From his Indie Dance track ‘Why Snow Flakes Turn to Rain’ to his reimagining of Jay-Son’s ‘Tropical Blackness,’ Producer and DJ Alex Cecil continues to develop his discography in a considered and diverse way, showcasing two distinct yet connected sides of his artistry as he shares new studio material with listeners. As he pushes forward creatively, committed to evolution and developing a distinctive storytelling element within his music, Alex continues to explore new directions in Electronic Music while staying true to the emotive and dynamic qualities that define his sound.
Now, in this interview, he delves further into the unique dimensions of his creative world, sharing insight into the inspirations behind both projects, his production approach, and how these releases mark a clear step in his evolving journey.
Hi Alex! How are you?
Feeling dialed in! Both an original and a remix dropped on the same day — two very different energies released into the world at once. The response has been super positive. There’s something powerful about letting both sides of your sound speak at the same time.
I’m in one of those rare headspaces where ideas are flowing fast and the technical execution is catching up just as quickly. I’ve never been busier, and I love it.
Let’s start with your original, ‘Why Snow Flakes Turn to Rain’ — what was the initial idea or inspiration that led to the track’s creation?
In a word, transition. From stillness to movement – like a moment that’s shifting in a beautiful way. That became the emotional anchor. Sonically, I wanted to play with textures that felt both icy and fluid, like tension melting into groove.
Transition and evolution are things I’ve been experiencing a great deal of lately, so the meanings of both have been on my mind.
There’s a unique blend of layered vocals and sharp percussive elements in this track. How did you approach the arrangement of the instrumental details and vocal textures to serve both the groove and the atmosphere?
I treated the vocals like instruments. They don’t tell a story lyrically – they carry emotion through tone and space. I also used spoken-word vocals as a central element, as a kind of emotional texture. One version is clean and dry, to anchor the listener, while others are heavily processed and float in the background, adding depth and movement.
I like it when vocals blur the line between melody and texture. The result is a vocal presence that feels more like part of the environment than a traditional lead – it surrounds the groove rather than dominating it. There’s a push-pull throughout the track between softness and structure – it moves, but it also breathes. I’m also a big fan of framing vocals so that the listener hears a version of them that’s subjective.
On the percussion side, I made a tight drum groove to give structure – the atmospheric elements swell and retreat naturally. Then, in the breakdown, the pads unfold, and vocal layers come out to play. When the beat returns, it does so with more urgency – the groove is tighter, but the emotional tone stays intact. That contrast is what makes the track feel alive. I’m all about tying contrast together.
Shifting gears — your remix of Jay-Son’s ‘Tropical Blackness’ takes on a different creative challenge. What drew you to the original track you reworked, and what was your initial vision going into the remix process?
Jay-Son had done a remix of my track ‘Deja Grooves,’ so when the opportunity popped up to remix his track, I was super excited. I listened to the track a few times and was keen on taking the energy and giving it a new pulse. It was a really exciting and meaningful moment for me that I will surely never forget.
Funny story about the timing. I got the request to remix ‘Tropical Blackness’ right as I was tearing apart my studio – I had discovered mold in the walls. Real, literal tropical blackness creeping through my workspace. So, the track title hit very close to home. It felt like fate. That’s why I called it “Alex Cecil’s Wet Walls Remix.” The vibe of the original track mixed with the chaos of studio renovation made the whole thing really personal – humid, gritty, a little dark… kind of like mold. But in a good way.
The original had this gritty, cinematic – dark, tribal, and driving. My approach was to preserve the shadowy essence but bring in a bouncier, more vibrant undercurrent. I started by stripping the track down to my favorite elements, then rebuilt it with a fresh low-end groove and futuristic accents. There’s a subtle sci-fi flavor in my remix – like a portal to another dimension presenting itself. I wanted the remix to feel like an echo of the original – familiar but refracted through a different lens, or dimension. The additional textures don’t distract from the core, but they reframe it in a way that’s unmistakably mine.
In contrast to the original track, where you’re building a world from scratch, what’s your starting point creatively when approaching a remix? Do you lead with rhythm, melody, or mood?
Mood, always. I start by listening to the stems with no agenda and just let my instincts take over. Whatever feeling comes to mind first – whether it’s tension, warmth, darkness, or movement – that becomes the foundation. I trust that initial emotional reaction because for me, that’s the most honest part of the process.
Remixing someone else’s work is a big responsibility. There’s already a creative identity in the track, and I want to honor that while still reshaping it into my world. I never take that lightly.
Once the mood is clear, melody usually comes next – I’ll experiment with synth lines or harmonic layers that support the emotional tone. Rhythm comes last. It’s important, of course, but for me it’s the structure that carries the mood and melody, not the starting point.
Are there any shared techniques or instincts you used across both projects – moments where your signature sound came through despite the different contexts?
Definitely. Both tracks live in this hybrid space between emotion and a rave, or club dancefloor. Between mechanical precision and organic emotion. I’m drawn to contrast and the journey in between – the evolution. Energy is my best friend – we always lift each other up. I also like to include subtle changes that add dimension you don’t consciously notice but feel in the body.
When remixing, how do you determine what to preserve from the original and what to strip back or completely reimagine?
I listen to the track in different settings, like in the car, my studio, the beach – wherever. At some point, I’ll start to feel emotionally attached to specific elements, and then my brain will automatically jump to what I could do with those elements, what they remind me of or what’s possible. Sometimes it’s a single vocal line, a percussion loop, or a tonal pad. Sometimes I’ll take a very recognizable element and completely reprocess it – stretch it, reverse it, filter it, until it becomes something new but still emotionally linked to the source.
For me, remixing is about rewriting the emotional logic of a track. I’m not trying to replicate the original – I’m trying to offer a parallel dimension of it.
How do these two projects — the original and the remix — reflect where you’re at creatively right now? Do they signal any new directions in your sound moving forward?
They both reflect my style of emotional storytelling within groove-driven music. I’m also working with more spoken-word elements, and I’m getting more intentional about pacing. There’s also more cinematic influence in my sound lately. This comes from a confidence I have in myself and in the music that I am expressing and sharing. Moving forward, I’m leaning into that – continuing to blur the line between dancefloor utility and immersive listening. I want every track to feel like it belongs in a set and in your headphones at 2 a.m. Late-night movers, get ready.
What kind of feedback or energy have you felt from crowds and listeners? Have you had a chance to perform either of the tracks live yet?
The reactions have been beautiful. “Why Snow Flakes Turn to Rain” hits hard. People lock into the groove, and you can feel the room lean into it. The remix can be a warmup before going in, but also a late-night weapon. It builds energy while keeping things dark and textured. DJs have told me it’s become a go-to for transitioning into deeper moments or late-night grooves.
Listener feedback has been great too – ‘Snow Flakes’ is a banger and the ‘Tropical Blackness’ remix is super groovy.
Looking ahead, how are you hoping to build on the momentum from these releases — are more originals, remixes, or collaborations on the horizon?
Originals are coming in August and September. Collaborations are in the works.
I’ve also been collaborating with some vocalists and spoken-word artists to push the narrative aspect further. Expect more tension, more feeling, and more unpredictability.
As Alex Cecil looks ahead to upcoming releases and collaborations, these latest tracks stand as defining markers of his developing artistry: balancing innovation with emotional depth, he continues to refine his sound while venturing into sonic settings that challenge his creativity. Whether through original productions or reimagined remixes, he maintains a dedication to originality, instinct, and expression, ensuring each project not only carries its own distinct identity but also contributes to the wider narrative of his artistic evolution.
With momentum building and a clear vision driving his next steps, Alex Cecil remains an artist to watch closely, so be sure to follow him across social media to stay updated on his upcoming tracks, projects, and performances.
Listen and Buy ‘Why Snow Flakes Turn to Rain’ Now:
https://www.beatport.com/track/why-snow-flakes-turn-to-rain/20626567
Listen to ‘Tropical Blackness (Alex Cecil Wet Walls Remix)’ Here:
https://www.beatport.com/track/tropical-blackness/20630345
Alex Cecil Online
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