Pedro Bertho is a Brazilian Dj-producer, promoter and the owner of the label Chez Pedro living in Lyon for 5 years now. With Les Sheitan Brothers, he founded the collective Furie, whose primary aim is to develop cultural bridges between Brazil and France. In 2020, he began to produce and since then, he has released several Eps and early this year his first album “Mêlé” on Cracki Records. Each composition proves that his work is a multicultural fusion and pushes boundaries. He recently released “Starlit Crates” Ep on his own imprint, and for this occasion we met him at Le Sucre, where he holds a residency. He looks back on his DnB and Jungle roots, shares about his vision of the electronic scene, friendship with Tusty N'Zoré, links with Blanc Manioc and Hell Yeah Recordings, projects such as a live set with his acolyte Patxi, among others. 

Welcome, a glass of?
Cajuína, a juice made from a fruit called Caju in Brazil, or Negroni.

Where do you come from? 
I’m Brazilian, born and raised in São Paulo, with a brief period spent in the countryside during my teenage years. I had an amazing childhood and teenage years, living between the intensity of São Paulo and the calm of the countryside; though not too calm, as that was also when I attended my first rave party (laughs). My parents aren’t musicians, but I was always surrounded by good music and various forms of artistic expression, such as theater, cinema, concerts, books and exhibitions.

Your main influences and references?
I can’t help but highlight Brazilian music, from the classics like Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, and Chico Buarque to roots artists such as Amelinha, Luiz Gonzaga, and Zimbo Trio. I was also fortunate to be exposed to a variety of sounds, including electronic music, particularly drum and bass, and jazz, from a very young age.

Do you remember how you discovered electronic music and your roots?
I also got into Drum and Bass and Jungle music at a very young age. In fact, this is how I first got into electronic music. So, I would say that UK music has been a significant influence since my early teenage years, thanks to Djs like DJ Marky, DJ Patife, Andy C, and DJ Xerxes.

Your first approach to Djing? 
I started Djing when I was 12 years old. For my birthday, I got my first Dj setup: one turntable, one CDJ, one Discman and a two-channel mixer with no EQ. My parents always encouraged me.

What was decisive to become a producer?
The idea of creating my own songs started early. At the beginning, it was all about experimenting with mashups and bootlegs. Over time, it evolved into something bigger—now, I’d say it represents about 50% of my career.

Could you define your sound and your artistic vision? 
Wow, this is a tough one. I think I believe in contrast. The idea of showing people that music is about bringing together different worlds and sounds in unexpected ways. I would say that in a very short way.

If I tell you Cracki Records?
I released my first album “Mêlé” with them and I’ll always be grateful for that. With “Mêlé”, I aimed to capture a bit of my story in a record: a complex patchwork of experiences, accents, and heritages that I translate into this work. It blends baile funk, house, electro, and acid house, all infused with TR-808 sounds and iPhone recordings.

What does «Fundamental Forces» Ep represent for you? 
“Fundamental Forces” is the result of both myself and Patxi, my partner at Furie, exploring our shared interest in reggae music, dancehall, etc. It aims to bring the roots power of Jamaican music together with techno and electronic textures and sonorities.

What’s the philosophy behind Chez Pedro?
Music from my place. Freedom. The idea of feeling free to release whatever music I want—whether it's a single, Ep, album, dancefloor, ambient, or dub...

What are the main difficulties for launching your own label? 
Hmmm… it's more than just the administrative part which, at the end of the day, is okay as long as you're organized. It's the fear of being alone. Even though it might be controversial when you have your own label and you're looking for freedom, you're taking both financial and artistic risks when releasing by yourself. It's like playing with fire. It's amazing, but also dangerous in a way.

What is the story behind “Starlit Crates”?
For the first release, I wanted to include tracks that I had been playing for the last few years but had never released. “Starlit Crates” is a 100% dancefloor Ep that brings the energy from my crates, but with the power of the stars. Yes, I do believe in astrology, and sorry non-believers (laughs). 

How did you decide to work with Tusty N'Zoré? 
I met Tussain the first time I went to Abidjan to create “Anono Tapes”, released by Blanc Manioc. Tussain is one of the best percussionists I’ve ever met, one of the best percussionists in Ivory Coast, and also an amazing human being. Working with him wasn’t even work; it was all about having fun and making music. By the way, in “Have You Ever Played in Abidjan?”, I sampled his voice more than his drums, just to highlight how creative and incredible this artist is.

Do you prefer Ep or Album format?
It depends. There are two ways to tell different stories. One is before you take a nap, and the other is about to go on vacation with it.

How did you link with Hell Yeah Recordings?
I innocently sent a message to the boss of the label, Marco Gallerani, looking for a label to release my “Abre Caminhos” Ep. Well, he liked my music, I liked his vibe and I was already a big fan of the label. One of my favorite works was released by them: the “Le Lien” Ep, where I try to bring organic sounds and textures to a club/house/balearic vibe. 

What about Furie? 
Furie was created five years ago, almost a year after I met the Sheitan Brothers. The idea of creating and collaborating came naturally from the moment we started playing and having fun together. In the beginning, Furie was about connecting France and Brazil, but it quickly evolved into something wilder. Furie became a collective which promotes parties and music events, but also a group of people who bring different artistic expressions, such as photographers, videographers, aspiring Djs, and designers.

Furie Soundsystem in 3 words? 
Music, People, Sharing.

If I tell you sampling?
You know the phrase 'Don't Copy, Be Copied'? I would change it to 'Copy to learn and develop your own way”. By the way drum rack is the sh**!

A good track in 3 words?
Storytelling. Soul. Hook.

What kind of gears do you like to use?
Classic drum machines like the 808 and the 909. For synths, I also go with the SH-1 and the Roland System. But for the last two years, I’ve been exploring a lot with the Hydrasynth (Ashun Sound Machines) and also with Phase Plant from Kilohearts.

Your last record you bought?
Ranking Joe & Thomas PatagoniaDub "Lead Us Jah / Lead Us Dub".

What does the vinyl represent for you? 
Everything (laughs). It’s the perfect fusion of the art of sound and the act of creation for me. A true masterpiece. When you're immersed in it, creativity takes center stage, almost like working with a limited canvas. There are no loops, cue points, or shortcuts… just pure music.

How many vinyls do you have in your collections? 
I don’t know… I’d say something between 1k and 1.5k.

What do you like in Lyon and in the French scene? 
Lyon is a pulse of different energies coming together. I have the impression that there’s always something new brewing: a new producer, sound, label, party… The French scene is also very rich. It’s interesting to see that while a lot of great things are coming from Paris, there are also thousands of others emerging from different parts of the country.

For you, what are the bridges between France and Brazil?
This magical, chaotic sparkle that you sometimes find on the dance floor.

Your last time in Brazil and for what? 
I’m currently reflecting on these questions on coming back from Brazil (laughs). I went to Brazil for another project I’ve been working on for almost four years now. It’s a free teaching program for underrepresented people in the electronic scene. I’ve also been teaching Djing and production for the past few years. Sharing is also about transforming and building a new scene. I’m incredibly proud of this project.

Any tips to dig in Brazil? 
Definitely! Brazil is amazing for digging. But since it's so big, it depends on where you are. In São Paulo, I would recommend Patuá Discos, ShowMeYourCase, and all the stores downtown close to Galeria 24 de Maio.

Your top venues/festivals in Brazil?
Selvagem, Batekoo, Mamba Negra, Gop Tun, Recbeat… There's a lot going on in Brazil, especially right now.

Yes, the Brazilian electronic scene is really really rich. Which “new” artists should we know and keep an eye on? 
Not exactly new, but if you don’t know them, you're missing out: Badista, Mu540, Malka, RHR, Deepkaps, Zopelar. News: EVEHIVE, PR.A.DO, CRAZED (BR), Kair, Agrabah…

Any ritual before a gig?
Water, a bit of silence, a moment alone, stretching and incense if possible.

Mountain or sea?
Mountain by the sea.

If you could teleport yourself…
I’m always living in the present. 

If I tell you AI?
Speaking of the present… Here is AI. It’s happening right now. I think it can be really helpful if you know how to use it

Your top 5 old releases?
. Austin Tanney & Phil Kieran "Don't Sit Around"
. Danny Tenaglia "Bottom Heavy"
. Disco Biscuit "Disco Biscuit"
. Family (3) "Submarine / Don't Be Rude"
. Caraiva "Toque Feminino"

Your top 5 new releases?
. Naco "OIZB"
. Burna "Touch Grass"
. Manudigital feat. Derrick Parker "Digital Mexico Session" 
. Kaval "Presha Me"
. Karla Amaro, CABBS "Be Better"

What do you want to transmit through your work? 
Information. Contrast. New and old music. Fun. Different ways of playing. Uncomplicating electronic music.

What’s next?
I'm currently focusing on my label and production, and I’m even considering taking guitar lessons again. Right now, I’m in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, preparing the new live set with Patxi (Furie) for Mc Waraba (From Bamako, Mc Waraba is a prominent figure of the Afro-electronic scene and pioneer of the “Balani Show” style, Editor’s Note), and I'm probably working on my own live set for 2026 as well. I’ll also be coming back to Brazil a few times in 2025 for the Sonicas Projects (the formation project I mentioned before), and I'm trying to fit all of that with my Dj gigs! 

Who is the current Pedro Bertho? 
Just someone trying to be happy. 

Interviewed by Sabrina Bouzidi / Photos by Etienne Faivre