Feature Interview – PUMUKI – Zone Magazine Issue 047

From the outskirts of southern Madrid, Pumuki has carved a unique path where a love for vinyl, self-organized raves, and hands-on production blend into a raw, magnetic, and deeply personal sound.

With releases on labels like Envy Music, Espacio Cielo, Logical, and most recently Cabaret Clandestino, this multifaceted artist bridges his work as a tattooist and his musical persona with ease. We caught up with him to talk about synth obsessions, his ties to the Latin American scene, and what he has in store for the rest of 2025.

For those who don’t know you yet – who is Pumuki and how did you get here?

I started DJ’ing when I was 16 — I’m 43 now — so spinning records came before everything else. Back then, I was playing vinyl only, and even today it’s still my favorite format. I started throwing raves in the south of Madrid with my friend Juanan. We called them Dê-lüxe, and we’re still doing them to this day. Producing came later, but that’s when I started to get more recognition.

Do you remember your first official release? And what label would be your dream home for a future project?

My very first release came out on a Madrid-based label called Envy Music. Then Espacio Cielo and Logical really gave me a push — those are the ones that got my name out there. As for dream labels, I’d love to release on Kompakt, Dischi Autunno, but the ultimate dream would be Gigolo Records.

Tell us about your studio setup. Any favorite synths or secret production tools you swear by?

I’ve got quite a few synths, and I try to use all of them, but the one that shows up in almost every track is the Behringer MS-101 — a clone of the Roland SH-101. As for tricks… I don’t really have any! I just follow the flow. If something clicks, I keep it — if not, it goes straight to the bin.

A lot of your releases have come out on Latin American labels like Veneno and, more recently, Cabaret Clandestino. What draws you to these platforms? Do you think Spain is lacking labels with that kind of spirit?

What really draws me in is the use of Spanish vocals over electro, electroclash, or dark beats — call it what you want. That vibe really resonates with me when I’m producing. Plus, my tracks seem to get more visibility and better reception in Mexico. It just flows better over there.

Besides being a producer, you’re primarily a DJ. What’s your setup in the booth? Vinyl, CDJs, controller…? How did your relationship with DJing begin?

I started with vinyl and it’s still my go-to. These days, most booths only have CDJs, but vinyl setups — like Technics — are starting to return. I started DJing at 16, and soon after that, I began organizing those raves with Juanan I mentioned earlier. I never stopped playing — it’s always been part of me.

We also know you’re involved in the tattoo world. Tell us about your studio and how these two creative worlds intersect in your life.

The tattoo studio is run by me and my friend Raúl, and being self-employed gives me full control over my schedule. That means I can balance tattoo appointments with studio time and gigs pretty smoothly. I’m lucky that way — I can organize everything around my creative flow.

What can we expect from Pumuki in the rest of 2025? Any releases or news you can already share?

I’ve got a few things lined up — a remix for Roswell Brothers on Logical Records, and an EP coming on Espacio Cielo which should drop later this year or in early 2025. I’m also planning to put together a full-length album, like the old school ones with 10 or 12 tracks plus some remixes from friends. I’d love to release it on my own new label, Flying Saucer. That’s all I can reveal for now — but more surprises might be on the way.