RadiOzora was In Focus on Australian artist, or rather, as he describes himself, “feline renowned for his prowess in mixing on the decks with his signature style of techno” and a unique, bush-born blend of electronica and psychedelic music, so here’s some Q&A with the man behind the cat:) for extra flavor. Press play and read audioillustrated.

Thanks for the time Aleckat:)

Hi everybody, thanks for having me here

So, where would you say this sonic journey began for you?

I guess the first major experience I had was in 2012. I flew over east to the Eclipse Festival in Queensland, Australia, and suddenly found myself immersed with thousands of people from all over the world bracing against the harsh climate for the love of music. I come from Western Australia, we cover 1/3rd of the country with only 11% of the population, we are very isolated and this was the first time I was truly exposed to the global psychedelic community. I think this ignited a passion within me for the scene as a whole, and the music went from a fun thing I liked to do, into a deep calling I needed to explore!

Why Aleckat?

Well, my name is Alec, and I’ve always been a bit of a house cat by nature, so Aleckat has always felt suited.

Who would you say have been your teachers or greatest inspirations? Musically speaking, who has had the greatest influence on you?

There’s just so many to mention here, lots of friends and you-tubers… although there’s a few that really stand out.

Collaborations with my friend Daniel Grannery (AKA punkzonjunk, AKA Hynamo), he really helped me understand the art of turning raw sounds into polished music. A big shout out to some phenomenal DJs, Kelsie (AKA Olin) and Nikki Sig, who used to listen to my early tracks and offer feedback, and show me new and interesting music just as I was really exploring the dark corners of techno. Also a huge shout out to the late producer Sam Vardy, who wrote some of the most incredible psychedelic music and really pushed me into inserting these vast expansive soundscapes into the slower techno groove, although he’s no longer with us, he really helped me carve that niche which I push my sonic journey towards.

How has your sound, your taste in music developed throughout the years?

Well, I used to DJ break-beat music for years, then I moved into a lot of house music and techno… but lately my tastes are moving more and more towards that psychedelic sound… Those dark, alien, wide, expansive and… well, psychedelic sounds we hear in psytrance and psy-chill that can be incorporated into new genres. Now we are starting to hear psy-tech, psy-DnB, psy-breaks, etc… These days I feel I am all about exploring those hybrid styles further and further.

And have you had any mind-blowing, life-changing experiences that shaped you and your sound?

Well, like I mentioned before, definitely Eclipse 2012, just the thousands of people who were so committed to the experience, despite the fact temperatures were over 40+ degrees with huge humidity every day, rocks so sharp that barefoot was not an option and even alligator infested waters! It was like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie, but everybody was still smiling and dancing and loving freely together despite this… through the power of music!

Also another huge one was Yemaya Festival 2016 in Victoria, which was 3 days on the appropriate poisons and my first introduction into full power, fullon and forest, no breaks, no side stage! Finished up by an almost 8 hour surprise set from Perfect Stranger, starting with melodic psytrance and slowly working it down into progressive, then techno, then something else entirely before landing everybody back on planet earth after such a wild experience. Both of these things really opened up my understanding of just how powerful psychedelic music is!

Which one of your releases or tracks are the most characteristic of your sound or stand the closest to you for some reason?

I think my latest music is definitely the most characteristic of my sound, as my tastes and style evolve every week, but none of that is released yet! However if I had to pick just ONE track that’s already out there on the waves… I’d have to say “Dusty”. It’s just got an attitude and groove to it that I always aspire to create and I feel like I nailed it in that song.

What projects are you involved in, or would love to experiment with?

I have a Duo project with a friend of mine, Dan (AKA Hynamo) and we are releasing an EP early January with Digital Diamonds which is more heavy techno sounds.

Occasionally I like to experiment with psy-dub or even DnB… but I mostly work on my current solo project these days as I can only fit so much in!

Sometimes I play sets as “DJ Aleckat and the slut house experience” which is a fun throwback to my house music days, bass heavy, highly sexual (but gender inclusive!) music, designed to get everybody feeling playful and scandalous…. because sometimes it’s fun to just stop being serious for a bit and let ourselves run a wild!

Who do you think are the most cutting-edge newest sound makers in the scene? Who are your newest discoveries?

I think Peter Groskreutz is my current favourite producer. I think his sounds and style are totally forward thinking and just something else entirely. I find myself listening to a lot of artists on Techgnosis Records, Phobos Records, Digital Diamonds and Technophobia Records recently!

Which artists remain the ultimate classics for you in the scene (or in music generally)?

Ohh good one…. Hedflux, Merkaba, Grouch, Tom Cosm, Perfect Stranger, Solid Snake, … Going back further… The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim…. I can still remember where I was the first time I heard any of these artists music! Still listening to their stuff today and love it, but there’s probably so much more…

Scene at home?

It’s incredibly small. We have local parties and some of the biggest ones might hit 700 people, which doesn’t leave a lot of mobility for producers and DJs, but we all know each other and keep our scene clean because of that. It’s much easier to look out for people when everybody seems to know everybody, which also brings a beautiful family style vibe I’ve never seen anywhere else. There’s a much larger scene in the eastern states of Australia, however it can be frustrating to get over there or convince promoters to fly you over for parties, even though it’s the same country, it’s still over 4500 kilometers from one side to the other.

Most memorable gigs so far?

I think one that stands out to me was called Earthdance Festival WA. in 2012. I was helping organize the festival and when the weekend finally arrived, we had a massive storm roll through and totally destroy the side stage, cut the power, damage things and nearly stop the whole party, and by the time it was time for me to play we barely had power and the rain was still coming down strong, some people just soldiered through and danced knee deep in mud, while other partygoers fashioned a string of marquees from their camps around the dance floor so people could stay dry and enjoy the show. Watching people come together and overcome adversity like that always makes my heart melt.

What do you think about our scene (psychedelic gatherings and community) and their role in our lives, if any:)?

I think our psychedelic gatherings and community offer so many different things to so many different kinds of people, but in essence, they offer us community, and places to express within that community, letting out those esoteric ideas about life into a melting pot of culture, dance, love and excitement… that’s where magic comes from, and we could all use a little magic in the world today!

What are some of the greatest challenges you faced so far as an artist or producer? How about the moments that you felt were the greatest rewards so far?

I think self-doubt used to be my biggest roadblock, but not as much these days, now time management is my demon. Finding enough time to write music while still working full-time hours, going to gigs and still dedicating time to love my partner and pets, sometimes sleep is the biggest casualty! And don’t even get me started on accidental procrastination when I should be getting musical!

Musically speaking, what’s still on your bucket list? 

Europe tour would be an absolute dream come true! Finishing a full-length album has also been on the list for quite some time.

What are your other passions in life?

Well, my day job involves creating leaded and fused glass artwork, which I find super interesting. I do it with my partner Claire, who is my other biggest passion in life. Apart from that, I love my animals and my friends and swimming in the ocean.

What are you working on at present? What are you looking forward to the most?

I’m just in the process of finishing up a couple of EPs which will be landing at the end of 2019 and early 2020, then I hope to keep working on an album until the next festival season comes around!