Thales Senses [Interview]

Fleitas Jr, known by most by his Thales Senses artist moniker — is a Paraguayan producer and DJ who stands out in the world of electronic music. At 25 years old, Thales has already achieved measurable success by incorporating progressive and organic sounds into his productions, in turn landing projects via Amulanga, Do Not Sit On The Furniture, Souksonic and The Soundgarden, with Eelke Kleijn, Eli Nissan, Lost Desert, Shai T and more having all championed his work of late. This week finds Thales making his Musique de Lune debut with 'The Valley of Samsara', an EP co-produced with Joseph Kaz, and backed by remixes from Den Macklin and Lucas Zárate.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Thales to learn more about the release of 'The Valley of Samsara', his background, electronic music in the Paraguay, DJing, and much more. Enjoy

Hi Thales, thanks for talking to us today. How has the first half of the year been so far?

Hi, thank you very much for this space. I am very happy with this opportunity, and the truth is that everything has been revolving around work, with many projects and collaborations. In short, it has been a very busy first half of the year. Furthermore, I have faced the typical challenges of an artist, with some small setbacks, either creatively or in discipline, as happens to any human being.

Let’s look back on the year up to now, what gig of yours has stood out the most and why?

It turns out that here in my city, I have a small place with some very good friends of mine where, every 15 days, we organize an event in which I am the main resident DJ. For me, this is and will always be something very special, as there is nothing more rewarding than playing for people we appreciate and value. Furthermore, knowing that we have their unconditional support is the boost that every artist needs.

Now let’s look at tracks (not your own), what is a track or tracks which have come out this year that has impressed you the most and why?

There is one remix that has captivated me on such a deep level that I had to play it over and over again. I'm talking about "In the Dark", a Gorje Hewek remix for Nick Warren and Landikhan. If I'm not mistaken, it was released at the end of April this year. This track is the perfect definition of a story told, not only through the lyrics, but also with a melody so characteristic of Gorje that makes it unmistakable. In short, an artist's ability to capture their essence on a track is something worth applauding.

Could you take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work? What does a day in your life look like?

Many of my acquaintances think that working from home gives me a great advantage, since I run a family printing business. This implies that I do not have strict schedules. However, the downside is that I can end up working at any time of the day or week. My morning routine usually starts by reviewing my notes to see if there is anything pending or urgent related to music, collaborations, projects, etc. After that, I dedicate my time completely to work. As a graphic designer, there is always something to do, so my daily life usually follows this pattern.

For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you?

I believe that emulation, or rather inspiration, is something completely natural and normal, since it is deeply rooted in trends and in the "niche" of each person. Personally, in my learning phase, I have explored countless styles of music, such as EDM, experimental music, and even some rock. In the end, I ended up finding my "niche": which is the world of Progressive.

How did growing up in Paraguay affect your music taste and direction into becoming a DJ and producer? Or did it all?

The truth is that in my country, Paraguay, the music scene is very influenced by European techno. At first, this pointed me toward the underground scene to explore something different. However, what really inspired me to become a music producer was my obsession with music. Fortunately, I had friends who shared the same passion, but I decided to take it a step further and set out to discover at all costs how to create a musical track, which led me to download my first DAW.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

Yes, of course there were significant moments. The first time I stepped foot in a club I was around 16 or 17 years old, back in 2016 or 2017. I remember attending about three editions of 'elrow', and Rafa Barrios played in one of them. That was the first really impactful experience I had of what it meant to be a DJ. The fact of being there, making hundreds of people dance, seemed crazy to me. I wondered if I would be able to handle the pressure, stress and nerves. What would happen if something went wrong with the set? What if I was on the wrong track? Anyway, that experience helped me a lot to understand everything that happens during a DJ performance.

You have a new EP ‘The Valley Of Samsara’ (co-produced with Joseph Kaz) which is out now via Musique de Lune. Tell us a bit about the tracks and what sort of vibe you guys were going for on them.

On the first track, 'The Valley', Joseph and I wanted to convey an enigmatic and magical feel, representing the essence of this signature 'Organic House' EP. On the other hand, with 'Toscana' we are looking for a more club-oriented approach. Overall, both tracks have a creative feel designed for dancing, which was always our goal.

Which of the two originals has gotten the most play in your sets and to what reaction?

I've played 'The Valley of Samsara' a couple of times in my sets, and I've noticed that people get hooked on the melody. The atmosphere it creates is both relaxing and dynamic, with a somewhat aggressive punchline at the end.

Are these your first productions with Joseph? And how did you guys initially meet and then decide to collaborate on a project together?

This is the first EP collaboration with Joseph, although we had exchanged messages several times before. Sometimes it was to ask for feedback on a song, and other times, to share reflections. Finally, the possibility of doing a collaboration arose, and when we finished the first track, we knew we had to move forward. That's how we got to this point.

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically on your ‘The Valley Of Samsara’ EP?

I have a fairly simple, but functional studio setup. I use a pair of JBL 305P MK2 monitors and AKG K72 headphones, plus a K92 as a spare. My audio interface is a third generation Focusrite 2i2. I work with FL Studio as a DAW, and within it I have several virtual synthesizers. Among my favorites, which I use constantly, are DIVA, HIVE, SERUM, ARP 2600, and several from the Arturia collection, which are definitely my favorites. I have used these synthesizers to the fullest in the creation of this EP.

This is your first release with Musique de Lune, please tell us how you discovered the label and why it was a good home for this project?

I discovered 'Musique De Lune' through various releases from colleagues I knew. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to work with a great artist like JFR, who turned out to be one of the people responsible for the label. This gave me confidence that 'Musique De Lune' would be the first and best choice for this great project.

There are also excellent remixes from Den Maclkin and Lucas Zarate, how involved in the selection process were you? And why were Den and Lucasi good choices to re-interpret these tracks?

If I had to choose two remixers again, I would definitely choose them again. Lucas and I had already had previous contact, and as soon as I found out that I would be one of the remixers, I imagined a more than professional job. On the other hand, Den Maclkin totally surprised me with the level and quality of his creative process in this reinterpretation. There is no doubt that they both did an excellent job, and both Joseph and I are more than satisfied, as is the label.

Shifting to DJing for a moment, what were some of the main challenges and goals when starting out as a DJ and how have they changed over time?

In the beginning, one of my primary goals as a DJ was discipline. I have always emphasized that aspect, although at the beginning, as happens with anyone, I faced many challenges. I remember that in my first sessions, a mentor constantly told me that if I didn't make this my obsession, problems would begin: frustration, stress, and eventually the time would come to make a decision. And luckily that decision led me to the place where I am today.

What is it about DJing, compared to producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

Being a DJ and producer at the same time, and playing your own music, has no comparison. It's like showing the world your most intimate side. Producing your own music is a deeply personal experience, comparable to talking about our deepest emotions and dreams.

On the other hand, being a DJ is the most euphoric manifestation of being an artist, promoting and recognizing your talent to the fullest.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

Obviously, if you ask any DJ and producer, they will tell you that they don't listen to music like a normal person. In my case, being a DJ has greatly influenced the way I perceive a set. It has helped me produce songs that follow a progression and, more importantly, create tracks that fit into a set. Therefore, I am fascinated by making music not only to appreciate or listen to it, but also to make it work on the dance floor.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

There are times when it is best to prepare a playlist, especially if you are sure that there will be people willing to dance. On the other hand, DJ sets that require improvisation are more appropriate for more relaxed or outdoor environments, where it is important to observe how the audience behaves. These places tend to attract people who are there just to appreciate the music.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

Lately I've been playing these tracks a lot;

01. Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (Fedele Remix)
02. Juan Pablo Torrez & Golan Zocher - Cosmic Resonance (Mike Griego Remix)
03. Traumhouse - Mundus Dolor
04. Vakabular & Workover - The House
05. Anonimat, Albuquerque & HOO - Above Our Reality

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

When I'm not playing or making music, I usually clear my mind by spending time with friends and family. From time to time, I also take the opportunity to go on a short trip or play sports, with soccer being my favorite activity.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

If I had the possibility of organizing a really big and important event I would obviously bring some of my favorite artists.

01 to 02 am / Lee Burridge
02 to 03 am / Roy Rosenfeld
03 to 04 am / Ezequiel Arias
04 to 05 am / Hernán Cattáneo
05 to 06 am / Mariano Mellino

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

The truth is, I have always asked myself that question, and I actually think it would not be related to music. As I mentioned a while ago, I am also a graphic designer, and I deeply believe that I would be dedicating myself to that field, since it is another passion that I have. Since I was a child, I have always shown interest in everything related to sketches, paintings and things like that.

What’s something people do not know about you?

I find it curious and even very funny that some people believed that I was Argentine. I imagine this is because, in the beginning, the first labels I worked with were all from Argentina, which probably caused the confusion. However, now the situation is quite clear.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

I am currently watching several series, and I consider some of them to be true works of art.

/ 'Reacher' on Prime Video
/ 'Masters of the Air' on Apple TV
/ 'Black Bird' on Apple TV
/ 'Dark Matter' also on Apple TV

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

Apart from music, which is clearly the only thing that makes me happy, and with one exception, I think I'm also passionate about football. Like every South American, I love this sport.

What can we look forward to from you for the rest of 2024? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

Currently, I still have some dates to confirm regarding the show. On the other hand, I am completely focused on production, with several releases on the way, including remixes and collaborations. Additionally, I've started a new mix show that I release monthly, among other things.

Thank you very much for the space!

'The Valley of Samsara' is available now via Musique de Lune: https://tinyurl.com/4vdb4kyj