Alongside her remarkable contribution to the series, we sat down with CORA NOVOA who shared her thoughts about her career, her new EP on Void+1, inspirations & aspirations!
- Hi Cora, we are glad to host you on Paradox. Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Cora Novoa: music producer, DJ, creative director, and researcher working at the intersection of art and technology. Throughout my career, I have presented my AV Live show in different parts of the world, at festivals and venues such as Sónar Barcelona, the Tate Modern Museum, Fabric London, and Mutek Montreal.
I combine my artistic side with other professional activities, such as being an Ableton Official Trainer, curating music content, teaching masterclasses on the music industry and creativity, and creatively directing my own record label, SEEKING THE VELVET.
I am also part of the Canadian label Turbo Recordings, owned by Tiga, and the French label Citizen Records, founded by producer Vitalic. Throughout my career, I have had the honor of being remixed by artists such as Louisahhh, Djedjotronic, Pional, and Maelstrom.
- What have brought you to the Techno world?
Dark, mental sounds have always fascinated me, as have modular synthesis and club culture, so naturally my sound gravitated towards genres such as techno, electro, and experimental music.
- How would you describe your current musical universe?
For several years now, I have been immersed in modular synthesis and its infinite possibilities. Through it, I explore basic and complex concepts such as FM synthesis, granular synthesis, and sound design. Sculpting new sounds and creating a sonic identity through sound sources seems truly magical to me.
- You are releasing your new EP in October on Void+1 Recordings which is part of Convergence vinyl-series and we really like the result! What made you feel it was the right time for this new EP on Scalameriya’s Imprint?
I had known Scalameriya’s work for years; in fact, he is an artist I often play in my DJ sets, so when they wrote to me to start working together, I didn’t think twice.
What fascinates me about the project, now that I know them thanks to having been able to work with them, is that they are very professional, careful, and lovers of music.
In the end, I think there has been an invasion of artists and projects in electronic music who may have excellent sound quality but are mediocre at their work. People who use a lack of money as an excuse for not executing a music release or event production correctly and seriously. If you want to be in the top league, you have to work seriously and professionally.
Void+1 is a family that works out of love and respect for music and professionalism, and that makes all the difference.
- By the way, we are curious to know what kind of setup you use for this EP ?
A hybrid between digital and analog. I’ve used many native Live devices and M4L, but also external sound sources from my modular and my Elektron RYTM MK1.
- You made your debut performance in Sofia a few months ago in Club Pave. What did you think about that experience and how do you feel the crowd is reacting to Techno in these kinds of emerging scenes?
The scene in Central Europe is truly inspiring, with people eager to try new things, full of enthusiasm, and a club culture based on activism rather than showmanship.
DJing at Club Pave was incredible, and I can’t wait to DJ in Sofia again.
- Do you have a precise moment in your career that you’ll never forget, or that was a key moment for you ?
When I closed Sónar Barcelona and Sónar Galicia in 2010 playing live. It was a dream come true that I was able to achieve after only a year and a few months working in this industry. It marked a turning point in my artistic career.
- As a DJ, you must come across loads of promos. What do you think about the current production in the techno circuits? Is there enough sense of creativity or innovation according to you?
In techno and music in general, there is a saturation of artists, labels, creative projects, and DJs. Everyone wants to DJ, everyone wants to throw raves, and everyone wants to sing. There is a really significant bottleneck. Ultimately, the market remains the same, but there are so many people who want to be there that it creates a funnel and saturation.
I am totally in favor of democratization and people having the freedom to do what they really want to do, but I think we have forgotten to respect the many key elements of this industry: promoters, PR agencies, booking agencies, the media… I think we need to stop and consider where we are going and what we are achieving with all this.
- How did you record the podcast for Paradox ? Can you pick a record from the mix and tell us why you like it or how you found it ?
Without a doubt, I would choose “Moteka – Marching Robots.” It’s a track that always works for me in my sets and is a classic in my opinion. I love him as a producer and I always play some of his tracks in my sessions.
- What are the European clubs or party concepts that you would like to perform at?
I would love to DJ at the WHOLE Festival and at the SNAX CLUB party at Berghain.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
I am currently touring the world with the “Mental Diary Tour” in both AV Live and DJ set formats. We will also continue working on the podcast project for my record label, SEEKING THE VELVET, and looking ahead to 2026, I would like to start working on new material for clubs and also another side project involving experimental pop music.
Thanks a lot Cora, we hope to see you very soon somewhere, keep the good vibe on!
Love and respect