Felix Da Housecat needs no introduction. On 20 May he once again dropped by Fabric to turn everything there upside down. Not everyone managed to get in to the main musical event of May, and those who did are still coming to their senses. Marilyn Manson, Depeche Mode and the Chemical Brothers in Felix's harsh electroclash vision are, it has to be said, a "dish" not for the faint of heart. Right before his set I managed to exchange a few words with the fluffy and slightly clawed cat, Felix.
Before the interview it was very loud in the V.I.P. zone – some unpretentious little tune was playing, in the soul or R and b style. On top of that, at Felix's table sat a bunch of excessively merry Russian-speaking folk who were categorically getting in the way of the interview. So I insistently asked them to turn the music down, and to make the guys accompanying the merry and sweet "house cat" shut up entirely. Although I was speaking Russian, Felix understood that I'd demanded silence, and so began the conversation in a whisper – he was joking, like )))
Felix! I'm a little anxious, to be honest, it's not every day you get to talk to you )))
(In a whisper) Hi! You're nervous – well, in that case I'll reassure you – I'll tell you a secret, I'm terribly nervous too (mimes his hands trembling).
All right then, in that case I won't. As far as I know, this is already your second time in Moscow? Or third?
Third-third. This is already my third time visiting you. – I wait for him to go on, but Felix only smiles mysteriously and says nothing.
So how's Moscow this time? What's changed?
(Again in a whisper) Oh, I really like Moscow... (silence again)
I look at Felix pleadingly. Considering that his set starts in 10 minutes, at this rate we'll only manage to talk about the weather – Felix laughs, his expression changes, he livens up – he's understood everything. After that I barely had to say a word.
Oh Moscow, oh Lord – it's really cool! The first time I was here was at that festival – damn, I forgot what it's called, but you get what I mean. Well, even back then I could appreciate the scale and level of club culture over here in Russia. The second time I came specially to play at Fabric – it was honestly one of the most fun parties of my life. It was amazing! For some reason I was expecting to see people worn out by big-city life, but instead I saw such a huge number of colorful, cheerful and very sexy folk. I just went off. I saw these guys in the electro, punk, rock'n'roll style. Everyone was so different, and that struck me as cool. I've played in various corners of Europe and it was always fashion parties, and this is no exception – there are a lot of fashionable people here who understand music. You know how nervous I was before that set, ugh, terrifying! And were you here last time, did you hear me?
No, unfortunately not.
Oh, that's a shame. I was nervous of course, at first, but then it turned into a real frenzy.
So what will you tell me, what's new with you?
Literally right before coming here to you, I played at a party together with the Prodigy, well that was last week. Yeah, it was cool. The Prodigy are great guys, I especially adore Keith, but the others are good too ))) They sound great, very, how do I put it, electric, that's it! Those guys are simply a cult – they have a completely recognizable sound of their own.
And who else would you call a musical cult right now? Take the Benassi Brothers, they also have a pretty recognizable sound of their own )))
Benassi Brothers? I know who Benny Benassi is... And he has brothers?
Yep, brother
So you're saying that Benny Benassi and the Benassi Brothers are practically one and the same? I mean, that Benny has something to do with the Benassi Brothers?
I nod affirmatively. I don't know why this fact came as such a shock to Felix, but for some reason he refuses to believe it.
Listen, are you sure? Well, the things I learn here. I need to think about this at my leisure.
Well, and about Benassi, Benny I mean, will you say anything after all?
Well, he's a great guy, very competent production, nothing more to add. Listen, what's your name? What's your name – I forgot?
Anna
Anna, ah right, you didn't tell me your name. And my name is Felix (by the way, he says Felix, not Filix, as they wrote in our press releases, that he supposedly asks to be called Filix ))). Nice to meet you, otherwise here we sit chatting and we haven't even introduced ourselves. That's not good, agreed? Well okay, back to the official program. So what were we on? Good music?
Yeah, something like that.
I also like the Black Eyed Peas. Have you heard that song of theirs, Pump it? (I didn't quite catch what it's called exactly, but it's in our top chart; he remembered it himself)
A really cool track. And the guys themselves are all right, I was on tour with them in Australia, that's where they caught my eye. Well, who else are you interested in?
The Chemical Brothers? Aren't you planning to do a couple more remixes with them?
Oh, the Chemical Brothers! Well, here there's just no comment, they're brilliant. I'd gladly work with them again. I really liked their latest album – seriously. Especially Galvanize (hums – My finger is push the buttom) – a great track. I actually didn't like it at all at first – I think, ugh, what pop rubbish. And then I listened once, twice, three times, and it just blew me away!!! So I think I'll definitely come up with something for the chemists. Listen, I think it's time for me, let's continue next time.
Yeah, we'll definitely continue. Thank you.
Wait, I haven't said goodbye yet! Well, in general, friends, greetings to everyone from Felix Da Housecat. I'm now in the club Fabric, oh, I even know how it'll be in Russian! In Russian it's called Frabika! In short, I greet you from Frabika (that's what he says)! This morning I was in Chicago, and now here I am in Moscow. And isn't that great! I wish you peace! I'll be back! Thank you!
Thank you, Felix! It was great!
Well, thank you too! (Laughs and holds out his hand to me – his hand is very warm and soft, pleasant.) And now, goodbye! )))
