Inspired by the journey of life, Tagavaka’s debut album ETERNAL unfolds like a story—tracing moments from the very beginning to an open-ended future, with all the good and the bad that life carries within it. “The album is largely about life, from birth to an unspecified point in time,” he explains. Melancholy and beauty intertwine through its melodies, creating a shimmering gem for lovers of electronic music.
Born in Scotland, Ivan Hall Barrientos—the producer and composer behind Tagavaka—has always had a deep connection to music. A classically trained pianist, he grew up shaping sound through touch, long before he discovered the world of electronic production. “I think music has this incredible way of capturing a moment in time, not just for the artist but for the listener too. A song can bring you right back to a specific place, a feeling, or even a scent.”
With his debut album now out in the world, we sat down with Tagavaka to explore his creative process, his work with Anjunadeep, and the deeper themes within his debut album.
photography by Samuel Temple
Ivan, a debut can only happen once. How will you spend the release day? Have you planned anything special? (smiles)
I think I’ll try to keep the day as normal as possible—maybe a little quiet celebration, but nothing too extravagant. It’s been such a long journey to get here, so I just want to take it all in. And, of course, I’ll be keeping an eye on how people react to the album! That’s the most exciting part for me—seeing how it resonates with listeners.
In a previous interview, you mentioned that the process of making ETERNAL was far more difficult than you ever anticipated. While you’re not a perfectionist, you just couldn’t get every demo to a level you thought was good enough. We totally feelyou on this—only the best should see the light ofday! What do you do when you’re really struggling with decisions?
It can be really frustrating when you’re stuck on a track and just can’t figure out what’s missing. Usually, I step away from it completely—go for a walk, listen to something completely different, or even just take a few days off from making music. When I come back, I can hear it with fresh ears, and that’s usually when I know whether it’s worth pushing forward or if I need to let it go. I’ve learned that forcing it never works.
And how do you decide when a track feels complete?
I think it’s a gut feeling more than anything. There’s always a temptation to tweak things endlessly, but at some point, you just know it’s done. For me, it’s when I can listen to the track and feel the emotions I wanted to capture without thinking, “Oh, I should change that snare” or “Maybe this section needs something more”. If I can sit with it for a while and still feel connected to it, then it’s ready.
“A song can bring you right back to a specific place, a feeling, or even a scent.”
You also said, “The album is largely about life, from birth to an unspecified point in time.” So, which track defines your current point in life?
That’s a tough one! Right now, I’d say Absorb is the one that represents where I am. It’s a reflective piece, full of movement and emotion, but also a bit ambiguous in its direction. That’s how I feel at the moment—grateful for the journey so far, but also looking ahead, not quite sure what’s next.
We love Absorb and how emotional and deep it is. What’s the story or inspiration behind it?
Thank you! Absorb was one of those tracks that came together really naturally. It started with this evolving chord progression that felt really nostalgic to me, like a memory that keeps shifting as you revisit it. I wanted it to have that kind of fluidity—something that feels like it’s constantly moving forward but also looking back at the same time. The name Absorb reflects that idea of taking in everything around you, all the emotions, experiences, and letting them shape you.
As listeners, we interpret music in our own way. What’s the one thing you’d love people to feel when they hear Absorb for the first time?
I think just something visceral. It doesn’t have to be what I felt when making it, but if it sparks any kind of emotion—whether it’s nostalgia, peace, sadness, or even just a moment of stillness—then I feel like I’ve done my job. Music is so personal, and I love that everyone experiences it differently.
Memory seems to be a recurring theme in the album. Do you think music serves as a personal archive of emotions, similar to a photograph or diary for people? It definitely does for me! (smiles)
Absolutely. I think music has this incredible way of capturing a moment in time, not just for the artist but for the listener too. A song can bring you right back to a specific place, a feeling, or even a scent. That’s why I love making music—it’s like creating little time capsules of emotion.
“It’s been such a long journey to get here, so I just want to take it all in.”
Anjunadeep is one of our favorite labels! How did you come to work with them?
Anjunadeep has been a dream label for me for a long time. I actually sent them some rejected advert compositions a while back, not really expecting much, but they responded and were really supportive from the start. They really understand what I’m trying to do musically, which is rare. It’s been an amazing journey working with them.
Could you describe your typical routine or mindsetwhen starting a new piece?
It’s different every time, but usually, I start with a mood rather than a specific idea. Sometimes it’s a texture or a chord progression that sets the tone. I try to let things flow naturally rather than forcing a structure too early. It’s all about capturing a feeling first—everything else comes later.
Your music often feels cinematic. Have you everconsidered scoring a film, and if so, what kind ofstory would you want to tell?
I’d love to score a film one day. I think it would be something atmospheric, something that leaves a lot of space for emotion to breathe—maybe a sci-fi or a slow-burning drama. I’m really drawn to the kind of storytelling where the visuals and the music work together to create a deep, immersive world.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
Honestly, I’m not sure! The music industry is so drastically different from when I first entered, and I don’t think the direction its going is particularly feasible. As long as I’m still writing music I love, I guess that’s enough for me.
The most important thing in life is…?
My wife and my daughter!
Follow Tagavaka for more:
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www.facebook.com/tagavaka
Tagavaka’s debut album is out now. Stream it now: ffm.to/lls006.
