Q: Since 2018, Colectivo Lenha has been building a network that goes far beyond the dancefloor — spanning music, design, visual arts, radio, and records. How do these different fronts feed into each other within the crew?

A: When we started, there were different ideas around what Lenha could do and be, but we were clear that we wanted to do music and design, in every form, and explore the connection between both. Most of the work is made “behind the scenes”; the dancefloor is where we try to have fun and share what we like to do together. We have the luck to have members and friends with different professional and social backgrounds, which helps us to work in those different fronts, always on a basis of DIY and an horizontal and democratic structure. Everything we do is by ourselves, which helps to engrave a unique character, with a very personal and honest approach and, at the same time, enabling us to contain the production and event costs. In the end of the day, the contributions of different perspectives and experiences of not only the members, but also friends, is what defines us as a collective. As important as being a “collective”, is also being a group of friends, that likes to share and have fun.

Q: The compilation Aquecimento feels like a snapshot of a scene — or even a generation. What guided the curation behind it, and how do you see colectivo lenha’s role in documenting this new wave of underground Portuguese artists?

A: AQUECIMENTO is a compilation of artists we have been following for some time, but also a lot of friends. We actually invited a big number of artists, with a very limited timeframe, but practically no requirements, apart from delivering a track that would heat up the dancefloor (“Aquecer a pista”). The result was a collection of bangers, dancefloor gems and instant classics, covering various genres. Our role as curators was basically done - we like giving freedom to the artists and hearing the final result, and we’re glad we did.

This approach aligns with our collective’s mission: to use our platform and reach to share with the local scene the wonderful movement made of underground Portuguese artists, providing them with a safe space to share their work, with no restrictions, just being themselves. At the same time, we’re feeding the scene with projects that can shape and push forward the boundaries of our national aesthetics and sound, within the contemporaneous international scene.

Q: From events in venues like ZDB and Anjos 70 to your Sacred Fire of Vesta show on Rádio Quântica, you’ve maintained a steady presence in Lisbon. How do you see the local electronic scene evolving, and which spaces do you feel are central right now?

A: DAMAS and PLANETA MANAS have been the central places for us, for both playing and going out, for a long time and it’s really frustrating seeing these places disappear and close. We just lost Lounge, and we are at risk of loosing other grassroot spaces that maintain the scene with their work. So we see the scene as having the same problems as Lisbon itself: overpriced, under budgeted and gentrified. We also feel like there is a lack of ability from bigger venues to integrate upcoming underground artists, although there are some places that do make that conscious effort, like Outra Cena, besides the ones mentioned above.

Plus, we would like to play and do more outside of Lisbon #decentralize, as there is a lot of good things happening and artists flourishing in other geographies as well. Although there are less spaces and venues, we keep seeing the scene evolving with a lot of new music and artists coming up, and we also feel like our role can be to use our platform to showcase them.

Q: Each member of Colectivo Lenha brings a unique sonic identity to the table — How do you balance these different approaches in your sets, releases, and Collective Vision?

A: The first steps as a collective were to meet together at Rui’s (DJ mafia) or Diogo’s (DJ Vicecity) to just listen to music together and chill. We shared tracks, new artists and even taught each other dj’ing and producing technics. This is the core of what shaped us as a collective, but also influenced each one’s sonic identity and made us very comfortable playing music as a group. For everything that is creative, related to sets, releases or designs, everyone has the freedom to bring what they want to the table.

Our collective vision relies on a democratic approach aiming for consensus. At the moment, we are 4, and split the different tasks and duties between each other, which also brings different perspectives in rotation. That makes us create/output things that live off everyone’s feedback. This gives us the ability and freedom to be very diverse in genres that we play and produce, because each of us can bring a different sound or vibe, from house, techno, to breaks and bass music, and still be an cohesive and fun voyage.

Q: You’ve been active for over six years — releasing music, throwing parties, and running a radio show. Looking ahead, what’s next for colectivo lenha? Are there any new directions or collaborations that you're especially excited about?

A: We have some collaborations coming through such as one with CIGA239 from Coimbra, where we did a residency together at Lúcia Lima and are planning on releasing the resulting music by the end of the year. We also have a new release fresh out of the oven from an upcoming covilhanense artist that goes by the name xerifemaria - a 6 track EP. On top of that, we plan to keep doing our radio show, parties, release more music and keep building our community.

We live by our 3 key words

LIVE LAUGH LENHA