Features
STARS OF THE YEAR: MACEO PLEX
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“I’m not playing to ten thousand sweaty guys packed into an Italian warehouse any more,” says American-born, Valencia-based Eric Estornel, aka Maceo Plex. The last 12 months have seen the transformation of his sound from raw steely techno to the sensuous deep house and electro showcased by his stunning his ‘Life Index’ album, released on Crosstown Rebels back in February.
First there was a much talked-about debut live performance for Get Lost at WMC in Miami, then a string of singles (including the smash hit, Stevie Wonder-sampling ‘Vibe Your Love’) plus follow-up EPs on No. 19 as well as his own new label, Ellum, and a jam-packed diary of live and DJ dates thereafter.
“I enjoy what I’m playing now more than the Maetrik thing, which I did for a decade,” states Eric candidly. “It was darker techno parties then, but I’m getting older, I’m slowing down. The parties are still crazy, it’s just the sound is not so…. ‘in-yer-face’.”
And there’s more to come. “With my second album I have a specific style I want to push which I ‘ve developed over the last year. I feel now that I’ve finally come into my own as Maceo Plex.”
