Chico Shuella from Israel, better known by his stage name Chicola is one of the most sophisticated club music producers in this day and age. His latest two-track EP is not only an extraordinary release. It is also a part of his forthcoming album on the esteemed Malta-based label Lost & Found. Chico’s fusion of meditative atmospheres and uplifting dance rhythms makes his sound signature more than recognizable. Over the years, he has released numerous tracks on Lost & Found and has established a special relationship with Guy J, who runs the label. Chico is proud to talk about his music and the pride of collaborating with his son Yoav. However, he also finds artists from genres such as hip-hop inspiring and respects their work. Eloquent and open-minded, Chicola is an easygoing person with concrete goals and visions. It was exciting talking to Chico, and it is a pleasure to share more about his mindset, character, and perspective with the world. You can read the full interview below while listening to the full premiere of ‘Tipsy’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!

WWD: Your two-track material is the eighty-second release on Lost & Found. Is there anything you tell us about it?

First of all, thanks for having me! I’m looking forward to it, and I’m sincerely excited about my new EP on Lost & Found. It’s always something special for me to release my music on this label. Lost & Found is my home. Guy J and I have a connection that is beyond just the music. I remember the early days of the label and the first ideas behind this platform. I am proud to see Lost & Found growing up and even more excited to be part of this journey. This EP is a part of my forthcoming album on Lost & Found. During the past year, I’ve been working on the new album. I’ve been recording many musicians and working in a few studios. I’ve been writing a lot of new music, and my son Yoav worked with me on a couple of tracks. He wrote some incredible melodies, and we’ve shared some unforgettable moments in the studio during the process. I feel privileged for the opportunity to have that kind of father-son bonding with Yoav. I’ve also recorded an accordion player, flute player, and one of the most talented percussionist players ever. We’ve recorded some inspiring music together.

WWD: What phase are you currently in with the production, writing, and recording process? How many tracks are going to appear on the album? What genres will you present on the album?

I finished most of the tracks. I’m currently working on the mixing in a few different studios. I think I wrote around 25 musical pieces and picked 12 for the release. When I wrote the music and produced the tracks with the musicians and my son Yoav I let myself go with the flow. During the writing, I have not been thinking about the limitations of the genres. The album is a story, and the most important thing is to share my truth. The story of my life!

Most DJs categorize your music as progressive house, and it is a decades-old genre. Many critics wrote it off a long time ago. Despite that, the statistics show a constant increase in the scene. How do you explain that?

I produce music because of my passion for the art form. I am very passionate about musical knowledge, too. I invest my time learning about music every day and every night. That way, I slowly become better and better. However, my life with music is not about the destination. It is about the journey itself. I never wanted to be a trendy artist. I had released music that was No1 in the melodic techno chart. I also had achieved to be in the hottest organic house charts and the progressive house charts. You know what? The charts have no meaning without the basic knowledge of myself. I make my music with my own emotions and my integrity. I always believed that great music is great music, no matter what genre it is.

WWD: You somehow manage to update your sound and make your music constantly exciting. How do you manage to keep the excitement alive?

You have to have a lot of passion because it is hard to shift and create something great. I mean all those crazy endless sessions, all those long nights and days that become weeks into months into years of practicing if you don’t love it or if you don’t have that flame burning into you or if you don’t have fun doing it, you are going to give up eventually. If you love what you do, you are not stopping it even when things get tough. It takes a lot of hard work. In the last year, I have started to create Sample Packs for producers searching for inspiration, and I am using a lot of Analog synths and trying to deliver and create unique sounds.

WWD: Who are the people who have helped you the most in your career development?

My wife and my kids give me more strength than any muse. I wrote some of my best music while my family was with me in the studio.

Who are the producers you appreciate the most, and why?

I have always loved listening to exceptional productions, especially when it comes to hip-hop. I love their techniques and the vocal treatment with crazy chains of plugins.

WWD: Can you name some of them?

Sure! I can recommend almost everything from Mike Dean, Noah Ovo, and Bo1da. Also, I enjoy a lot of productions from Max Martin & Illangelo (who produced The Weekend). Sound Designer Richard Devine is incredibly talented, and BT is also very inspiring.

WWD: Do you think that the speed of information exchange via the Internet directly affects the quality of music production? How and Why?

I think everything is way more accessible and available for producers nowadays. Collaborations were almost impossible, and it was unimaginable to send heavy files. Today you can collaborate with anyone and anywhere. You can easily send parts to musicians, and they can record takes for you and send them back immediately. Some of the biggest songs in the last few years used online samples from services like Splice. The possibility to use such high-speed information exchange is an outstanding creative tool, and I love it!

WWD: How do you see the development of your career in the next year?

I’ve been into sound design and creating samples lately. I have been learning the foundations of parallel compression, harmonic saturation, and mixing. I’ve been trying to apply that knowledge in my music. so I am making plenty of unreleased tracks. I am passionate about creating music with analog gear, and I am a passionate synth collector, so that is also a big part of my life.

Release Date: November 5th, 2021. Buy Here

Follow: Chicola // Lost & Found

Interview by Damir Ludvig