Q & A: Dana Alfardan, left, and Pestana, right, answering questions at the launch event.
To the select gathering, Dana Alfardan, CEO of DNA Records, Qatar’s first record label, confirmed her latest signing of celebrity DJ and producer, Juan Pestana, while DNA Records also released Pestana’s much-awaited debut single, We Are The Light, at the event.
About his Doha debut, Pestana, at the event, said, “I really love all kinds of music and I think that a lot of diversity as a musician is incredibly important. I am really proud of everything that I have accomplished to date, especially with We Are The Light, and thanks to the ongoing support of Dana and DNA Records.”
Guest vocalist Judi Jackson at the event.
In 2015, Dana launched DNA Records, a homegrown record label, to serve as a long term and sustainable platform, as well as to support local and international artists, providing them with the right tools and knowledge to turn their dreams into reality.
About signing Pestana to DNA Records, Dana said, “As soon as I met Juan and I had the chance to hear his sound, I believed in him as an artist and saw what he was capable of. DNA Records is proud to be supporting and nurturing local talent in Qatar, and it is also a testament to the fact that music is continuing to grow in Qatar and that it is becoming increasingly a part of our culture, and that is a beautiful thing.”
Growing up on the island of Madeira, the rising Portuguese producer who also has Venezuelan heritage has had a deep love and passion for music from a young age. Pestana started playing the piano when he was all of six — his older sister had received it as a birthday gift, but she wasn’t too interested in it. Over the years, the self-taught musician built his first home studio where he spent countless hours playing songs that he heard on the radio, recording them and then mixing them, heavily influenced by electronic music that had started to sweep the world’s airwaves in the early ’90s.
Dedicating a lot of time in honing his musical talent by forming his own band at 14, learning to play and perform music across a wide range of musical genres including rock, pop and Latino, and then touring with his band across Portugal and Europe, Pestana has always loved the feeling of playing live music to a crowd.
In 2012, Pestana moved to Doha. Ever since, he has been busy expanding his musical abilities — he now also plays the bass guitar, drums and percussion. Meanwhile, Pestana also spent a lot of time in the studio mixing music and working on his singles, including We Are The Light, written by Dana, a rousing debut that packs in an irresistible blend of cello played by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) cellist Kiki Schmitz. Pestana’s other singles include These Are The Best Times and The Sun Will Rise, with both melodic and easy going house tracks poised to be the summer anthems of 2016.
At the event last weekend, Pestana’s live act was accompanied by vocalist Judi Jackson, cellist Kiko Schmitz and violinist Dimitri Torchinsky. In an interview with Community, Pestana clued us in on his music and plans.
What is the inspiration behind your debut single We Are The Light?
Over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time in the studio mixing music and working on my debut single. We Are The Light is a track that crosses different musical genres as it has an electro beat and features a combination of different instruments and vocals. We are The Light was also written by Dana Alfardan, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her and other musicians on all of my music. There is no one specific inspiration behind the track; however, music and life in general continue to be constant sources of inspiration to me. They are always pushing me forward and motivating me to make great music and to create an interesting sound. I truly believe that we have achieved this with We Are The Light and I hope that people respond well to it.
Your single uses a combination of electronica, house and dance music. As a DJ, what sort of energy or strength do you draw from these genres?
As a musician I really believe that you have to find something that inspires you in all types of music, whether it is rock, pop, classic, country, or electro/house. I am also inspired by a lot of different artistes — too many to name really. However, if I had to classify my current sound it is more electro, house and dance driven. Dance and electro music have inspired me from a very young age, especially when the dance music craze was a major trend in the early 90’s. This sound has continued to evolve but it is something that sticks with you! I have been a lover of music my whole entire life, so part of the energy comes from the music and immersing yourself in it. And another part of the energy comes from the crowd that is watching you, it is important to engage with this energy, and this is always something that motivates me.
How important was it for you to be part of DNA Records? How do you think will DNA Records help you support your musical voice?
It was very important for me to be a part of DNA Records and to have Dana’s support and encouragement, and this is something that is indescribable and quite difficult to put into words. I’m very grateful and ecstatic to have this opportunity to continue learning, making music as well as evolving and growing both as an artist and DJ. Being signed to DNA Records really means the world to me and to also have Dana’s continued trust and encouragement, this has been amazing. Dana and DNA Records are dedicated to supporting local talent, and they really focus on the artiste and what is going to work for them. I am really proud to be signed to the Record Label, and this is a very exciting time in Qatar as music is fast becoming a growing part of the culture. With Dana’s continued encouragement and the foundation of DNA Records, we have been able to create a unique sound that people are responding well to, and I’m pleased to say that Dana is constantly at the forefront of music in Qatar.
You have been in Qatar for nearly four years. What is your view on Doha’s nightlife and club music scene?
I think that over the last few years the music scene in Doha as a whole is changing and constantly evolving. Qatar is becoming a hub for arts and culture, and music is a big part of this. Dana Alfardan with DNA Records, is becoming a part of this change, and I hope that through DNA Records we can continue creating a platform for established artists, as well as supporting up-and-coming local talent.
