A first-rate producer in the house and techno scene, Gel Abril continues to garner local and international fans alike. Recent releases on Josh Wink’s Ovum Recordings, Riva Starr’s Snatch! Records and M.A.N.D.Y.’s Get Physical Music have helped burgeon his standing as one of the scene’s true heavy-hitters. Once again he delivers his eclectic brand of deep techno via his latest “Prolex” EP on Francesca Lombardo’s Echoe imprint, and to celebrate this release, we invited him along for a guest mix and an interview:
Welcome to CC invites 🙂 Firstly, what is your background & how did you get into music?
Well I started at the tender age of 13, playing for my classmates with a boombox and some lights. My mom fixed me a job as an assistant painter in the holidays and with that money I bought my first technics 1200, it was definitely love at first sight between me and the music. I was influenced by bands like Depeche Mode Front 242, New Order, Kraftwerk and more.
How would you describe your sound – do you think your music falls into a particular genre?
I would describe it, if I may, as a sophisticated mixture of house and techno, always with an enchanting groove to it, I think it has had that distinctive sound to it over the years.
You have just released your ‘Prolex’ EP on Echoe. What was the inspiration behind this project and how did the collab with the label come about?
I always liked dubby organic raw grooves and I think it reflects well on the ep. I have known Francesca’s name for many years and she approached me on Instagram. We started talking about music and other things then she suggested to do something for her label and from there here we are.
What is your production process – is each project or track different? And what are your key pieces of studio kit?
I always start with the groove and drum section. Once I have that loop that I can listen to over and over again I continue with the other elements such as pad, lead, fx and strings etc. I use a lot of Native Instruments Maschine and the 808 drum machine.
Can you tell us your deepest, darkest secret?
Secrets are not to be told 🙂
What is the coolest, wildest or worst gig you have ever played and why?
I have had many many amazing gigs over the years but there is one really weird gig and possibly the worst that sticks out, the name of which I would not mention out of respect. A few DJs played before me and the people just stood and looked at that DJ without moving or doing anything, the whole scenario was really surreal. As a professional I said to myself I would do my best to get the people going but once I was in the booth and started to play I had the same thing, the people were like zombies. Just insane, the worst Dj gig in my life 🙂
What do you have coming up in terms of releases and gigs (or live streams)?
I just released an EP on Rawax which is doing well on vinyl, plus I have a new EP on my label Closed Circuits and more. I am playing this Saturday in a Club in Hamburg for some friends, after 6 months without playing, I am looking forward to it!
How did you put together your guest mix and what have you included – any exclusives or surprises?
I arranged the music I wanted to play in my head the days before then I tested them on the fly and felt that they were working great together and off course I have included some of my productions plus a special bootleg and more, I hope you like it!
Buy PROLEX EP // Listen on MIXCLOUD // Listen on YOUTUBE
Tracklist:
- Gel Abril – Roadster (Original Mix) [Rawax]
- Gel Abril – Rual (Original Mix) [Rawax]
- Nico Maxen – Strung Out (Original Mix) [OGE]
- Azteca – Active Step (Original Mix) [Moss Co.]
- Herck – Diavolo (Original Mix) [Curtea Veche]
- Brizman & Kash – Better
- Shannon – Let The Music Play (Brizman bootleg)
- Bartolomeo – Castellammare (Priku Remix) [BAR Musica]
- Gel Abril – Decadance (Original Mix) [Echoe]
- Hollow Fraud – Repeat After Me (Original Mix) [OGE]
