Moar music, moar music! This interview is from a few days in the past..music is spacey and nice. Give it a go..

Milk Shots 2 by CL◉SE

Strawberry Scantron by CL◉SE

INTERVIEW.

1. Hey Close! How’s the day going?

Yoooo. The day is nice, just got back to Florida from having Thanksgiving up in Michigan with my family.

2. What got you interested in producing?

A number of different things, nothing specific that at one moment made me go “YEAH! THAT RIGHT THERE! THAT IS FOR ME!” Listening to music growing up, and listening to it critically even at a young age, like breaking down instruments and picking apart production techniques was always second nature to me. Luckily the majority of music I was exposed to during this early stage of my life was classic 90’s hip hop, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang, De La Soul, The Fugees, all that.

Rally Car (CL◎SE Remix) by CL◉SE

3. How would you describe your music, apart from genres?

This is perfect, because I don’t really like using genres, they have their place but I dislike how they tend to box things up. My music, from my perspective, is like an exchange student to the LA sound. I came of age on hip hop from my senior year of high school on, which is when I started making tunes. My musical diet consisted of nothing but MF DOOM, Madlib, and the late great J Dilla for at least a solid year and a half. Then I discovered Flying Lotus sometime in 2008. I’ve been pretty much emulating and attempting to expand the finer points of the LA sound with my own sound and niche.

4. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and what would you make?

I would have to say J. Cole. He’s one of my heroes. I never aspired to rap or anything like that, but he gave me hope for what hip hop is supposed to be, and proved it can exist in a very true form in the present. I think it’d be a challenge, mostly due to the fact that I don’t make a lot of music with vocals, but I’d be inspired to make some classic grotesque ass basement rap beats with that dude. Either him or Nas.

5. What’s the electronic community like in your area?

I live in Orlando, and have for a year and some coins now, going to school at Full Sail University. The electronic community is healthy from a fanbase standpoint, but there really aren’t a lot of go-to type people who are out doing shows every week. Not a lot of venues or avenues for “weird” electronic music down here. Lots of house music fans though.

6. Any projects in the works?

Yeah I got some tunes with fellow SoundClouder Wrex Mason we’re finishing up for this free EP of ours. I’m also working on a whole bunch of tracks for a few EP ideas of my own. I’m big on making odes and remixes, so I’m probably gonna do a series of little “Ode” EPs since I have so many of those types of tracks. I also have tracks for my Milk EP that I’ve been trying to get together, classic Close tracks that I’m pretty excited about.

New Shoes (Ode to Mac Miller) by CL◉SE

http://soundcloud.com/alanclose

See ya on the flip side,

P

This guy’s been very excited to dish his music out to all ya’ll on Disco Droppings..I’m happy to introduce him!

Here’s a thick, textured track from Lockbox’s free album

Artist: Lockbox | Song: Trade Winsd by Disco Droppings

..and a link to the whole shbang..http://fograttle.com/leaf.html

INTERVIEW.

1. What got you interested in producing?

Hmmm, well I’ve always made music since I was a wee one. I got into “experimental” music when I was in sixth grade, so I tried to mimic the stuff I was hearing. I heard dudes like Lighting Bolt and Black Dice, and instantly felt a connection. .I got some distortion pedals, synths, trash cans, and just started recording stuff into garbageband. That stuff was terrible and will never be released haha. But I just kept experimenting and trying new styles. I had some rapper friends who wanted beats, so I made a couple and it ended up being what I really enjoyed making. Then I started chatting with Jeff (http://soundcloud.com/sumguh) and we started blogging together. That’s why I got really into production, because of all my soundcloud homies who are constantly challenging and innovating the standard Hip Hop sound.

Untitled Tape 3 by Lockbox

2. There’s a pretty big love for electronic in Denver right now yah? Do you have a group of local artists you enjoy seeing / playing shows with?

Eh I’ve found some cool stuff. My boy Dailon is dope, and so is .anansi and the whole New Sound Collective. But there are a lot of shit clubs playing shit hard house. Like with any music scene its about who you know. I cant stand that stuff. But it’s going to be the next LA for sure.

Hunting Magic by Lockbox

3. I like the weird loops you have going, has your music always come out like this?

I suppose so. I’m a drummer so I like lots of percussion. Its fun to layer as much as possible and have it sound good. I’m all about the textures. I like making shit that’s really short so I can squeeze as much out of it as possible. To me a one minute beat with seven thousand flowing textures beats any epic solo.

Untitled Tape 2 by Lockbox

4. With this year coming to end, how do you feel you’ve developed as an artist in 2010. Any new projects coming together next year?

2010 is the year that music went from being my casual hobby to being my passion. I got really involved with Fog Rattle and have made the coolest producer friends. I’m in for the long haul.

Damn, new projects. So many. I’m writing a comic book, doing Fog Rattle trading cards, writing an acoustic album, finishing up my VHS album, doing some freaky pop stuff, collabs collabs collabs. 2011 is the year Fog Rattle is going to blow the fuck up. Watch out haha.

5. What’s the best encouragement you’ve gotten as an artist?

I once talked to Black Monk for two hours on Facebook. It was awesome to have a guy who was there at the very beginning of all this dig on my tunes and give me advice. I’ve found most “big” producers are dick hats, but not him. He was cooool as hell. The support from my fellow beat heads is what keeps me going though. Too many to name. There wouldn’t be Lockbox without all those dudes.

http://soundcloud.com/monstre

https://twitter.com/DreamsNBeats

-P

SO. AMAZING.

Give it up by S∆VCLOUD

INTERVIEW.

1. Hello Hello. How is it in LA? What are you doing right now?

LA is the same old thing as usual, noisy and smoggy but everyone lives here haha. As for what I’m doing I suppose I’m out skating again as well as just learning as much as I can about everything, music, mastering and all that good stuff!

2. “Give it up” is so fucking groovy! funky house music hits a soft spot for me, what artists influence these sorts of productions?

Ah Thanks man , The truth is I LOVE house music man , French, Electro, Dirty dutch , you name it but I’ve been around the Indie hip-hop scene for a while so I tend to end up mashing some from the two together. there’s definitely legit house projects I have but as for when I’ll show the world those remains a mystery ;D.

3. Your sound is incredibly mature, how long have you been working at your music? How do you feel about where your currently at as an artist?

Feel by S∆VCLOUD

I’ve been working on Music for about 3 years now but it was really until about the last year or so that I’ve decided to actually sit down and create some stuff and put it out there, and as for me as an artist with all modesty I can definitely feel the progression I’m making especially with the stuff I haven’t shown the world and I suppose the maturity comes from just being determined with out being too serious haha . There’s always room for progression and improvement so it’s what I’m gonna stick to.

4. Who are some of your favorite artists at the moment?

I’d have to say Letherette , Mr.Oizo, Young Montana?, LBCK , and The Phantom’s Revenge To name just a few.

Good Girlfriend by S∆VCLOUD

5. Any big plans for 2011?

I’m having an EP released out on Cold Busted around which I’m pretty excited about.

6. Thoughts for all the young producers, upcoming producers out there in the world?

I’d have to say definitely learn as much as you can about anything involving music, nothing is too small or too large to figure out and just keep at it I suppose , you really never ever know where these things will take you.

Four Tet – Reversing (S∆VCLDremix) by S∆VCLOUD

http://soundcloud.com/savcloud
http://www.facebook.com/SAV1ER

XXXO

The recent posts have put me in a wonderful mindset. Hopefully, some of you are floating about as well…

Enjoy Soosh.

Bayán by Soosh

INTERVIEW.

1. Hey! How are things over in Glasgow?

Well, ive actually moved from Glasgow to BC, Canada a few months back. Hoping to be here for 6 months or so. So yeah, its a wee bit more chilly but my friends back home tell me we have a tonne of snow at the moment! Things are good here, enjoying the freedom of being away from home and all the new adventures that it brings. Really looking forward to exploring the snow and getting some boarding in. I do miss the music scene in Glasgow which is pretty good with the likes of luckyme and numbers reppin the city.

2. What got you interested in producing?

I was always into music in a big way, hiphop and drum n bass early on at uni and then into lots of different stuff. I got into dj’n about 10 years ago…..about 5 years later I got a cracked copy of fruity loops of a friend, got excited for a while and then really bored of sample loop based music. Two years ago I got back into it, I bought Abelton and some synths and NI maschine-which has been amazing. Lately I’ve found the process much more exciting, I can make most the noises I need myself and manipulate sample/sounds the way I want. I feel I’m actually creating the music now, as opposed to just sampling a loop and putting a beat behind as i did in the past.

Life in molasses by Soosh

3. How would you describe your music, apart from genres?

I guess in most of my music I try and capture a particular feeling. Atmospheres and textures are really important to me. Sometimes I wish I could just make a banging track but more often than not most my things come out pretty relaxed, loose and organic sounding. It’s not really intended for dance floors although with the right crowd I’m sure some people could let loose! I’m always getting into new sounds and I think you can hear that in my music.

4. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and what would you make?

I haven’t done any collabs yet, mostly due to the fact I never thought my stuff was good enough…in the past year I’ve surprised myself that I can actually finish a tune to a level I’m happy with-that’s something I really struggled with before! As far as artists I love to work with, Nathan Fake-love his synths and warmth in his music. Zach Condon from Beirut, would be cool to do a folky-americano-ambient hiphop project! Mike Slott, who I know through a friend when he lived in Glasgow. I love his music. There’s so many, I’d also love to get some proper vocals in my music……Beth Gibbons are you listening!

5. What’s been your favorite Soosh song so far? What stood out about the process or finished piece?

rainbow hiccups by Soosh

Rainbow hiccups is up there and probably my most recent one Bayan, named after my nephew who arrived last week :). Process wise, I’ve just had lots more time since coming to Canada to be creative, sit down and really get some ideas down. I find I’m finally getting to a level where I know what I’m trying to do, and what’s missing etc. Half my tracks were half written over a year ago, and its been only within the last two months I’ve been able to sit down, add to them and be happy with the end result. Buying some new hardware has been inspiring and fun! You can never have enough gear!

6. Any projects in the works?

Ive got a dozen tunes on the go at the moment and intend to get a demo together over the next few months. I’m excited about music at the moment, and hopefully good things are ahead. Oh, and I need to get back home soonish to meet the wee man and get him ready for his music education!

Sleepy rocking chair by Soosh

http://soundcloud.com/soosh

I’ll be typing again soon, just you wait!..

Sun Shy (FROM THE NEW B&K ALBUM COMING 2011!) by Blank and Kytt

INTERVIEW.

1. Sun Shy is such a warm song! This comes from your guys’ new album coming in 2011, how’s that coming along?

Kytt – Sun Shy is all about the sample. I remember when I made the initial demo of the track I had it on repeat for a long while. I’m not self indulgent, I guess it’s the beauty of producing hip hop; you utilize so much source material that the line between what’s yours and what’s not blurs, and I feel you enjoy your output a lot more this way. We have the tracks down, it’s just a case of meshing them all together. I’m hoping this will be a very solid album.

Blank – Thanks, we’re both looking forward to dropping the new record. It’s a distinct progression from 3010 (the record we dropped earlier this year). We’re mixing the album as we speak.

Artist: Blank and Kytt | Song: Shii by Disco Droppings

Artist: Blank and Kytt | Song: Looky Here! by Disco Droppings

2. How did you two get together and collaborate on these Blank and Kytt songs? Do you have solo projects as well?

Kytt – We initially began as solo artists. I knew Matt from school, and a couple of years after parting our separate ways we ended up meeting again and going to a show together. We began talking about current influences, and the rest is history. We produce music in very different ways, and this shows through the variety of material we release. In terms of collaboration, our approach is very different, and we never have a set formula. Some tracks our solely mine, some solely Matt’s, and some from the two of us. We have solo projects on the back burner, be sure to check out Ubel and Sjuss.

Blank – Kytt just said it all. Every beat I’m making right now is Blank & Kytt though. I made some dubstep and drum and bass a few years ago. I’m relatively new to making hip hop.

Nova by Blank and Kytt

3. What are some of the best shows you’ve seen this year?

Kytt – I don’t get the time to see many shows, but i’ve been lucky to catch Prefuse 73 with Dimlite and Why? relatively recently. Both were fantastic shows. I love Scott Herren’s attitude to performing; get on, rock the MP, and get off. Simple, straight forward, raw.

Blank – Seeing our friend Young Montana rip it up in Coventry was great. I’ve not been to a whole lot of shows this year. Hudson Mohawke, Dimlite and Prefuse 73 are among the best I’ve seen recently. I’m seeing The Fall tomorrow.

4. There’s a lot of space and breath in your songs, has this always been a big part of your style? How has it developed over time?

Kytt – For me the production (from the sourcing of material, to the reverbs, to the compression) is just as important as the musicality. A lot of people are producing hip hop nowadays, but they seem to use fruityloops kicks and dead snares. It simply doesn’t ‘sound’ like the hip hop they want to make. So the space and depth simply comes from the formulation of all these things, and the will of exploration to find sounds you’d otherwise miss.

Blank – I’d never really made Hip Hop before meeting Kytt. So starting this project really opened my ears up to a whole new aesthetic. The main thing is just having fun throwing new ideas around. Nothing we do has the intention of a particular subversive message outside of it. What you hear is what you get.

5. Any words for the young producers out there, just getting started?

Kytt – From my stand point, our music isn’t ground breaking. It’s something you put on if you’re a real hip hop head, and bounce to. I like to leave complexities and symbolism to the other guys. If I was to give you any advice i’d say enjoy yourself. If you like what you’re doing, someone else will. Don’t ever force yourself to make music to somehow impress or reassure yourself, it’ll simply sound false.

Blank – What haven’t you heard that you’d like to? There you go..

Ferbiez by Blank and Kytt

soundcloud.com/blankandkytt

-P