Contirbutor
Fresh off the back of his debut release on Australia’s Unknown Records we caught up with MoodyCat to learn more about the mysterious producer and what went into the ‘Biomechanics’ EP.
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Can you tell us about your musical journey and how you got started as a producer?
Well, it all began in high school when I was 15, I started messing around with FL Studio in my spare time. I got obsessed with the online EDM scene at the time which led me to discover Martin Garrix who made me really want to learn FL. After I heard EDM for the first time, I decided there was nothing else I wanted more than to produce music and play it for the world to hear. Maybe not the best financial decision of my life but definitely not one I will ever regret.
Were there any specific influences or experiences that shaped your sound?
Some of the most influential artists on my production have been Deadmau5 and Deepchild who was one of the first producers I actually got to meet after a few years of working on my own and teaching myself through videos.
Recently I’ve been inspired by the rise of artists like 33 bellow and the sounds of Flume, who are both close to home and encourage me to push my creativity.
How has the local music scene in Australia, especially in Sydney, influenced the development of your musical style?
Sydney has recently been experiencing a big wave of techno and for that reason I decided to try my hand at making some of my own. Club 77 hosts a lot of underground techno which was the key influence in forging the sounds of the EP, I spent a lot of time there before I even started writing the tracks.
Why did you choose to release your EP, ‘Biomechanics,’ on Unknown Records in Sydney?
I had decided early on that I wanted to release the EP with a local label, I felt like it would be more supportive of the local music scene and that it would be easier to work together on bigger projects in the future. I happened upon unknown records by chance, but when I heard a few of their previous releases I knew I could find a home with them.
In what ways do you feel Unknown Records is a good fit for the kind of music you produce?
Simply the aesthetic and branding of the label, as well as their previous releases made me confident that they would be interested in what I had to offer. They were pretty much the first label I sent the EP to and I was stoked that they were willing to take me on-board.
Can you share some insights into your studio setup? What are the essential pieces of equipment you find yourself using the most?
I have quite a modest home studio at the moment, I work out of a share house living room. Probably the nicest piece of equipment I have is the RME ASI-2 DAC which was certainly an investment but has such a clear and detailed sound profile that it makes perfecting the mix of my tracks much easier. In terms of speakers, I’m currently working with a pair of KRK Rokit-8s, I liked the sound of them for the price they were being sold, however I know of other speakers I’d like to upgrade to in the future.
For headphones I’m rocking the Audiotechnica ATH-M60xs and they’ve been my most reliable pair of headphones yet.
Are there any unique or unconventional tools in your studio that contribute to your signature sound?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything in my studio in particular that contributes to my personal sound, it’s more the selection of samples that I think brings out that unique garagey style. I’ve always been drawn to more unconventional sounds when I produce, and I hope that sticks with me and can set me apart from the rest of the competition.
Among the tracks on your upcoming EP, ‘Biomechanics,’ do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it stand out to you?
Force is my favourite out of the three just because it’s so groovy. The call and response pattern also makes it unique from the other two and is why I like it a little more.
If you could choose anyone to remix your own work, who would it be and why?
I’d love to see what anyone could do with these tracks to be honest; I think there’s a unique underground vibe to them which we don’t hear much anymore and I’d love to see that feeling taken to some other genres and I’d encourage anyone who wants to use those sounds to do so. I think Marlon Hoffstadt would be my choice if I had to choose one person. He has some iconic tracks, and I would love to see how he interprets that aesthetic into his style.
Are there specific artists whose reinterpretation of your music you would be particularly excited about?
I’d be excited to see a hip hop or garage reinterpretation of this music so maybe Cotto who is a fellow Sydney producer or 33 bellow.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve in the coming year, both in terms of your music and career?
I’m hoping to have a solid collection of music my friends can listen to and enjoy, I’m working on refining my sound and what makes me unique as a producer, trying new genres and experimenting with combining different sounds.
Are there any specific milestones or projects you’re working towards?
I plan to hold a showcase night of all the music I’m working on at the moment in October, so I’ve given myself the better half of the year to finish all the music for it and then start planning logistics and get the show together. There will be videos and lighting to accompany all the tracks and hopefully it’ll be a great and memorable time!
Pick up a copy of Biomechanics here.