For the last few years, we’ve watched as Eric Estornel reigned as Maceo Plex. With tracks like “Vibe Your Love,” his sexy, deep house incarnation capitalized on the sound made so famous by labels like Hot Creations and Crosstown Rebels from around 2009 onwards, catapulting him into the global spotlight. However, as the popularity of that sound has weaned lately, and it’s key players adapted and moved forward, so too had Estornel. Eric had a standout summer in Ibiza, as the only artist to play Amnesia opening and closing as Maceo Plex, and was a major contributor to ENTER. at Space and Circoloco at DC-10. Though throughout the season, Maetrik – the darker, more decadent techno sound that Estornel started his career with – began to bubble it’s way back up into his sets. And heading into the SideXSide Ellum Showcase in London on February 21 and 22, Eric assures us that Maetrik will get a fair crack of the whip: we’ll see Maceo Plex on the Friday and Maetrik the Saturday.
But where does Maceo Plex end and Maetrik begin? This year is set to be a big one for both identities, as well as Ellum Audio, the ever-expanding imprint that Estornel has run since 2011. I had the pleasure of chatting to him about the label, his hugely deserved success and getting to grips with his dual identity.
You haven’t played as Maetrik in London since Drumcode in 2012! How do you think Maetrik has developed in that time? I’ve released a couple of tunes as Maetrik this year but really I’ve been too busy as Maceo Plex. The point of this party is to show everybody that I’m still Maetrik. I’ve got loads of Maetrik stuff coming out this year, so it’s really the starting point. Not much has happened since Drumcode, but it’s going to be taking off again, with some more nights and Maetrik sets.
How does what’s going on in your life and your state of mind at the time affect which side of you comes out when you play? Is it a subconscious choice? It’s somewhat subconscious; it’s about the energy where I’m playing. Three years ago with Life Index I could tell what people wanted to hear from me, but as the years have gone by, things have got darker in general. The darker stuff is fashionable right now and that’s ok with me; that’s where I come from! If I feel like the energy somewhere can allow me to get away with being more heady and darker, then that’s what I’ll play. I still love playing deep house, though, so if you catch me on, say Amnesia Terrace earlier in the night it might be housier, but later on in the daylight it’s more Maetrik. This SideXSide showcase will allow me to play both sides, and I’ve invited the artists to join me who I think will represent that.
How do you think the Maceo Plex moniker has helped you develop Maetrik? Has your attitude behind the Maetrik moniker stayed the same? Maceo has opened a lot of doors, and I can get away with more as Maetrik because of that. At the same time, musically, when I’m at a party and they know I’m also Maceo Plex, I’m still going to get the one-off request to play this hit or that hit, and it reminds me that there are a still a lot of Maceo fans out there who don’t want me to go so dark. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time – I can’t get away from Maceo Plex sometimes, but that is a blessing in itself that people like the music so much, no matter where I am they want to hear that sound.
What would you say were your stand out moments of the last year? I’ve had a lot of personal stand out moments, but musically, ENTER. seems to be what everyone talks about. Also, Tobacco Dock was one of the best parties I’ve played in the last couple of years. It’s the way a warehouse party should be; low ceilings, sweaty, really good sound. The way the booth was set up meant you were close to the people and could have a great connection with them. From both the DJ and the crowd’s perspective that’s what you want. Everyone was really happy, and there weren’t any bad attitudes or bad vibes in there at all. The UK’s known for its warehouse parties, and I’ve played some amazing ones in the UK, but this one stood out. Every DJ that played there, we all agreed that it was the best warehouse party we’d played at in the UK in a while.
Would you say your two aliases showcase two different personalities and sides of you rather than merely two different attitudes to music? It used to show two different sides of my personality, and I guess it still does... but really it’s that I have a broad taste. In the US when I was starting out, techno and house were played together by the DJs I listened to. And because Detroit is in such close proximity to Chicago, you heard Detroit DJs playing house music, and house DJs playing techno, so I always loved both. Now what I make just depends on the mood I’m in in the studio – if I’ve just finished playing a really dark set in a warehouse, I’m going to create something techno and I can put it to the Maetrik name, and if I make something sexy and deep, I can say it’s Maceo. It’s luxurious actually! I don’t have to think about it too much.
You’ve got to this point where you’re so successful – do you still have moments of insecurity? Do you still ever doubt yourself? Oh yeah, all the time! For example, I save money just in case I ever fall from grace! You’ve got to plan ahead as the industry is so fickle. I’ve seen some really big DJs just disappear, and not because they did anything wrong, it just happens. Maybe creatively you’re not on the same page as the people, which could happen to anyone. I always doubt what I’m doing – if it’s going to go well or not – but I can’t help but do what I love to do.
I don’t think you need to worry about disappearing anytime soon! Let’s talk about Ellum Audio. Can you give us some insight into some of your artists who might not be on everyone’s radar just yet? Someone you’re really excited about? I’m really excited about an artist we’ve just signed called Gardens of God. They’re from Lithuania and really good friends with Ten Walls, who’s doing so well right now. I guess they had an agreement between them. Ten Walls would release on some labels, and Gardens Of God would then go with some other labels, but it seems the Lithuanians are taking over! Good Guy Mikesh is another artist I signed recently who’s making really beautiful music, like the old Sasha sound. These guys are perfect for the label because I’m not looking to sign and steal artists away from other established labels. I’d rather keep signing people that nobody’s ever heard of. If I was living off being an A&R, and my career was based on how well the label did then I would probably try and sign the hottest and biggest artists around, but since I’m doing okay in my own career, I have the luxury of just putting out whatever I feel like. Then I still continue to work with people like Danny Daze and even DJ Tennis from Life & Death. We’re trying to establish our own family. Hopefully in a few years our artists will be a huge success.
You’ve integrated your professional and personal life, working with your wife on the label. From an outsiders view it seems like smooth sailing. Is this the case? No (laughs)! We’re always arguing about what the next step in whatever business were doing at the moment is, but her opinions are really spot on, usually. I can’t separate myself from being the artist or DJ involved, whereas she sees it how a fan, promoter or producer of the records would see it; she gives me different perspectives on things, and sometimes I don’t like what she’s telling me, but it’s normally right! With that dynamic, it’s working great, plus we’ve got some others working here who are really great too.
You’ve said before that your wife inspires your music quite a lot. What else would you say are your main inspirations? When I was doing the first Maceo Plex records and the hits that came after, I was going through one of those romantic phases – I was a lone romantic! Now, because I’m doing so well, I’m just really happy and I don’t feel like that as much. Also, now a lot of business comes into play – strategies, agents, managers... I’m not the same hopeless romantic I was when back then. My influences now are the parties themselves, the music I’m hearing around me, or what my friends are doing, whereas before it was like cheesy romance comedies. What do they call them in the UK, ‘rom coms?’ I guess they call them that in the US too but I haven’t lived there in years!
Do you think you’ll ever move back to the US? I don’t think so. I’d probably go stay for long periods of time but I love Europe. America is huge and there are a lot of things to see but the way the politics are and how much you have to work just to even survive is crazy. The quality of living is much better here.
What can we expect from you in 2014? Will we see one of your aliases stronger than the other? Last year I didn’t really release that much, so this year hopefully I’ll get my second album out. Since the album’s going to include lots of different styles, the single leading up to the album may not sound like a typical Maceo Plex track, but once the album comes out, it’ll all make sense. It’s going to have a kind of evolution of sound and what I’m doing right now up to this point. So yeah, I have loads as Maceo Plex, a whole album, and some remixes, and hopefully an Essential Mix.
You had a hugely successful Ibiza season last year, and we’ve heard some rumours on the grapevine that you might be getting your own residency for 2014. Can you confirm this? It’s weird how these rumours start but there is some truth to them. Usually every two, three years in Ibiza a DJ comes up and gets his own night. This year I think everyone is expecting me to have my own night and without saying too much, I am too. The amount of support from all the clubs has been pretty crazy, and the amount of requests to do my own night, from basically every club there. It’s a matter of carefully choosing and planning something, and keeping it all top secret for now! It won’t be too huge and ambitious so I can still play with Tale Of Us and the ENTER. crew at Space and Circoloco, but there is definitely something in the works...
Catch Maceo Plex and Maetrik at SideXSide on February 21 and 22. Venue TBA. For more info, head to the event Facebook page here.