Funk, Soul, and Slowing Down
from The S.H.I.T.T.S Podcast Hosted by DJ Monsoon Staraw/ Carlos Abril
Send us Fan Mail Two minutes in and you can hear it: this is soul built for feeling and for the floor. We sit with Spanish artist Carlos Abril to unpack the spark behind Love So Strong, the disco‑tinted energy of Sensational and Get Down, and the quiet discipline of slowing down so songs can actually breathe. He traces a line from Don Blackman and Sheik to present‑day production choices—live‑leaning strings, drums with pocket, arrangements that give DJs space to work—and explains why he writes like a diary: honest, specific, and not edited for the algorithm. We talk upbringing and how a small city with big support turned experimentation into a habit, not a risk. Stevie Wonder looms large—in lyric, arrangement, and sheer wonder—and that reverence becomes a north star for taste, not imitation. Carlos opens up about working mostly alone, catching himself before perfectionism breaks the vibe, and how a healthy relationship with yourself might be the most underrated tool in a songwriter’s bag. The conversation stacks into a bigger theme: time beats money. With time, you write, practice, connect, and heal. Without it, even a budget can’t buy you voice. For selectors and heads, there’s plenty here: DJ‑friendly intros, the logic of long mixes, and why modern soul thrives when club intent meets headphone detail. Looking ahead, Carlos teases a debut album that folds in folk colors, Brazilian sway, and a touch of psychedelic haze—Motown uplift filtered through his own compass. If you’ve been craving groove with heart, hooks with heritage, and stories that feel lived‑in, this one’s for you. Stream the episode, add the tracks to your playlist, and tell a friend who needs a lift. If you enjoy the show, tap follow, share a clip, and leave a quick review—your support helps more people find the music that moves them. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.
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What this episode covers
Send us Fan Mail Two minutes in and you can hear it: this is soul built for feeling and for the floor. We sit with Spanish artist Carlos Abril to unpack the spark behind Love So Strong, the disco‑tinted energy of Sensational and Get Down, and the quiet discipline of slowing down so songs can actually breathe. He traces a line from Don Blackman and Sheik to present‑day production choices—live‑leaning strings, drums with pocket, arrangements that give DJs space to work—and explains why he write...
Chapters
- 0:00 Welcome & Guest Intro
- 2:10 Check‑In: Slowing Down and Self‑Care
- 3:36 Roots: Spain, Small City, Big Sound
- 4:45 “Love So Strong” Origins
- 6:00 70s Funk/Disco Inspirations
- 9:10 Art That Makes You Feel
- 11:28 Childhood, Support, and Creative Freedom
- 13:40 Stevie Wonder Reverence
- 17:40 Underrated Now: Gareth Donkin
- 19:15 First Gigs and Instruments
- 20:45 Songwriting and Vulnerability
- 23:00 Healthy Relationship With Self
- 27:18 If We Controlled Radio
- 28:20 Artistic Goals and Authentic Process
- 33:10 The Value of Time
- 36:30 Overused Phrases We Can Ditch
- 38:20 What’s Next: Debut Album Direction
- 41:30 DJ Perspective and Disco Mix Vision
- 45:30 DJ Spotlight Mix
- 58:10 Closing Reflections & Calls
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