Artist Showcase: Arres

Hi friends! Today we have another interview, this time with a fellow portuguese producer, Arres!

I am deeply proud. Seriously, I am. I'm proud because there's good electronic made in Portugal. I'm not talking about bangers, although there are many Portuguese producers who know how to do them. I'm talking about tasteful, smooth music that you can present to anyone and they'll surely love it. You don't have to be a producer to appreciate it, but as one, I know how hard it is to find this kind of harmony between sounds. Arres makes it sound like all his instruments are samples are soul mates. They just belong together. It takes talent to do that. Real talent.  

Brix'd - How did you come up with your name?

Arres - My name is simply the reverse of my last name (Serra).

When did you start producing and how bad was your first song?

I started producing in 2003, and my first song was some very bad techno.

What’s the weirdest song you have ever done?

Oh, I think that is a hard question to answer, i have a lot of tracks where i try to mix different genres but maybe im gonna go with this one "divisão do prazer. 

Have you ever been high while producing? Were you enlightened?

Yes, and yes.

What do you seriously hate the most on the production process?

Maybe its the finalization (equalize, compressing, rendering), when you get stuck in that part you may feel something around hate, but its the best part too if everything went well, so its a love/ hate process.

What’s your record for hours spent producing in a row?

I don´t know for sure, but i think its something around 6 or 7 hours, but that happens rarely, usually i try to make pauses of hours or even days, so i don´t get "hypnotized" with the repetitions and start to feel the song annoying.

What song makes you climb walls and scream like Tarzan?

That depends on the spirit of the moment, it would be unfair to choose one, when i have so many influences, but suddenly im going to choose Radiohead´s idioteque has one of those many influences

What’s your favorite sample ever?

I really dont know, i used a lot of samples, i think it depends of the harmony i wanna put in the track, each track asks for the favourite sample.

What do you use to create music? What is your favorite tool?

Ableton Live, the tool i use the most is Simpler.

Do you drink, eat, smoke or inhale something to inspire you? What gets you going?

No i dont do any of those to get inspired, but it happens sometimes without the intention.

What new artists do you recommend to our readers?

There is good things going on, but im gonna say this one "simple / easysimple ".

Now for the songs. Let the tunes flow, kick back and relax.

I've only put 3 here, but Arres has many more. Be sure to visit his soundcloud page and listen to his other songs, they're worth it.

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Like I said before, I'm proud, proud that producers at this level exist in Portugal. Congratulations Arres. You deserve it.

SoulBrix out

Artist Showcase: Fred McLovin

Hey guys, SoulBrix here with another Artist Showcase. Tonight, we have Fred McLovin!

I've been following this guy for some time now. He improved a LOT. He really controls his basses and beats, and surely knows how to create a beat that keeps people going and going and going - all the waaaaaay. I wish I was at this guys level. But let's get to know this fella a bit more, shall we?

Brix'd - How did you come up with your name?

Fred McLovin - My real name is Frédéric Rabouin Milot and my all-time favorite comedy is Superbad. In Superbad there’s one of the funniest character ever who is called Fogell played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse. One of the scene is Fogell showing his fake ID to his friend with the name of McLovin. No first name, only McLovin… So that’s how I came up with the name. I was inspired by the movie so it’s Fred McLovin

When did you start producing and how bad was your first song?

I started producing about 3 or 4 years ago but got serious about only a year ago. My first song was dope, well… in my opinion… at the time haha. It was pretty bad, no structure, no energy, just a daft punk sample (technologic) with an odd bassline…

What’s the weirdest song you have ever done?

I would say my first song haha. I mean it’s not even fun to listen to, it is just annoying.

Have you ever been high while producing? Were you enlightened?

Never been high and never will be. I hate the fact that EDM is associated with drugs. To me, taking drugs to enjoy the music is a total disrecpect to the artist and the culture itself. Actually, my drug is the music. My drug is the rush I get when I produce and find a sick drop that I love.

What do you seriously hate the most on the production process?

I don’t hate but I don’t like doing percussions. I’m really lazy when it comes down to percussion patterns. And you will notice it in my music, there’s no fancy percussion work in it. This is one point I’m trying to improve tho cause I think good percussions can give life to a project.

What’s your record for hours spent producing in a row?

I’d say 10 hours, but I don’t like doing long sessions cause you ears get tired.

What song makes you climb walls and scream like Tarzan?

Way too many to name only one. But at the moment I’d say anything from Sick Individuals, Torro Torro and Congorock. Also one track I really love to play and hear in a set is Alvaro – Make The Crowd Go.

What’s your favorite sample ever?

Bass shot #153, Vengeance Electroshock Vol.2 ! You hear it in a LOT of production lately… ;)

What do you use to create music? What is your favorite tool?

I use Ableton, my favorite synths would be Massive and Sylenth. As for effect I could not live without Izotope Trash 2 and Sugarbytes WOW

Do you drink, eat, smoke or inhale something to inspire you? What gets you going?

I eat, I love eating ! My favorite food is poutine. Google it, we only eat it here in Quebec.

What new artists do you recommend to our readers?

Jason Risk… This guy is special. He’s constantly charting on beatport lately, at some point he had 4 tracks in the top100 electro house. He’s getting a lot of support from big names like TJR and J-Trick. Give him a year and you will see him everywhere.

Got something else you'd like to say?

2013 started off pretty good for me. My 2 tracks EP Shakedown got released on Peak Hour Music at the end of January and quickly got massive support. The EP itself reached the #31 spot in the elctro house release chart. The single Like This reached the #52 spot in the electro house singles chart. Like This was featured on the secret weapon chart of January and the EP was on the front page in the staff pick section. The single Shakedown was podcasted by Jordy Dazz and played live by Marcel Woods. Showtek also supported Shakedown. Now it’s time for a follow up and I got some nice collabs and remix incoming along some original too. Just got to find the time to finish them all!

Alright, as you can see, this guy is climbing the electronic stairs! Keep him on your sight, and bang your head to his monster drops, you won't regret it!

Want to hear the man himself mixing some tunes for a full hour? Check out this podcast WHOAH!

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Alright Fred, thanks for your time and keeep those beats bangin' heads and those drops melting faces!

SoulBrix out