Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings Jr., August 25, 1971) is an American DJ and record producer, mostly known for house music and electro.[1][2][3] Felix is regarded as a member of the second wave of Chicago house.[4]
Felix da Housecat | |
|---|---|
 Felix da Housecat performing in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Felix Stallings, Jr. |
| Born | August 25, 1971 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Electronic, house, techno, big beat, alternative dance, electroclash, synthpop |
| Occupation(s) | DJ, producer |
| Labels | Emperor Norton, Rykodisc, Rude Photo, Mishu Records |
Musical career
Early life
Stallings developed an interest in the emergent Chicago house music scene at a young age. While a student at Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois in the mid-1980s, a chance introduction to acid house pioneer DJ Pierre gave the then 15-year-old Stallings his break, and under the patronage and guidance of Pierre, he released his first single, "Phantasy Girl," in 1987.[5]
Also in 1987, Felix went to Alabama State University to study media and communication. There he studied different musicians of the era, including Prince, A Tribe Called Quest, and Gang Starr, as well as developing an interest in hip hop and R&B tracks.[5]
1990s
After graduating, he released "Thee Dawn" on Guerilla Records. He became popular in Europe, and in the following year, "By Dawn's Early Light" and "Thee Industry Made Me Do It" followed. A further single, "In The Dark We Live (Thee Lite)", appeared under his pseudonym, Aphrohead. Originally released on the UK label, Bush, "In The DaAlbum", followed in 1998. In 1999, he released "In The Dark We Live".[5]
Shortly afterwards, Stallings formed Radikal Fear Records. It released material from Mike Dunn, DJ Sneak, and Armando as well as Felix himself. During 1995, he released his debut album Alone in the Dark (as Thee Maddkatt Courtship) on Deep Distraxion, followed by the Radikal Fear compilation album, The Chicago All Stars and a remix album entitled Clashbackk Compilation Mix. The album I Know Electrikboy was never officially released in either the US or UK, although promotional copies are in circulation.[5]
2000s
In 2001, Kittenz and Thee Glitz, written and produced alongside Tommie Sunshine, Miss Kittin, Dave The Hustler, Harrison Crump, Junior Sanchez, Junior Jack and Melistar, was released which gained Felix mainstream exposure. At the end of that year, Felix won Best Album at the now-defunct Muzik Awards. The ensuing fame brought Felix remix work for Madonna, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue. The proper follow-up, Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever, was released in 2004, though Felix released a pair of mix albums, 2002's Excursions and 2003's A Bugged Out Mix, in between.[5]
Felix also collaborated with P Diddy on the pair's "Jack U" single. The pair remain friends, with Diddy performing alongside Felix at Space in Ibiza in 2005, and Felix performing at Diddy's after-party for The Main Event at the Winter Music Conference.[5]
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Various remixes of "Silver Screen Shower Scene" were used in video games such as Midnight Club 2, and SSX 3. The Soulwax Remix of his song "Rocket Ride" was featured in the game Need for Speed: Underground 2. "Everyone Is Someone in LA" was featured in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. His songs have also featured in television programs such as The Sopranos and "Silver Screen Shower Scene" featured in the party scene in Shane Black's 2005 film, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.[5]
Felix's album, Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco, was released on October 2, 2007, in the US on Nettwerk Records. Production was overseen by Dallas Austin.[5]
"Future Calls The Dawn" was released on July 9, 2007, on Wall of Sound/PIAS with "Sweetfrosti" featured as the B-side. "Sweetfrosti" contained a sample of Devo's "Snowball", originally released in 1981.[5]
"Like Something 4 Porno!" was released as the album's lead single on September 24, 2007, with remixes from Kris Menace, Teenage Bad Girl and Armand Van Helden, while a third single, "Radio", was released digitally in April 2008. Since then, Felix has released his first Global Underground compilation, for the Newcastle-upon-Tyne compilation and club label. Felix also teamed up with Kris Menace to release "Artificial" in June 2008.[5]
In 2009, Felix released He Was King, via Nettwerk Records.[5]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Chart peaks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 200 | US Dance | US Indie | UK [6] | ||
| 1995 | Metropolis Present Day? Thee Album! | — | — | — | — |
| 1999 | I Know Electrikboy (as Maddkatt Courtship III) | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | Kittenz and Thee Glitz | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | Rocketmann! (as Rocketmann!) | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever | — | 8 | 41 | 97 |
| 2007 | Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | He Was King | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | Son of Analogue[7] | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | Sinner Winner / Give Me Body | — | — | — | — |
| I Just Want to Be a Lesbian | — | — | — | — | |
| 2015 | Narrative of Thee Blast Illusion | — | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released. | |||||
Mix albums
| Year | Title | Chart peaks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 200 | US Dance | US Indie | ||
| 1997 | Clashbackk Compilation Mix | — | — | — |
| Transmissions, Vol. 2 | — | — | — | |
| 2002 | Excursions | — | — | — |
| 2003 | A Bugged Out Mix | — | 19 | — |
| 2005 | Playboy: The Mansion Soundtrack | — | — | — |
| Past, Present and Future House and Electro | — | — | — | |
| 2008 | Global Underground 034: Milan | — | — | — |
| 2012 | Various Artists - Pete Tong & Felix Da Housecat - All Gone Ibiza 11 | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released. | ||||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart peaks | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance [8] |
US Sales [8] |
CAN [8] |
UK [6][9] | |||
| 2001 | "Silver Screen Shower Scene" | – | – | – | 39 | Kittenz and Thee Glitz |
| "Harlot" | – | – | – | 79 | ||
| "What Does It Feel Like?" | – | – | – | 66 | ||
| 2002 | "Madame Hollywood" | – | 11 | 19 | – | |
| 2003 | "Cyberwhore" | – | – | – | 103 | |
| 2004 | "Watching Cars Go By" | 39 | 6 | – | 49 | Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever |
| 2005 | "Ready 2 Wear" | – | – | – | 62 | |
| "Rocket Ride" | – | 24 | – | 55 | ||
| 2008 | "Like Something 4 Porno!" | 13 | – | – | – | Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco |
| 2009 | "We All Wanna Be Prince" | 26 | – | – | – | He Was King |
| 2013 | "Sinner Winner" | – | – | – | – | Sinner Winner / Give Me Body |
| "I Just Want to Be a Lesbian"[10] | – | – | – | – | Non-album singles | |
| 2018 | "Marshall & Pierre"[11] (with Kristin Velvet) |
– | – | – | – | |
| 2019 | "Cats Love Velvet III"[12] | – | – | – | – | |
| "Thee Trk!"[13] (with Chris Trucher) |
– | – | – | – | ||
| 2020 | "Lonely2Live"[14] (with Jamie Principle) |
– | – | – | – | |
| "Chicago Love"[15] (with Chris Trucher) |
– | – | – | – | ||
| "Cats Love Velvet IV"[16] (with Kristin Velvet) |
– | – | – | – | ||
| 2021 | "I Discover"[17] (with Chris Trucher) |
– | – | – | – | |
| 2022 | "Silver Screen (Shower Screen)"[18] (with David Guetta and Miss Kittin) |
– | – | – | – | |
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | ||||||
Remixes
- Passion Pit – "Little Secrets (Felix Da Housecat Pink Enemy Remix)" (2009)
- Britney Spears – "Toxic (Felix Da Housecat's Club Mix)" (2004)
- Buy Now! – "For Sale (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2007)
- Ladytron – "Playgirl (Felix Da Housecat Glitz Club Mix)" (2001)
- The Chemical Brothers – "Get Yourself High (Felix Da Housecat's Chemical Meltdown Mix)" (2003)
- The Disco Boys – "Born to Be Alive (Felix Da Housecat's Chicago Tracky Glitz Remix)" (2001)
- Garbage – "Androgyny (Thee Glitz mix)" & "Androgyny (Thee Drum Drum mix)" (2001)
- Gwen Stefani – "What You Waiting For? (The Rude Ho Mix by Felix Da Housecat)" (2005)
- Brandy – "What About Us?" (Felix Da Housecat's Glitz Mix) (2002)
- Holly Valance – "State of Mind (Felix Da Housecat's Dub)" (2003)
- Madonna – "American Life (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix)" (2003)
- Madonna – "Die Another Day (Thee RetroLectro Mix)" (2003)
- Miike Snow – "Silvia (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2010)
- Mylène Farmer – "Je t'aime mélancolie (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2003)
- Mylo – "Drop the Pressure (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2004)
- Nina Simone – "Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix)" (2003)
- Pet Shop Boys – "London (Thee Radikal Blaklight Edit)" (2003)
- Pet Shop Boys – "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore (Thee 2 Black Ninja Mix) (1999)
- New Order – "Here To Stay (Felix Da Housecat Extended Glitz mix)" (2002)
- Paola & Chiara – "Vanity & Pride (Felix Da Housecat Club Mix)" (2008)
- Uffie – "Pop the Glock (Felix Da Housecat's Pink Enemy Remix)" (2009)
- Kylie Minogue – "Where Is The Feeling? (Da Klub Feelin Mix)" (1995)
- Diana Ross – "Take Me Higher (I Feel Radical Mix)" (1995)
- RAC – "Hollywood Featuring Penguin Prison (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2012)
- Ali Love – "Another (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2013)
- Pompeya – "Y.A.H.T.B.M.F. (Felix Da Housecat Heavenly House Mix)" (2014)[19]
- Born Dirty and Diplo – "Samba Sujo (Felix Da Housecat and Dave The Hustler Remix)" (2019)[20]
DJ Magazine top 100 DJs
| Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 77 | New entry | [21] |
| 2004 | 73 | Up 4 | |
| 2005 | 87 | Down 14 | |
| 2006 | 142 | Exit (down 55) | |
| Hiatus | |||
| 2008 | 142 | Out | |
References
- "David Guetta teams up with Felix Da Housecat and Kittin on rework of 'Silver Screen (Shower Scene)': Listen". weraveyou. February 23, 2022.
- "Felix Da Housecat & Kristin Velvet Jam With Icons on 'Acid Picky': Exclusive". Billboard.
- "Felix da Housecat Celebrates Friendship and Filth at Get Lost". miaminewtimes.com".
- Bush, John. "Biography: Felix da Housecat". AllMusic. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
- "Felix Da Housecat". thevogue.com.
- "UK Chartlog – Adam F – FYA". zobbel.de. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- Monypenny, Mike (March 25, 2011). "Felix Da Housecat releases 'Son of Analogue' album exclusively on the cover of Mixmag". Mixmag. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
- "Felix da Housecat | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- "Artists". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- "I Just Want to Be a Lesbian (feat. Romina Cohn) - EP by Felix da Housecat on Apple Music". iTunes Store. June 24, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- Burrell, Chris (August 17, 2018). "Felix Da Housecat & Kristin Velvet – Marshall & Pierre". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- "Cats Love Velvet III - Single by Felix da Housecat on Apple Music". iTunes Store. July 12, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "Thee Trk! - Single by Felix da Housecat on Apple Music". iTunes Store. October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- "Lonely2live - Single by Felix da Housecat & Jamie Principle on Apple Music". Apple Music. May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- Mao, Jessica (June 22, 2020). "Felix da Housecat unleashes disco charm on 'Chicago Love' [Stream]". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- "Cats Love Velvet IV - Single by Felix da Housecat & Kristin Velvet on Apple Music". Apple Music. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- "I Discover - Single by Felix da Housecat & Chris Trucher on Apple Music". Apple Music. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- "Silver Screen (Shower Scene) - Single by David Guetta, Felix da Housecat & Miss Kittin on Apple Music". Apple Music. February 23, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- "Pompeya, Felix Da Housecat — YAHTBMF(Felix Da Housecat Heavenly House Mix) [No Shame]". Beatport.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- Scruggs, Rugby (December 9, 2019). "Diplo and Born Dirty's 'Samba Sujo' gets remix treatment". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- "Top 100 (250) DJ MAG 1997 - 2018 | Top 100 DJ MAG DJS VK Music Музыка 2019 2020". M.vk.com. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
