Influences with Capes & Adult Hits

Music

Capes & Adult Hits are the two LA-based artists behind the latest release on our little sister imprint Human Endeavour Records.

The EP celebrates the sonics that the pair champion at their Sensory Signal parties in the West Coast city – acid, electro and breakbeats that stimulate the mind, body and soul.

‘Stellar Bodies’ features a collaboration with fellow Los Angeles artist and vocalist Dick Ensalada that’s an ode to everyone’s favourite “room odourizer”, followed by three acid breakbeat stompers built for sweaty dance floors.

Working with a condensed analog set up, they opted to restrict themselves to three pieces of gear per track, and the results speak for themselves.

To celebrate the release Capes & Adult Hits select five tracks each that inspired the sounds you’ll hear across the EP, from Miss Kittin to Legowelt and Dopplereffekt. Get stuck in below then wrap your ears around the release…

Stellar Bodies is out now on Human Endeavour. Buy/Stream everywhere.

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Adult Hits Capes Human Endeavour

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Underground Resistance - The Final Frontier

It’s no debate that The Final Frontier is an essential classic in Detroit techno masterclass. To overstate its genius is toilsome. But what makes it such an infectious tune? It’s simplicity.

When we initiated the Stellar Bodies project we had the intention of coming at it through a similar lens, holding ourselves to limitations: 3 Pieces of gear per song and to finish each tune within one session.

The Final Frontier held true to an idea that presented clarity and purpose, which inspired us from track1.

Capes

Underground Resistance - The Final Frontier

It’s no debate that The Final Frontier is an essential classic in Detroit techno masterclass. To overstate its genius is toilsome. But what makes it such an infectious tune? It’s simplicity.

When we initiated the Stellar Bodies project we had the intention of coming at it through a similar lens, holding ourselves to limitations: 3 Pieces of gear per song and to finish each tune within one session.

The Final Frontier held true to an idea that presented clarity and purpose, which inspired us from track1.

Capes
Binari - Binamix

What’s the best way to follow up after a legendary track from 1992?
Another legendary track made in 1992-

There’s a bit of obscurity that aligns with Binari, the group out of Spain composed of Chema Sentí Rodriguez & Kino Iznardo . Something I imagine being played in a club throughout the Balearic islands during it’s heyday.

It mixes flows of Italo, techno and all things that have inspired our sound through the Stellar Bodies EP. This one never leaves the bag.

Capes
Latex - La Musique

Let’s travel a decade, landing in 2001 when Latex aka Steril, decided to make one of the best fetish electro jams to ever hit club speakers.

This track has everything – a catchy vocal, lush melody and dubby breakdown that kicks in when you need it most. Best of all, its raw, sultry, energy gleams sex appeal.

(Hoping the repress gods bless us soon). An essential 12” that never fails. Drop this and watch the ID requests flood in.

Capes
N.Y.P.D. - BMUU (Mr. Ho Remix)

In 2022, Mr. Ho released this jawn. A definitive electro, Baile funk inspired slammer, heard all over the world in the summer of 2022 into 2023.

Its influences shine deep throughout the EP. We even used it as a reference point when arranging the title track ‘Stellar Bodies.’

Capes
Miss Kittin - Requiem For A Hit ft. Lawrence Williams

To round off my picks, let’s circle back to where it all started for me. A proper leather strapped, Indie sleaze, electro-clash banger from 2004.

Miss Kittin is no stranger to electronic music, known for her no-frills, sexually driven, analogic garage electro that carries the fun in DIY dance that often seems forgotten in modern day club music. It inspired us in making our song with Dick Ensalada. Encapsulating the silliness of our time in the studio, proving that things don’t always need to be serious to be well felt on the dancefloor xx

Capes
The Electric Company - Electronique (Zach's Soniq Toniq)

Originally released in 1995, Electronique (Zach’s Soniq Toniq) remains a timeless electro classic that still deems relevant on today’s dancefloors. The track is a perfect example of how a vocoder can take center stage, doing all the heavy lifting and giving the song its distinctive, robotic flavor.

This was a key influence during the creation of ‘Move Your Body’ where we borrowed the cadence of the vocal into our melody.

Adult Hits
Detroit In Effect - Turn It Out

Turn It Out (2010) by the legendary Detroit In Effect. Another classic tune showcasing how less is more in delivering clarity —every element in the track serves its purpose flawlessly. From the driving bass to the sharp, punchy synths, there’s nothing superfluous, just pure, effective electro that gets straight to the point.

Adult Hits
Aux 88 - Tom Tom Beats

Released in 2005 on the Submerge Records imprint, Tom Tom Beats was a slept-on single from Aux 88’s timeless 88 LP. This track is another perfect example of how simplicity, combined with tripped-out vocoder vocals, can elevate a song to new heights—or at least, that’s how we see it. Despite flying under the radar for many, it remains one of the genre’s hidden gems.

Adult Hits
Legowelt - Deutsches PKW

When it comes to timeless electro and acid tracks, it’s impossible not to mention Legowelt. Danny Wolfers, known for his incredibly diverse catalog, has consistently delivered his fair share of electro snappers. One that always comes to mind is his 2003 classic, Deutsches PKW. I’d go into more detail, but honestly, this track speaks for itself—just give it a listen!

Adult Hits
Dopplereffekt - Pornoactress

1999’s Pornoactress by Dopplereffekt is a perfect reminder that electro hypnotics can pull you in effortlessly. With its driving beats and eerie vibe, it’s a track that locks into your headspace. A timeless classic that still holds up as a straight-up electro cracker.

Adult Hits