Piem (Alvaro Palau Marimon) is a Barcelona house music DJ and producer, best known as resident DJ and A&R at Jackies, the Barcelona brand behind club nights, a festival and a record label. With more than 20 years in the Barcelona house scene, he’s known for groove-driven tracks with strong vocals and has released on labels including Defected, Crosstown Rebels, Ministry of Sound and Knee Deep In Sound.
Piem at a glance
- Real name: Alvaro Palau Marimon
- Based: Barcelona, Spain
- Roles: DJ, producer, and resident and A&R at Jackies
- Sound: groove-driven house with strong vocals
- Labels: Defected, Crosstown Rebels, Ministry of Sound, Knee Deep In Sound, Three Six Zero, Cecille, PIV and more
- Shared the stage with: Louie Vega, Moodymann, Honey Dijon, Armand Van Helden and Seth Troxler
Growing up with Barcelona house
He was drawn into underground music growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, when Barcelona’s house scene was taking shape. He has named the late Barcelona DJ Sideral, who died in 2006, as a major influence. Since then he’s been part of the city’s house scene for more than two decades, both behind the decks and in the studio.
Jackies: Barcelona’s house music family
He is resident DJ and A&R at Jackies, a Barcelona brand that runs club events, a festival and the record label Jackies Music. Its parties have hosted guests including Louie Vega, Moodymann and Laurent Garnier, and the brand takes its parties abroad too, including the Jackies ADE boat party in Amsterdam. Read more about the Jackies party in Barcelona.
He also has a long-running connection with the W Hotel in Barcelona, one of the city’s best-known spots for house music with a view.
Piem in the studio
He has spent countless hours in the studio perfecting a sound built on groove and vocals. His music has been released on some of the most respected labels in house and electronic music, including Defected, Crosstown Rebels, Ministry of Sound, Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound, Three Six Zero, Cecille, PIV, Factory 93 and 8Bit. That range, from soulful house to tech house, is a big part of his appeal.
Piem’s Barcelona: where he goes
Asked about his city, he has recommended:
- Club: Apolo, a long-running two-room venue with varied line-ups
- Festival: Sónar, especially its daytime programme
- Record shops: Dancing Vinyl for house, and Discos Paradiso for more experimental finds
- Bar: Paradiso, named World’s Best Bar in 2022
- Labels to watch: Jackies and Subwax
Why Piem matters
He is the kind of DJ who builds a scene as well as playing in it. Through Jackies, he helps bring international legends to Barcelona and gives a platform to new music through the label, while his own releases on major labels keep him in demand across Europe. For anyone visiting Barcelona for house music, a Jackies party with Piem is a great place to start.
Follow Piem
Follow Piem on Instagram and Facebook, and keep up with Jackies on Instagram.
Frequently asked questions about Piem
Who is Piem?
Piem is Alvaro Palau Marimon, a Barcelona house music DJ and producer, and resident DJ and A&R at Jackies.
What labels has Piem released on?
He has released on Defected, Crosstown Rebels, Ministry of Sound, Knee Deep In Sound, Three Six Zero, Cecille and PIV, among others.
What is Jackies Barcelona?
Jackies is a Barcelona house music brand with club events, a festival and a record label, Jackies Music. He is its resident DJ and A&R.
What kind of music does Piem play?
He plays and produces groove-driven house music with strong vocals, ranging from soulful house to tech house.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
