The high-speed train of Caleb Cornett’s career left Kentucky around 2010. That was the year the juicy house beats of the Morehead-born producer started to gain the attention of electronic fans across the globe. Then came the singles, the EPs, the festivals and countless remixing assignments. 2016 sees Amtrac heading underground: His newest EP Lost in Motion is influenced by the German techno and right after its release the producer will head on a lengthy tour across clubs all over the US to bring you his enigmatic beats. Before you buy your ticket, here’s 10 things you should know about Amtrac.

His New “Moody” EP is Called ‘Lost in Motion’

When I call Caleb, he’s in Miami putting the final touches on his new EP Lost in Motion, which is out January 29. When talking about how the new record fits into his collection of club-ready electronics, Amtrac comments “I wanted it to be a little more moody. Little more afterhours-influenced, more so than my last releases. I’ve been listening to a lot of the underground stuff. For example, DJ Tennis and his label Life and Death. I was recently on tour with Gorgon City and all the touring got me exposed to the new world of electronic music. So this new EP is a combination of all that I’ve experienced over the last two years. The new tracks are longer than I normally do. Each one is like a journey from start to end.”

Your Afterhours Plan? Amtrac’s Tour!

While we talked, Amtrac was still figuring out all the details for his tour, which kicks off in Houston on January 28, but he already knew it was going to correspond with the EP’s atmospheric vibes. “The tour is going to be about the vibe of the night. The atmosphere in the room needs to be right. I don’t want it to be based on the showmanship. I’d rather people be dancing and not looking at the DJ the whole time. As for the program, it will be mainly all-original stuff that no one’s heard before.”

Modest Mouse is Responsible For His Stage Name

“There’s no significant story to the birth of ‘Amtrac’,” the producer explains. “The word was on a flyer in my room for a Modest Mouse concert when I was in high school when I first started making beats. I just thought Amtrac was a cool word to put on a project. I always say that ‘Amtrak’ breaks down a lot and I tend to break it down, too.”

He’s Influenced by Anything From Bluegrass to Techno

“I can listen to a bluegrass song and take out something that I want to use. I’ve always liked many different genres and artists. Over the last year I’ve been listening to a lot of the experimental dance music. A lot of stuff from the Kompakt label.”

He Remixes. A Lot.

Amtrac’s dancefloor-approved resume includes mixes for Ellie Goulding, Alesso, ZHU, Duke Dumont and many other artists and producers. No wonder it takes him a minute to pick the one it was most fun to work at. “I really liked remixing Shakka’s “When Will I See You Again.” When I was writing it, I just knew something was right. He’s actually on my album as well, but I don’t know how it will be ‘til that comes out. We kinda did a swap with him—remix for a feature.” Sounds like a fair trade to us!

His Favorite Record Right Now is Stephan Bodzin’s ‘Singularity’

“I could never tell you what my all-time favorite record is. But this one’s been my favorite over 2015”.

He’s a Self-Taught Producer

“I taught myself how to produce, how to play the keyboard and bass. I don’t know any music theory; it’s all playing by ear. But when I was right out of high school, I went to a very small audio engineering school in Eastern Kentucky and got a one-year certificate. They taught me analog recording and all that and it helped me a lot. I’ve started with Fruity Loops and now I know Pro Tools and Logic from that experience.”

He Sings, Too (But Doesn’t Like His Voice)

“I kinda hate my voice, honestly, but most of the time I don’t want to go through the process of sending the song off and getting somebody to sing on it and wait so long for it to come back. I have a song coming up on the EP which is going to be the first thing I’m putting out in years that features my own vocals. It’s called ‘Long Nights.’”

He’s From Kentucky and He Still Lives There

Amtrac was born in Morehead, KY and now resides in Louisville, KY. So unlike many other producers, he’s not looking forward to relocate to New York or LA. “It’s comfortable and cheap living and I’m not a party animal. I don’t go out all the time, so it works for me. But I might be moving to Miami soon. Because of the Internet I’m very fortunate to stay home and still do what I do. Plus I’m touring a lot, so living in Kentucky is hardly a problem”.

He’s Not a Big Fan of Silent Discos, Thank You Very Much

You know these parties where everyone has headphones on and the outsiders totally think everyone’s went bonkers? Well, Amtrac recalls playing at one of these parties and to this day it’s the weirdest party he ever had to play at. “The silent disco I did in Jacksonville was so weird! I’m not very into all that—I think it’s a very awkward thing. I did it right when they just started doing these things, four or five years ago. And I didn’t know what it was before I got there.” We’re feeling your pain!

He’s a Skater

He grew up skateboarding, but he’s not really doing it anymore. “I didn’t skate for three years now, but before that I used to skate every day. Whenever I see kids skateboarding now it brings me back to these days. I loved skateboarding and hope to get back on the board some time soon.” Maybe someone’s going to present him a skateboard with his EP’s cover painted on it? Any hardcore Amtrac fans up for a job?