In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the talented DJ and Producer Cynthia Laclé to dive into the creative process behind her recent Techno single, ‘Shake That.’ Known for her unique sound that blends pounding beats with hypnotic details, Cynthia Laclé has been making strides, sharing her innovative approach with Electronic Music enthusiasts both through original releases and exciting live DJ performances. As she continues to push boundaries and explore new directions in her music, Cynthia Laclé joins us to share the goals, challenges, and techniques that went into crafting ‘Shake That,’ providing an insider’s glimpse into the creative decisions that shaped her approach and led to the powerful sound of her new track.
Hi Cynthia Laclé! Congrats on the release of ‘Shake That’; how does it feel to have the track out in the world?
Hi there. Super exciting. I could not wait until this one was out. With every track that comes out, it’s such a big learning process, and it’s just a lot of fun to be in the studio.
Did you draw any inspiration from specific events or personal experiences while creating ‘Shake That’? How did these factors influence the track’s emotional energy?
Not a specific event or track. But there are several artists that I keep a close eye on. They have always inspired me, but also upcoming artists or completely different genres give me ideas or a vibe that I like to put into my work. At the end of the day, for me, it’s about a certain feeling that I get with a specific sound. However, the energy comes from myself. If I don’t feel it, I can’t put it into my production.
How did you approach the production process for ‘Shake That’? Were there any specific techniques or tools you used to achieve its sound?
With this track, I focused more on the mixing and mastering process. I am developing my own sound and signature. With ‘Shake That’, I have set a new basic standard. All elements fit well together; the mixing technique is adjusted a bit, and I’m working with new plugins. It’s a bit crazy, but I am working a bit differently at the moment. I’m building the drop first and working around it from there.
‘Shake That’ incorporates pounding beats and hypnotizing details. How did you create the driving soundscape and maintain its high energy throughout the track?
Every genre has its do’s and don’ts. There is a basic rule for each genre. However, these days anything is possible. I keep the basic rules in mind, and I try to give my own flow to it. So, I play the track over and over, and if it doesn’t get boring for me, it works. But every 15 seconds, I feel like there has to be a switch or addition. Even the smallest sound is fine, but there has to be constant movement for me. By continually making small or bigger adjustments at the right places in a track, you can maintain or increase a certain vibe.
Is there a specific part of ‘Shake That’ that you’re particularly proud of?
I just love drops. It’s that moment before it when you feel the tension that something is coming, and the point where it hits is, for me, the most important part of the track.
How did the breakdown and buildup sections of ‘Shake That’ come together? What was your process for creating these transitions?
The breakdowns are always a struggle for me. I am mostly so caught up in the drop that the transition to the break takes the most time for me. You don’t want to lose the vibe from the drop, but you can’t let the drop be too long as well. So, the transition can be anything you want, but it’s mostly how I feel in that moment. It guides me to my inspiration and creativity for that track. When the break is built, the buildup just flows. Depending on my mood, I decide whether the buildup should be more aggressive, hyper, dramatic, or a combination of them all.
How did you integrate your signature sound with the more experimental elements in ‘Shake That’? What was your approach to blending these aspects seamlessly?
I guess how I build a track in general already has my signature in it. I use some basic sounds and place them in certain spots in my tracks. It just never gets old for me. Then there are bigger sounds like the screeches that definitely need to be in there. I just love that sound; it gives the track such an incredible vibe. With every sound you put in, you need to listen to where you want to place it—in the front, middle, or back. Which sound do you want to let stand out more or less? The mixing process was a bit different this time, and I tried some new placements. The end result turned out quite well, I think, with some pan effects, sidechains, and different room settings.
The track’s overall mood feels quite intense. How do you balance this intensity with moments of release or contrast throughout the track?
I try to balance a track, but it’s hard for me. I would love to make a track with just drops. However, even that gets boring after a while. In every genre, there’s a ‘ground’ rule for how long a part should be, where to place your drops, etc. However, it’s not a must. I do love old-school vibes and rules, and I think it’s important to maintain those setups. They’ve been around for so many years. Overall, you want a balance in your track—you don’t want the drop to be too long or too short. The break shouldn’t be too long because the crowd loses interest. So many considerations go into a production, which is why music production is so complex.
What do you hope listeners take away from ‘Shake That’? Is there a specific feeling or message you wanted to convey through this track?
I would love to see people go offline and just enjoy the moment with this track. Just get lost in the music. Feel the energy and rave until you can’t anymore. I miss the days when people just enjoyed a track and went completely nuts when it came on. I’d also like to get feedback from other artists to learn from them and grow as an artist. I’m curious about their opinions and techniques.
Finally, what’s next for you as an artist? Are there any new directions or experiments you’re looking forward to exploring in your future work?
I’m focusing on new work and putting myself out there as an artist. I’m creating my own sound, working on collabs, meeting new people, and playing a lot, of course. Some exciting new stuff is coming out soon. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions and feedback on it.
As we wrap up our conversation with Cynthia Laclé, it is clear that her passion for music and dedication to her craft continue to drive her forward, motivating her artistic evolution and experimentation with new sounds. With a musical future seemingly poised to see her deliver new projects and performances, we eagerly look forward to following Cynthia Laclé’s journey: excited to hear what she offers fans next. So, a talent to keep watching, don’t miss out on Cynthia Laclé, making sure to stay up-to-date with her latest news, projects, and releases via social media.
Listen and Buy ‘Shake That’ now:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4MIWLy2ZBUBeZptOBtm9rk?si=JNG1rpB4Q02U6JHgGJq8-A
Cynthia Laclé Online
