I’ve been a huge fan of Felix’s mixes and while I haven’t been able to catch one of his shows, he’s always been a part of mine. I discovered his sound and it has influenced many of my sets, with a usually heavy rotation in the middle of my set. Nearly any day of the week you can find many of his tracks trending at the top of the list on Hype Machine.
Felix Cartal - Dim Mak Records
Felix Cartal was born with a passion for hard hitting electronic music. With influences ranging from the heavy hitting distortion of The Bloody Beetroots and Boys Noize, to the techno influences of Vitalic, Felix has created an amalgamation of electronic genres which results in a unique listening experience for home and live audiences alike. His distinctive method of incorporating abrasive distortion, intense instrumental build-ups and unique frequency variations in his songs gives Felix a sense of versatility within the electronic scene. This versatility has led Cartal to become one of the leaders of heavy-house – a genre known for its relentless intensity and bass and distortion heavy melodies.
Interview
Desired Hearts: You’ve worked with a long list of artists over the past couple of years both in shows and through producing. Who are some of your favorites to work with as far as music style goes?
Felix Cartal: I recently worked on a track for my upcoming album with Johnny Whitney (from The Blood Brothers, Neon Blonde, Jaguar Love). I have always been a fan of his work, especially the Blood Brothers, so to work with him was really exciting for me. The track I made was really high energy and I felt like his unique, abrasive, yet melodic vocal style could really add to it and make it something better. The product we came up with I feel is really strong, and is going to be the first single off my forthcoming album.
DH: What music labels out there right now are representing artists making amazing music that people may not have heard of?
FC: Sound Pellegrino is great right now. It’s distributed by Institubes and run by Orgasmic and Teki Latex. My friend Harvard Bass has put out a few releases with them and they have a great balance of being heavy and groovy without being too in your face or minimal. I also really like Vitalic’s label Citizen Records. It’s heavy emotional techno with influences from electro and house.
DH: Take us through the process from conception to delivery when you sit down to mix a track together, be it original or a remix.
FC: I will usually start with a kickdrum and work a bassline around it. Once I get a groove that sits properly, i’ll develop an arrangement that I think will work for the track. From there I lay out the entire track and do the bassline automation. After that I’ll add in any extra melodies that are needed, make the buildups and any final drum automation. I’ll play it once or twice in the club and then go back and make any final changes. I’ve actually broken down a few songs of mine in-depth on my website, felixcartal.com. (Montreal Dreams: In Depth, From Monument to Masses Remix: In Depth Look)
MSTRKRFT playing Felix’s From Monuments to Masses Remix
DH: Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you see yourself getting into producing albums for other or being a part of the process with other artists?
FC: I’ve always looked at myself first and foremost as a producer. In 5 years I’d love to be producing records for other people, whether it be pop artists, electronic groups or maybe even some bands (if it felt right). Right now my production partner and I are developing our production portfolio and working with a few pop artists to build our brand. Down the line I’d like to see us have a more solid name established outside of Felix Cartal, and perhaps take on an artist and do an entire record with them.
DH: You are working on a new album right now, correct?
FC: The album is finished though, and will be out in Early 2010 on Dim Mak Records.
