Stonehouse has graciously offered WWD an exclusive listen to ‘Tru Water’ a track from his upcoming ‘Cinco De Mayo EP’, set to be released on record label Minds of Sin. ‘Tru Water’ is a colossal track with an irresistible bass and otherworldly synths that engross the listener into a peerless listening experience, it’s deep and groovy sound fused together with some exquisite rhythmic melodies. It’s seven minutes of pure house!
We also got together with Stonehouse to see what he’s been up to and to find out a little bit more about the upcoming EP ‘Cinco De Mayo’.
Stonehouse embodies this notion that not only is music made to be danced to, but that it allows us all to feel something greater than ourselves. As a DJ/Producer originally from Montreal, Canada, since 2011, Stonehouse has developed a local following that dances without inhibition. With local residences at New City Gas, Beachclub, Cirucs and Velvet underground he has hit the scene running, and hasn’t looked back. Known for playing a mix of sounds that draw from House, Tech, Deep and classics from all genres, Stonehouse has managed to develop a sound that is both striking and groovy, but still provides that nostalgic quality that you might find missing in your current playlist.
His first single, ‘Can’t Go On’, was released on November 30th, and debuted at #81 on the Deep House Charts in its first 3 days. In 2016 he has EP releases on Smiley Fingers and Minds of Sin.
‘Cinco De Mayo EP’ is out now! You can buy the EP on Beatport.
Thanks for joining us today Joe, it’s great to have you in for an interview. How are you?
Thanks for having me Ian! I love When We Dip, and I am stoked that you’re premiering ‘Tru Water’.
What got you first started in music?
I always loved listening to music. My dad influenced what I listened to by controlling the radio, and I was surrounded by classical music and jazz until I was about 13. I played clarinet until I was 15, and then switched to guitar. I was really into classic rock, jazz, 90s alternative rock, but never really dance music.
I didn’t get into dance music until about 2004 / 2005. Erick Morillo’s Essential Mix live from Space Ibiza blew my mind. I was obsessed with how he made songs change so smoothly, and how he used vocals from one song over another to create a whole new sound. The biggest thing was the crowd’s reactions. Listening to people singing the lyrics to Alright by Red Carpet still gives me the chills. Since then, House Music has been a growing love and obsession.
Would you say that your approach to producing has changed over the years or do you approach a track or EP the same as when you first started?
I only started producing 2 years ago (I’ve been djing for 6 years) so it has changed a lot haha. I think the one thing that has changed is that I used to start off with melodies, because that is what I was most comfortable with. Now I start with drums and bass lines, and once I have a groove, then I start thinking about melodies, chord progressions, sound design etc.
Recently, I’ve been getting more into sound design. I bought a Moog Sub Phatty and I am looking at getting the Roland JU 06.
Your ‘Cinco De Mayo EP’ will be released on Minds Of Sin on February 23rd, what can you tell us about it in terms of its production?
Well, it started off as a just a chunky baseline and I wanted to give it a western feel. I had watched a couple of western’s and thought that it would be fun to make a break with a western movie style chord progression. I don’t know if it comes through, but that was the idea.
It also was the first track where I felt my producing skills had started to match up with my taste. So it was a pretty big moment when it was done.
True Water just started off me hammering out an arp on my keyboard, and then three days later, it was pretty much done. I don’t think I’ve had a track go start to finish as quickly as that.
‘Cinco De Mayo’, what made you choose the name for the EP? Is there some interesting story behind it that involves a family member being at the Battle of Puebla between the Mexicans and the French or am I just reading too much into it?
Hahahah. Some of my friends and family love tequila, but that is about as far as it goes. I just made the song on May 5 weekend, so when I saved the track I wrote that as the file name. When I first played it for some friends, Cinco De Mayo kinda stuck.
How has 2016 been for you so far? Have you got any future releases planned that you can tell us about?
2016 has been great! I spent some time back home in Montreal, and played an amazing party with Front Rite, who are my House / Techno family back home. On April 11, I have another EP coming out on Smiley Fingers, which is a label I love. They really push to help out young talent and release a variety of quality Tech and House tracks.
I have an EP that I made with Prince Club coming out on Nervous Records. Max (Prince Club) taught me how to produce. He is like my Yoda, but taller and with more tattoos. And to be honest, I am stoked to have a release on Nervous. They have been a huge player in House Music for 25 years. I think this EP is really cool, the tracks are definitely a reflection of both our styles. One track is a little more of tech house track and the other is a chunky Chicago House inspired track.
Im also working with Bender on an EP, which almost finished. That guy is a crazy song writer. I started calling him ‘Topline Bling’ because he writes the best melodies. I am really excited for this one, because I think we have created a couple songs that have moving melodies, but also stick to a very underground sound.
If you had the chance to work with anyone who would that person be?
That is a tough question. Im going to answer Studio and DJ booth, because for me, both are equally important.
In the Studio, Olivier Weiter and Green Velvet. Im picking one young guy and one legend. Olivier Weiter is putting out some fresh sounds that I really love. I would love to see how Green Velvet takes simple ideas and turns them into dance floor destroyers.
In the DJ booth, Roger Sanchez. He is my House Music hero. He has 2-4 decks going at all times, makes it look effortless.
Is there anyone that you’re listening to at the moment that are under the radar and that you think have the potential to become successful?
Mike Robia from Montreal. This guy is the real deal. He is an unbelievable DJ. I learn something new every time I’m in the booth with him. Mike also makes the sexiest tunes, and his production skills have skyrocketed the last 12 months.
Have you got any shows planned where our readers can see you?
Ask me again in a week haha. I am working on a show in Madrid that should be finalized soon.Im working on a 4-6 song EP, so I am trying to focus on that, and then focus on shows over the summer.
Follow Stonehouse: Facebook // Soundcloud // Twitter
Follow Minds Of Sin: Facebook // Soundcloud // Twitter