Lovers Audio Mix: Fennec
For our latest edition of the Lovers Audio Mix Series we've been bless with one hour of sweltering hot party jams from dedicated crate digger, sample flipper Fennec. Over the past 10 years the Austin based DJ and producer has gained the acclaim of DJs across the globe with his steady stream funky, self-released, sampled-infused house cuts. In this interview, he opens up about rebuilding his relationship with music, finding patience in creativity, and staying independent by design. We also get the lowdown on Austin’s evolving dance scene, his sampling philosophy, and what’s next musically. His Lovers Audio Mix is an clear reflection of the joy and experimentation that drive his craft. Get ready for a hot one.
Lovers Audio: How are you? What are you up to these days?
Fennec: I’m doing well! Clear-eyed, bright futures, introspected to heaven and back. I have more ideas than I do time and energy. Excited for some new music to come out, working on and revising a new album of material. Spring is emerging here in Austin, TX, a time when shorts or pants can be worn without worry. I’ve been DJing much more, but a mental shift can happen I think where you view music as tools and tracks instead of self-contained universes to be enjoyed. I’ve been re-building my relationship with music, trying to enjoy as a listener again the way I felt in high school. It’s hard to be patient, but like with anything difficult the rewards are equally enriching.
LA: You've been releasing music independently for over a decade now. What's the motivation behind that decision? How has it benefited you?
Fennec: It’s been so long that it’s hard to imagine not releasing music. Listening and digging and creating are kind of like my primary modes of existing. When I make anything it’s always with this assumption that nobody will hear it and when people do hear it it’s always a pleasant surprise. When they like what they hear, wow even better. That’s the gravy on the potato. That’s the syrup on the pancake. The benefits have been enormous. It’s like journaling or painting, or any other outlet that allows you to get what’s inside on the outside of you. It’s exercise for the soul. I’ve never considered what the motivation is behind creating, creating itself is the motivation for me.
LA: Do you have tips for other artists who want to remain independent?
Fennec: Above all else, you can do it. Sure sure there are connections and luck and a whole ecosystem of music business players, but above all else you should create for yourself. If you can make the music, you can find visual art that pairs well with the music, you can send emails. I think the hardest part of being an independent artist is the communication part of it. It can seem self-important or uncomfortable to talk about your music or any other artform, but then there’s this weird double standard where for artists I love or admire it never comes off that way. It’s kind of like that book The Secret from a while back. If you sincerely believe in what you’re doing and can get comfortable talking about what it means to you and putting yourself out there, there isn’t anything you can’t do. Not that I have come close to doing any of this well, but it’s all baby steps.
LA: Austin is definitely known for being a rock music hub, how is the dance music scene going these days? What clubs, parties, and record stores do you recommend?
Fennec: There’s so much going on in Austin from a dance music perspective and so much more to go. Underrated I’ll say as a dance music city. A ton of Central American and Mexican cultural music influence of course, but then there’s also a healthy vinyl culture around global and obscure selector-style sets and more deep house stuff. There’s hard techno and hardgroove stuff, I was just talking with a friend about how RoMinimal [romanian minimal techno] is randomly popular here. You can also pretty readily see back in the day/present day legends like JT Donaldson and Brett Johnson still spinning records around town which rules. People forget that Dallas was a major hub for underground house music and that’s spilled over here in the years since. Musically in the dance world Austin is keeping it just as weird if not weirder than the other U.S. hubs, there’s a pocket for everybody. Don’t get me wrong, as with any city there’s also a fair share of cooler-than-thou, oh-so-exclusive private equity cocktail spots and EDM frat house dance music that have all lost the plot. (It isn’t my thing lol but I can respect it as a hopeful gateway to something with more substance, idk everyone starts somewhere.) If you’re in town check out Community Garden (the Near Mint DJ collective throws down heat every Tuesday), Kingdom goes hard for a club environment, the Trucha Soul, Ubiyu, and Might Be Magic crews are always putting on world-class parties, and there’s a bunch of spots that have great programming both for dancing and not; Cheer Up Charlies, Sanctuary parties at Marlow, and wherever the Queer Vinyl Club is spinning. The best 3 record stores in town for digging are Breakaway, BLK Vinyl, and Sunshine Vinyl. Any DJs in town I always send there.
LA: You're known for your impressive sampling, are there any tips or techniques you'd be willing to share with fellow producers?
Fennec: Thanks! Don’t be afraid to revisit records. Be patient with what reveals itself. The mind is powerful and more often than not it will naturally try to make sense of whatever you put together. Figure out a way to limit your choices to avoid decision fatigue. AI-powered sampling with stem separation is something I haven’t dabbled in and don’t plan to simply because there’s already so much that’s possible. Opening those doors sounds like a nightmare to actually finish anything. Roll a joint, pour some wine, crack a Modelo; sample under the influence, edit sober. This is supposed to be fun!
LA: Which of your contemporaries are you most excited to watch these days?
Fennec: Ari Bald & CJ Scott have been on an absolute speedrun of old-school house hits. Love everything coming from Will Hofbauer and his label Third Place. Ladymonix, Eddie Logix, and Peter Croce all out of Detroit are keeping it fresh. Not DJs, but I follow the bands La Sécurité, Being Dead, and Automatic pretty closely as they’re big sources of inspiration. Any chance I get I try to see them.
LA: What's something you're excited about (outside of music)?
Fennec: Not related to my music specifically, but I’m seeing Jessica Pratt this week which I’m pumped about. I’m seeing Aziz Ansari and Caitlin Reilly later this month. Stand-up comedy is just as inspiring to me as music. Everything true about the flow and timing applies to music. Super psyched for Just Like Heaven music festival too in a couple months to see all my fave bands, if you see me in the wild come say Hi.
LA: What's next for Fennec?
Fennec: I’ve got some upcoming music out via Studio Barnhus, which has been a creative north star for me for the past 8 years at least. I’m genuinely still floored, they’ve indirectly taught me everything I know. I've always admired Studio Barnhus ever since I first heard Kornel's album The Bells. Where I grew up there was pretty much nothing going on with dance or electronic music, so coming across them and the weirdness/playfulness they bring to everything they do really opened up doors in my mind. I won't spoil too much about the record, but I'll say that the tracks were all produced in the span of 2 weeks and incense made from charred sandalwood, saffron, and sandstone was burned throughout the creation. I’ve also got some random tracks and edits I might throw out there too sometime this year, but I’ve mostly been cooking up a new album for a while that I think I’m 70% done with. I keep changing my mind about what tracks should go on it and what not. Beyond that I’ve got a couple gigs lined up but hoping to play out farther and wider the rest of this year. If you’ve got a party coming up that needs some fun dance music, holla at ya boy! I am very nice and reasonable, and humble haha!
LA: What charities or causes would you like people to know about?
Fennec: Support the Innocence Project, and get well soon Garry!
