There seems to be a special aura that hovers over the city of Brusque, located near the coast of Santa Catarina. There is no consolidated dance music scene, but somehow the place has been the birthplace of new and promising talents, such as Filipe Rodrigues AKA Lipp. With a sensitive personality, he realized early on that music filled his voids and it was in the ‘golden era’ of Deep House in Brazil, shortly after 2010, that he began to cultivate a special affection for electronic music. “The only genuine friendship that I really consider is the relationship I have with music”, he says with an open heart. This sentimental side is even observed in his posture as a DJ, being concerned about the smoothness and delicacy in the mixing, making a clever blend of groove tracks among Minimal most complex beats. It is this main style that he adopts in his DJ sets, however there is always space for deeper and more romantic tracks, floating between Deep, House and Techno.
For at least five years, Filipe has been venturing into the music production field and has already produced some good releases. He joined the Odyssey Rec team, Antonela Giampietro’s label, released a remix on the Romanian label Welter Records and also signed the EPs “Apocalipse” and “Brava Green” on AIA Records, Aninha’s label, Brazilian artist who is one of his big references.
Paving his own road, he also dedicates himself to some side projects, being in charge of Índica Label, an initiative that started as a party and today works as a label record, with plans to go further, in order of bringing the main pillars of the brand cannabis activism, harm reduction and awareness through connection with music.
In the second half of 2021 Filipe starts signing as Lipp, with minimalist clothing in his tracks, he has already joined the team of labels such as Totoyov, a label he is a resident of. During his time at WAPM he had a remix signed by Vern on his EP, one of his references and he also accumulates passages through D’Praxe, Mellowdy and Neuter Records. By the end of 2022, Tzinah and Createch have already scheduled their debut. And it is so, carrying a singular lightness and seeking to promote the feeling of freedom in
those around him, that Lipp is enjoying every step of the process, unhurried, but always aiming for a promising future.
Lipp on Facebook
Lipp on Beatport
Lipp on RA
Lipp on Soundcloud
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Lipp: Please add Barac – Happiness in Every Direction
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Lipp: I have always been very passionate about music. At a very young age (between 7 and 8 years old), when I saw a band on stage with my own eyes, I fell in love with the sound of the bass guitar. At that moment, I felt that I wanted to integrate music into my life in some way. My family never supported it much, so I had to wait until adulthood to dive in, and I plan never to abandon it.
Tzinah Records: Why did you choose to create and play this particular type of music? Are there any artists that touched you deeply while developing your own style?
Lipp: I really enjoy melancholic sounds. I always joke that I save all my romance for exploring tracks, and discovering deep house was crucial in refining my taste. Artists like Karmon, NTFO, and Finnebasen were essential in captivating me with passionate sounds. Barac has also been a strong influence lately. Currently, I feel in an exploratory phase, free to create what pleases my ears, without labels.
Tzinah Records: Please, briefly, describe for us, the current state of the underground music scene in the place you come from. Is it any good?
Lipp: In my view, Brazil is experiencing a good moment, despite the underground and mainstream walking hand in hand for several years. We still don’t live in a utopian scenario where artists are valued for their talent; everything involves a lot of numbers and influence, a favor exchange (“Play at my party, and I’ll play at yours”). And that’s okay; if that’s how the gears work, let’s adapt. I won’t be hypocritical and say that our scene is doing poorly, nor is it perfect. We have a lot to learn and improve.
Tzinah Records: Without giving out too much about your secret weapons, please tell us how does the magic work in your production routine. Software? Analog? What does your DJ set-up imply?
Lipp: In my productions, I take the phrase “Less is more” very seriously, and I don’t have many secrets. I just aim to always have good samples and the U-he Diva to accompany me. My DJ sets are very versatile; I’m fascinated by creating stories for warm-ups. I’ve also explored minimal techno in peak moments; melodic and hypnotic sounds have taken over those moments.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Lipp: Currently, where I work, I have the freedom to use headphones, and this allows me to spend the day absorbing sounds and references. I like to send various information to my subconscious, and when I sit in front of the computer, it’s all stored there, ready to be accessed (which is not always an easy task to organize, unfortunately). Listening to music for most of my day is what helps me imagine a sound and execute it.
Tzinah Records: Which underground house DJ or producer would you love to take out for a summer picnic? With which artist (from any music genre) would you spend 24 hours stuck in an elevator?
Lipp: A summer picnic with Barac would be quite curious, perhaps. I promise not to be the fan with too many questions. Well, since I can choose, I would definitely get stuck in an elevator with Snoop Dogg. I bet his pockets would be filled with something we both enjoy.
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Lipp: Lately, one of my biggest dreams is to play for the Romanian audience. Most of the listeners and supporters on my SoundCloud and Bandcamp are from Romania. I have two parties at the top of my list, one of them is Puls Romania. I love watching the videos of the editions, and the lineups are always exceptional. And I can’t leave out Sunwaves; I’ve pictured myself in those tents many times, hoping to make it happen soon.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Lipp: Seeing producers and DJs happy to have their work released always motivates me to continue. I remember the feeling when the first doors opened for me, and being able to give back is satisfying.
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Lipp: A good black coffee, without milk or sugar, just a good cup of real coffee, and cheese bread already satisfies me.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Lipp: Those moments are rare. Since the pandemic, I’ve spent most of my time at home or at work, and during those moments, I always look for something to listen to. I generally spend a good part of the time producing, and when opportunities arise, I don’t miss out on a beach day.
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Lipp: Up until the time of this interview, all the tracks in the episode are still unreleased. Many already have a destination but have not been released yet. It is extremely satisfying to sign a set with my own productions.
Tzinah Records: Are there any of your plans/upcoming projects that you would like to share with us? Where can we see you play next?
Lipp: In 2024, I will be working with the Moon Agency; we will have some dates to announce soon. I can’t reveal much yet, but I can say that my first album is on the way!
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
Lipp: I would tell myself to roll one and enjoy the set again. I hope to remain steadfast over these 10 years and never sell myself or my soul.