and New York when you started-

Mujik: "I was more connected with London and maybe Berlin in the past and I used to think that the best music came from the UK, though right now I'm not so sure, it could be Germany or could be anywhere. Since you can write music with your computer, your laptop, I don't see the music as coming from any cou Tags

• mujik