Blueprint Artist Q & A: FELIX CARTAL
Thu. Dec 22, 2011
One of Electro's standouts from the get-go, Felix Cartal is a producer's producer who has exhibited an ever evolving sound since breaking onto the scene in 2006. Now fresh off the release of his latest single "Don't Turn Out The Lights" on Dim Mak records, he's embarked upon a new direction that can only ensure his continuing rise to the top. In this interview we talk shop about what we can expect from his forthcoming 2nd album and his response to criticism that his sound has "changed":
With the release of your single "Don't Turn On The Lights", there's been some hubbub around the internet about the stylistic departure from your "regular" production style. What is your response to criticism that your music is headed in a "poppier" direction?
I don't believe that the production itself has strayed that much from my regular style. The track itself, as an instrumental, still hits heavy like things I've done before, and I've never been afraid of a melodic chord progression during the break. The vocal is the main thing I think people are surprised about, and I gladly welcome the criticism. If people are talking about the song, whether it be positively or negatively, I'm happy. Personally, I'd be more upset with myself if I just continued to make the same types of songs I was making 3 years ago. I always want to keep moving forward and try new things. That being said, I've always been a sucker for catchy pop vocals, and that has been true of my style from day one. I think i'm just finally at the point in my career where I'm competent enough musically to start writing those types of songs.
Tell us a bit about the process of making your followup album to "Popular Music". Can you also tell us a bit about what other tracks & collabos we have to look forward to? When can we expect it to come out?
The new LP is called Different Faces and it comes out at the end of March / early April. It's 13 tracks in total and about half of them feature collaborations. The artists are Sebastien Grainger from DFA1979, Polina, Cassette Kids, Miss Palmer, New Ivory and The Sounds. I think every track is very special, and I was excited to have the chance to work with some different style of artists, including many that I looked up to when I first started making music.
You've recently launched a new podcast called the "Weekend Workout". Can you tell us a bit about that?
It's a new podcast I've started doing every other week, and it comes out Thursday mornings right in time for the weekend. It's a mix of songs that I've been playing in my sets, as well as some songs that I really enjoy listening to, that might not be heavy enough for a club atmosphere. I'm just trying to show off a few sides of my DJ-style, what I am interested in and a chance to showcase some up-and-coming artists. So far, the response for the first two episodes has been massive! Grab the episodes and subscribe here: http://www.felixcartal.com/podcast
Favourite hometown show you've played so far and why?
The show with Steve Aoki, The Bloody Beetroots and Autoerotique at the PNE was a special one for me. I've been friends with the Beetroots from day one. I remember doing a mini-tour with them in early 2008 for 150 people a night, and to see the monster Death Crew that Rifo has created is really inspiring. (Also to have Dennis Lyxzen of Refused onstage with them was unreal!) Having Aoki and Autoerotique there was great as well because Aoki has supported me from day one, and Keith and I, well I hate that guy with all my heart (in the best way possible.) It was really just a great family-reunion vibe that night, and getting the chance to play for All Ages is a nice change of pace too.
Top 3 shows you've played so far in 2011?
- North Coast Festival in Chicago
- Final Show at Club 101 in El Paso
- EDC Las Vegas
Top 5 tracks in your current set(s) that are really doing it for you:
- Elite Force - Be Strong (Loops of Fury Remix)
- Metsi - Murfs
- Avicii - Levels (Angger Dimas Remix)
- Bart B More + Felix Cartal - Cascade
- Felix Cartal - Don't Turn On The Lights (Laidback Luke Remix)
Your current favourite producer or sound? Who or what is most influencing the way you DJ & produce these days?
Style of Eye continues to surprise me, and I love that about him. Also, Angger Dimas consistently hits out of the park lately, he does a great job of staying big room and exciting at the same time. Autoerotique's production style always blows me away.
What are you listening to outside the realm of EDM these days?
A ton of M83, this Colin Stetson record, The Weeknd and the new Coldplay record.
2011 was indisputably a year of tremendous growth for EDM. Where do you see electronic dance music as a whole going in 2012?
I think we're finally seeing respect from the mainstream outlets for music, so support from bigger tv, online radio, mags, are all going to want a piece of these massive festivals and artists. Kids are just listening to dance music regularly now, not just when they want to dance. Also the Skrillex grammy noms are huge. The crossover has begun in such a big way.
Catch FELIX CARTAL at Stereotype this Friday, Dec. 23rd alongside LAZY RICH for his "Don't Turn On The Lights" release party & the Blueprint X-Mas party. Tickets are available online here.
