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 blog more 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?

DJ Thanks 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 

DD What do you feel 7 Deadly Records is expressing with this release?

S We 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 

IB  It’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? 

TD Yeah 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?

IB It’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.  

– Jimi Jaxon 

Thumbs up to Car Crash Set, found this guy in their “following” section. If you like what you hear, head over to Kid Kanevil’s Bandcamp to snag some full releases. Interview below!

DD I could listen to this track “808BoOoOoOmFiyaNight” every day! I like that bass coming in at :24. Gotta snag this for an upcoming DJ set..

KK Oh cool, arigato. I made that on the train.

DD What does your artist name mean to you?

KK I used to use the name as a kid for the characters I would draw, it just stuck. I kinda wished I’d picked something cooler now, haha. I used to draw all the time. I keep meaning to start drawing again. But yeah, the name has no meaning beyond that to be honest, just a word I made up as a kid.

DD “Nuff stickers” reminds of the strange/awesome feelings that come up when I listen to Mr. Oizo. How did this song come together?

KK Oh wow, thank you, Oizo is nuts. That was done at Red Bull Music Academy with the Russian beatmaker DZA. We just had a quick jam and that was it, took about 10 minutes. DZA’s crazy, in a good way.

DD These tracks with the weird moods are connecting with me. “Mekaviolinist” is refreshing. What non-music influences do you take from for this different kind of perspective?

KK Well, Mekaviolinst is part of my Raymond Scott tribute beat tape, so that’s very much a musical inspiration. In general though inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. Everything is inspiring. I love cinema, I find a lot of inspiration in film, particularly Japanese cinema. I don’t know. I always feel inspired, keeping up with it is the tricky part.

DD “Reflip Talk” is a sexy little jingle..would your ideal romantic relationship have a similar feel to this?

KK Aaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha, not really, that was just a beat I made from an R Kelly song for a laugh.

DD Best show you’ve played this year?

KK Oh man, I don’t know, there’s been so many amazing ones in so many different ways, it’s been blessed. Sonar was pretty special, just to play there, though I think my set could have been better. But then I always think that.

DD Artistic plans going into 2012?

KK I’m just finishing off an EP with Foreign Beggars, but my main project for next year is a collaboration album with Japanese producer Daisuke Tanabe. That one is gonna be super special.

DD What helps you relax most?

KK Miso Soup. It looks like the cosmos up close.

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– Jimi Jaxon 

Name your price for the above music on Bandcamp 

DD What visuals came out in your head while writing the “Collapse” EP?

KS I wrote most of the “Collapse” EP over this past summer so I think visually I was simply being influenced by what I was seeing around me, Seattle in the summertime. A lot of greens, golds, and clear summer skies come to mind.

DD If you could create your own live environment for the style of music you produce now, what would it look like? Think of that ideal environment where the audience can best take in what your putting out?

KS I think an audience would best take in my music within a sit-down atmosphere in a venue with a proper sound system with a lot of low end. Also, if my music was accompanied by visuals I think it would make the experience all the better. Visuals on multiple walls surrounding the audience would be crazy cool also.

DD What is the most challenging aspect of being an artist in this time period?

KS I think the most challenging aspect is finding your own unique voice in a very crowded scene. It’s very easy to make your own music today and even easier to share music with the entire world. Therefore I feel like I continually have to ask myself “how am I going to be heard amongst all this other music and how am I going to make sure that people actually remember my music?”

DD What is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist in this time period?

KS I think the most rewarding aspect is related to the most challenging in a sense haha. Since it is so easy to share your music with the world now, it is just as easy for people to let you know how you feel about that music and also to share it with their friends. The most rewarding aspect of making music to me is knowing that someone related to my music in some way and the internet allows for these sort of artist-listener interactions to happen very easily.

DD Was there a certain realization or moment that sparked the transfer to your current productions?

KS My sound gradually moved away from dubstep just as I became less and less interested in what was becoming popular in the dubstep scene. I had always wanted to try making music on the deeper side of things though since I’ve been a fan of Burial for quite some time.

DD If you could interview Burial and J. Dilla what would you ask?

KS Oooo that’s a good question. I think I would ask them both the same question, “Why do you make music?”

DD Last words?

KS If you think I’d be interested in your music, send me some tunes! My email is kidsimpledubs@gmail.com and I will listen to everything you send!

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– Jimi Jaxon