Hey Albin! Can you tell us the story behind your branding and also about the project?
So, the idea for a new project came about when I'd made a bunch of songs in a different vibe than your usual Albin track. A few months into becoming a dad, I needed to start making some music again. With my son on my chest in a baby carrier, with just my laptop and headphones. I made happier music that was reminiscent of the old school days of Filter House that I listened to as a teen. The idea of calling it Mohawk & The Kid just popped up in my head and quickly after that I came up with the rooster and chick logo.
This year has brought upon numerous challenges for everyone in the music industry, how have you faced these?
I mean it's been tough on all of us. Not be able to travel and play shows. It's a bummer. But besides a loss of income etc., there's been some upside to it all. Being able to spend that much more time with my own little family has been great! I never miss one new thing that my son is learning!
We’ve noticed a small revival in French House type projects this year, what do you think makes this genre so unique and timeless?
Like everything else it might just be the right time for the sound to return. It's been 20 years since the first wave. Maybe the timeless feel is that it represents something old and new at the same time- by sampling older records and mixing them with a more contemporary sound. Well the 909, that is a big part of the sound. It may not be the most modern drum machine, but the sounds from it are still used and feel somewhat timeless.
Knowing how much effort you’ve put into your previous releases, what’s in store for MATK in the coming months?
I've just signed a record to Axtone which is fun! Axwell is, just like me, a big fan of the old time French House so he understood the track right away. I've also got a number of songs in the works, so there will be more to come in 2021 for sure! I would love to make a limited batch of vinyls with the tracks being released this year and the next. I just need to see if people are willing to spend €30-40 on a piece of plastic with a shiny cover. :)
You’ve been re-editing some of your favourite French Touch and Disco tracks. What's the story behind this, and will any of these ever be released to your fans?
I've "re-touched" a bunch of tracks. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke, DJ Falcon, Le Knight Club and Sister Sledge. Basically, I have remixed them to fit the soundscape I want to make when doing mixtapes for the project. You can't fix something that isn't broken. I LOVE the originals and my re-touch versions can never replace them, but the ones I've made work better in my sets. They might get released if I ever get the approval by the original artists. I do know that some of them have enjoyed my versions which in itself is a win!
Who would you say has influenced you the most artistically in the last few years? Would you have any unexpected influences from outside the electronic music world, or even non musical influences?
I'd say life itself. Pretty broad and boring answer, but that's what I can say. And of course my son! Without him there probably wouldn't have been a Mohawk & The Kid!
