By José Gandue @Gandour
Photos by Luis Agudelo.
Her national identity card states that her official name is Ana Magdalena Camargo, and Until recently, her work as a DJ and producer was carried out under the name Magdalena or Magdalena Solo Project. Recently, as her performances in Europe intensified, a German DJ claimed to be using the same name for a longer period, creating a conflict that, fortunately, the Colombian artist residing in the city of Medellín resolved by using her mother's second surname, which she adopted for her new work. Ana Gartner. Using that name, and under his own record label, Broken Mind Recordings, has released his latest album, Straight Lines, Since its launch, the project has received favorable reviews from the specialized press and colleagues around the world. Taking advantage of the magic of WhatsApp, we contacted Ana and chatted about her work and what's happening in her city.
What is it about? Straight Lines?
Straight lines It's the musical representation of a somewhat dark period in my life. It deals with love, heartbreak, discontent, rebellion, helplessness—you could say a bit of rage—before exploding and giving way to calm.
How does your role as a producer differ from your role as a DJ?
They're like two sides of the same coin. One gives me the option to let go and vent, with a strange freedom, thanks to having been doing it for 16 years. On the other hand, production is a challenge. It's a completely different way of expressing myself (I'm talking about music production like this new project or Magdalena Solo Project), it's like telling the world who you are or how you feel, showing yourself raw and vulnerable…
What does Ana Gartner's work generally sound like?
It's a mix of all my influences and the phases I've gone through. From the punk I listened to and sang when I was 15 to the industrial techno I play in my sets now. Ana Gartner is allowing me to unify, in a way, production, DJing, and performance. It sounds like post-punk with new wave and synth-pop. And I hope to take her sound into techno in the future.
What is a live performance like?
That's exactly what I want to know (laughs). I'm in that process, developing different ones performances. One of these will be accompanied by Archaic Revival, A beloved and talented producer and DJ from Medellín. In this format, he'll be in charge of sequences and beats, and I'll be handling some melodies and vocals. I'll also be presenting a format live set, In this format, where I'll be performing solo in a continuous set with no breaks between songs, I want to explore techno in this way. Next year, for special occasions, I'll do a full band format: bass, guitar, drums, synths, and vocals.
How does living in Medellín influence your music?
The environment has a big influence—inspiration, mood, energy. I'm not saying it's better or worse. It's just different. In Bogotá, I had a space that really inspired me to compose, sing, record, and experiment, but since I've lived in Medellín, musical opportunities have opened up, and as a DJ, I've progressed much more. In short, I think I have to push myself harder to compose and record here. It doesn't flow as easily.
You have extensive international experience, how is your music perceived abroad?
I try to share my music with colleagues from all over the world. feedback The feedback you receive is both motivating and enriching, and in recent years that response has been more positive. Artists I admire have played my tracks, which is a huge achievement for me. And as a DJ, it's wonderful to feel that in places you never expected, there are people who follow you and like what you do. I've done very well in the opportunities I've had to play abroad.
Is there any particular comment that someone has made to you that you found extremely flattering?
Ugh. Let's see. When I played at Club M in Valparaiso, with the guys from Valparaíso Techno, The club manager couldn't believe I was playing with turntables and units, and told me that none of the DJs who had played at that club (referring to well-known international artists) had such technique or such great energy. And regarding the album, I've received very positive feedback. Among the latest comments, Alex Bau, from Germany, wrote to me that she really liked the sound, that her favorite was Who do you think you are, which he would include in his sets, those unique sets he did at one of the clubs where he started playing. For me, all the comments people make about my music are significant. If you manage to elicit a reaction from someone through your music, you've achieved your goal.
Finally, what's the techno scene like in Colombia?
It's going through a really good period. There's already a scene in remote parts of the country—collectives, producers, DJs. There are some really, really good producers who are putting Colombia on the map. I think a unique sound and style is being created, demonstrating that you don't have to make or play tropical music to show that you have a musical identity. My only concern, in Medellín, is that the city is becoming saturated with international DJ events, which could be counterproductive for local and national artists.
Do you feel that this might diminish the value of local talent?
A lot, because club dates are reduced, the public is spoiled, so the local artist has less opportunity to grow.
Is there anything that can be done about it?
It's the promoters' job; they're the ones who organize the events. They need to be aware that they could help local talent grow and gain recognition, dispelling the mentality that what's from elsewhere is better, especially now that there's so much local talent.