Cate Hortl: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Music

Cate Hortl‘s sound can’t be pigeonholed.

Having previously shared music under two projects Ambeyance & October Lieber, she’s been refining her output as Cate Hortl for the last couple of years, sometimes it’ll move your body and at others it’ll urge you to look inwards.

Straddling shades of light and dark, her releases for labels like Astropolis Records, Ritmo Fatale and WARRIORECORDS pairs her love of 80’s inspired sounds, like EBM and darkwave, with contemporary club rhythms and electronic sounds.

Her latest release comes in the form of a remix for Justine Forever’s new EP ‘Out Of The Blue‘, on our sub-label Human Endeavour – adding cold-wave tinged synths and dark pop sensibilities into the mix. That partnership with Justine will continue too, soon she’ll release a new EP for Justine’s own label Club Forever, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that dropping in the near future.

But first, she has a brand new mix to share with you… As Cate suggests, this mix is best enjoyed in the comfort of your home whilst thunder and lightning crashes down outside; an easy situation to find yourself in when you live in the UK. So sit back, relax and let her potent cocktail of dark, moody sonics wash over you.

Ransom Note · Cate Hortl: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hi, I’m Cate Hortl! I grew up in the south of France, near Toulouse. I moved to Paris when I was 18 and spent almost half of my life there, before returning to my roots a year ago. I’m mainly a music producer, but I can also DJ, or work as a sound engineer.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

My music sounds dark and bright at the same time. My inspirations come mostly from the 80’s, from EBM to darwave, but I love to create a symbiosis between lots of different genres coming from different eras. Sometimes, my music can be difficult to put into a precise box. Anyway, I like to say that it invites both dance and introspection.

I asked some AI to draw my music, so here’s a picture that I’d say comes more from the odd internet.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my studio, at home.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Inside, sitting comfortably by the window with a drink, while there’s a big storm outside.

What should we be wearing?

Anything you want.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

in the middle of a forest, with a small group and good sound.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Hard to choose, but I’ll say :

Sextile – Contortion

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I do remember one mix that struck me when I was younger, it’s the hybrid set of Miss Kittin at 2006 Sonar festival <3

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I’d love to go back to back with Lena Willikens. I love her musical inspirations, everything she’s digging, and her attitude, very simple and cool.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I’ve only been mixing for a short time, so I’ve never really had a DJ setup. Instead, I have some gears and synthesizers to produce music.

My first DJ setup is the one I have today haha. If you must know, I bought a Traktor controller three years ago and sometimes rent music studios to rehearse on Pioneer setup.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

I would like to say, both.

Often, even if it’s not systematic, I like to put something more intimate or deeper into these two tracks. I’ve got a special ‘intro or outro vibe’ folder for that.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first record I bought was Mylène Farmer – Anamorphosée.

And my last is : Vague Imaginaire – L’île Volante.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like ?

Fresh green lemon juice

If it was an animal what would it be ?

A rose chafer

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything ?

Peaches – I don’t give a fuck

A one minute-track that needs to be played solo from beginning to end, to be taken as a punk interlude. I haven’t had a chance to play it yet… haha

Upcoming in the world of … Cate Hortl

I’ve done a remix for the track “My Blood” from Justine Forever’s new EP, out now on Human Endeavour Records!

Also this month, my next release is coming out October 27th on Club Forever, a sub-label of French label Her Majesty’s Ship, curated by Justine Forever (it’s our month !) : I have composed two very different tracks that I loved working on. I’m very excited by this release.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I can’t decide between Belgian or French fries.

Out Of The Blue is out now.