Spain

Barcelona

Pedro Vian is at the helm of the Barcelona label Modern Obscure Music.

Hailing from Barcelona, producer Pedro Vian is the founder of one of the city's most significant labels. It's via the imprint that Pedro Vian has experimented with traditional formats. A release in 2021, entitled 

saw him ask a roster of artists – such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Laurie Spiegel and Lyra Pramuk – to create tracks that are around 30 seconds in length. The brief was a response to how our attention spans are shortening; relating to how the digital landscape has affected consumer habits.

As someone who's shaping the output of a Barcelona-based label, we tapped Pedro Vian for his knowledge on the city. Like his boundary-pushing approach to releasing music, he opts for a range of spots within the area, pinpointing off-grid spots, bookshops, cafes and restaurants.

The Finestres bookstore is one of my favourite places in the city. When I need to unwind or seek a new source of inspiration, I visit this magnificent place filled with books of all kinds and topics. The bookstore itself has a cafe inside and some wonderful sofas that invite you to peruse the books. It's hard not to find the book you're looking for or leave the bookstore without something that caught your attention.

If you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle without going too far, I recommend taking a trip to the Fundació Miró, situated on Montjuïc Mountain. It is a true oasis. The Foundation's space features a bar where you can enjoy a coffee after delighting in the marvellous views of Barcelona from its rooftop. It is a relaxing and inspiring space where artworks are displayed at ease.

La Polla is the sister establishment of El Pollo, one of the best bars in Barcelona to enjoy Basque tapas accompanied by a good Txakoli wine or beer. The owners are delightful, and their charm is reflected in the excellent service they provide. The atmosphere is relaxed and it livens up at night, bringing life to the Sant Antoni neighbourhood. The venue is located right next to the iconic La Paloma dance hall.

If you're looking to breathe in fresh air and savour one of the city's best specialty coffees, Nomad Coffee is the perfect choice. Located in the unique Passatge Sert, on the border between El Born and L'Eixample, this place also has another cafe owned by the same proprietor in Poblenou. In the same Passatge Sert, you'll also find the offices of Modern Obscure Music.

Chef Mathieu stands out at Sra. Dolores for his skill in preparing delicious breaded dishes, such as brains, carbonara croquettes, lasagna, cod and asparagus arancini – which are elevated after passing through the fryer. Sra. Dolores distinguishes itself by finding the perfect balance between the hedonistic pleasure of fried dishes and the lightness of raw options. Additionally, it offers an interesting variety of natural wines, both national and international, to pair with the dishes. The restaurant's menu is constantly changing, and the daily specials add excitement and adventure to each visit.

Bar Brutal/Can Cisa is a wonderful place located in Barcelona's El Born neighbourhood. It is hard to find a competitor when it comes to natural wines, and it also offers a demanding menu tailored to the most discerning palates. The venue has a surrealistic touch that reminds me of the legendary, now-closed Vinçon store and the works of the eccentric painter Salvador Dalí. The wait staff, just like the owner, is excellent.

Having had the opportunity to travel to Mexico twice, I can confidently say that there is no more authentic Mexican restaurant in Barcelona than Pachuco. It is located on Santa Pau Street, between Rambla del Raval and Avenida Paralelo, very close to La Confiteria and Sala Apolo. A good plan would be to have dinner at Pachuco, have a cocktail at La Confiteria and then go dancing to a great DJ session or enjoy a concert at Sala Apolo.

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A Guide to Barcelona, Mapped Out by Pedro Vian

Llibreria Finestres

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