Interview With Moguai

Superproducer Moguai has a new track with Cheat Codes. The man who has put his touch on a plethora of different styles talked to us about balancing influences with his style and how he likes to explore everywhere he plays.

The new tune, Hold On, bares a lot of similarities to those early 2000 R&B vocal sounds. It reminds me of Destiny’s Child Say My Name. Do you like to spread your net as wide as possible in order to hear influences or do you have a sound you constantly go back to?

That’s an interesting comparison. I never thought of the 2000 period when I produced that song, but you’re right, the vocals could be of this age. When I produced the instrumental, I looked for more indie kind of vocals, vocals in the “Kings of Leon” or “Red Hot Chilli Peppers” style, but then a good friend of mine from LA, came up with the guys from Cheat Code, who wrote these nice lyrics, which suited the music perfectly. When I produce music I’m always open for any kind of style or direction and I don’t have a sound to which I go back constantly. It’s more that I’m trying to combine different styles and at the end all tracks should have my MOGUAI brand sound. I name it : entertainment techno or emotional, vintage, techno-electro, punk rock!

The video to this song is very interesting, what can you tell me about it?

David, a film producer friend from LA came up with the music video idea. We all loved his love story and thought it could suit very well to the song. David was right and I think Hold On got a very nice video clip.
I also play some little parts in the music video, but you only see me, when you really have an eye on it.

You’ve had major success working with English groups reworking your songs to help them. How interesting is it to rework your own songs to fit a different dynamic? And how satisfying is it when its a major success like it was?

I produce my music mainly for the club, but I felt very honored when GirlsAloud and Sugababes asked me to produce for them in my style.
It was also great to see, that my singles worked with their songs. So at the end my club tracks became pop songs.
And for sure it’s pretty satisfying, especially when you get your first double platinum records 😉

You’ve been around the world and back to play at different clubs, where are some of your favorites?

My favorite cities are Tokyo, Sydney, Byron Bay, LA, Berlin and my little hometown Recklinghausen in Germany, where I grew up.

Do you get to travel much when your playing clubs or is it just a case of play and the set and then on to the next one?

When I’m touring overseas and I’m trying to have a day off before or after the show, to see something from the city and country.
For example, today I arrived in Osaka/Japan very early this morning. During the day, I do some sightseeing and tonight there’s the show. Tomorrow I’ll have another show in Tokyo and a day off after, to spend sometime with some friends from Japan and checking out new spots.
That’s the best about being on tour. Meeting people, learning something about their culture and having local food as much as you can!

Until next time…