Already making serious waves with productions on labels like Rebellion, Crosstown Rebels, Saved and Bedrock Alex Kennon has always been surrounded by great music. He was inspired by powerful songs from The Eagles and Led Zeppelin alike. Similarly, the influence of Alex’s father cannot be ignored, not only was his Dad a fan of classic American and English rock bands, he was also introduced to sounds of the era: from Phil Collins and Depeche Mode to Massive Attack.
Having played at some of the best clubs in Ibiza where he lives (from Ushuaia and Pacha to Destino and Privilege) and as a real globetrotter all around the world, this year Alex’s key releases will see him take everything to a whole new level. And not just in Ibiza, but at festivals across Europe and into America and across Brazil. So far, his productions have been supported by Nic Fanciulli, Kölsch, Solomun, Steve Lawler, Damian Lazarus, Matthias Tanzmann, and Tale of Us alike. He’s also been picked up as a producer to watch by Mixmag, who gave Alex’s Crosstown remix of ‘Lay Your Weapons Down’ by Raw District & Fabrice Lig a premiere midway through March, ahead of Alex’s debut for Damian Lazarus’s infamous Get Lost party. A release for Lazarus on Rebellion with Pirupa called ‘Vision’ will also be everywhere by the time you read this. Finally, we have to mention Alex’s Best Breakthrough win at the 2018 DJ Awards in Ibiza: it was an important acknowledgment from the DJ community, and Alex won in a room alongside superstar winners like Jamie Jones, Adam Beyer, and Sven Vath. As for Alex’s sound, that Crosstown Rebels remix really points the way: Alex likes vocals, and he likes the sweet spot between house and techno.
“This selection of indie tracks is kind of a throwback, referencing songs that have inspired me, throughout my career and even before. I have always loved this kind of music, so I’ve included the ones that really got me strutting! Some of them include my funk heroes and the kind of bands with 10/12 elements creating absolute magic with so many different instruments. They all work together so perfectly to get that natural boogie groove to their beats. The Cure and Depeche Mode have created some of my all-time favorite tracks. With their electro-pop sound that transcends generations. Selecting only 10 tracks for this was actually quite an effort as there are so many electronic indie bands that I love. It was really enjoyable sitting and going through my records and reminding myself of these idols, so I hope you also enjoy it as much as I did creating this list” – Alex Kennon
1. Crown Heights Affair – Galaxy of Love
“I love this track from 1978! The trumpets and the bass loops making such a great mix. Everybody was over this track when it first came out, and I still love it just as much now.”
2. Slave – Dreamin
“This cut from their “Stone Jam” LP is just amazing for the shuffles and beat. This album is amazing, every track is an absolute jam, however, this one is the most special for me.”
3. Josh Lippi & The Overtimers – Royale
“This is a really short track, but it relaxes me and makes me feel up for maybe starting a new task or learning something new. It has a kind of movie sensation as the world moves around you.”
4. Depeche Mode – It’s No Good
“I can’t even say how many times I’ve listened to this record, its just a masterpiece.”
5. Methyl Ethel – Ruiner
“I love the vocal in the chorus of this song, it really ties the whole thing together. One of those tracks where the vocals just have such an impact without taking away from the incredible production.”
6. America – Tin Man
“Dreamy track of times that I never lived but that I’ve been told from my parents. My Dad especially influenced my music career with his taste and this is definitely one of the songs that stuck out from those he shared with me.”
7. U2 – Love Is Blindness
“I can almost feel Bono’s mood in this song, you can visualize the story he sings and start feeling emotions that aren’t even yours. This is a beautiful conversation between Voice, Rhythm, Bass and Guitar.”
8. Kadebostany – Mind If I Stay
“Super interesting the evolution they had during these years, I love going through a bands whole collection and seeing how they develop their sound and the way that history impacts their production. This one’s a happy track for sure.”
9. The Cure – The Kiss
“This whole album sticks out to me from my childhood when it was getting darker; me, my father and my brothers we’d jam the hell out of this with that JBL acoustic system and that Yamaha amplifier. Lots of late nights with this song in particular though.”
10. Apparat – Dawan
“That kind of track that helps you to understand where you are going and what’s going on… Not sure how but the clarity always comes after having this song on repeat.”
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