DD: It is very special to have you on here man, A VJ that works with some of the most forward thinking beat producers in LA (Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder, Low End Theory), as well as a blossoming local label (Dropping Gems). What’s the most rewarding aspect about working with these artists?

For a big portion of my life my art was totally personal. I used it medicinally to create hypnotic dream states as a way of soothing my soul. To manifest an experience that allowed me to completely escape reality was very enticing. However, this relationship with my art also made it extremely private and often lonely.

I was exposed to a larger world of music and art thanks to a chance meeting with Dave Wexler, aka Strangeloop. A deep friendship emerged out of synchronicity. Although we came from different backgrounds, our common interest in reality beyond the peripheral and also a fundamental desire to create and share psychedelic media perpetuated a growing connection. In turn, I not only made a dear friend but I was now being exposed to a community of incredibly creative people.

This relationship is what directly influenced me to take the course of life I’m on today. So in essence, the reward would be the state of mind I’m in now and also being part of an interconnect web of highly talented and inspiring individuals. 

Ya’ll are in luck! This Polish producer has offered Disco Droppings a bassy free remix..

DD: What’s it like over in Poland right now?

Well, it’s depressing because of the whole fall mess, we don’t get a lot of sun here. But the bass music scene is quite cool – we got some really great producers – Space, Ladies and Shoju from Warsaw, Sentel, Zeppy Zep, vanatoski from Cracow, Umba from Torun, Intreau from Wroclaw, MNSL from space and many more… Also some great labels like U Know Me and Concrete Cut, so yeah, fuck fall, let’s play some bass!

DD: Your “Accommodation” track has some big ass bass. What was the inspiration for making this one?

Bass is what makes the club running, so I kinda didn’t have any choice :] But also some old acid stuff – I like to put some hip hop acapella bits in every tune and I think it works just fine. But yeah, bass is always important!

DD: Talk a bit about your Loud & Clear parties..I’ve had Jamie Grind on my blog a while back, fine producer for sure!

And a great DJ as well! Me and my partner in crime (Phat Trakz, but we’re switching the name to something more civilized, if you catch  my drift :] ) were frustrated about the club scene in Wroclaw (especially when BBQ crew finished their great run) and we figured – hey, let’s do something about it. Most of the bookings are polish acts – we really want to promote good producers and DJ’s from Poland. But we’ve done some crazy bookings as well – Ritualz just blew our minds with haunted, insane trance. Next one will be with dMIT.RY (Neo Violence) from Prague – really looking forward for this one! And shouts to Das Lokal, Krakowska, Puzzle and Log:In clubs for having us over! We’re planning to expand, so everybody stay tuned!

DD: What do you have planned for the rest of 2011?

I’m releasing debut EP on French label Soukouch Ethnik, also I got signed by different French label – but I don’t think I’m allowed to reveal which one yet ;] It’s all cool, cause I really like France hehe. I got some remixes scheduled – first is for cult Polish indie rock band Cool Kids Of Death – that’ll be out soon. I may do some collaborations with other Polish producers, but we’ll see about it. Also in November I’m going to Madrid to participate in Red Bull Music Academy – that’s a real game changer for me. Oh, and Phat Trakz are going wild – look out for our productions as Pvre Gold!

DD: Last words?

Ron Swanson is the man! But seriously – nice talking to You, enjoy the remix and stay tuned for some new stuff!

Naphta’s on Soundcloud  

– Jimi Jaxon

I Have a soft spot for this local DJ, would luvvv some DJ lessons from CTRL_ALT_DLT he is a pro! Read what he has to say about his music and showcase at Decibel Festival 2011..Check out this song of his below as well as his preview mix for the festival here 

DD: You’ve got a Decibel Festival preview mix online, I’m listening to it now, sounds very smoooth. What can you tell readers about the upcoming Sweatbox Showcase at Decibel which you are hosting? I absolutely love the venue it’s being held at (The Woods). 

This will be a very techno-centric event, featuring two of the most creative and active producers/DJs in the game right now. Camea and Tim Xavier are two artists that have grown into serious powerhouses in the world of techno, continually producing and releasing quality tracks on their labels Clink and LTD400 and DJing all over the world, while still maintaining an underground aesthetic. Their music ranges from tough and driving techno all the way down to some dark and weird warehouse-style psychedelia. Very excited to hear what they’ve got in store and honored to be hosting it! The Woods is a very cool spot, and should be perfect for this kind of event—SMALL. DARK. LOUD. HOT.

DD: What’s an especially fond memory you have at past Decibel Festival’s?  

It’s tough to narrow down only one experience but I’ll mention something about last year’s edition, definitely one of the wildest years to date. Our friends from Portland, the whole Alga rhythms crew, rented this awesome house right on The Hill, it was like something out of The Real World, complete with a hot tub. Sunday morning turned into a madhouse with Soul Clap, Tanner Ross, Tim Green, Derek Plaslaiko and a few other DJs I’m forgetting, tearing that place up for hours. It was the party that wouldn’t quit and ended with Derek and me tagging for a couple hours, at like 7pm, to a handful of people that had been there since the morning—crazyness, and a huge inspiration for our Still Going party at Electric Tea Garden this year, which starts at 5am Sunday morning. 

DD: Showcase you’re most excited to see? 

Lot’s of good stuff going on this year. Excited for the Blurring the Lines showcase with Martin Buttrich and Cyanwave. Also looking forward to the Deep Foundations showcase with Mike Huckaby and Deniz Kurtel, although it’s too bad that Motor City Drum Ensemble had to cancel, as that was one of the artists I really wanted to check out this year, that’s how it goes though. Really stoked for the Flammable showcase with dOP and Kate Simko, that will be on helluva way to close out this year’s festival. Also, can’t forget the action we’ve got planned with the Sweatbox Showcase, Clink Afterhours at ETG, and Still Going! I’ve got a feeling this is gonna be a great year for the festival. See you all soon!

http://www.sweatboxseattle.com/

– Jimi Jaxon

My buddy Julianne is studying abroad in Germany. Got a haircut from miss Johanna and told me I should check out her music. I did, and now she is here! 

DD: I listened to your “Into The Beat” mix all the way through, couldn’t stop! What songs on there do you like the most? What mindset were you in when this was recorded? 

Thank you for listening. I would say that one of my favorite tracks on this mix is Murr ft Rosina “My Best Dress (Adam Marshall Remix)”  because it has a really groovy bass-line and has this quite “douchy” female vocal that I love.

I was actually a bit stressed out when I recorded this mix, ’cause I had the worse month of my life before this day (moving house, moving studio and bad travel experiences) so I hadn’t had the chance to unpack all of my records or set up a proper DJ table yet. But somehow it worked out quite well, I found the perfect records to play together and then recorded it in one go. The mixing isn’t 100 %, but I’m happy with it for what it is.

DD: Being from Berlin, I bet the scene there is incredibly vibrant. What’s you’re experience been like in that part of Germany? 

I am Swedish and moved here about 3 years ago. I’m used to the Swedish scene (which was the reason for me to move to Berlin at that time) so for me everything has been an 100% improvement. Every night that I’ve been going to gigs or shows has been more interesting the the times I’ve been out back in Sweden or anywhere else I’ve been. It’s just different and I think that people that go to the clubs I go to here are in general more interested in the music and not so much in getting laid or drunk. Mind you, this is only my personal opinion and I might be wrong, hehe.

I have met so many incredible people here that I would never meet if I didn’t live here and I would also not get as many opportunities to gigs or collaborations. Mostly because I spend more time making music or listening to music here then I did in Sweden, since every one I know here is doing the same things it’s nothing wrong or weird about it. Back home I was at my work 24/7 and never had the extra energy to socialize or play records after work.It comes more natural now and I’m just starting to learn all about it.

DD: My friend Julianne is studying abroad around there. She said you were cutting her hair and mentioned that you do music. How did the haircut turn out? 

As far as I remember, it went very well. :]

DD: What got you interested in becoming a DJ?

The first time I went to Panorama 5 years ago and saw such energetic and inspiring dance-floor. It was Aaron Carl who played that night I think, and I remember how incredible it was to see him master his dance floor. People were like puppets moving to the music he played.  It was amazing and I thought a lot about this afterwards; imagine to have the opportunity to share your favorite music with like-minded people and dance together and set the mood for everyone. I just wanted to try it out for once, so I did 1 year later and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. House music has literally changed my life and it has taken me to places and people  I would never discover without it. 

DD: Last words? 

It IS a spiritual thing as far as I’m concerned. :]

Find this grl on Facebook and Soundcloud 

– Jimi Jaxon

Look out for this girl. I have great feelings about her musical future. Natasha Kmeto will be performing at the dB In The Park Showcase (free and all ages) alongside Eprom, Salva, Comma, Ill Cosby and moar. 

DD: You were my favorite act at Bumbershoot’s EMP Sky Church stage, hosted/curated by Decibel Festival. You have some heavy beats, nicely balanced with your beautiful voice. How long has it taken you to get to this point artistically, expressing yourself with such ease? 

 
Wow! Thank you so much!  I’ve been making music in a variety of genres and styles since I was 15 years old, but my solo project is about 2 years old.  I feel that all of my experience as a musician and also being a huge fan of music has led up to where I’m at now.  I feel like I’ll always be striving to better express myself. 

DD: How does the electronic community in Portland relate to Seattle? What about Seattle and Decibel Festival do you enjoy most? 

Portland and Seattle are both such awesome cities that have been consistently amazing for me. Obviously, I live in Portland, so I have a little more experience with the scene here, but every time I go to Seattle I have an excellent time and hope to have many more!  I love the energy of a big city and Seattle has a really unique, comforting feeling to me.  Maybe it has something to do with being closer to the ocean, which is always refreshing. I dig all the wonderful architecture and the depth of culture the city has to offer.  Decibel is so fantastic because it curates and celebrates the very best in electronic music.  It’s truly an honor to be a part of and I’m so excited for this year’s fest.  You guys rock!

DD: Who created that profile pic of you (seen at top)? It’s amazing! 

Thank you! That picture is actually the cover art for a past release of mine called “Expressor.”  I conceptualized it and then Carly Birkey took the photo and my brother Alex did the pencils and inks.  He’s actually an amazing comic book artist.

DD: Last words? 

Just that it was a pleasure to meet you and that I look forward to seeing you again at Decibel.  Thanks so much for the support!  

http://natashakmeto.com
http://twitter.com/natashakmeto
http://facebook.com/natashakmeto

– Jimi Jaxon