This is the first in our series of EDC Orlando 'Artist To Know' articles that will be premiering on the site for the rest of the day today and tomorrow!
Techno is a genre that, simply put, isn't showcased as much as it should be anymore within the electronic dance music scene. We were very lucky to have a chat with one of the techno artists that will be taking the stage this weekend at EDC Orlando, A.L.X. A producer that's been in the game for quite some time, A.L.X. is planning on bringing a high energy show to Tinker Field in Orlando this weekend. We spoke with him over Skype about his residency at Club Space, his most recent track "Don't", what he'll be bringing to the stage at the festival this weekend, and much more.
I think it’s fantastic that there’s another techno artist like yourself making a presence at these festivals. It seems like one of the most overlooked genres in dance music. In your opinion, what do you think will set you apart from the other artists out at a festival like EDC Orlando when you’re performing?
I think that I provide a lot of energy. I draw people with my high energy techno. I have energy and a lot of fun whenever I play. I just think that the vibe and the energy that I try to create draws people.
I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about Club Space, and how your involvement with it came to be.
Well right now, I’m the main techno resident. I became involved with them when three years ago, they gave me the opportunity to play for my birthday. They really liked how I played, so a few months later they gave me another set. Then the time between sets that I would play at the club just got shorter and shorter, until they eventually asked me to become their main techno resident. I love it. I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else than Miami. I love the vibe. I love the fact that we don’t have a clock [that dictates] when the party ends. It’s kind of dictated by when the people want to stop partying. I’ve had sets go until 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM. It’s awesome. You really get into it.
You released “Don’t” back in August. What was the process like working on this track in comparison to writing a track like “Dark Zone”?
I really wanted to make something for Bors. I knew his style and what he wanted, but I also wanted to stay true to myself. I wanted to do something a bit on the groovier side, in comparison to “Dark Zone”, which is a bit on the darker side. I kind of stayed with the mentality of “let’s do something groovy”. Everything just clicked correctly. I ended up coming out with a track that I feel is probably the best track that I have out on my Beatport. That track was out in the Top 100 for like a month. It peaked at #21, and got a lot of support from many different artists.
When you were writing that track, you said you wanted it to be groovier. Did the drums come first, or the melody?
When I make a track, I always like to start with the bass. I think the low-ends of the track are what really move and drive a track, especially in techno. From there, I really jumped into finding percussion and hi-hats that had a lot of movement in them.
Last question, to close things out: What does music mean to you?
I’ve always loved music. I grew up with an older brother. He’s always been into electronic music so I would always kind of listen to that. But my music was always old school hip-hop and classic rock. I slowly started getting sucked into the electronic scene. But I love music in general; I listen to it all day. I have classic vinyl from like the 70s. I love most every type of music there is.
If I may ask, what kind of classic rock do you listen to?
I have Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Carlos Santana. I have all those on vinyl. They were printed back in the 70s, so a lot of the covers are all worn out since they were printed back in the day.
Be sure to catch A.L.X. THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 when he takes the stage at EDC Orlando.
For more music and info on A.L.X., visit www.facebook.com/ALXOFC
This has been another Shameless Promotion.