From Sound to Design: Inside Heelix’s Creative Space

BrandsWalk Creative |
Joshua from Orange County, California—who records under the name Heelix—has been shaping what he describes as “the soundtrack of my life.” With over fifteen years of musical endeavor behind him, he’s now entering a new chapter: the creation of his debut album, a process spanning three years and set for release in 2026. In this feature, we explore his relationship to gear, creative ritual, and sonic identity — a reflection on how music and design intersect in his everyday world.

The Origins of Heelix

Joshua begins by introducing himself:

“Hi, I’m Joshua from Orange County, California. I’ve been making music for over 15 years now and releasing it under the name ‘Heelix’ for the last eight. I’m stepping into a new chapter creatively while working full time in online retail. Music has always been my outlet and my balance. It’s what keeps me grounded and inspired."

"I’ve been shaping my debut album for the past three years, and I’m aiming to release it in 2026. It feels like the most personal thing I’ve ever worked on.”

His words acknowledge the dual role of his life — commercial day job and creative off-hours commitment — and how that tension catalyses rather than inhibits his output.

He remembers his entry into music like this:

“Music has been in my life for as long as I can remember. It started with a cassette player, then CDs, then the first iPod. I was always collecting and organising music, which made me realise I wanted to create my own. In high school, I was a lead vocalist in a few rock bands, and after graduation I started DJing and producing electronic music. I haven’t stopped since.”

Collecting gave way to creating. The transition from listener to maker becomes the hinge of his story.

Gear & Environment That Shape How He Hears

On the equipment that first drove him:

“Absolutely. My first purchase was a pair of Technics MK2 1200 turntables. They were my prized possession. From there I picked up DJ mixers, MIDI keyboards, and synthesizers to start crafting my own sound. "

"Those first pieces of gear really shaped how I hear music today. They were the spark that started everything.”

The physicality of vinyl and DJ gear, he suggests, left an imprint on his auditory sensibility.

When asked about the setup he uses now, he describes:

“My setup lives in my apartment. It’s small but mighty. I’ve got a Gretsch Streamliner guitar, a Moog Mother 32, and a Maschine MK3 that I’ve used for years. Everything runs through my UA Volt interface into my Neumann KH 80 monitors. I use Ableton Live because it just feels like home. It’s not about having the biggest setup, it’s about having a space that feels alive when you’re in it.”

In naming the brand-name gear, he reveals the tools that enable a sense of presence. Indeed, the monitor setup—a pair of Neumann KH 80 DSP—is described by the manufacturer as designed for “professional-quality sound … in project and music studios.” Neumann KH 80 Two Way Nearfield Monitor

The electric guitar, the Gretsch Streamliner Jet Club, carries a straightforward build and high-output humbuckers, built for tone and playability.

Here the story isn’t about chasing the latest flagship gear but cultivating a setup that “feels alive.”

Inspiration & Process: Nature, Fashion, Sound

The interplay between inner world and outer world emerges when he says:

“Nature, without question. Being outside resets me. The sounds, the stillness, the air, it all feeds into how I hear music in my head. Fashion plays a big role too. I think the way you present yourself influences the world you create sonically. Every song I write feels like a snapshot of my life at that moment. I always say the music I make is the soundtrack of my life.”

And some playful memory to close that subject:

“Honestly, every session has a story. I love the feeling of turning silence into something real. Some nights I’ll sit down with no plan, and a few hours later there’s a melody looping that makes me feel everything at once. That’s the magic of it. Owning my own gear means I can chase those moments whenever they show up.”

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