Podcast
interview
EPM Podcast 176 comes from Exzakt. Hailing from Miami Florida, Larry McCormick aka Exzakt is a veteran producer and DJ that has been in the industry for over 25 years strong. His Monotone label has become supremely influential as an electro label, releasing the likes of The Advent, The Hacker, Dynamix II, 214, DeFeKT, Alpha 606, Max Durante & DJ Overdose. With the forthcoming Exzakt album ‘LoveHertz’, Larry brings together all his musical influences for an expansive ride through Miami Bass, electronica, synthcore and of course electro! His mix for EPM zeroes in on the dancefloor with a full-bodied clash of bass and electro-funk featuring the likes of Josh Wink, Maceo Plex, Pilo, Boyz Noise, Nikki Nair, James Shinra, Mack Loenz, Mary Droppinz & Black Rave Culture.
Immersed in the rhythms of his surroundings, Exzakt quickly became captivated by the futuristic sounds that defined the era. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Electro pioneers and Miami Bass legends, Exzakt honed his craft, crafting a distinctive sound that seamlessly blends elements of both genres.
Renowned for his boundary-pushing sound and dynamic live performances, Exzakt quickly earned the respect of top personalities in electronic music. His label, Monotone, serves as a platform for showcasing his innovative productions alongside releases on esteemed imprints such as Skint, Tresor Records, and Fabric Records.
Exzakt's iconic tracks, including ‘Subsonic Bass’, ‘Clarity’, ‘Me & My 808’, and ‘Musik Is The Drug’, stand as timeless classics within the electro genre, alongside dozens of other cult favourites. Each track showcases Exzakt's mastery of rhythm and melody, captivating audiences worldwide with their infectious grooves and otherworldly vibes.
Exzakt's ground-breaking electro sound not only pays homage to the genre's roots but also pushes boundaries, bridging electro with elements of pop and modern-day freestyle. This innovative approach has the potential to change the landscape of electro music, introducing new dimensions and captivating audiences across genres.
Since the late 90s, Exzakt has been an integral part of Miami's thriving club scene, and his influence extends far beyond the city limits. With international tours and performances at legendary clubs like Tresor in Berlin, Razzmatazz in Barcelona, and FuseClub in Brussels, Exzakt continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, proving that the future of music is bright, bold, and undeniably electrifying. This summer’s ‘LoveHertz’ full-length release will see Larry cement his Exzakt alias as a writer of electro songs, taking his production style to a higher level of music craftsmanship. In the meantime let the BASS hit!
EPM Podcast 176 – Track list
Antibody - ÆTERNA _19
Illegal Nobility - Vse Horosho
Stelmakh - I Will Not Lose
Ariadna - Agnec (Re-drum Remix)
Boys Noize, Pilo & DEEVIOUS - Pvssy
Nikki Nair - Slug
James Shinra - Poppin (Extended Mix)
Colombo - Psycho Electric
Ardalan & Farsight - 2 Yr Town (Josh Wink Interpretation)
Hollow GraphiK + Code Rising - Got That Boom
Left-Right, Bodyblow & Dread mc - One-Two (E.R.N.E.S.T.O Remix)
Mary Droppinz - Pink Lambo
Black Rave Culture - Blowin O_s
GUCCIWITCH - Infiltrate
NOTI - Mirage
Exzakt - Don't Know How To Forget
Mack Loenz - Dance With Me
Sefton - Stranded In Passion (Maceo Plex Remix)
Q&A with Exzakt
Is this mix pretty reflective of what you are playing now, or just what you went with at the time?
Whenever I get into a DJ set, I never know what I am going to play or the order I am going to play it. Most the time I have a gig, I will think up a set and then right when I go to do it I will do something completely different. Usually I will piece together something to start out but often the vibe I gather from the first couple of mixes will change when I move forward as well. So for this mix, I had my intro tracks in my head but after the first few songs went in another direction.
What inspired you to get more involved and start producing your own music?
Ever since I was a kid, I always used to mess around on whatever keyboard or organ was around. I remember when I was about 9 or 10 years old my friends brother had some kind of small keyboard and I would mess around playing simple melodies for hours on end. Later in my teens I would piece together hip hop beats on a double tape cassette I had. Ultimately I got some simple samplers to make my own beats just for fun and I would rap over them as 'Larry D'. I believe the 'D' stood for 'Dope' but I am not entirely sure. I got serious about production around 1998 when I purchased an MPC2000 with James Wolfe and we formed 'Resident Alien'.
Would it be fair to say that your new Exzakt album ‘LoveHertz’ is more ‘song’ based than ‘track’ based? How do you feel you evolved as a producer during the process?
After almost 25 years of me deciding to pursue music on a more serious level, I would say about 2 years ago I feel like I finally got to the point where I could control my sound 100% as to what idea I would have in my head, I could then produce precisely what I had in mind. 'LoveHertz' is a branch off from other material I was working on when I inspired to do a complete 'concept' album for the first time in my life. What I mean is, every track on this album tells a story about the last 10 years of my life. The basic outline is about a relationship I was in but it also branches out to my personal growth during this time. The sound of this album also represents a maturity in music production that I experienced while writing this album.
How did the track ‘Inside My Dream’ on your new album come about? If Kraftwerk wore Adidas Shell Toes they would soundlike this.
It's funny you mentioned Kraftwerk when referencing this particular tune. During the timeline of this album, this track is about my childhood and when I heard Electro music for the first time ever at a skating ring called 'The Palace' in Lantana, Florida. Where I grew up, and ironically, live there again now. This song explains why I will never stop following my life's pursuit & my non-stop dedication to producing the music that I love. It's a guideline and rebuttal to anyone that ever says to me to 'Get a job' when the music does not always provide an income that a regular job would. This track is also inviting the listener to join me in my journey of creating music to maybe heal together or have the music help us get through some tough times.
‘Love Hertz’ perfectly captures the mood of your new album. There’s a beating heart behind the beats of Exzakt’s computer love. Is it just as important for you to have emotion in your music as well as the funk?
The title track 'Love Hertz' which has a space between the words on purpose, is the introduction to the story. The vocal 'Let me think about it' is a modern day take on the Exzakt sound but also has some of my old school flavor. So it's introducing a new sound, but also telling you the first part of the story of the album. It's also dedicated to where I am from, South Florida. In fact, the low-end frequencies of this entire album represent the Home team.
What are your plans with the album release? Any singles or remixes in the pipeline?
I have a second Exzakt album already produced called 'Emerge' which will be coming out on another label later on in 2024. Outside of that, I am working on a new Exzakt & HollowgraphiK EP 12” for Shipwrec & loads of releases on Monotone with BFX.
What does electro mean to you now?
Personally, Electro in 2024 for me will mean bringing the sound into new areas and taking chances with new ideas. 'LoveHertz' has a bit of a pop and freestyle element to it. 'Emerge' goes deeper into the pure Electro sound but also has a fresh sound aspect to it. Let's see where the music grows in the next few years. I hope we continue to see a new generation of artists take the music into new heights.
RELATED LINKS:
https://on.soundcloud.com/Exzakt
https://open.spotify.com/artist/Exzakt
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/exzakt
https://www.facebook.com/ExzaktOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/exzaktofficial
https://soundcloud.com/bassagenda/episode-238-exzakt-interview-album-special-plus-dj-tygre-mix
