Mesa by Fellsius

Fellsius - Mesa EP
Dome of Doom
Release: February 4, 2022
Format(s): Digital

Tokyo-based electronic artist Fellsius is releasing his debut EP with Dome of Doom Records, the Mesa EP, February 4th. The works showcase a stunning journey through multiple schools of sound, pulling together sources from both heavily experimental and unexpectedly mainstream influences. With multiple tracks released on the legendary Japanese label Trekkie Traxx, as well as official remixes for Fool's Gold Records and a smattering of singles and compilation features with French Bass House label Gold Digger Records, Fellsius has already begun to establish himself a creative force in Tokyo's local music scene and beyond. Now he's set to do his first proper EP with Los Angeles' eclectic and genre-varying label Dome of Doom, blending his talents with an equally as adventurous roster.

Fellsius' music was originally introduced to label founder Wylie Cable by fellow artist and creative collaborator Daedelus. After the initial interest in the music was sparked by conversations between the two, Maru—who also released his own Blindfold EP on Dome of Doom in 2021—formally introduced Fellsius to Cable, unaware of the conversations between Daedelus and Cable. After a demo submission from Fellisus to DOD, a signing quickly occurred and the full body of music sent would ultimately comprise the Mesa EP.

Fellsius adds perspective on the EP title: "I like the sound of "Mesa" in Japanese. And I wanted to give it a short and impressive title, so this was perfect. I also like the meaning of this word, a vast land that has been beautifully eroded by wind and water over a long period of time, as it represents a power beyond human comprehension."

The Mesa EP was produced primarily using Ableton Live stock instruments and effects, with Serum and Ozone 6 as external plugins. The main piece of analog gear Fellsius used alongside these digital tools was the legendary Moog Grandmother. From a very young age in kindergarten through elementary school, Fellsius' father introduced him to foundational electronic artists like Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Underworld. Then in junior high school, Fellsius left his electronic-centric world and began to dive into Japanese rock bands like Radwimps. It was the kind of rock groups and artists found on Japanese late night radio stations, cultivated by deep crate diggers and internet excavationists. Around this time, Fellsius also began to teach himself to play piano and other instruments.

In high school, Fellsius found a new obsession with the internet and computers, discovering some of his more mainstream influences. Artists pushing multiple genres into the fabric of mainstream and big arena electronic music. People like Skrillex and Zedd. Ultimately, Fellsius says he started composing with Ableton because of how much Skrillex influenced him at that crucial point in his creative journey. Nowadays, the three roots merge and branch, and you can hear the wide range of musical styles that influence the Mesa EP in its fervent genre defiance and expansive musicality. The fluidity of the changes is just as remarkable as the tones and harmonies themselves, jaw-dropping in its dynamic range of unique sound designs and expansive percussive elements.

The lead single, "The Drum," is set to release Friday, January 14th, followed by the worldwide digital release on the Mesa EP on the 4th of February.

Fellsius is a Tokyo-based producer from Kawasaki, Japan, one of the suburbs of Tokyo.