Felix Cartal

By Caroline Christoff

This Canadian-born DJ answers questions at the Spring Awakening Music Festival in Chicago.

TCEC: “What do you think sets this festival apart from all the other festivals?”

Felix Cartal: “I mean I think that anything that Chicago does dance music wise is always really exciting because there is a lot of history that comes with it here. I don't know I think they do something every year that seems to be more exciting, be it Lollapalooza and now his festival, they are both amazing festivals to play.”

TCEC: “As a kid, did you attend festivals like this as well?”

FC: “Umm I mean dance music growing up not really, I mean it really only emerged until recently.”

TCEC: “What are some of your musical influences?”

FC: “I'm all over the place, anything from the Beatles to Radiohead, artist like James Holden and Metallica. My contemporary is like Master Craft and Justice. I could go on forever.”

TCEC: “Are you classically trained in anything?”

FC: “No not really, I played jazz band in high school and that’s about it.”

TCEC: “A lot of people that are outside the electronic world would consider this genre not really a performance art, how would you respond to that?”

FC: “I mean, for me I would never say that DJing is live, I think the larger DJs that are getting booked now are performing songs that were written originally as songs. It’s not to the point where it is 100 percent other people’s music; there are some who have sets that is all their own original compositions. I think that writing your own music kind of adds to the concept that it is not live.”

TCEC: “Can you identify sub genres in electronic music?”

FC: “Genres in dance music is a slippery slope, it’s like reading YouTube comments that say is this dubstep, and make jokes about it. If you like it enough that should be enough and it doesn't really matter what it’s classified as.”

TCEC: “What are some disadvantages of always being on the road?”

FC: “Just trying to find a schedule and writing music. Not having a lot of time to be in the studio.”

TCEC: “Are there any acts that you want to catch tonight?”

FC: “I wish I could see Green Velvet and Wolfgang Gardiner, who I am a really big fan of and good friends with.”

TCEC: “Are you  a software guy or a hardware guy?”

FC: “Software 100 percent.”

TCEC: “Is there anything that attributes to your musical influences, being from Canada, that would set you apart from other artists here? “

FC: “I don't know, Vancouver is kind of a weird place to have dance music people are not really doing the same thing that I am. I don't really consider myself a product of my environment. I don't think there is something from Vancouver that has given me a certain sound.”

TCEC: “Finish this sentence: Life without music is…”

FC: “Depressing. “

TCEC: “Do you support any nonprofit organizations?”

FC: “I wish I had more time but I really want to.”

See why Cartal is so busy by visiting his website for more information.