Hailing from Melbourne, Sly Faux has been a core part of the global techno underground for almost a decade. Blurring the lines between live and DJ performances with his high-impact technical sets he has shared the stage with the likes of Sandwell District, Answer Code Request, and more. As a producer, he has served up vital tunes on labels like Grain Records, Elevate and One4SevenOne as well as Nicole Moudaber‘s MOOD. He discusses his latest album, his artistic process and how the label has allowed him to have musical freedom.
Appreciate you talking with 6AM, how are you doing during these last nine months of the year?
Pleasure, thanks for having me. The last nine months have been interesting. We have been locked down quite a few times in Melbourne now over the last two years. I’m sure everyone has dealt with this differently; but for me personally, I’ve been great. Having the album drop just after coming out of lockdown was a nice gift for myself. I also spent a lot of time writing records and have amassed some really nice tracks after the most recent lockdown period.
Congrats on finding a home for your body of work! Did you set out with MOOD in mind or how did it come to land there?
Thank you. Yes of course, the album was always going to find its home on MOOD. Over the years Nicole has really allowed me to express myself, however, I want on the label musically. After some discussions with her close to two years ago, we agreed it was the right time for my first album, and for it to find it to land on MOOD.
You decided to release the album The Vangelist in three separate installments (EPs), what drove this decision? Why not release it in one drop?
To be perfectly honest it wasn’t my decision or idea. Leon and his team at MOOD came to me with the concept, and thought that breaking it up would allow audiences to consume each part properly and extensively over the two-week gap between each part. I’m very satisfied that we did it this way, rather than just dropping nine tracks and hoping for the best.
“Personally I find records without musicality to be quite one dimensional and stale. I just can’t finish projects like this.”
Sly Faux on why he includes melodic elements into his tracks.
So far we know of your track “Emerald Exchange” and the 1st part of your album. Can we expect the other two parts to be of similar sound? How will they differ?
The album definitely carries a particular ethos about it. I wanted to ensure that there was significant distinction between the records as well. Part 2 and 3 explore breakbeat, ambience and a little DnB. All tracks are particularly synth and ambience heavy. I wanted the work to be club ready but also appropriate enough to listen to in a different listening environments. Hence, why I decided against nine four by four tracks.
Courtesy Sly Faux PR
Your tracks have a very powerful melodic focus to them, are there any artists who’ve really inspired your sound?
For sure, they do. I enjoy musical music. Personally, I find records without musicality to be quite one-dimensional and stale. I just can’t finish projects like this. Over the years I’ve drawn influences from artists and producers like Rival Consoles, Thomas Newman, DjRUM and Skee Mask.
When it comes to releasing music, is there anything you do to prep for promoting it?
Me personally? No. I have a good team around me now who orchestrate all of that. My job, exclusively, is to make sure the music is good and I’m 100% confident of the work before it goes live.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention before we close off?
Stay true to yourself when it comes to music or your art. Don’t follow trends, just because others are. Your gut will always guide you. Always
