Five Questions With Music Producer, Engineer, Writer Felmax
The newest release from Spinnin’ Records is the smooth and groovy “Take It All” from FelMax and WiDE AWAKE. Venezuelan rising talent FelMax draws influences from RnB legends as well as modern electronic music’s future house sounds to produce his ear-pleasing debut on Spinnin’. The track opens with subtle melodies place the focus on 2Down‘s velvety vocals as he croons “If anyone can have it, you know I don’t want it” before the breakdown delivers warbled beats and plucky synths that make for a tune you’ll want to vibe to any time of day.
The final version of “Take It All” was a long time coming, according to FelMax. “When WiDE AWAKE and I started working on ‘Take It All,’ we came up with a ton of different versions and worked on this song for nearly 6 months. I really thought the house version was going to be the one labels would decide to sign since its tempo might be a little more radio friendly, but this version was a bit more unique and Spinnin Records really dug the vibe we were going after,” he said. “Overall, I’m super stoked on this release and for all the exciting releases I have coming the rest of the year.”
Originally hailing from Venezuela, Daniel Mora – better known as FelMax – fled his home country to find asylum in the United States, and ever since has been blazing his own unique path in the electronic music scene. FelMax‘s early musical roots lie in underground hip-hop, which still echoes in much of his dynamic style of music. He burst onto the scene with his hit remix of Iggy Azalea‘s single “Fancy” that was released on Trap Nation, which led to his debut performance at Life in Color Music Festival in 2015. Soon enough, FelMax was receiving support from Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Bassjackers, Krewella and more influential producers, who played his music at some of the world’s best clubs and festivals. FelMax then released his first major original collaboration “Zebras in America” with Graves, then went on to release several successful singles on Dim Mak, including “Skyline” with Max Styler. His credentials were further bolstered by the incredible success of his original productions “Dough,” which is now licensed to Budweiser for their World Cup 2020 commercial campaign, and “Chapel” on Trap Nation. His recent EP “Hyperbolic Time Chamber” on Spinnin’ was called “one of the most complete and comprehensive releases of 2017” by popular media outlet We Rave You. FelMax is off to a strong start for the year with the innovative release of “Take It All,” and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2018 has in store for him.
The Hype Magazine got the amazingly busy cat to weigh in on his latest project and what’s coming up for 2018
From the outside looking in, who is the creator Felmax!
Felmax is a music producer, engineer, writer. I like to make everything from jazz to heavy metal literally to pop to dubstep to reggaeton; literally everything. However my previous releases have been all “bass heavy” music, BUT in 2018, people will hear a new side of Felmax, as well as some of my old stuff.
What flips the switch for you as you begin a new project?
I usually like to start my projects with the main idea or a lot of times the “drop.” Regardless the genre I usually start with that (sometimes I’ll start with the intro, but that’s rare), once I have the main idea in my head of what I want then its just bringing it to life. However, all I need is to hear something I think sounds cool it doesn’t matter what it is it could be a snare or lead or a different sounding bass, once I hear the sound I like, my mind just goes crazy from there lol
What’s the story behind “Take It All”?
First, let me say that this record is one of my favorite records I’ve ever done. Wide Awake’s Management had contacted my manager about getting some stuff together, and I was 100% for it. The Original idea for the tune was like a pure future bass record which sounded great, but I knew we could push it a little more than just that. So I was messing with it for a while just trying to make something sound different, and I decided on a jersey club pattern with the kicks/808’s, and it sounded fresh to me, something I’ve never done. At first I was super hyped but wasn’t sure how Wide would feel about it, BUT sure enough, they liked it just as much as I did. We sent the tune back and forth a few more times after that, and it was done, I am super stoked for this one I hope the people like it as much as I do.
What’s on your horizon for 2018?
Well, I don’t want to sound cliche, but 2018 is looking insane. A lot of new music coming from me, I finally get to put out all the music I’ve been working on so that’s always exciting, Its a mixture of nervous/excitement but more excited than nervous lol.
Also very excited to finally put out some hip-hop. I went on a beat challenge the last two months of 2017 and built a whole new library of beats so expect to hear more hip-hop, Also have some stuff with one of my favorite rappers, so that’s gonna be huge! 2018 is pretty much not holding back, unloading all the music I’ve been working on to the world. Also working on a tour for 2018 about which needless to say I’m more than excited!
The Hype Magazine wants to know: What’s been your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?! Or “WTF?!” moment thus far in your career?
Well recently, I had my song used in a Budweiser promo for the World Cup, and that to me is pretty mind-blowing. That’s definitely something I didn’t have in mind when I was making the song lol. Also, I recently started working with Five Finger Death Punch which is still mind-blowing to me considering that I’ve been listening to them for years.
Another WTF moment is when “Chapel” surpassed 10 Million Views on Youtube(Trapnation/Lowly Palace). For me reaching one million was a goal and the song passed that in one day, so that was definitely a huge WTF moment in my career.
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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