Ali ‘Dubfire’ Shirazinia has been on the music scene long enough to reference a Walkman unironically. Growing up in the Washington, DC area, he says he’d always have mix tapes with him and serve as his friends impromptu DJ. Not much has changed since then, except for the icon status and global travel. With a career that spans more than 30 years, Dubfire was once known as part of the duo Deep Dish, before going solo and putting out hit collaborations. Now, the EDM idol is finally giving his fans a full-length album. Evolv. Here, he shares with Luxeicon what went into making it–and indulges us with a few of his favorite hot spot recs in his current hometown of Barcelona. 

What drew you to electronic music early in your career?

I was always that kid who made mix tapes and walked around with some sort of music player; whether Boom Box or Walkman. Wherever I was I’d have cassette tapes that I had compiled and seemed to always provide the soundtrack to all of those early teenage experiences for my friends and I. School dances and house parties were a common thing as well before I was old enough to play in local Washington, DC-area clubs. I was always dialed in to what was happening in alternative music; whether punk, goth, dub/reggae, new wave, industrial, house or techno. And what was happening in electronic music was always incredibly forward-thinking and inspiring.

How would you describe your newest album?

It’s a more personal statement from me as well as being my debut album. There are no esoteric concepts there though; it’s aimed squarely at the dance floor sound-wise and all the tracks feel like they’re coming from the same creative space.

Your new album is titled “EVOLV.” As someone who’s been on the scene for three decades, where do you see electronic music going next / evolving? 

I’ve never been more excited than at the present about where the MUSIC is at and where it’s headed. There are so many young, creative minds launching missives from the confines of their tiny bedroom studios who are blending and mutating genres and pushing it all forward. The one thing I lament however is the current heavy emphasis on social media gimmicks or status as a primary driver for recognition and success. Now the audiences are drawn more towards the personalities than the actual music and that’s sad to see. And these social media stars aren’t putting in the years of hard work it takes to develop their sound and fanbase.

It sounds like you’re constantly on tour, when arriving in a new city, what do you think is the best way to get to know it?

Besides having friends in virtually every city around the world, I always do a bit of research beforehand and make target lists of shops, restaurants, museums, sightseeing and any places of interest. I also create handy group lists by city in Google Maps and add all of that info plus restaurants, clubs and bars I’ve been to or want to go to, etc. which I use as a resource and which I can easily share with others.

In addition to the release of your album and tour, what else are you working on? What else should we be looking out for from you? 

I’m in the middle of planning the big audio-visual EVOLV tour which will launch early next year. And there are collaborations with Luke Slater, Scan X and Davide Squillace which all need to be finished before I dive into more original material. 

If you had 24 hours, which city in Spain would you spend it in?

Definitely Barcelona, which is where I reside or perhaps in Ibiza. There are a myriad of things to do with some of the world’s best restaurants, bars, nightlife and nature there.

Where should you go before kicking off a night in Barcelona?

Cocktails at Paradiso, Dr. Stravinsky or Especiarium or natural wines and snacks at Bar Brutal.

Where should you go for the most authentic Spanish food? What do you order?

Any of the tapas on offer at Cañete or El Xampanyet or lunch at El Quim de la Boqueria and Terraza Martinez (for the views).

Where should you go for breakfast when you’ve been up all night?In Barcelona, most would end up at an after party or in bed, but never to breakfast, LOL! But I would just go for incredible coffee at Satan’s, NOMAD, Couleur Cafe or Coffee Casa.