EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Five Minutes With… Das mörtal

Cristobal Cortes, aka DAS MÖRTAL has just shared the video for his new single ‘Midnight Rendez-Vous (Feat. French Fox)’ ahead of his upcoming album Always Loved which is set for release on the 9th June via Lisbon Lux Records.

It’s no surprise that his 2015 EP, Never Forgotten, has racked up more than 500 000 plays, and his release titled Hotline Miami 2 has reached nearly 1 million streams on Spotify. Inspired by a diverse host of artists, from Steve Moore and Aphex Twin to Depeche Mode and Skinny Puppy, the producer has become synonymous with a sound that is both brooding and nostalgic, expertly mixing influences ranging from German techno to vintage horror and sci-fi soundtracks.

His individual style has won legions of fans from both the synthwave and techno scenes, weaving together synth pad compositions that embody the best of these genres; driving beats and rich, expansive synths.

 

We caught up with the eclectic Canadian producer to find out more about his unique “occult disco” sound…

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?

Great! I’m at work doing some video editing.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?

Occult disco music. It blends electro, techno, with 80’s flair from synthwave and new wave.

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?

Boards Of Canada – Music Has The Right To Children
Autechre – Tri Repetae
Depeche Mode – Violator
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II
Kraftwerk – Computer World

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?

Com Truise, because he does very 80’s sounding music that also has the soul found in 90’s IDM from bands such as Boards Of Canada, which I love.

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?

Prophet 5 synthesizer.

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration?

From my own surroundings and watching 80’s and 90’s movies.

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?

Transmusicales 2016 in Rennes, France. It was a huge room filled with people really into the music I was performing.

 

 

And the worst?

A nightclub in Poitier, France. I just felt my musical style was out of place for the venue.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?

Working in Film/TV industry

Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?

I would really love to do the SONAR festival in Spain.

If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?

Depeche Mode

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I my first album as Das mörtal will be released at the beginning of June 2017 with dates in Europe before the release.

Catch Das mörtal’s upcoming shows:

18th May – La Boule Noire (PARIS, FR) + Dukes of Paris
20th May – Le Forum (VAURÉAL, FR) + Perturbator + Danger
24th May – A38 (BUDAPEST, HU) + Dan Terminus + Tommy’86
26th May – MOD (ST PETERSBOURG, RU) + Dan Terminus + Tommy’86
27th May – Les Club (MOSCOW, RU) + Dan Terminus + Tommy’86