The proper of the evolution is to regenerate itself along unceasing cycles of life from a period, a movement, a generation to another… A reality which fully applies to house music with the arrival of young guns aptly decided to bring their contributions to the history of the genre such as Quentin Harris, Tyrone Francis, Aaron Ross and Franck Roger. Not to mention Mr V who alongside Alix Alvarez has given birth to the SOLE Channel label. Some mo' explanations with the latest during his recent stay in Paris.

Hola Alix, wassup ? You look like in full effect judging by the quality of your works. Where d'ya get this energy from ?

Well I can just say I've been preparing for this for a long time. To run at a certain pace without being held back from what I want to do. A lot of people want to produce/remix/DJ but some just don't take the right steps and don't have a plan for accomplishing things. I've been into music since I was a kid and saw that I could take myself further into it if I follow my heart and keep doing what I love. Music for me is not just something I do. I'ts what'I am. It is a way of life and a ritual for me. I don't take it for granted cause being able to make music and get respect and positive feedback for making great music is the greatest feeling. I think this is where I get most of my energy from and also from my personal drive and determination to be better at my craft.

Your childhood ? Your environment ? Your background ?

I grew up in the Bronx, NY. My parents are Puerto Rican but were raised in NY so they are true Nuyoricans. My mom and pops always had great music playing stuff from Prelude to Fania all-stars to TSOP. You name it they had it ! My brother started DJing around 1983. He had stacks of records. My cousin was a DJ. He introduced me to house music and techno. My sis used to hang out at Zanzibar in New Jersey and was involved in some house music production.

Your first experience with music ?

The first record I ever bought had to be either the Guns and Roses album "Appetite for Destruction" which is still a great album or an Information Society album. I can't remember what the name was but it had "Running" on there. That was really good music.

Your very first heroes ?

My first Hero as a DJ had to be my cousin. He's the one that got me hooked on mixing records. Then I remember listening to DJ's like Kid Capri, Red Alert, John Robinson and David Morales on the radio. I used to record their stuff when I was like 12 years old making stop and pause mixed tapes from the radio (I know a lot of you know what that is). That was some of the earliest DJing I heard and it caught my attention. It was the first time I heard their names and not knowing the titles of records but remembering the words.

Your first party as a DJ ?

It was a house party in Brooklyn for some of my cousins friends. I lugged the equipment to the house which was a real pain in the ass.There were all these Asian kids getting down to house music. My cousin finally let me play a little bit during the party. I got on and everybody was like "yaooo??????? That little kid is Djing ?" I was like "yeah that's right, I got skills. You better act like you know". Hahhahaha!!!

Your first big event ?

Mexico City, Mexico. Summer of 2000. I had just turned 21 and remember feeling good cause they were taking care of my hotel, my flight and I got paid nicely. There were like 400-500 people. It was really good.

There's undoubtly a big competition in NYC. How did you manage to make yourself a name ? Did you get any push from anyone ?

The list of names would be too long to thank people for helping me out along the way either directly or indirectly. I'm the kind of dude that likes my skills and my art speak for me. Word started to get around about me I guess with one thing leading to another. Word of mouth is powerful especially on the NY scene. Determination and that extra couple of hours you put in to your work helps alot too.

Do you believe in the need of say a personal formula in order to be identified ? If so then what's yours ?

Yes I do belive in that. I have a direction with my music. I'm not out here trying to make a quick Buck. I'm looking towards the future years and years ahead. You really have to dedicate yourself in order to be ahead of the rest of the game. The further ahead you are the better off you`ll be in the long run.

Who do you currently feel related to apart from Mr V ?

I don't hang out with too many cats but the ones I consider my musical family are people that I exchange thoughts, music and talk to on a regular. Guys like Franck Roger, DJ Deep, Osunlade, Siji, etc. These are some people that I really respect and I consider as my musical family. There is a common respect that goes on between us. Not to exclude anyone else I know and that I'm really cool with, but these are just dudes I can just kick it with and that really look out for me.

How do you see the current state of the scene and what should be done to make it bigger ?

The current state of things in the scene could be much better if the business aspect was taken to another level. People gotta start thinking beyond just record sales and the obvious promotion schemes that have been tried already. I think more people in the higher positions need to consider using their money and connections to promote the music better. There have been people who are bridging gaps with in the music and that's great. House music doesn't have any identifiable artists outside of DJ's so people don't know the name of the songs or the producer that makes the record but they know the DJ's names on the bill that night. The scene could really use someone with an identifiable image so that the average person can identify with them and say "yeah I like their music I'm going to go out and support that person". Then the word starts getting around. Like "Oh I heard so and so`s music. It's dope". The one trend I see happening in all of this are the R&B remixes that are coming out. Kids can identify with a Jill Scott or an Alicia Keys so when they hear it they can still dig it even if it is at a faster tempo. They might even request it on the radio.

Has the fact of doing remixes for people into organic music such as Tortured Soul or R&B singers like Alicia Keys been in any help in your production work ?

Yeah it all helps. I welcome all kinds of music to be incoportated in my sound. Whether it's Tourtured Soul, Alicia Keys, etc. The thing with remixing for me is that it has to be good music. I'm heavily influenced by a lot of old and new artists so it's always cool when I get a good piece of work from an artist and see what direction I'm going to take their piece of music in. I always learn something from that.

Tell us about your label and your association with V ?

I've known V for almost 5 or 6 years now. We didn't form SOLE Channel officially till he started getting really serious about music. Then we came up with plans for our parties in NYC, making records and then preparing a plan for the record label. When me and V work together it's like clockwork. Especially when it comes to the label. We make our plans and then we make sure we see them through. SOLE Channel first official release was in mid October 2004. The response has been overwhelming. I didn't expect it to get the reaction it got. The label is doing well. We are releasing mostly our our own stuff for the moment, but we are surrounded by talented freinds some of who you might not be too familiar with but they got heat and we plan to release their stuff on SOLE Channel.

What to expect from you in the near future ?

New collaborations with other producers. Produce albums for other artists. Maybe a brand new record label from myself. Oh and of course the unexpected.

Already some project for the next WMC' ?

I plan to release some stuff with Arnold Jarvis that I've produced with Franck Roger in Paris. We gave the track to Arnold and he wrote to it. Franck is going to do the remix for his Real Tone label Records after I release this one on my label. V is going to drop something else on SOLE Channel for the Conference as well which is going to be hot. We are also planning an event with Real Tone and SOLE Channel together with some of our friends at the WMC'. (fingers crossed)

What's your current life apart from doing music ? Where do you get your inspirational food from ?

My life is pretty calm. Sometimes it gets hectic keeping up with stuff and making sure that you are doing everything you possibly can in your day but it's cool outside of that. My life basically revolves around my music, travelling and my life at home. It doesn't get any better than this !

You suddenly wake up on a desert island and have the opportunity to get FEDEXexed 3 things (apart from food). What would you select ?

An Ipod, a dope pair of shades, and an inflatable boat to get the F off.

You're left in the obligation to leave your current activities. What would you do ?

Take a walk through the park, read a book, listen to some jams or watch a really good movie.

Your best souvenir in 2004 ?

My best souvenir is a memory in my mind and that I'm going to keep to myself !

Your biggest hope for 2005 ?

That our scene starts to get the recognition it deserves. There is so much talent in the underground scene. Mainstream doesn't have a clue when it comes to this music. And I'm not talking about selling out. I'm talking about making more people aware that our scene has a voice that can be heard. It has the potential to appeal to so many more people. Mainstream doesn't give good music a chance most of the time though. We make just as much great music as anybody else. If not better !!!!!!!

ALIX ALVAREZ & Mr V "The SOLE Channel EP" (SOLE Channel)

Thanks to Lionel Marciano @ Real Tone for his precious help