Bedrock, Leftroom and Knee Deep In Sound producer Montel has your weekend sorted! The Belfast local provides the latest edition in the Select Cuts series, bringing a fiery hour of house and tech to the table. Montel has proved himself a production machine of late, gracing a host of top quality imprints. His latest works come via Anje Schneider’s Berlin-based label Leena Music and John Digweed’s Bedrock imprint. He also took the time to field our most pressing questions. Check it!
WWD: Thanks for joining us! Tell us, what you’ve been upto this week?
Right now I’m working on a few new originals. It’s the first time I’ve been in the studio this year surprisingly. I spent a lot of time in the studio towards the end of last year (all of December basically), getting music ready for this Spring / Summer. Ive lots of new music to come out now!! 🙂
WWD: 2015 was huge for you, in your eyes how can 2016 be better?
I’ve massive plans and aspirations for 2016! I made a big change to my production sound / style at the end of 2014, so all of 2015 was just establishing that and setting things up for this year.
WWD: Have you been hard at work in the studio during the winter months?
Yes, very much so. I tend to hit the studio in bursts. I usually spend a month or 2 sample hunting and sketching ideas, then I hit the studio hard for a few weeks and turn all those sketches into tracks! After ADE last year I was full of inspiration, so most of November and December was spent in the studio!
WWD: Will we catch you on the white isle this Summer?
Yes! 🙂
WWD: Your Leena Music and Bedrock releases see you dip your toes into the realm of techno, is that the vibe you’re feeling right now?
100%! I’ve always been into techno, but never made an awful lot of it. Over 2015 a lot of my tracks were supported by Techno DJs like Carl Cox, John Digweed, Adam Beyer, Alan Fitzpatrick et al, so this gave me the confidence to push more into that genre. When I DJ I also play a fair bit of Techno, so it’s important for me to make music I can play out!
WWD: Some quick fire qs!
Your three essential hang-outs in Belfast?
For a beer – The Garrick. For some food – The Bar Grill @ James St South. For a coffee – Established Coffee 🙂
WWD: Favourite local place to spin some tracks?
Misfit at Thompsons.. Every Friday. Mad crowd, intimate vibes, kick ass sound system!
WWD: Away from home, favourite city to play in?
Dubai or Amsterdam, different vibes but both great!
WWD: One track that’s killing it for you right now?
Fjaak – Super Smash
WWD: One artist that’s gonna make a break in 2016?
Too many good artists out there to pick just one. As I said though, I’m making 2016 my year 😉
WWD: One thing nobody knows about Montel?
I’m a killer cook. When I’m not DJing or making tunes I’m probably in the kitchen 👌🏻
WWD: Lastly, tell us a little about the mix you’ve recorded for us – what are we to expect?
The mix was recorded completely live, no editing, no ableton etc. Just exactly the same as how I play in a club. A mixture of techno and house, some tracks a little more stripped back and some with more melodic elements. Both tracks from my upcoming release on Anja Schneider’s Leena Music on on there too. I hope everyone enjoys it!
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