Cisco Cisco are the Portuguese duo renowned for crafting emotional and uplifting house and disco, filled with hypnotic sampling and shimmering effects. Their sound has become a signature of Apersonal’s catalog. Their new EP ‘The Heat’ is a glowing continuation of their bond, featuring three original tracks, each representing a different facet of their style with remixes by Ron Basejam and Rayko. On the week of the release, we got a chance to talk to the exciting duo.

WWD: How did the initial idea for the EP come about?

We hadn’t put out original material for a while, although we never stopped doing music, mostly because we wanted to do something new and fresh in terms of style and to find a new approach that could inspire us and revive in us that emotion of creating new music. We felt last year that the time was right to start a series of new EPs on our home label Apersonal Music and others.

I remember being in the middle of a particularly intense summer — emotionally, creatively, and physically. But that intensity fuelled us to push boundaries and experiment with different styles, which you can hear in this EP: a blend of electro and disco with a “radio single” feel in it. The title, ‘The Heat,’ came early in the process and just stuck — it captured so much of what we were feeling: the passion for creating, the pressure of expectations, and the fire that drives the creative process.

Also, we approached ‘The Heat’ with the idea of bringing some happiness back into the mix. There’s something timeless about disco and house music when it’s done right — that ability to lift people up and to create a shared moment. That’s what we were chasing.

So, this EP became about joy, connection, and doing something a bit different from what we’ve done before. 

WWD: What was most important for you to convey through this EP? 

When we started, we didn’t want to overthink about the result. The magic, for us, has always been about following the first emotion that comes from the groove — that initial spark when we hit the right rhythm or melody. From there, everything else just flows.

We definitely weren’t aiming for perfection. It’s never about making something flawless; it’s about making something real. The vibe and the energy we feel when we’re creating are what we hope listeners will connect with the most.

We’re really happy with how it turned out. The tracks feel like they have life in them. They have warmth. And that’s exactly what we wanted to convey.

WWD: What are you most proud of with ‘The Heat?’

What we’re most proud of with ‘The Heat’ is the dedication and passion that both we and the label put into this project. It’s been such a rewarding experience working together — the energy was there from the start. We really felt like the label believed in us, and they gave us the freedom to express ourselves while also pushing us to explore new territories. That level of trust and collaboration made the entire process feel special.

At the end of the day, this EP is a product of that collective effort — from the long hours in the studio to the late-night talks about the direction of the music. The passion from everyone involved really shines through in the final product, and that’s what we’re most proud of.

WWD: What was the most challenging part of bringing this release together?

Definitely the distance and our different schedules. Julio lives in Lisbon, and I’m based in Barcelona, so coordinating everything between two cities and busy schedules wasn’t always easy. We’ve both got our individual projects (work), so finding those windows of time to really focus on the EP sometimes felt like a puzzle.

But at the same time, I think that challenge made the process more rewarding. We really had to make the most of the time we had together, and it pushed us to be more intentional about what we were doing. When we finally did get to lock in and work on a track, it felt like all that effort paid off — the right energy was there.

WWD: The artwork is incredible. What’s the meaning behind it?

We have always felt more secure behind an imaginary identity than the true image of our real persons. That being said, there is also a message in the composition. It’s all about freedom and no limits that comes with disco music and dancing. The drawn elements represent the freedom we both share, and we expect also from our listeners. It’s a reflection of how we approach our lives and music: fluid, unrestricted, and alive.

The most special part is that we’ve done this together. The artwork wasn’t just created by one person; it was a collaboration between us and Emanuel Belo, who really understood what we wanted to express. We worked side by side, shaping the visual to match the vibe of the music. 

WWD: We’d love to hear your thoughts on how your creative process has changed and remained the same over the years you’ve been working in music. 

Our creative and production process has definitely evolved over the years, but one thing that’s remained constant is our desire to feel the music rather than follow a rigid structure or technical rules.
When we first started, we might have been more focused on figuring out the “right” way to do things, but over time, we’ve realized that there’s no one formula. We try to approach each track without a set structure to follow. It’s more about letting the music led us to the main idea. 

In terms of production, we work with a lot of sampling, which comes hand to hand with a lot of digging records. Normally we use samples for layering, vocals and hooks. While we produce our original beats, bass and main synths. That mix of sampled layers on top of original sounds is what defines the CISCO CISCO sound.

WWD: Is the feedback of others important to you? How do you channel this in your process?

Feedback from others is definitely important to us, as it helps us grow and improve. We’re always open to hearing what people think, whether it’s from fellow artists, fans, or industry folks. It gives us new perspectives and often points out things we might have missed or areas we can fine-tune. However, we also believe that it’s crucial to trust in our own values and, most importantly, in the way we express ourselves.

In the end, we know that not everyone will connect with our music — that’s just part of being an artist. There will always be people who love what we do and others who don’t. And that’s okay. We’ve learned to stay grounded in the authenticity of what we create, while still being open to constructive feedback that can push us forward. 

WWD: What drives you to create music?

For us, creating music is really about expressing the present moment — it’s a way of saying, “I’m here, I’m alive.”

Music becomes a reflection of what we’re feeling right now, the experiences we’re living, and the energy we’re absorbing from the world around us. It’s a way to capture and share those fleeting emotions, to turn them into something tangible and universal. At the core, it’s about embracing the potential that every new day brings — the idea that anything can happen, and that music is the language through which we can express that limitless possibility.

WWD: Who do you think is blazing a trail right now?

I think about how strong and important the connections between people are right now. Now more than ever there is a collective energy in the world. It’s amazing how the right people just seem to come together, to create and also to consume. It feels like we’re all part of a larger movement, and when you open yourself up to that, connections just naturally happen. Everyone has a role to play, and all the tools that connect us right now are propelling the dance scene forward faster than in the past. 

WWD: Where do you find the most inspiration when it comes to discovering new music?

A lot of our inspiration comes from digging through record shops, exploring Discogs, and connecting with collectors. There’s something special about physically flipping through records — you never know what hidden gems you’ll come across. It’s that thrill of discovery, especially when you find something rare or unexpected. Discogs is a goldmine for deep cuts and rare releases, and we love diving into the catalogues of lesser-known artists. Connecting with other collectors and hearing their stories or recommendations also plays a big role. It’s all about the hunt and the surprises along the way.

WWD: What’s up next for Cisco Cisco ?

We have lots of good unreleased material to share, but of course it needs to make sense and see the light at the right moment and through the right labels. So, we’ll have more releases coming out in the next months, hoping to keep the momentum going and allow us to continue exploring new ideas and sounds. There’s always more to share, and we can’t wait to keep pushing the boundaries of what we do.

WWD: And we can’t wait to hear it! Thanks for the chat 🙂 

‘The Heat’ EP is available here