With the release of ‘Avril’ on Berlin’s heavyweight label Mobilee, Thaddeus X reaches a new crest in a journey that began on the dance floors of Santo Domingo and wound its way through Europe’s late-night clubs. The Dominican producer has spent more than a decade shaping a sound that refuses to stay in one lane: house and techno form the backbone, yet shards of New Wave, EBM, post-punk, and psychedelic color constantly crack the surface. His side aliases, Velvet Surf and The Selenite, push even further into left-field territory, tracing the edges of mainstream club culture in search of forgotten textures and fresh sparks.
That search has already found a home on labels ranging from Minds Alike and Deeplomatic to Aletheia Recordings, but landing on Mobilee, home to a who’s-who of modern beat alchemists, marks a defining chapter. ‘Avril’ balances wide-eyed nostalgia with forward motion, its melodic glow countered by the rough punch of hardware jams and the open-air ambience of Caribbean nights. It’s a record built for movement and daydreams in equal measure, a reflection of the contrasts that shape its creator’s life.
Now, Thaddeus X joins us to unpack the stories behind ‘Avril,’ talk shop about working long-distance with his lifelong collaborator Ivan Smoka, and share what’s coming next from his own imprint, Last Cat On Earth, and beyond. Grab a seat, this conversation promises plenty of surprises.
Thaddeus X’s ‘Avril’ is out now via Mobilee. Stream and download here.
EG: Thaddeus, welcome! We’re thrilled to celebrate your first Mobilee release with you. How are you feeling right now?
Thaddeus X: Hello EG family! Thank you for always treating me so well.
Releasing on Mobilee is a huge step. Putting out music on such a respected label where so many incredible artists have left their mark is a dream come true. I’m very, very happy.
EG: You describe ‘Avril’ as a dream come true. What sparked its nostalgic, emotional tone?
Thaddeus X: The track draws heavily on indie influences in its composition and harmony. It comes from listening to shoegaze bands and IDM projects, and from spending many years on electronic dance floors.
EG: So those club years and shoegaze tones led the way. When you started building the EP, how did the live jams and analog synths shape its personality?
Thaddeus X: Each piece began with loops and synth sequences launched just as you would in a live set. That adds a human, unexpected touch—especially when two people share the excitement of seeing the parts unfold. It’s fun, almost like a game, and it breaks away from the usual grid of the genre.
EG: Speaking of two people, you and Ivan Smoka have worked together for ages. How did that long-distance teamwork play out this time?
Thaddeus X: Ivan and I have been friends for more than 25 years, so we know each other very well. Distance has never been an issue because our working chemistry is right. Over the years, we’ve created routines and become a good team. He knows his role, and I know mine. We talk almost every day about music, production, and our lives. Few people know as much about me as Ivan does. That closeness is the key.
“The remix is amazing. I’m honestly delighted with it. It shows perfectly why Vincenzo has been admired and respected worldwide for so long”
EG: One track, ‘From One,’ feels soaked in Caribbean atmosphere. What moments in the Dominican Republic fed into its sound?
Thaddeus X: The Dominican Republic influenced ‘From One’ a lot, since the track was born on the bank of a river among green tropical mountains that filled us with organic rhythms and sounds. At the same time, it’s also guided by European deep-house culture for the club. The track takes elements from both sides of the ocean.
EG: Mobilee regular Vincenzo then took ‘From One’ into his own hands. What was your first reaction to his remix?
Thaddeus X: The remix is amazing. I’m honestly delighted with it. It shows perfectly why Vincenzo has been admired and respected worldwide for so long.
EG: You also crafted the Paradise Mix of ‘Avril’. Why revisit the track from that analog angle?
Thaddeus X: It translates ‘Avril’ into a more analog, less polished spirit with its eyes on sounds from another era. Exporting the sequences to different synthesizers gave us a tone that fascinated us, so we kept exploring—and that’s how it emerged.
EG: There’s clearly more going on than just dance-floor power. What feeling do you hope listeners carry away?
Thaddeus X: This EP has a bright, evocative character that seeks smiles on the dance floor and a sonic embrace—music made to dance while you travel in your mind.
“The evolution of club music has taken us to a point where creative freedom is total”
EG: Your work blends European and Caribbean roots. Which parts of each culture show up most in your sound?
Thaddeus X: The acoustic, traditional feel of certain mainly percussive parts mixes with more mechanical, musical ones. They come together without hesitation.
EG: Along the way, who—or what moment—really changed how you approach music?
Thaddeus X: There are many moments and many figures that have influenced me. The evolution of club music has taken us to a point where creative freedom is total. Names like Robag Wruhme, DJ Koze, and Herbert have been essential for breaking aesthetic barriers and generating sounds that define the cutting edge today. I’ve followed them closely for the last 20 years, some even longer, and that’s where much of my curiosity comes from.
EG: If you had to sum up the EP’s purpose in one word, what would it be?
Thaddeus X: Travel.
EG: And what’s next on the horizon? Any surprises you can share?
Thaddeus X: I have several releases scheduled. The one after ‘Avril’ will be on Emerald & Doreen—it’s a different vibe, closer to indie dance, and I can tell you there’s an amazing remix by TERR. After that I have music coming on my own label, Last Cat On Earth, plus a remix release of rarities by the rock band Gatos Negros on NEIN Records, Tronik Youth’s label, all while I’m circulating a lot of new material.
EG: We’ll be listening—thanks for the chat, Thaddeus!
Thaddeus X: Thanks again!
Thaddeus X’s ‘Avril’ is out now via Mobilee. Stream and download here.
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