Cardiac is a DJ/Producer from North Wales and someone we have been keeping a close eye on over the past few months since his mix on our Prima Lux series. Cardiac is an upcoming DJ/Producer who has been making waves in the house and electronic scene with a bucket load of deep and groovy tracks that immerse you into his world. His ear for music is something most of us can only dream of and you just have to listen to his tracks to hear how utterly perfect they are. We recently sat down to discuss what he’s been up to, his creative process and his upcoming EP ‘WearHouse’ on Chief Recordings as well as all things electronic. We expect 2016 to be a big year for the young producer but until then, press play on one of his tracks and have a read of the interview below!
I’m delighted to have producer Cardiac here with me today for a little interview. Thanks for taking the time to chat to us today Laurie, how are you?
I’m great cheers! And thanks for having me.
I first heard about you when I was on Soundcloud and looking for producers with a great sound to feature on our Prima Lux series, you had some great tracks on there that made me go wow, but more recently you’ve been releasing some incredible tracks. Do you have a particular process when it comes to creating something new?
Thank you! Well, I like to start by just listening to different tracks, and see which ones I’m ‘feeling’ at that particular moment. I’ve always liked to dabble in multiple genres, and try and include these different elements in my own music. Usually, I’ll begin with the bassline as this is the defining factor of my sound, the constant groove which continues throughout. Then I tend to build the percussion around this.
When you’re creating a track how do you know when it’s finished?
Usually, it’s when I break something nearby. Seriously… If a track is on point, excitement takes over, and rigorous fist pumping usually leads to smashed lamps, spilt coffee and bruised hands! You’ve got to be excited about your own music, feel the same feeling when you hear your own track as you feel when listening to your favorite producer’s. When I reach that point, I know that adding anything else will be too much, and it may ruin the dynamics of the track. It’s all about having the self-control to stop and not go overboard.
I heard that you’ll be moving to Manchester fairly soon to kick off your residency with ThirdEye Events, was this a hard decision for you to make having to leave behind loved ones and friends?
It was a very hard decision, but ultimately one that needed to be made. As much as I will miss everyone from back home, in order to pursue my goals and reach the level of success I want to achieve, moving to Manchester was the most logical choice.
What can you tell us about ThirdEye and how did that come about?
ThirdEye Events is a well established night based in and around Manchester, who’ve played host to many big acts, including A Guy Called Gerald, Raffa FL, Di Chiara Brothers, Hector Moralez and Archie Hamilton. I met owner Michael Quadelli at one of the nights in Joshua Brooks….he’d heard my music beforehand due to the delights of social media, and everything kind of clicked from there due to us sharing a similar style. He asked me at the end of 2015 if I would be interested in joining as a resident, to which I had to reply yes. I’m very grateful to him and the other owners for this opportunity!
After announcing the ThirdEye residency you announced that you will be releasing ‘Wearhouse EP’ with Chief Recordings, I have listened to the teaser and it’s big. I’m dying to hear the EP in full but what can you tell us about it?
It’s a 3 track tech house EP, consisting of “WearHouse” and “Dance For Me”, with a Patty Kay remix of the latter track. Lot’s of sub bass and grooving drums, all the good stuff! It’s received support from Truth Be Told, Cal Johnstone, Martinez and Quadelli and Havana Dub.
Did you have any influences for the EP?
Dale Howard and Sidney Charles are two of my favorite producers, so you can hear a lot of their style in “Dance For Me”, whilst “WearHouse” has a more garage influenced, Darius Syrossian sound to it. But there are all sorts of styles present, including 90s chord stabs and classic soul vocals.
Chief Recordings have released some gorgeous tracks and EP’s, how did your partnership come about with them releasing ‘Wearhouse’?
I’d put up a clip of “Dance For Me” a few weeks beforehand, as I always like to keep people who listen to my music in the loop. I didn’t expect it to gain any sort of recognition, but I received a message off DJOKO saying that Chief Recordings would be interested in releasing it, alongside title track “WearHouse”, with Patty Kay on remix duties. Naturally, I said yes!
You sound like a man that knows exactly what he wants and someone who won’t stop until he gets it which is great to see in someone quite young. Is there anything that you’re targeting for the future that you want to achieve?
As long as people are enjoying my music then I consider myself successful. This last year has felt a bit cataclysmic sometimes, but I’ve no intention of taking my foot off the pedal. I would like to be able to support myself off of music alone, which still seems like a very distant dream, but I’m determined to achieve it. I’m looking forward to working with ThirdEye Events and start playing more live events.
If you had one piece of advice that you could give to someone starting out in this business, what would it be?
Never give up. It’s cliche to say, but it’s the truest statement that has ever been uttered. You will start slow, but if you continue to improve the standard of your productions and get your music out into the world, things will start to happen. Don’t be disheartened by lack of interest or attention as you can guarantee there’s someone out there you don’t know yet who will show support you. It takes a spark to create a flame.
Have you got any exclusive news or releases coming out that you care to share with the WWD readers?
I’ve just finished a collab EP with Jack Swaffer, and am currently in the process of finishing an EP for Rhythm Control Records. I’ve got projects with Lee Jeffery and Josh Lee in the pipeline, plus a free track coming out on Greco’s promotional label “Spira Music” called “Brigand”.
Before we finish up I’m always curious to know, what was your favourite track of 2015 and why?
This is always going to be a difficult question! I would have to say that “Walking Cliche” by Dale Howard still blows me away to this day, after having seen a video of it being performed at a Do Not Sleep event. But there are literally hundreds of tracks I could list instead!
Lastly, could you name three DJ’s that you think are going to blow up this year?
Call me biased, but I have to give a shout out to my ThirdEye bretheren Martinez & Quadelli, Havana Dub and Craig Robinson. Couldn’t ask for a better bunch of lads, all brilliant producers and DJs in their own right! Big things are coming for all of them in 2016.
Laurie, it’s been very enjoyable chatting with you today and I want to wish you all the best with the release of ‘Wearhouse’ and your move to Manchester. Thanks again!
Thanks very much, it’s been a pleasure!
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