“Right now I only create music on my laptop in bed, hopefully I can start a studio build over time. As for beyond… hmmm… I’m not really sure, but it’s just a matter of where this music will take me from my bed you know?”
This is what Laxcity answered exactly 3 years ago to the question “What are your aspirations for the next 6-12 months and beyond?” in what was probably the first of many interviews. From that day, his unique music has brought him from his bedroom to Canada and Portugal, on Owsla with an official remix, on a NHL Adidas advertisement, and right onto the roster of a top tier record label. And the wheel doesn’t seem to stop spinning at all. Quite the opposite instead. With his latest EP Purity released in the past weeks and many major changes happening in Joshua’s is life in the past few months, we felt the necessity to virtually sit down with him to take stock of the situation and to get a clue of where he and Laxcity will go from now. Without further ado, let’s just jump into the interview while listening this exclusive FUXWITHIT guest mix, packed with not one, not two, not three, but five unreleased, two IDs and his brand new Madeon remix.
I’ve heard that you just graduated, congratulations man! How does it feel to be a free man and a full-time artist? What will you miss most about college and what are you most excited about in this new chapter of your life?
Honestly, this feels pretty epic and unexpected! It took living independently in uni and having all this free time (sorta) to get where I am now this quick! I am just so proud at this point! It’s good to know that I’m done with school, however, I’m slightly worried that I won’t have an everyday routine for a while now. I aim to make this new chapter in my life a path of self-improvement and self-discovery!
Most people don’t find what will really brings them that fulfillment in life. It’s always good to appreciate what you have and who you are.
A new EP means new music, but also a new story. With Catharsis you told us about the acquisition of self-awareness and acceptance through a process of loss and rebirth. What’s the message behind Purity? What do you want to highlight in the new stage of your growth?
All my life, my self-image hasn’t been the greatest. I beat myself up for screwing up on the smallest of things, I don’t really think that much of myself and my self-criticism gets quite toxic at times. Purity is my own special way of telling myself to stop dwelling within that state of mind. I need to cut out those negative thoughts and look outside myself. Music has provided literally everything I’ve ever wanted – good friends, fulfillment and better hopes for the future! I just have to keep reminding myself of what I have. Most people don’t find what will really brings them that fulfillment in life. It’s always good to appreciate what you have and who you are. Purity is literally just all about that! On the surface, if you think of yourself negatively right now, stop it! You honestly could’ve been a lot worse, appreciate who are and what you’re capable of already!
By featuring your own vocals on the title track and shooting your very first music video, you have exposed yourself way more than ever before for this EP. Since it’s not a secret you’re an introvert, how has it felt to be on the front line and not as “safe” behind Laxcity’s mask?
The mention of my past negative self-image plays a part in this. I’ve always been reluctant to create a track and have my own vocals on it, but I think it’s fun to put into practice. When doing any vocal tracking 9 times out of 10 they will be deleted. ‘Purity’ has my own vocals in it and it feels like I just let out a part of myself that has been held back for so long. Even though the song is receiving a lot of praise so far I cringe every time I listen (haha).
It was a crazy leap of bravery for me going to Madeira and meeting up with Czech Vibes. I’m not a person that has traveled to any holiday destinations so being there literally felt like I was daydreaming, except this time the dream is real. I was also very nervous to meet Magdelena and Marketa of Czech Vibes Sound. But after getting to know them it was the greatest trip of my life and the two of them are really nice friendly people!
I still feel sort of safe behind Laxcity’s mask in the sense that since everyone knows I’m introverted and I am a person that prefers to be alone. All my life I have always wondered why I’m like this and why I don’t feel comfortable with being outgoing but having everyone know that sort of brings comfort to how I see myself as a person. It’s okay for me to be quiet but I shouldn’t really let the fact that I’m introverted justify any actions in future.
As we mentioned earlier, you now have plenty more time to invest into your career. What can we expect different from the past years? Are you planning to work on any of your related passions like graphics/animation or soundtracks/scores?
The biggest difference that everyone can expect pretty soon is more visual content. I know I haven’t really been active with that side of my creativity, but I aim to start getting back into cinematography, expand on my knowledge of photography and bringing back my artistic skills. Consistency with this will be difficult but with enough practice, everyone can expect more of that from me. After becoming skilled with sound design and music production, it would be a dream of mine to do sound design for a sci-fi game. Maybe one that involves cute robots similar to the ones from WALL-E. I would also be honored if I could do music scoring for an independent/blockbuster film or like a Netflix series (please haha).
The internet is the greatest invention ever and there’s always someone out there interested in something you’re creating! Not sure where most producers should look but just keep putting music out, someone will find you in time!
You are a great source of inspiration for up-and-coming artists. You went from being one of the many SoundCloud artists to striking a deal with the legendary ALT:VISION alongside names like Medasin, Autograf, Wolfgang Gartner, K?D, Drezo and many more. What suggestions do you have for all the upcoming artists that are carving their way in the industry? What are the true and false myths of the so-called DIY-utopia?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should be patient, let everything happen naturally. Your dream won’t be clear straight away. If you’re extremely good and passionate with something, progress will sneak up on you. Honestly just get to this position the same way I did – by being the best you can be with your craft. Just focusing on the music is the best thing you can ever do for your music career if that’s what you’re aiming to do. Promote it by sharing it with friends that have the same musical interests as you around your area. If they’re not interested in the same music as you, that’s okay! The internet is the greatest invention ever and there’s always someone out there interested in something you’re creating! Not sure where most producers should look but just keep putting music out, someone will find you in time!
If a selfless aspiring artist manager with stupendous work ethic, who doesn’t care if he is running on fumes every day, asks to interview you for a music blog he just started, ask him for help with your music and then maybe a few years later a management team that’s perfect for you will gather around you and help out once you build a small following.
Oh, just for the record, was the ALT:VISION team made of “super serious guys in suits” as you were afraid of?
I was really surprised that they weren’t at all. Judging from call sessions I’ve had with them they seem like chill people who are just serious with what they do. I was anxious when it came to signing with them because in my head I was thinking “this is it, this is where I sign my soul to the music industry…” but it’s not like that at all! They will poke at me and Adrian for tasks to be done but I’ve not felt any pressure at all so far! I can’t wait to meet them in LA later this year!
Let’s get back to the future of Laxcity. Not considering your second account (which by now counts 143 tracks or, at least, ideas of tracks) you’re starting to have a quite rich repertoire. Are you still practicing your skills as a DJ before starting to do live shows?
I’ve been really on and off with DJ-ing lately. I think before stepping out into the show playing world, I have to get back into it pretty soon. I feel that song selection will be a lot more important than the actual skill of DJing itself. I’ll most likely spend a month working on my skills before implementing them in shows.
Last month you announced, quoting your own words, “TON of official remixes for some of my favorite artists.” Since the whole community takes for granted that a Medasin remix is among them, can you tell us something more about it or give us hints about the other artists involved?
I cannot tell you about specific names, but they are all inspirations and SoundCloud legends. There are two that are confirmed, one more that is 50/50. A lot more remix opportunities have come through but of course, it is tough to tackle them all at once. It is insane to me that I am able to talk about these names as well! And knowing that they all acknowledge that I exist is just crazy to me! I hope you enjoy the remixes that do end up being released!
As a huge fan of yours, I have to ask this question: are you planning to release physical copies of your music? I don’t know about you, but a Laxcity cassette or vinyl would look pretty cool…
I have been thinking about this for a long time too! If I am ever to get something on vinyl it’ll have to be a song, EP or album I am extremely proud of. It would be so cool to get Catharsis in a physical copy of some kind. If not then maybe the next album will have a chance to shine.
Tracklist:
Laxcity – ID (Intro)
Heimanu – Leave You
Innerbloom – Elsewhere
Delerium – Textile (Hollimon Remix)
Leotrix – More of Us (Hollimon Edit)
Laxcity – ID
Laxcity – Stupid (Unreleased)
Laxcity – Universe (Unreleased)
Laxcity – Southbound (Unreleased)
DILIP – levels w/ L*o*J
Olswel – Who Knows
Laxcity – is this eerie by sumthin sumthin? (b-sides)
Madeon – All My Friends (Laxcity remix)
Laxcity – Flutter (Unreleased)
Laxcity – Curious (Unreleased)
Zach Farache – Naive Unprepared Child (Laxcity Flip)
