We are rather familiar with Rotterdam-based DJ and producer Better Than Lex. Originally from Mexico, the talented creative appeared in our publication earlier this year, as we praised ‘On Repeat’ as “navigating mainstream tech-house with underground flair, offering a sonic and dance-filled journey that’s bound to be frankly irresistible for any keen listeners”. We stand behind our words: the rising electronic wizard seems to have found a comfortable place within the global dance community, something that’s confirmed by his recent release on David Tort’s HoTL label, ‘Susurros EP’.
Packing two tracks, ‘Susurros’ and ‘Jarana’, the EP evokes a sultry, nocturne minimal atmosphere, keeping the intensity high and the vibes dark and moody. Exactly as Better Than Lex likes them! He’s now gearing up for an upcoming showcase at ADE Amsterdam and a main stage show at Fairground Festival. All in all, it’s been a crucial year for the Netherlands-based DJ.
Intrigued by his recent dealings, we caught up with Better Than Lex for a due update. Here’s how things are going…
Hey Lex, it’s good to welcome you back on Mesmerized. We last spoke before the summer, when you were busy releasing ‘On Repeat’. It was just a few months ago, but it feels like years! How was your summer?
Summer was summering, had a couple of nice gigs, definitely the highlight was playing at BOA, celebrated in Germany next to a beautiful lake, amazing weather and crazy crowd. Plus, attending for the 2nd time the Tomorrowland Academy Summer Bootcamp.
Your ADE Amsterdam showcase is coming up at the end of the month. Is there a specific concept behind it? What can people expect from the night?
I partnered up with Fairground Festival to make this a reality. We want to offer not just a party, but also an opportunity to connect and engage in new opportunities. We expect a couple of guests from the industry, promoters, label managers, bookers, etc, so it’s really a great chance for people to network. On top of that, the lineup is sick: R3WIRE, Carly Wilford, Nausica and KEFFI are some of my favourite artists at the moment. I’m grateful for them joining the showcase! What’s more, the show will give an opportunity for upcoming artists to join the lineup through a contest. We got 112 applications so far, and we are currently reviewing the shortlist.
Right after ADE, you’ll be travelling to Hannover to perform at Fairground Festival, on the main stage, no less. Are you hyped for it?
Honestly? I still can’t believe it, it’s something I have been working for so long, and I’m super grateful for the opportunity. It’s a whole journey that started three years ago, when I won a contest to open the smallest stage of the festival. Opening the Mainstage, where artists like Meduza, Nora En Pure, Amelie Lens, and Charlotte de Witte will be performing… now feels unreal! And I can only say thanks to the FAIRGROUND Team for believing in me.
Overall, your career seems to be taking off; are there any core values you stand by? How does the dance and club community influence your artistic work?
Collaboration and hard work. I’ve always been a hustler, so I’m not afraid of working hard, but a definitely important factor in my current momentum I would attribute it to the power of communities. I have the honour to be part of and also represent some of the best academies and communities in the industry, and I have been tremendously supported and inspired by them.
Let’s focus on your latest release, ‘Susurros’, a hypnotic and vibrant EP that found a home in David Tort’s HoTL label; how did you connect with David’s imprint? Are you proud of how the record turned out?
I actually love this story. For over a year or two I was sending demos to the label without luck, but one good day, I got an idea from my mate Acid Harry to put up a whiteboard in the studio with the list of my target labels, right after doing this I posted a story in my IG showing the board and a guy wrote me saying “hey I saw you want to sign with HoTL, I like your music, I play your music, send me demos, I’m an A&R of HoTL, let’s bring you to the label”.
I sent 4 demos and they signed 2 as an EP – shout out to my brother OKEN for believing in my music! The record is doing really good, got into the Tech House charts in Beatport and Traxsource, got a lot of radio plays, supported by Fedde Le Grand and also introduced in Toolroom Radio, it’s quite amazing!
Tort has been doing quite a brilliant job, especially by sourcing talent in the Spanish-speaking world. Are you planning any further releases with the label?
Not yet, but I definitely hope so. David is a legend, Lost In Acid is one of my all-time favourite tracks, and I hope I haven’t disappointed him, so hopefully the doors remain open for me to release more tracks with HoTL.
I’d love to ask you about the global EDM scene; like the music industry as a whole, it’s certainly dealing with a set of unique challenges. Is there anything that you would improve in the current EDM landscape? What’s the one thing that you are critical of?
Gatekeeping and morbidly high artist fees. Both are in a way connected, and both are destroying the industry. By gatekeeping, a lot of very talented new artists cannot find a way to make progress, creating a monopoly of the same big names in every major lineup. Then, high artist fees make it not sustainable for venues and promoters to keep operating, which is why so many clubs and festivals have disappeared in the last 2 years.
I would love to see (and I am contributing to it) a more collaborative scene, where opportunities are given, people are exploring new proposals, and the whole industry becomes more sustainable and accessible.
