NewTracks is a series of monthly compilations curated by NZ ON Air Music that showcase brand new tunes to media and the broader industry each month. This February the mix included La Felix, the musical project of Felix Park from Auckland, a poppy nufunk / house act affiliated to no less than seven record labels across the globe. His single, Get To You, a collaboration with LA-based Kiwi, Miami Horror‘s Josh Moriarty, provides an appropriately upbeat soundtrack to the season. 

Where do you hail from and what instruments do you play, if any?

I’m originally from Korea (moved to NZ when I was 5), and I play guitar and piano mostly, as well as the talkbox.

Any previous music projects might we know you from?

You probably don’t? Haha. Maybe my previous single Comes & Goes?

What’s the background to how La Felix came to be as a project?

I originally start La Felix to just copy and emulate my favourite artists like Justice and Daft Punk at the time, but eventually my style has changed and developed into something new.

How has your music evolved to where it is right now?

I think it was sounding a lot like Justice and Daft Punk in the beginning, but as time passed and I started hearing new music such as Cosmos Midnight, Young Franco, Darius, FKJ, Oliver Nelson etc. etc. My style also started to change and morph with the new influences I was having.

How did you come up with the name for the new project?

Well, my name’s Felix and I was making French house music hence the ‘La’ – and you have La Felix! I do get a lot of people thinking I’m French though, whoops.

What makes Get To You stand out for you as a single?

For me, the opportunity to work with Joshua [Moriarty] from Miami Horror was a great deal for me. I grew up listening to Miami Horror in high school and a few years later having him feature on my single was a surreal experience.

What is the story behind Get To You?

It’s another one of those classic “finding love” kinda tracks. A song about trying to be with the one you love despite the obstacles.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

The chorus, of course! “Gotta get to you.”

Who did you write/record and produce the single with? 

The instrumental was done by myself, The first verse was written by Danny Pratt (featured in Miami Horror’s Dark Love), the second verse by Joshua and the chorus was also written also written by myself.

I guess the most interesting part of the writing process was that none of us actually met in person for the track. Everything was done by emails, tracks being sent back and forth while Joshua was in LA and Mexico.

Describe in one sentence what you want people to take away from this song.

I’d just like the listeners to enjoy themselves, that’s always my goal when making new tunes.

In general, how do you work out what song would make a good single?

As a producer, you need to listen to your own track a thousand times while creating it from nothing. If you start losing faith in the track or start getting sick of it, then it’s a clear indication that the track isn’t up to par. Also, giving a snippet to friends and getting some new ears can also help.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an ear out for?

I recently also released a track with Kole from LA, called Drama. Its a great pop tune for easy listening.

Have any of your previous applications not get funding or included on NewTracks? Got any advice for people out there?

I’m currently at around 50:50 with submissions. I was fortunate enough to receive funding for Get To You and Comes & Goes, but didn’t get funding for Drama and I Wanna Know. Advice? I’d just say you need to make good tracks to be considered.

Was there an NZOA criterion you struggled with in the application? 

The application had a lot of criteria to fulfil, two of them I didn’t have – not because I couldn’t, but by choice. I don’t have a manager or a label. These days musicians can still thrive without the two. I can act as my own label and invest in myself instead of giving my right away to a small label who will do the same thing but take a huge cut.

Who did you make the video with?

I had Keith Picardo from Keith Picardo Photography do a wonderful job on the video.

How can we find you on social media?

www.facebook.com/LaFelixMusic
https://soundcloud.com/lafelix
twitter.com/lafelixmusic
www.instagram.com/lafelixmusic