Just this past week, I managed to squeeze in some time to catch up with Moullinex (Luis) and Xinobi (Bruno), two very interesting and quite humble guys making a stir on the world stage with their eclectic brand of funky disco & electro house. Both from the Discotexas label and Gomma Records of Germany and Portugal, they will be on a U.S. Tour this month and stopping in Vegas on Wednesday April 28th @ Hypnotic Lounge. It's not too often we get international Artists/DJ's playing more intimate club venues here in Las Vegas so we urge everyone to come out and share this amazing night with us! Up and comers, Jacuzzi Hi-Dive will be performing a live set with their new drummer as well as DJ sets from Waves and disco house extraordinaire, Epique. Needless to say, it's going to be a bangin' Wednesday night and we would love to see you there! So, on with the interview. Don't forget to say "Hi" at the show, I'm sure they won't mind one bit.
Being Both from Portugal, how did you start collaborating?
M: Believe it or not, we were in the same (tiny) country but our first contacts were via myspace. Bruno was in a rock band and i really liked a track, and i contacted them regarding a remix. From then on we started pushing each other.
X: Just as Moullinex said, that's how we really started. Then we also started to make music together, we, with other friends, built up the Discotexas gang and now we even play in the same band.
Growing up, what influences in your youth shaped the music that you make today?
M: From Pink Floyd to Chico Buarque, and Stevie, Herbie, so many others...
X: I normally speak about friends and movies as my main actual influences. Obviously there's a lot of music involved. But back in the days of my youth, my father, without knowing it, is probably the greatest responsible for my passion for music. He had great music at home, he would watch silly Top 40 hits tv shows with me and he actually taught me how to play the guitar.
We're always curious to know people's first concerts. What was yours?
M: My first 'concert' was in the Xmas party in my high school.. I was in a Ska-punk /HC band named 'Coxies'.. As in Coccix (the bone) and Pixies... We just played a single track but we rehearsed for ages. The lesson i learned from then was refraining from singing ever again.
X: My first memorable concert was maybe Guns N' Roses when they we're doing that Use Your Illusion Tour. What a Circus. Actually, Axl made it even more memorable arguing with 50,000 angry portuguese about if he should or should not proceed with the show after how he felt on stage. ahah.
Both known for your prowess in the Studio, could you give us an idea of what your creative process is like?
M: I always start with a chord progression, then i add layers and layers, usually drums, bass, then other keys and guitars, etc.. Lately i sit down with (the other) Luis, who plays bass, and we improvise a lot in the studio. The best parts are then arranged and polished. Then it's all about making things simple again.. And then the remaining 20% of the track (mixing, fine-tuning the drums, bass, etc) takes 80% of the time...
X: My main ideas come at night, at the time that I should go to sleep. Then, I got to bed really late. But seriously I normally play around with loops and melodies for a while until I get some nice hook, then, I add some drums and percussion and, for the end, a strong bass line. A thing that normally takes a lot to get it a nice song structure.
Do you have any favorite pieces of gear in your studio?
M: A Roland Stage Echo unit is almost in every track I do. And my favourite synths are the Korg Mono/Poly and the Octave Cat SRM. My latest baby is a Fender Rhodes Mk I which my girlfriend gave me for my birthday. Best gift ever.
X: My Sennheiser Hd 25. That would be the last thing I would sell...
(Moullinex) When and how did your live band come about?
M: Actually it was a natural step, from composing 'live' in the studio to making things more organic. It's 200x the fun (and the work)
X:
With such an extensive catalog of work you've both done, is there anything that stands out as some of your personal favorites that others may overlook?
M: One of the most overlooked tracks from Bruno is his remix for Loose Shus' Threesome. It's really, really, good.
X: I really love my Loose Shus remix. Till the present day, I don't know where were my melody senses in the day I wrote some of those melodies. And still, I feel that the remix went really unnoticed. And Moullinex remix for Cut Copy, it got a lot of attention but I still don't understand why it didn't have a proper release side by side with the original and the other remixes.
On Touring in the United States versus Europe, Likes? Dislikes?
M: We've only played in NYC and Philly before, and we have no idea what to expect from this tour. All I can say is that we're really excited!
X: As Luís told, United States still are a mystery for us. And off course, I can't wait to know better.
With this exciting tour just ahead of you, Anything you were looking forward to do while you were here?
M: i'm gonna take a million pictures and probably set up a cheesy tour blog. I'm really interested in visiting things like the "World's biggest (fill in the blank)". and please give me pointers to guitar/keys pedal shops!
X: I just want to have fun, and enjoy the most I can. I'm not a good trip organizer, so i'll probably let myself to the "go with the flow" method. I think it is the best way to travel around when you don't have that much time to spend.
Xinobi, So you've played in a punk band and are into skateboarding? Do you still carry any elements of punk into your music and lifestyle?
X: Mhh, Let's put it this way, I've been to London in the past week, and I saved a really special time to hang out in a decent punk rock record store called All Ages. So it is something I love. I still feel that Punk Rock kind of ethics molded a lot of my personality, and although I'm not that involved in punk issues anymore I still feel is one of the most important thing in my life. Through punk rock ideals and "modus operandi" I've learned how to respect others individual freedom at the same time I have to express my ego to fulfill my dreams. That and getting the "know how" on how to be independent established the way I see, for example, Discotexas nowadays. And I think Discotexas is really punk rock without have direct connections with it. ahah.
Describe to us the vision and sound that encompasses Discotexas?
M: Unpretentious eclecticism, achieving originality and have fun doing it.
X: I can't put it better... Luís said it all.
Any personal goals for 2010?
M: hopefully finish an album, follow the Discotexas release calendar, decide on the right place to live.
X: Being able to write an Album and travel the world at the same time. I also might change to another house.
We know Germany and Portugal are hotbeds for great artists, are there any artists we should be looking out for?
M: in Portugal you should keep an eye on Social Disco Club, Tiago, Photonz, Mirror People.. in Germany, obviously the Gomma label, but also Permanent Vacation, Tensnake in Hamburg, Delusions of Grandeur in Berlin...
X: You should also check artists like Gala Drop, Dead Combo, Caveira, Paus.. all great bands based in Lisbon.
When you think of Las Vegas, name two things that come to mind.
M: Casinos and Blue Man Group. Sorry for being obvious. I can't wait, though.
X: I heard what happens there, stays there and there was this ZZ Top song... ahah, yes, two more clichés.
In a time where music and technology are almost seamlessly intertwined, Do you have any advise for aspiring Bands, Producers and DJ's trying to gain success much like yourselves?
M: enough with the "artist in a pedestal" attitude, it's all about switching positions between audience and musician. What's happening today already happened in the 70s, where you could watch your favorite band playing live from 10 inches away, only to switch positions with them the day after. Nowadays this model was re-born, but the stage is actually world-wide. Really good music making and promotional tools are available to everyone, many of them for free. So sometimes maybe you should take a break from that raging ADD of yours, pack the essentials and isolate yourself to try and make something of your own. And when you achieve that, do send the result to demos@discotexas.com !!
X: Just do what you like and try to be recognized by who you are. Don't pretend to be. Use the best internet can give you to promote yourself but avoid becoming a super-spammer. Honesty and Humbleness should prevail over the barbaric media that surround us.
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