Eclephsia INTRVW.eXe – 003 – Hiroma Keo
SUBJECTHIROMA//EXP003//INTRVW.eX
This interview is part of set #XXXIV by Hiroma Keo
INTRVW.eXe-003-Q1
We remember the first time we visited Outra Cena, hearing the window frames pulsating from afar, almost as if there was a monster inside ready to break them. How important is it for Outra Cena to give this raw feeling to the space, and what makes it different compared to other clubs in Lisbon?
That classic rattling noise created by subwoofers that you hear when coming to a rave is definitely a thing with OC. While the raw aspect of a rave space is definitely a very seductive and exciting thing to me personally, I would argue that the raw feeling at OC is mainly consequential to its already existing architecture, as well as money and time constraints:
There’s definitely an aesthetic that made Kevin (aka the club owner / seiva) choose the space, this brutalist architectural style is definitely a selling point. I mean who doesn’t like a good old abandoned building stripped down to its bones to host a good rave? But in Lisbon you do with what you can. Everything is becoming quite expensive, opportunities are scarce, with so many actors trying to get their hands on whatever space is available. So finding a space that fits your own list of selection criteria is hardly possible. If we had to make do with a space that had a whole different aesthetic, maybe we would have who knows. But we were lucky enough to end up with this space with tall ceilings, and cold concrete pillars that was already so extraordinary that a minimalist approach was enough to underline its aesthetic qualities and use it raw. There was a choice to put whatever money there was into the sound and the light mainly, as well as essential commodities and required infrastructures, the rest is quite DIY. So yeah, that would answer the first part of the question.
Now, what makes it different compared to other clubs in Lisbon?
I mean there’s many angles that we could take on to reply to this question:
To keep on with the architecture perspective, I guess not many places offer two floors, and a chill area that allows you to have a chat, or a smoke (without having to go in a smoking area that makes you feel like a walking ashtray afterwards). Planeta Manas has this brutalist/indus vibe to it as well. But I think that would be the only one that I know of. There are new/recent venues I haven’t set foot into (I’m working week ends after all). Most of the other venues are different, some are small, some are big, some are basements, some are rooftops.
I guess we could also reply in terms of music proposal. I know Kevin is trying his best to bring artists that are pushing boundaries sonically, stepping out of the classic House/Techno realm that is very well represented in Lisbon, as well as giving a voice to sometimes overlooked but talented artists of the local/national scene. I’m not saying that we’re the only ones to do so, but I know it distinguishes us from some other spaces yeah. It’s been very liberating to hear some dubstep and broken rhythmic patterns and see the crowd being open to it, while I can tell that I’ve been struggling to play this kind of music in other clubs. Before OC I would definitely raise some eyebrows when getting out of the 4/4 patterns. I don’t know if it’s the building or because it’s new, but I’ll always remember when I opened for Ema (Woozy) in the first month of OC, and she straight on threw a massive dubstep track when taking over after me. I saw the people losing their minds on the dancefloor and I was like: fucking hell, where were you all this time? So yeah, I guess the crowd might also be more open here than in some other spaces in Lisbon? Or maybe the people are becoming more open in general? Can’t say for sure. Probably both. I know a lot of local DJs who play bass/dnb/dubstep music that are really happy this place opened in Lisbon with proper rattling subs.
We could also look at it on a social / community perspective. We try our best to provide a safe space for all ravers and especially marginalized communities. We also have an awareness team to help solve tricky situations, bringing care to people in needs. We try to create safer conditions and work opportunities for marginalized communities, be it our team, our patrons and the artists we book. Basically we are trying our best to be conscious of political and social causes that mean something to us as human beings, all of which are anchored to the origins of the rave culture I guess.
To sum it up we try our best to exploit this exceptional venue with a carefully crafted artistic direction, and attention given to inclusive and liberating conditions for both performers and ravers, which results in an amazing vibe on the dance floor.
INTRVW.eXe-003-Q2
We know that a big part of the energy that comes from Outra Cena is allowed by the lighting work provided by the club and the collaboration with Anonima/Luci. How was the lighting choice made? How important is it to the feel of the club?
That would be Kevin aka seiva, who had his eyes already on the collective Anonima/Luci, I remember him showing me their Instagram way before the opening. He said he discovered them through projects they made with Katatonic Silentio and he knew straight on that it was them what he wanted to do the light design. Anyways, that could also fit in the first question in “how is OC different from other venues”, as we are the only club in Portugal (and probably beyond) to be equipped with such a light rig. It is super important to how people experience the club. It’s unique, minimalist and gives a new dimension to the architecture, they did such an amazing job. I can tell when I see someone coming down the club for the first time, when they step into the bar, and then to the “chill/smoking” area. Regarding how the choice was made I guess compared to industry standard moving heads or whatever we could sum up our installation to: unique, minimalist (although with maximal impact) with a futuristic feel.
INTRVW.eXe-003-Q3
Planeta Manas is soon closing its doors, after all they’ve been through and what they represent. What legacy do they leave for the Lisbon scene, and what precedent do you think we should keep for the future?
When I came back to Portugal in 2017, one of the first parties I attended was a Mina in a space called Fontoria. I loved it and started bringing friends over there, for the raw energy that was in place, lots of smoke and strobes, naked people, sexual energy, in short: it was a rave. Planeta Manas is their baby, a community space, DIY, non profit organization, where passion is definitely leading the way. I can’t really say about legacy because while the space is closing its doors, I don’t think it’s the end for the crew behind it. They have been throwing parties long before having a space, they have a radio (Quantica), they are one big family inside and outside PM. The space is a convergence point and is the pinnacle of their endeavours so far. It’s a shame it’s closing as it was a safe space for a whole community but I’m sure there is a future for them still outside of these walls, or at least I hope there is. They did definitely brought something in Lisbon that I was personally missing: a proper rave spot that they made themselves with love. You could feel totally free there. Can’t say that I have been loads of times as again I’ve been working week ends for years now, and they open usually only on Fridays. But one of the best raves I’ve attended in Lisbon since I moved back here was when they invited CCL and Objekt. What a fucking night that was. I even lost my phone there, which was nicely brought back to my hands by Bleid/Mariana which also confirmed the care they provide to the ravers inside their industrial nest.
They are the only ones that I know of that provided a safe space for LGBTQIA+ and I feel sad thinking about the void that it will leave for people that definitely need a space like this. They did build a true community around it, you can feel that they fed each other with nothing but passion, support and understanding. So that’s already quite a big legacy, and it will persist. And I’m sure they will come back. In any case, they’ll always have our sympathy and support.
INTRVW.eXe-003-Q4
Architects plan from A-Z how their project is going to be. Gardeners plant seeds, watch them grow, and adapt around them. From this point of view, what resonates more with you as a music producer?
It’s funny because it’s definitely a mix of both. I usually come with an idea when I start to make music. But then I would say a good part of the music I made that I still feel moved by and like, it’s music that wrote itself, usually miles away from the original idea. It’s music that you just realize at some point: “oh shit, it’s done and it’s beautiful” and you don’t really know how it happened because you were in a flow state. When you’re in that state, it really feels like you are watching, not that you are doing, everything falls naturally into place.
So basically I would start with an architect mindset, but if all goes well, I end up with a gardener one I guess?
INTRVW.eXe-003-Q5
Three effects and three plug-ins for the rest of your days—what are your picks?
Effects: Delay / Reverb / Filter. I mean that’s basically all you need to have proper fun with texture and space. But I do love other effects as well obviously. But if you need to stick to 3, there you have it.
Plugins: For music production (as opposed to mixing and mastering for which I have other preferences obviously), this is a fucking hard one. I use so many hahaha. I guess for effects if you listen to my last EP on Eterna, you can hear a lot of PocketDimension from Freakshow Industries. It can create some very interesting textural results and the interface is one of the coolest I’ve seen yet. Then for rhythmic patterns I use this very cheap but efficient euclidian sequencer Hatefish Rhygenerator (I mean I got it with a promotion for 1.50€, don’t know its real cost but it must be cheap). Really cool to make unusual patterns. Finally if I had to select an instrument, can I cheat and say Komplete Kontrol? (it’s cheating because you can have so many synths and more added to it). I use it so much with organic instruments sample banks that sounds like true instrument (piano, orchestras,…), or Massive X, FM8, Battery… Yeah that’s a lot of plugins, I’m cheating I know.
Now I’d love to try for example datamind which seems to have lots of sound design potential. That’s one of the next planned purchases.
Interview by Eclephsia • Subject: HIROMA aka “Hiroma Keo” • © 2025
Filed under: - @ 16 May 2025 3h47