Gruvalismo debuts on vinyl: a VA as a manifesto within underground techno

It is already well-known that the music industry has a constant digital oversupply, and more and more projects are looking back at the physical format as a way to regain meaning, identity, and permanence. Along this path appears Gruvalismo, an underground techno label taking its first step on vinyl with a Various Artists release that seeks to position itself through curation, concept, and the cultural value of the object.

We spoke with the team behind the label (Pert and SAN.) about this first release, the role of vinyl today, and the construction of an identity within techno and the global scene.

Vinyl as a decision

Why on vinyl?

“We fervently believe in the uniqueness of the bond created between the listener and the physical work. In an era of ephemeral consumption, vinyl forces us to stop.

When we talk about 'their music', we refer to that sense of belonging: both for the producer who materializes their art in a groove, and for the collector who treasures a physical piece.

Vinyl is the format that best respects the sound fidelity and longevity of the message we want to transmit.”

A milestone within the label

What does this first vinyl represent for Gruvalismo?

“It is a foundational milestone. It represents the transition from being a broadcasting platform to becoming a tangible archive.

It is the first step on a path where we seek to expand our catalog not only in quantity, but in value and curation.

It is our way of telling the world that Gruvalismo has arrived to contribute to the culture.”

Releasing in physical format as resistance

What value does releasing on vinyl have nowadays?

“We live in a digital saturation where music is produced and discarded en masse, often dictated by algorithms or trends.

Releasing in physical format today is an act of cultural resistance. It restores the authentic connection between the artist and the selector.

Vinyl filters out the noise: only what truly has artistic weight deserves to be pressed. It is reclaiming the ritual in the face of the trend.”

Curation and community

Who makes up the VA and how was the selection process?

“This Various Artists is a synthesis of our network of affection and professional respect.

• Vilchez: the connection was born in the Berlin scene during one of Pert's tours. His sound fits perfectly with the label's DNA.

• Pakard: national representative with a global vision. His participation also arises from shared sessions with Pert, where the technical merges with the human.

• San & Pert: as founders of the label, our productions close the concept of the record, bringing to the dancefloor what we propose from the management side.

It was a natural process, looking for tracks that dialogue with each other and build a coherent narrative.”

The concept as the core

Did you work on a previous concept for this release?

“Absolutely. In Gruvalismo, the concept is the intervention.

We do not see the record as a static product, but as a tool that intervenes in a space: a dancefloor, a moment, a listening session.

That spirit of transforming is the guiding thread of everything we release.”

The visual language of vinyl

How was the process for the cover art?

“We were inspired by urban aesthetics and its constant mutation.

The cover reflects street intervention, graffiti, and the overlapping layers typical of major cities.

Urban art is ephemeral but impactful, raw and public. We wanted to translate that language to the record, so it feels like a piece of the city in your hands.”

Where to get it

Where can the vinyl be purchased?

“We are in the middle of the launch phase. The direct link to the order form is in our Instagram bio.

We also reply via private message for those who want to secure their copy. These are limited units that we cut with the vinyl manufacturers Asociación Ilícita Records, so you have to stay tuned.”

Beyond the format

With this first release on vinyl, Gruvalismo not only presents a VA in a physical format within the techno circuit, but also makes its stance clear.

In a scene where everything seems to move fast, betting on vinyl means slowing down, selecting, and building.