Hypercolour

It was inspiring to go through Mosca’s catalog and just get enveloped by it. A search of his past interviews will show a focus on releases such as the Square One EP (Night Slugs), The Wavey EP (3024), and Tilt Shift (Fat City). In this interview, Mosca gives some sound advice for young producers, and chats about his new “Eva Mendes EP” set for release on Hypercolour this month.

DD Hi there Mosca, thank you for stopping by Disco Droppings. What are you doing right now?

M I’m on my way to a rave in Edinburgh then off to Helsinki.

DD You’ve created some astounding tunes, I won’t go back to these releases, but one thing I want to chat with you about is mindset and individuality. For all these young producers, who are genuinely interested in establishing themselves and contributing to the world of music, how would you challenge them? Many of the artists I’ve featured on Disco Droppings have incredible potential, and could learn from your perspective.

M I would say that the internet is a blessing and a curse. You know about the upsides, but it also means a trend is in one month and out the next, and it’s easy for people to send stuff they want you to hear, and write about the next big thing. It’s easy to get sucked into all that and I see people making identical music and playing identical sets. My advice would just be concentrate on music you love. So once you’ve read this blog, stop trawling blogs, stop facebooking, just immerse yourself in your own world of music. Put the time in.

DD In honor of this feature, i’ve included your “Sing” remix, “Nike (Club Edit)” and “Square One” in my upcoming 2 hour set on Cinco De Mayo. Many people in the audience may be hearing futuristic/unconventional club music for the first time. Do you remember playing specific shows where the crowd knew they were hearing something fresh and were ready for you to take them somewhere new?

M Generally the dances where the crowd doesn’t know the music are the dances that I clear floors at. It’s a slow process and maybe not as romantic as you’re making out!

DD I’m hyped on your forthcoming Eva Mendes EP for Hypercolour this month. Disco Droppings interviewed 214 aka J.Alvaraz, who has a forthcoming release on Hypercolour. Also, the Maya Jane Coles Essential mix from last year has been played sooooo many times in my car, I love sharing it with people. What do you find most inspiring about this label/group of artists?

M They know they don’t have to be Jamie Jones to get on in the house world.

DD Incredible that you worked with Robert Owens on “Accidentally”. This new Hypercolour release seems to cover the past, present and future of house seamlessly. Do you feel that?

M Robert Owens isn’t the past of house music. He’s as active now as he ever was, with DJing and performing as well as recording. I would say that yes, the EP is something along the lines of the present state of house music, but nothing more. There’ll be a lot more house from me, some deeper stuff, some techier stuff, as well as all the other genres I’m into.

DD Will there be a “Eva Mendes” EP launch party and tour on the way? Any plans to make it out to the west coast? Seattle would love to see you!

M I’m constantly playing shows so a tour is always happening, I’m always testing new Mosca material that people don’t know is me yet. But no plans for an Eva Mendes tour or anything stateside for now.

DD Last words?

M Nah I’m fine thanks!

Mosca – Facebook Soundcloud Twitter

– Jimi Jaxon

Today I’ll be featuring a NW producer/DJ whose been showcasing his productions for many years and shows no signs of stopping. Forthcoming sounds in 2012. Get to know 214 below..

Don’t miss Saturday’s Lo-Fi show 3/3 – $5 ADVANCE for this wonderful, upcoming extravaganza. Performers include 214, MikeQ, DJAO, Kid Smpl and Cedaa.

Preview 214’s Fortified Audio EP here

DD Welcome to Disco Droppings, 214. You have a lot of material for me to listen through! I want to first discuss my favorite releases of yours, followed by the forthcoming 214 tracks, out this year.

214 Thanks for the interview.

DD Going back to 2004, your Esemplastic LP came out of Mikrolux. I really enjoyed listening through this release on Beatport. The track “Above See Level” feels very dreamy and contemplative. What did you hope to accomplish with this album, and where did you envision yourself around this present time?

214 Thank you. These were actually the first set of tracks I was comfortable with after producing for a few years. I wanted to hone my skills and sound before I was confident sending out a demo. There were 3 labels that were interested, but 2 of them just wanted an ep. I felt the collection of tracks as a whole came across better as an album so I signed on to the now defunct Mikrolux to release the LP. My only goal was just to get myself out there at the time. Sign onto a label with an eye for aesthetic and good promotion.

DD Last year in 2011 you released Drift Driving on Harbour City Sorrow. This stood out to me as a very solid and balanced collection of songs. The car revving samples used for the title track are well done and the last track “Sidestepping” has a lot of movement. This among others, was a release you pressed vinyl for. How long have you been collecting vinyl, and were there any specific records that inspired you to want your own 214 vinyl presses?

214 Thanks for the compliment. To date that has been my favorite EP. Both in sound/production and it was released on a sublabel of one of my favorite labels, Frustrated Funk. (Just a quick note though, no cars were sampled or harmed in the making of the title tune). That was just a synth.

I’ve been buying vinyl since the mid 90s. I was a dj first. I don’t buy as much these days with the advent of the digital age, but I still pick up what I can. I don’t know if there was one specific record(s) that inspired me, but to me the mid-90s was a time when some of the best electronic music was released. Lots of records with raw emotion. I am also a huge fan of Electro and those were the best years for releases for that style of music.

DD I’ve been learning more about Hypercolour, the label you’ll be releasing music on this year. This underground house/techno label has featured tracks by Maya Jane Coles, Mosca, Tom Demac and many others since 2006. Maya Jane Coles continues to amaze me, each time I listen to her Essential Mix from last year. How do you plan to spice things up on Hypercolour with your new 214 tracks? What is your favorite release from the label?

214 Well the main thing is that I’m not releasing as 214, but debuting my J.Alvarez moniker on the label. This alias was set up to explore all things house, so it will be a much different sound than my usual. I’m really happy with those tracks and even more excited to be debuting on such a great label. They grow in strength with each release. To date, my favorite EP is probably Maya’s Hummingbird release. Followed by Huxley’s latest.

DD Each time I’ve seen you perform live I’ve enjoyed it more and more. You’ve got a strong sense of dance-floor dynamics and the sounds your producing are refreshing to hear in Seattle. Who have you most enjoyed playing shows alongside? Where can we see you play next?

214 Thank you. Live shows are tedious to put together so I appreciate the kind words. This year I plan on reserving those sets for special events, festivals, one offs, etc. They can really drain you during the process of putting them together.

Last year, playing live for BLOC festival over in England and then home here for Decibel were 2 of my favorites. I played alongside so many great acts.

I’m playing a short live set on March 8th @ the Electric Tea Garden as part of a Grammy Social mixer for the PAC NW chapter. There will be a lot more information around that at the show and there’s a couple of us working together to get some things happening in Seattle we’re excited about. Outside of the that, the rest are dj sets.

Mar 3 – with MikeQ at LoFi

Mar 9 – with Kenny Larkin @ LoFi

DD Last words?

214 Be on the lookout for my upcoming Fortified Audio EP. Should be out within the month. That will be followed by my Hypercolour EP, which is actually being cut today. Then an EP for Frustrated Funk. All vinyl releases, too, for all you acetate lovers.

214: Soundcloud Twitter Facebook

– Jimi Jaxon

Interview w/ Mosca

214

@JIMIJAXON Twitter

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