Surging into the new year on the When We Dip labels, we’re thrilled to announce Eduardo McGregor’s debut EP on the TOR imprint.

The Mexican maestro has graced the likes of Cattaneo’s Sudbeat and Go Deeva, showcasing a knack for afro-driven grooves, percussive rhythms, and rich melodies. He’s a unique talent within dance music – a multi instrumentalist, composer, and educator. McGregor’s true musicianship brings distinct quality to his productions, and we’re stoked to have him on board as we set forth into 2021.

For his introduction to the TOR family, he presents a deeply personal offering. I Fall features solemn vocals from the man himself, harnessing melancholy and melody in a beautiful recording. Floating along with delicate rhythms and blissful instrumentalism, the A-side provides the perfect insight into Eduardo’s production style; resting firmly at the intersection of groove and emotion.

The Hunt pushes the envelope into more dancefloor-centric territories, capturing punchy synths and heady drums. Horns warm up a shadowy backbone, while vocal stabs and a driven bassline encapsulate an unrelenting groove. The B-side finishes off a pristine 1-2 punch for McGregor’s debut on TOR, showcasing both sides of his sound.

To celebrate the release of I Fall, we caught up with Eduardo to catch up about life as a producer during a difficult period for the industry, his process in the studio, and what we can look forward to from the Mexican as we enter the new year.

WWD – Eduardo, many thanks for joining us today! Where are you joining us from today?

Eduardo – Hi! Many thanks for having me. I’m joining you from my hometown Campeche, Mexico

WWD – What’s it been like in Mexico over the last couple of months?

Unfortunately my country as many others worldwide is going through a difficult time due to Covid. The situation is not getting any better, and we get bad news almost every day. For instance, we just broke the record for daily casualties. As a country, there are states where the pandemic is now a less worrying situation, such as Campeche where me and my family live. We have a “green light” because the local government has done a great job in this matter.

WWD – How important has the Mexican scene been to your journey as a producer? There seems to be an amazing community for electronic music across the country.

Yes I agree, there is a huge and amazing community with very talented people. There are a lot of top-level producers and musicians, who in a certain way have influenced me, but I must say that throughout my career the sounds that have influenced me the most are afro and organic house from other countries, specifically in the last 2 years. There are just a few Mexicans that work and create with this style, and this has helped me to draw attention and stand out in a positive way.

WWD – We’ve been patiently awaiting the arrival of ‘I Fall’, and we’re so happy to have the projects out for the world to enjoy. What stands out about this EP for you?

No doubt this is a very special project for me. I started “I Fall” almost two years from now, it was one of my first drafts on this style. I’d had the idea to produce afro and organic house, but for one reason or another I never completed it or felt it was ready until a couple of months ago, when I decided to work again on it. Now that I have more experience and new inspiration, I feel more related to these sounds, and it has become easy for me to create mixes with this style of music.

WWD – Have you sang on your own productions before? How does writing vocals differ from instrumental production?

I don’t do that very often, just a couple of times before, but this year 6 of my new releases have my own vocals. I consider myself a producer, not a singer. I know that’s not my strength. When I start creating new tracks without vocals, like “The Hunt”, I base myself on synths, wind instruments and percussion. In the case of “I Fall”, I get inspired with some lyrics in my mind and the piano chords.

WWD – You’re a talented multi-instrumentalist, which is evident when we hear all the lovely rhythms present in these two gems. When did you get started in music, and which was the first instrument you mastered?

Since I was a kid I always felt attracted by drums and percussion, so I started playing on my own when I was 3 or 4 years old. That was the first instrument I mastered, and continued to play over the years. As a drummer I started playing rock, then at 15 I studied jazz, latin jazz and fusion. I consider myself as a self-taught person. I’ve learned a lot through just my own practices, such as the piano, saxophone and hang drum.

WWD – Whats it like to blend the world of electronic and instrumental music?

It’s fantastic because it allows me to play, create and mix many different sounds and instruments at the same time. I use and record many instruments, and then introduce them in my own productions. I barely use samples. I usually create my own sounds and rhythm so when I play as a “Live Act”, I literally play my instruments too.

WWD – When did you start to focus on crafting dance productions, and who were some of your early inspirations within electronic music?

I must say St.Germain and Everything But The Girl definitively were a fundamental part of my interest in this style of music. By the time I was fifteen years old, I was immersed in jazz. Everything changed when I heard the fusion of St Germain, and the incredible music of Everything but the Girl was a trigger for me, and the awakening of a taste for this sounds and rhythms. Then I start listening Cafe del Mar and Buddha Bar compilations, also Global Underground; specially those great albums by Danny Tenaglia, Lee Burridge, Nick Warren, Deep Dish, Dave Seaman, Hernan Cattaneo, Sasha, John Digweed, Danny Howells and Steve Lawler. Since that moment I started picturing myself as a producer, and everything materialized in 2015 when I released my first track.

WWD – You often have an afro-edge to your music, as we see on The Hunt. What aspects of African music do you enjoy the most?

My professional music career began as a drummer and percussionist based in Latin jazz. Simultaneously, I was influenced by African and Cuban sounds, so these rhythms have always been a part of my music, and I consider them my biggest inspiration in many aspects. I really enjoy recording live percussion, and introducing them into my productions. Playing drums have always been part of my life since I remember and I am really passionate about this.

WWD – Which artists and labels have you been jamming to recently?

Last year I signed with Hernan Catanneo’s label, Sudbeat, along with some EP’s that were released with Go Deeva, King Street, Natura Viva and MoodFunk. Additionally I recently sign with two labels which I consider the most compelling in the electronic scene – they are my favorites! This is a big step for me, since it was one of my targets for the last months, but as you may know I can’t tell you yet.

WWD – You have a knack for collaborations, and seem to really enjoy working with other producers. How does the nature of electronic music offer the opportunity to collaborate with people across the globe?

I love it, because it allows me to meet and work with a couple of really nice producers. Technology really does its part in this matter. I’ve learned a lot in this process, and doing collaborations with artists across the globe is very enriching. I’ve grown in many aspects, as an artist and as a person. I have around 30 new tracks to release this year – 10 of them in collaborations.

It will be the first time I collaborate on original mixes with another Mexican producer – Wayne Madiedo (aka Nosegrab) – we have been working in 3 tracks, and I’m very excited and happy to be able to work together.  He is definitively an artist 24/7 committed to his music and his label (Habitat, which is one of the top labels in my country).

Besides this, I’ve just finished 4 tracks with Luis Daniel, who is also my friend. He is a producer with many contacts and connections in the industry who, basically understands how to talk to record labels, AR, bookers and big label owners. Huge tracks are coming with him on one of the top organic house labels.

The last couple of weeks I also have been working with Jim Rider on an EP. He is very creative and talented with great quality sound. In my opinion we have a lot in common. We both use many percussion, piano and strings.

Additionally two of my favs, and renowned organic house producers, will remix my tracks – Maxi Degrassi and Viel.

WWD – We hear you are involved in music education as well – can you tell us more about this aspect of your career?

Yes I was an online drummer teacher for two years, I really enjoy it. I gave drums classes in my hometown as well, and a few masterclasses in other cities. It’s been a while since then but I remember how much I enjoyed it, not only because I met new people across the globe, but also because I learn and improve as a drummer. I’m still in touch with some of my students, and makes me happy to hear that many of them are still in the music scene making a living out of it.

WWD – What has been the proudest moment of your career thus far?

It’s impossible to me narrow it down just to one moment, however this past couple of weeks/months, where I found myself talking and signing my tracks with legends in electronic music really gets me excited. I’m proud to realize how far I have come, and of course signing I Fall EP with you guys 🙂

WWD – What will be your first trip once the pandemic subsides?

I have been invited by an agency to play in Bali and also Latin America, perhaps Argentina and Colombia

WWD – Can you tease us in on any upcoming projects you have in the works?

I have 30 upcoming tracks – I really made the best of this pandemic haha. Most of them organic and afro, which luckily are already in contracts. Also I’m very thrilled that two EPs will be released in two big electronic labels and my favorites as well, I hope I can make this announcement any time soon and share with you the great news.

Eduardo McGregor – I Fall EP [TOR008]
Release Date – 01.22.21
Stream – https://xyzlabel.lnk.to/iFall

Connect with TOR & XYZ – https://linktr.ee/wwd.xyz
Stream releases in full via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2uDd07z

Connect with Eduardo McGregor

Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/eduardomcgregor
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/EduardoMcgregorMusic
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/eduardomcgregormusic/