Ariana Díaz Celma

Name, where are you from?
Ariana Díaz Celma. I was born in Tarragona, but Barcelona has been my home for more than half of my life.

What do you do?
I own a PR agency called Good2b which mainly works for music-related brands, festivals and artists. It also works as a homonym lifestyle online magazine. Besides this, I play records every now and then in different spots in the city.

Describe your style in three words?
Funky, pop, street.

What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Stevie Wonder playing 'Songs In The Key of Life' at Hyde Park in London some years ago. There were about 40 people on stage and the gig lasted for more than four hours. Pharrell Williams was in charge of the support act and Stevie filled the stage with his music and presence to such an elevated level that it was left as a simple opening act. Considering my huge respect for Pharrell as an artist and even more as a producer, everything is said.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’m not a musician, so it’s hard to say, but if I had to open for a couple of DJs I’d love them to be Tim Sweeney and DJ Harvey, two of my main musical referents. First one is because I think Beats in Space is the radio show I’ve listened to the most in my life and the second one is for the wide knowledge that has given me over the years with his sets and unknown gems.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
During my teenage years I was really influenced by the mod scene (especially the Northern Soul) and Brit-pop. After moving to Amsterdam at age 21, I really got into the hip hop and R&B scene, especially everything related with the golden era. Samples took me to soul (again), funk and (big up) disco. Anything from Studio 54 to the Paradise Garage and voguing scene was just so powerful for my ears. That music is so full of joy and happiness that you can’t help but get into a hedonistic mood right away, something I just love as I think it should be an enjoyable journey. Over the years, and after working for many music festivals, I really got into electronic music, I can’t help but love house, which is also the natural extension of disco. So I think it all pretty much makes sense. At least in my busy head!

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Prince, one of the most enigmatic characters in music history. I’m afraid one hour wouldn’t help much as the different angles of his personality over the years were just too diverse to get all of them together in just 60 minutes.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I don’t consider myself a DJ but a selector and a vinyl passionate, but if I had to choose one place it would be -of course- Nitsa, the place that saw me growing as a clubber and the concert venue where I’ve experienced some of the best lives ever. Sun Ra Orchestra comes to my mind now, as well as Gregory Isaacs just some months before he died without knowing he was sick (in fact this last one wasn’t exactly a concert but I really enjoyed his vibe).

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Wanna think of a hero as someone who’s still alive and enlightening me daily with his/her knowledge in music. Impossible to just mention one: Ennio Morricone, Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Roy Ayers… And many more mentioned above those lines… It’s difficult to just mention one, I think the musical taste we build over the years is a patchwork of influences :)