Interview met Das Mörtal
Das Mörtal, de artiestennaam van Cristóbal Cortes, is een Canadese synthwave- en technoproducer uit Montréal, bekend om zijn retro-futuristische, jaren '80-geïnspireerde geluid. Zijn muziek combineert donkere, cinematografische synths met pulserende beats, geworteld in invloeden van techno, horrorfilm soundtracks en cyberpunk-esthetiek. Op 30 april 2025 bracht hij zijn nieuwe single Falsche Daten uit via Lisbon Lux Records, als voorproefje van zijn aankomende Origins EP. De track is een intense techno-ervaring met een hypnotiserende four-on-the-floor beat, zure synths en industriële texturen, geïnspireerd door artiesten als The Hacker en Vitalic.
Das Mörtal, the stage name of Cristóbal Cortes, is a Canadian synthwave and techno producer from Montreal, renowned for his retro-futuristic, '80s-inspired sound. His music blends dark, cinematic synths with pulsating beats, drawing from techno, horror film scores and cyberpunk aesthetics. On April 30, 2025, he released his new single Falsche Daten via Lisbon Lux Records, as a preview of his upcoming Origins EP. The track is an intense techno experience featuring a hypnotic four-on-the-floor beat, acid synths, and industrial textures, inspired by artists like The Hacker and Vitalic.
Cristóbal, can you please give us an introduction?
I’m from Montreal, Canada. Been doing music for more than 20 years now. Started in the IDM scene until I discovered djing. From then, I moved into techno & electro and eventually got into Montreal’s chiptune scene where Das Mörtal came to be. Nowadays, I incorporate all of those things into my sound, which means that my releases often move between different musical styles.
Congratulations with your new track “Falsche Daten”. What was the idea behind this track?
I made the original version of it many years ago when I was really into The Hacker & Vitalic. I’m very much into those 2 bands today, but “Falsche Daten” definitely has that raw techno energy from the early 2000s french techno & electro scene. The track has since been reworked for my live sets and remastered for the upcoming ORIGINS release to be the best version it can be.
When was your first encounter with synthwave music?
I think one of my earliest memories of hearing something that had brought back the feelings of ´80s synth music was when I heard Kavinsky’s Teddy Boy EP back in the early 2000s. I even did a remix of its track called “The Crash” under my old Elektro-boy name that you can easily find online. That remix really made the rounds back then in the synthwave scene because that revival of ´80s synth music felt fresh and we were all just looking for more of it. Not too long after it, I changed my name to Das Mörtal.
For the electronic music producers reading this interview, can you give us a look in your studio?
Since I started, I’ve just pretty much always just been in FL Studio but it used to be called Fruityloops back then. I do have some bits and pieces of gear like a Neutron synth and MPC One, but pretty much everything gets done in software. Before I had access to a computer, I used to make music with a Korg Electribe ER-1, Roland TR-505, Yamaha DJX and a Korg Microkorg.
Being an independent producer, how do you promote your music and try to reach new listeners?
It used to be thru blogs and Myspace. I guess it hasn’t really changed now but it’s on newer platforms like Instagram and such. You can do a lot of mileage with social media.
Do you have some upcoming shows?
I need to start working on the next album of new content and then I’ll start looking for shows, but the live shows are really a big part of the community I’ve grown in and I love seeing fans when I tour.
What are your dreams for the future?
Being able to continuing doing this. I don’t know how much more I can actually produce since it’s always very demanding for me to make new tracks. But I hope that I can still find the time to make more music that resonates with people and that I’m proud of.
What do you like most about the ´80s?
As weird as it might sound, I think it’s consumerism culture of back then. I know it’s odd but we had these cool cartoons and then, they would make awesome commercials to sell us toys about those cartoons. Even commercials for drinks where over the top and fun to watch. A lot of it slipped into the ´90s as well. For some reason I really liked those eras for that, everything always felt new and fresh but also just crossed the line enough to be edgy I guess...it’s hard to describe.
And finally, any last words?
Really looking forward to dropping ORIGINS which is a compilation of early Das Mörtal music, and even pre-Das Mörtal of rare or unreleased tracks that have been remastered and that still represent my sound of today.
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