For over a year now I’ve been following Rubix. Every so often he pops up in my email box with some new music, and each time I’m hyped on getting it to you guys. Below is a short interview, along with a preview of his “Ari E.P.” with Bart B More. I bet you’ll be hearing this out in the clubz..upbeat, energetic with that acid feel! I’m down.
DDEach time you come back to Disco Droppings you’re stronger and more determined. It’s inspiring. Congratulations on working with Bart B More, he’s a massive producer! Were you guys able to be in the same room making “Ari” or did you send stems back and forth?
RWe were in the same room ;] ?
DD How do you keep yourself inspired when working on new productions? WHen you hit creative blocks, what helps you get to the next idea?
RCoffee helps quite good haha. No I actually just start with something and the next idea will come out of that thing (when you have a good day). When you have a bad day. I just stop producing for that day.
DDHow will you push yourself going into the new year?
Now that the songs have been out for a few weeks, and we have the “Safari Zone” release party happening on 12/17, I want to go deeper into the minds behind this release for 7 Deadly Records. I’ve interviewed each artist who contributed a song, as well as Ian Buck (head to his blogmore work) who absolutely nailed the vision as head photographer for our shots. Ian has asked me a question as well. The one person not interviewed is Alida Mulliken, who did all of our face paint designs, want to give a huge thanks to her!
Below is a preview of the release, If you havent grabbed the whole thing it’s up on our Bandcamp, pay what you want.
DATA JUNKIES
DD Your track “Vudu” opens up the Safari Zone release. To me, one of your biggest strengths is taking in suggestions and inspirations. You have a strong work ethic to learn about production and because of that, you can take advice and deliver some incredible songs. How do you feel about your tribal themed song?
DJThanks man! Vudu was a really fun project. Experimenting with found sounds (egg shells crunching, sticks dropping) to make the drum and percussion parts was an exciting new approach. Im definitely going to use more unconventional samples and start working with my own field recordings more. My favorite part of this was that we all had a theme. All the songs came together so nicely. I already have lots of ideas for the next 7 Deadly compilation.
SPHYRAMID
DDWhat do you feel 7 Deadly Records is expressing with this release?
SWe are creating art inspired by the ancient roots of human culture from around the world. We wanted to make a release and event that was themed around ancient Africa which we all inevitably came from. We are artists inspired by the origins of man. There is something missing from our modern culture that we yearn for: a community, a ritual, a connection, a tribe.
JIMI JAXON
IBIt’s impressive what you and the crew have put together with this first release. Where does 7 Deadly Records go from here?
JJ Thank you Ian. It’s been a challenge to not only plan this release/party, but also project out into the next year. It’s taken some time, but I feel that there is a solid vision and direction for the label, as well as a group of artists that are ready to move forward. In January we will have a single release from Null.dll, with a remix from myself. Also planning a Valentines Day release, E.P. release and a 2nd compilation centered around a new theme.
THE DOJO
DD“River Of Golden Dreams” feels like a perfect ending to the release. Your style has gone through many changes to get to this point. What do you want to offer people with your future work as an artist?
TDYeah it has been a journey so far and I am I sure that it will continue to be that way, my music has been intertwined with my life for these last couple of years and it changes with me. What I really want to do is be able to express what I have learned about life and create a sonic environment that people can relate to.
IAN BUCK
DD I truly appreciate your willingness to jump in as a photographer and surround yourself with the theme of “Safari Zone”. What do you hope to showcase with your work in collaboration with 7 Deadly Records?
IBIt’s been awesome collaborating on a project with a group of talented, passionate artists. My plan was to take tribal influences and mix that with a more contemporary aesthetic. I set the portraits against gritty, anonymous backdrops, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue. The images showcase the individuality of each artist, while working together as a unified set.
Thought this would be a nice Sunday post. After an eventful weekend, sit back, and marvel at the visual world of Beeple. He’s recently been working with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label and has a huge collection of videos online. Here are a few of my favorites along with his interview for Disco Droppings.
DDIsyour day job a necessary fuel for your creativity? Being in a more constrained environment, and then having your energy explode out when it’s time for personal projects..
Bmmm I feel like right now I’d like to keep personal and business as separate as possible. That may change in the future but for now it seems to be at a good balance. They are both very different at the moment… One I have almost no creative control over, and one I have absolute creative control over.
DDWhen you look at some of the videos made from your Cinema 4D open source files, which have really connected with you?
B There are so many sweet examples here are a few:
DDI’m quite fond of deadmau5 and his larger than life presentation as an artist. What specific visuals did you make for him?
BI did pieces of a bunch of songs, but here is a song where I did all of the visuals/editing for..
DDIf you could interview Chris Cunningham, what would you ask him?
BGood question! I have absolutely no clue what I’d ask him. Maybe I’d ask him what music he’s into, what good films he’s seen lately…any other directors or shit he’s feeling at the moment.
DDWhat’s the most encouraging thing someones said about your work?
BOh my god, far too many kind words have been wasted on my work!! I honestly feel like people’s standards are too low these days ;]
DD I think your really really funny, I’m having a lot of fun going through these videos on your youtube channel. You’ve given me an endless amount of videos to share with friends. When you want to laugh really hard, where do you go?
Bummm, talking with friends is actually what gets me laughing more than anything. There’s not a ton of shows that I find like, laugh out loud funny. Sometimes the occasional meme on the internet will make me laugh, but usually it’s joking around with close friends.
DDWould you ever consider making some sort of animated show? Some of these short stories look like they belong on Adult Swim, I’d love to see some Beeple on there.
BI would love to be on there. I’m a huge fan of Tim and Eric!!
DDHow do you plan on pushing yourself as an artist, going into 2012?
BWell I’m probably going to doing a much more challenging project everyday, starting Jan. 1st, which may or may not be a success. It will certainly require more time each day so we’ll see. Either way I’m sure I’ll learn a ton and grow a tad :]
What an honor to have Sam Frank on Disco Droppings. I feel so much energy and drive coming from this man. Enjoy the interview, and make sure you get the incredible “Anticipate” release onBeatport
INTERVIEW
DDThe other day I sent Skream a message on Twitter saying “Skream is the James Bond of Dubstep”, he retweeted it saying “lol”. That was huge to me! With the “Anticipate” single out on Skrillex’s label OWSLA, how are you feeling? How has this song influenced you?
SFFeeling great about it coming out on Skrillex’s label and on Tempa through Rinse. Both are really great labels to be part of. The song is one of many colab tracks with Skream, Benga and the Magnetic Man set but it has a special resonance for me and Skream too as it’s all about our kids. Apparently it made Skrillex cry!
DDI listened to the BBC xtra live show recently and heard your performance with Skream, sounded unique! How was it on your end? Nero sounded massive.
SFIt was a really fun gig and a marvelous opportunity, although by the time Nero was on I was half way down the M1.
DD The emotion coming through your voice on tracks like “I’m Not In A Rush” reminds me of Daft Punk’s Discovery. You’re swooning me!
SFIs that a question? Well, thanks for saying so. Daft Punk also did some cool things with vocal effects although I’m not in any way trying to be a follow up to their sound.
DDWhat’s the most challenging aspect of your work as Sam Frank?
SFJuggling songwriting, gigs, track production, vocal production, string arrangements, A&R meetings, mixing, remixing, staying on top of the latest software, paying the bills and being a dad and a husband.
DDAre their certain themes within your lyrics that you want to explore more in future productions?
SFYes. The inevitable rise of technology interwoven into every possible moment of our everyday lives from tooth brushing to dream recording. I read the New Scientist a lot.
dd 