Florida’s own, Floret Loret, first caught our ear with stellar remixes of x&g and Electric Mantis. His ability to do justice to such exceptional producers was a clear indication of the talent he possesses. With releases on Phuture Collective, Below The Surface and ADBC, he’s become a favoruite amongst the SoundCloud scene. Most recently he opted to rework Ekali & mossy.’s ‘Stay Hollow’ with a level of brilliance that caught the attention and support from Ekali himself, as well as Alison Wonderland. All that said, his best work is still ahead of him. His upcoming debut EP Tangled Roots is an absolute masterwork, blending emotional soundscapes with a unique experimental energy for a sound that is both beautiful and boundary pushing. Ahead of its release we connected with Floret Loret for an interview and guest mix. The mix previews a few tracks from the EP as well a number of his productions and music from the artists that he loves. The interview touches on the EP, what it was like getting support from Ekali, where he finds happiness outside of music and more.
Where are you taking listeners with the mix?
I want to take them on a journey, there are a lot of different styles, sounds, and emotions present in the new 30 minute mix. It showcases some of my favorite upcoming artists, some new tracks from an EP, and a bunch of tunes that I’ve been listening to the last couple months. I like being diverse with my music and I wanted to do the same with this mix.
The mix, like your music, moves between chill and melodic, and a more hard and aggressive sound. Do you enjoy making one or the other more? What influences which direction you decide to create in?
I like making all kinds of music. I don’t have a preference of one over the other. When I started writing music, it began with more melodic sounds, but then I started experimenting more audio and synths. It’s a lot of fun to go crazy with sound design. I’ve listened to a lot artists (Medasin, Ekali, Delay., sumthin sumthin and Flume) where they all make a pretty, melodic, chill songs while also producing other ugly, heavier, aggressive tracks. But what’s interesting is that it all works within their own style. I want to strive to be as diverse as I can, while being loyal to my own sound.
What were your biggest influences when writing your upcoming EP and what can you tell us about it?
My influence for the sound design comes from artists like Flume, Electric Mantis, Zotti, and sumthin sumthin. They were extremely influential when coming up with my own style. I also find inspiration from life experience, from my friends and family, to the adventures that I have had over the years.
I wanted to write songs about certain events that have happened in my life, create a theme of flowers and plants to be centered around my image, and dedicated a few of the songs to the people that I care about the most.
What can you tell us about the project?
This is my first big project called Tangled Roots. I wanted to write songs about certain events that have happened in my life, create a theme of flowers and plants to be centered around my image, and dedicated a few of the songs to the people that I care about the most.
You recently had your ‘Stay Hollow’ remix reposted by Ekali. How did it feel to see him supporting your work?
Oh man, I almost cried. I threw my phone across the room thinking “I must be dreaming!” I was in denial for a bit. I called my girlfriend and a few friends; they were ecstatic to hear about the repost. I’m super grateful and thankful that he listened and enjoyed the remix.
You have Phuture Collective listed as fam on your SoundCloud. Can you talk a little bit about the Phuture community and what influence they’ve had on your artistic growth?
They were one of the first groups I met when I started this project in 2015. I was starting to write music at the time and caught wind of one of their compilation Nature. I met my first friend in the scene, Balesie, who now goes by Saros. He introduced me to Michael. I sent him a couple tracks that were more chill, but mixed poorly because I had no idea what I was doing at the time. He still heard it and invited me on board to a Slack chat. That’s where I met some more producers like Rohaan, Chromonicci, Mister L, RVKIT, and Zenaware. From there it was history, I grew with them over the last 4 years… wrote a bunch of weird experimental sounds along with other “pretty“ electronic tunes. I released a couple tunes with them including a Cypher, where I recorded a bunch of stones and made a beat from it. They have helped me grow over the years and I became really good friends with them. I consider them family.
My real reason for writing music is an outlet for my thoughts or whatever is going on in my life. I enjoy writing and playing music; and I want to keep writing music for the rest of my life.
When we last spoke you mentioned that music is a way for you to leave something behind. Can you expand upon this? What do you want your legacy as an artist to be?
My real reason for writing music is an outlet for my thoughts or whatever is going on in my life. I enjoy writing and playing music; and I want to keep writing music for the rest of my life. I hope to leave behind a big repertoire of songs, so that people can always come back and listen to whatever I was making at the time. I’m creating things because I enjoy the creative process and it’s a passion for me. Over the last couple years, it seems to have been resonating with a couple people and I couldn’t be more grateful. I hope to continue and grow through this creative process and those who listen to me now and in the future, will continue to enjoy what I create.
What makes you happy outside of music?
My friends and family, especially my girlfriend, Chelsea. She has been there for me since the beginning, and I honestly wouldn’t be the person I am today without her. I’m planning on going on a couple trips with her this year, so I’m excited. I enjoy being with my family, we are all really close, and whenever it’s a full house it’s always fun.
What are you most looking forward to in 2019?
Just to see where it takes me. I am still working on a bunch of music for the year that I plan on releasing, while also working with some of my friends on some more interesting experimental projects. I’m excited to see how that pans out and for the new adventures this year.
Tracklist
Floret Loret – ID
DELAY. w/ Singularis – Relativity Part 1
Pacific Patterns x P A T H – Scuffed
ID & ID – ID
Mr. Carmack – Fire (No Payroll) (Slippy remix)
totto – warpspeed
Tsuruda – Surreal Consequences
Electric Mantis – Faced (Floret Loret Remix)
L*o*J – Temple
Aztek – That’s a Dead Guy
potions – Ghillie Suit
Peekaboo & G-Rex – Babatunde (yojas edit)
Floret Loret – ID
Troyboi – Do You (msft remix)
Digital Ethos – Tongues
Abelation – Even More
saka – demon hunter
Pacific Patterns – Party in my head
Chee – Eddy Morphine
Pacific Patterns – Last Day On Earth
Floret Loret – ID
