Welcome to our exclusive interview with Moox, the trailblazing deep house and lo-fi artist hailing from Montreal. Moox, known for his raw and emotive soundscapes, has been captivating audiences for over six years with his unique blend of deep house and lo-fi rhythms. Recently, he’s taken the scene by storm with his latest EP release, “Five Roses,” showcasing his exceptional talent and artistic evolution. Join us as we delve into the mind of Moox, exploring his musical journey, creative insights, and the stories behind his latest tracks that are setting the electronic music world ablaze.
1. You mentioned discovering house music and its sub-genres after an initial introduction to mainstream EDM. Can you share a moment or track from those early days that particularly resonated with you and influenced your journey into deep and lo-fi house?
It would have to be Subjoi – The Way I Feel. I recall browsing through youtube and at some point the algorithm fed me this track. From there I remember going on the Houseum youtube channel and just kept digging through more tracks. From there, I discovered guys like Mall Grab, DJ Seinfeld, Demuja, etc.
2. Your studio setup seems quite streamlined with essential equipment. How has this minimalistic approach influenced your creative process, especially when starting with a drum loop and venturing into synth exploration?
I feel it’s important to keep my setup as streamlined as possible. As we all know, these days we have access to so many things in an instant – and for music that could be so many plug-ins, analog gear, etc. I do my best to stick to what I know and get good at working that way. I’m not perfect though. For instance, a few months ago I jumped at a great deal for a used NI Maschine MK2 but I’ve used it maybe a handful of times. So I think by sticking to this minimalist approach I’m able to spend less time trying to learn new gear/plug-ins and more time focusing on getting tracks done.
3. Over the last 6 years, how do you think your style has evolved, and what have been some key milestones in your journey as a deep house/lo-fi artist?
I’ve definitely gotten better at picking quality samples/sounds for my music. When I first hit my stride with making lo-fi house, I think my tracks were pretty well written but maybe my choice of sounds could have been better. One of my favorite milestones was releasing my edit of “Kucka – Honey” and having it get a lot of attention from the lo-fi house community. It got featured on some pretty big youtube channels and mixes. That whole track came together pretty quickly and I had a good feeling about it, so it was cool to see it get that validation from so many people.
4. Can you walk us through the creative journey of your latest release, the “Five Roses EP”? What sparked the initial idea, and how did it develop into the final product?
It mostly came about pretty spontaneously. I wasn’t really thinking about creating an EP at that moment. Once I had the tracks ready, I sent them over to Dealt With with a bunch of other demos and they picked out these two as the best fit for a release.
5. The track “Five Roses” has been described as perfect for both poolside lounging and daytime dance sessions. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how did you achieve its vibrant yet deep house vibe?
I came up with the melody first and from there it felt like this track would be more vibrant than deep. I made the drums more disco house inspired to fit nicely with the lead. It all came together pretty naturally from that point and I’m very pleased with how it turned out.
6. Throw Down” delves into a deeper, club-ready groove. What was your mindset when producing this track, and how do you balance maintaining your signature sound while exploring different vibes?
This track was an old demo that sounded completely different. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted the lead synth to be at the time and was playing around with different ideas. Eventually, I settled on this pitched down organ sample which I felt fit the vibe of the drum groove. The last important element I added was the vocal sample, which I sampled from Skrillex’s “Leave Me Like This”. It’s interesting because I don’t usually think about what my signature sound is when I’m making a track. I feel that my “sound” translates naturally in how I make my tracks. Perhaps I’ll reuse certain synth presets as well but in a different context. For the most part, I’m just making what feels true at that moment.
7. You’ve played several memorable events in Montreal. Can you share a particularly memorable experience or performance and what made it stand out for you?
One that definitely stands out for me was when I played at this event in an abandoned swimming pool around 2 years ago. It was actually my first time playing peak time for a pretty serious crowd, and it was awesome. I was so zoned into what I was doing that I didn’t realize halfway through my set a crowd of people stormed the booth and created a sort of Boiler Room type of scene behind me. It was a really fun night.
8. You’ve mentioned being influenced by artists like Bicep, Four Tet, and Kerri Chandler. How do these artists inspire your music, and are there specific elements from their work that you incorporate into your own?
They all inspire me quite differently, but the common denominator is their authenticity. Not only am I influenced by how good their music is, but how it is also truly their sound and that reflects in the product. If you listen to Bicep’s early discography, a lot of their stuff is classic 909 grooves and deep house which is somewhat similar to what I do. I try to break certain rules and expand any limitations of creativity as Four Tet does. There’s a certain warmth and simplicity to Kerri Chandler’s music that I love, and I get inspired a lot by his basslines.
9. You’ve emphasized the importance of connecting with at least one person through your music. Can you share a moment or feedback from a fan that particularly touched you or validated this approach?
There’s been a few like this, but whenever someone has reached out to me via DM to say that a specific song I made has inspired them either to make music, or just gotten them through a hard time – that has felt really special.
10. How has your experience working with labels, especially for your upcoming release with Dealt With Records, differed from self-releasing your music? What new opportunities or challenges has it presented?
It’s definitely different because when you’re dealing with a label, you’re basically submitting your demos to them and having them take care of the rest. They have their own contacts for promotion, their own marketing campaign, their own mastering engineer, graphic designer, etc. It takes all the heavy lifting from you basically, rather than if you were self-releasing. I’ve been very appreciative of the work Dealt With has done with the release. I don’t recall another label that I’ve worked with that has gotten me this much support on a release from other artists, radio shows, etc. We even got support from Laurent Garnier on this release, which is really cool.
11. As you continue to grow as an artist, what are some goals or aspirations you have for the future, both in terms of your music and your career?
I think my biggest goal is longevity. I want to be doing this for a while, hopefully into my later years. I want this to be a lifetime thing rather than a short-term career, whatever that means in terms of income. I would like to release more music as well. I have a lot to express and want to share more of it.
12. For aspiring artists who look up to your journey, what advice would you give them, especially in navigating the diverse platforms available for music sharing and promotion?
I think firstly it would be to question why do you want to do this? What’s your goal? Do you have a real passion for this, or only want it for short-term gratification? Be honest with yourself and be honest in your music. Make a lot of music, share it on your social media platforms consistently. Find the people who promote your kind of music. Rinse and repeat. Eventually the people who truly like your music will find you.
13. How has being a part of the Montreal music scene shaped your career, and what do you think makes this scene unique compared to others?
Montreal is a really creative, tight-knit city. It’s an inspiring city to be an artist in because there’s so many local spaces and events going on year-round for different art scenes, not just music. People here are open to all kinds of creativity and I find that comforting. I also feel we have some of the most passionate crowds on the dancefloor. It’s a small, lively, and diverse city. You’re free to be who you want here.
14. Out of all the tracks you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite or one that holds special significance? If so, could you share the story behind it?
My edit of Kucka-Honey is probably my personal favorite. I remember listening to music on the Majestic Casual Youtube channel quite often back then, and one day I came across that song. There was something in the vocal and the soft melody that just felt like it would work with a house beat. I didn’t really add much besides some drums, sub bass and making the sample feel Lo-Fi. It was probably one of the first tracks I made where I actually felt “this is going to do well”. It’s only on soundcloud, but it is my most streamed track until this day.
15. In today’s digital world, how do you plan to engage with your audience, especially through platforms like Soundcloud, Instagram, and Bandcamp?
It sounds cliche but really just by being myself. Making the music that feels truest to me, and not trying to portray myself as someone I’m not on social media. This is what attracts the right people for me and the types of people I want to share my music and this journey with.
A few final words.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Moox for this insightful conversation and for sharing his artistic journey with us. His passion and dedication to his craft are truly inspiring. Don’t miss out on experiencing the deep and vibrant sounds of his latest “Five Roses EP,” available now for streaming. Immerse yourself in the soulful beats of Moox and let his music transport you to a world of rhythmic bliss. Listen, enjoy, and be part of the ever-evolving musical story of Moox.
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