The woman behind the music — A moment with Flor Capistran

Some people spend their lives trying to fit into just one role. Artist. Mother. Partner. Friend. But life rarely works that way. Most of us are many things at once, constantly moving between different versions of ourselves. Reading through our conversation with Flor Capistran, I kept coming back to one particular thought she shared with us: “Being a mother is now part of who I am. But it was also important to show that I’m still an artist, a DJ, and a person who can do both.” Somehow, those words say a lot about the woman behind the music.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Flor has become one of the leading figures of the country’s electronic scene. Together with her brother, she built Phisica, a label that champions Latin sounds from an electronic perspective, while her own productions continue to move effortlessly between minimal, house and underground influences.

Her latest release, Ojos Tristes, was inspired by a beloved Spanish classic and turned into something entirely new — hypnotic, emotional and made for long nights on the dancefloor. Yet beyond the music itself, what stayed with me most after our conversation was not only her passion for sound, but the calm confidence with which she embraces every part of her life.

We caught up with Flor Capistrán to talk about Ojos Tristes, minimal music, running a label with her brother, motherhood, privacy in the social media age and the people who matter most.

Photography by aquí

Hey dear Flor! Happy to talk with you! Let’s start right away with your new single. (smiles) “Ojos Tristes” means “Sad Eyes.” Why did you choose this title?

It’s the name of the epic classic track that inspired this release — an absolute banger! The original song is by Jeanette and is called El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes. The idea came to me when I was at a Giegling party and DJ O.BEE played a deep minimal version of the song. I simply loved it. Then I went into the studio with my brother, who is also a great producer in Mexico, and we co-produced the track and recorded the vocals. My brother also added some phrases inspired by Gustavo Cerati, and the result turned out beautifully.

The track itself feels very minimal, which seems to reflect your current sound quite naturally. What fascinates you personally about minimal music? And how would you describe that world to someone who is not very familiar with it?

You are completely right. I love minimal. I find proper, classic minimal and tech house to be the best music for dancing non-stop until the sun comes up. For someone who isn’t familiar with the minimal scene — and I often hear people say that “nothing happens” in minimal tracks (laughs) — for me, it’s actually the safest dancefloor. It’s a place where you can completely lose yourself for hours. It’s something I definitely recommend everyone experience at least once: go to a minimal party and stay on the dancefloor for at least three hours!

In general, you move so naturally between minimal, house, indie dance and deeper underground influences. Do genres still matter to you at all nowadays?

I do have my favorite genres, but when it comes down to it, I never really think about them. I’m just mixing tracks together that, in my mind, will make people dance better!

You released the project on your own label, Phisica. More and more artists seem to be creating their own platforms lately, probably because of the freedom that comes with it. Do you still think bigger labels have their place today as well?

We need both: the freedom that comes with working on our own terms and the validation that can come from bigger labels.

“I never really think about genres. I’m just mixing tracks together that, in my mind, will make people dance better.”

You run Phisica together with your brother. How did that come about, and what is it like working so closely with a family member creatively?

Working with my brother is the best. Even though we don’t always agree on everything, I don’t think anyone knows me as well as he does — creatively, at least. And Phisica, like you mentioned before, is our way of controlling the process and how our music is released. We’re involved in every step of the journey, and that’s the best part. (laughs)

Phisica focuses strongly on Latin sounds through an electronic lens. Do you feel Latin American artists are finally receiving more global visibility, or is there still a gap?

Definitely both, (laughs). There’s still a gap, of course, but I think it’s getting smaller every minute. Mexico City and Latin America are in the eyes of the world right now. It’s only a matter of time before more people discover the incredible Mexican and Latin artists out there — including all the amazing talent that has released music on Phisica. We truly believe in our artists and are always looking for new people to collaborate with.

You’ve also become a Beatport Ambassador. Do you feel platforms like Beatport still play an important role in discovering new electronic music today?

Yes, absolutely. Beatport has always been a great place to discover new releases, and the charts still help people find new music. Last year, Mexico hosted a Beatport Connect edition where I interviewed local talents such as 10010 and Celice. After that, we presented a mini documentary about our scene.

“Being a mother is now part of who I am. But it was also important to show that I’m still an artist, a DJ, and a person who can do both.”

Behind the club lights and late-night energy, there is also another side to your world that has shaped you a lot in recent years. Motherhood and nightlife are often portrayed as two completely opposite worlds. How has becoming a mother changed your relationship with music, touring and your identity?

It’s difficult to describe because I’m still the same person, but I feel different. I believe I’ve become a better DJ and a better person because of motherhood — definitely more grounded and organized, at least! (laughs) Nightlife and babies don’t exactly go together, at least not in people’s perception, so it’s been a journey to find a way to balance both. But I really think I’m getting the hang of it.

Your album Mother already hinted at a more personal and vulnerable side of your artistry. Looking back now, what did that project teach you about yourself?

I wanted to make the album as a statement to myself and to the world that being a mother is now part of who I am. But it was also important to show that I’m still an artist, a DJ, and a person who can do both.

Honestly, I really respect that you are not oversharing images of your child on Instagram. It’s definitely a controversial topic today, but personally I feel children’s privacy should still be protected online. How do you find the balance between keeping certain parts of your life private while still sharing meaningful parts of yourself with the world?

OMG, this is a good one! Because at what point are you actually oversharing with everyone out there? For me personally, I like to share little moments from my daily life while keeping the most important things private.

When was the last time music genuinely gave you goosebumps?

The last time was when I went to a party with my brother in February. That experience inspired me to go back into the studio and create “Ojos Tristes”!

And finally — what currently feels the most important to you?

My family, of course. They’re the first thing that comes to mind when I wake up. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about music or my work. They are simply all parts of who I am.