Trevor Cantrell “Cat Callin’”

Main Course has quickly risen to become one of the freshest labels in dance music. They aren’t married to a specific genre, releasing everything from pumping techno to festival trap and everything in between. They also have quite a knack for discovering new talent, as is the case with this stripped house track from Trevor Cantrell, who is just starting to break some ground in the production world. Enjoy this premiere, and be sure to grab the free download next week, courtesy of Main Course.

Were you impulsive on this track, or did you have a sketch in mind before you started?
Definitely impulsive. I found the hi-hat loop that carries through much of the whole song while I was working on something else. I automatically opened a new file and started working with it. I had no plans for the track initially, but once I started, a lot of ideas started flowing naturally.

Do you think advances in computer technology and gear have affected your creativity? How so?
Yes and no—this is a complicated question for me. I am currently a computer science major in college and have been constantly learning about computer science and “computer music” over the past few years, simultaneously. Along with the CS courses, I also took a few music production and MIDI classes. Writing a song with digital audio software is much like coding a computer program, in a sense. So, as I am learning new ideas in both fields, it is definitely helping my creativity. But my “studio” has nothing fancy—just a laptop and monitors. I recently bought a Roland TB-3, so be on the look for some acid.

Describe the best setting/activity to hear this track.
I would love to hear this track played at a club/show somewhere! Considering I have only heard it played in my house and car, I think it might go well with a crowd dancing to some groovin’ house music.

What’s your favorite sound/synth/effect/etc. used here, and why?
The hi-hats in the beginning that last through most of the song! “Just gimme the hats, lemme get those hi-hats” (shameless reference to “The Drums” by Richy Ahmed). Oooh and the bassline, because what’s house music without a sexy bassline?

How does this production reflect your personality/ethos?
To me, this song makes me want to nod my head and just groove. And if you were to see me in the crowd at a show, I’m most likely doing exactly that: just vibin’ out with a giant smile on my face. So, it seems fitting.

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