Renowned Chicago-based DJ, producer, electronic music artist and label exec Felix Da Housecat has a long-held reputation for producing and working on an eclectic mix of sounds and sub-genres within the larger umbrella of electronic music such as house music, electroclash, acid house, techno warrior, nu-skool electro-disco and others — and under a variety of aliases and personas including Mezcalateer, Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead and Sharkimaxx.
“Ready 2 Wear” off his 2005 full-length release, Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever is a breezy, pop confection consisting of layers of shimmering arpeggio synths, a propulsive, heavy, bass line and anthemic hooks paired with plaintive, falsetto vocals. And sonically, the song clearly owes a debt to 80s synth pop — after playing the song several times, I was reminded of Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels,” Prince‘s “When Doves Cry,” and some more contemporary fare such as Paracosm-era Washed Out as the song possesses a subtle psychedelia.
San Francisco-based indie pop artist Mike Deni’s solo recording project Geographer has developed a reputation for crafting a thoughtful and deliberate sound that meshes blossoming synths with precise orchestral arrangements. And with the release of his critically praised, third, full-length effort, Ghost Modern through Roll Call Records, Deni has saw greater national attention.
Interestingly, while taking some time off to write new material over the summer, Deni had recalled a cover/reworking of Arthur Russell‘s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon,” and the cover was so inspiring to the San Francisco-based electronic music artist that he decided that he should work on an entire effort of covers — and the result was his Endless Motion EP released last year through Roll Call Records. The EP’s first single is Deni’s cover/rework of Felix Da Housecat’s “Ready 2 Wear” retains the original’s shimmering arpeggio synths and propulsive bass-heavy feel while adding live drums which adds a subtle bit of heft to the song — without stripping the original’s dreamy plaintive feel. But an additional layer of what sounds like xylophone to the melody give the song an even dreamier sound, as though evoking a childhood lullaby from your youth.
The recent released music video follows a a brooding Deni as he wanders around San Francisco during an entire day, and sings the song. It’s a simple and time-tested concept that will remind you of early 80s MTV-era synth pop music videos.