Archives for posts with tag: Kickstarter

Hxdb Interview Pt.2

2014/09/18 //
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It’s been 2 years since Hxdb was here on Disco Droppings, and there’s no doubt the man continues to be a powerhouse. The site has lifted up a very wide range of styles and individuals over the years, and as I placed this dude’s words into the post, I remembered the deep connection I have with his mindset. Freedom in diversity. If you missed recent Hxdb shows, keep an eye on his page, there’s more on the way. Enjoy this interview, jam packed with sounds!

 

DD First off Severine, I want to say thank you for all the Kickstarter assistance. You’re a busy busy dude, and you took a lot of time out to help me plan my tour, and attempt to get me up to your home spot of Vancouver B.C. Really appreciate it, and hoping we get to play together soon!

HX I’m hoping we can make that happen also, and really, its no thing. I try to help out my friends however I can. :]

 

DD So your new EP Skool Dayz, with those remixes? Wowwwww. Fucking nailed it! I remember hearing the title track in that BBC mix you did last year was it? Tribal, dark, sexy sounds for sure.

HX Thank you! It was a long time coming, and with my hard drive crash, it became an even more distant goal last year. Fortunately I was able to recover and get some incredible remixes from my homies Doctor Jeep, Distal and KRUSHA.

DD The Distal one is unreal. He’s another producer that’s been interviewed on Disco Droppings, good man!

HX He is the man, and I knew I wanted to have him involved with this project. He really did come through in a major way with his remix and delivered the goods.

 

 

DD You’ve been planning two tours correct? How’s all that shaping up? You must be very hypeddddd. I saw that Shambhala Mix and Interview with you recently..

HX It’s been a crazy ride to be certain! It takes a lot of time and effort to plan these tours, but it’s so rewarding to actually see things come to fruition and get to do what I love most. First stops of the tour were Portland and Seattle.

DD How do you feel right now as an artist? I see a huge evolution in the small time we’ve known each other. And you’re no newcomer..

HX I feel like now is the perfect time for me to be the artist I am. There are so many exciting sounds and types of music out there, and I feel very lucky to have a fan-base that is supportive, and understands my desire to keep things diverse and not focus on one sound in particular. Rather, putting all of them into a singular context and giving that context meaning. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that I can open up Ableton, pick a bpm in my head and go right ahead, composing at that tempo without fear.

 

DD What do you hope to leave behind as Hxdb? It really feels like you’re in this for the long haul. I think about legacy, and the impact an artist can have.

HX My goal is to indoctrinate my friends and fans into mindset of being fearless with sounds and tempos. Using my name and reputation as a pathway to open-mindedness with music in general. I hope to be respected by the disparate communities that each of these sounds represent and help to bridge the gaps between them, leaving behind a broader sense of belonging.

 

Hxdb – Twitter Soundcloud Facebook Mixcloud Juno Beatport

hxdb.org

– Jimi Jaxon

 

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Jordan Sanchez Organizes A Fundraiser To Build An Indoor Skatepark In Everett, Wa via Kickstarter

2013/01/08 //
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The Garage. This will be the name of a new indoor skate park in Everett, Wa, if the proper funds are raised. I am no skateboarder by any means at all. I remember dabbling in it for a second, and then I saw MTV’s “Scarred” and I was done. Personally as an artist, I gotta protect my hands, but I appreciate extracurricular opportunities being provided for youth. I have friends that are involved with this Kickstarter project to Open The Garage; including Jordan Sanchez (orchestrator, skateboarder), Brian Sanchez (The gifted painter, skateboarder and graphic designer who made my Disco Droppings logo and tri-force-esque tattoo that now is used as my artist symbol) and Dalek Sanchez (Brian’s son). 

In Jordan’s words, “For kids, I believe this activity (skateboarding) can play a huge role in the development of a variety of positive traits. I know that skateboarding from childhood has made me a more dedicated, loyal, patient, quick thinking, understanding, and hardworking person. To be a progressive skateboarder, you have to have these attributes, anything less and you would give up on skateboarding completely..The younger generation in this area are more excited about skateboarding then ever before. On any given day you can find the local skateparks packed to the brim with young minds hard at work on their skateboards. The only problem is, these parks are all outdoors and located in one of the wettest states in the US. That means, when it rains there is nowhere for kids to skate, while staying dry. But this can change with your help!”. 

 

As of today, the “Open The Garage” crew has 18 days to reach their $15,000 goal. They currently are very close with $13,848 pledged. This project is made possible through Kickstarter. If you are unfamiliar with this organization, they are a funding platform for creative projects. Users put forth an idea, a dollar amount needed to realize this idea and a time frame to raise the money by. Anyone can pledge money to their cause, and if their goal is reached in time, the transactions go through. It’s a rad idea, allowing people to pledge money while stating that if the projects goal is not met in the time frame decided, no money will be taken from the pledgers. 

You can head to their Kickstarter project via the link above to pledge money, if you feel so inclined. 

– Jimi Jaxon 

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21 Yr. Old Filmmaker Raises Money For Lithuanian Beat Scene & Corrupt Government Themed Film “We Will Riot”

2012/05/01 //
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Today, Americans in over 100 cities protest for economic justice and workers/human rights with a ‘General Strike’. While this is happening, a young filmmaker  named Romas Zabarauskas, living in New York, is trying to film a movie about the Lithuanian beat scene and corrupt governments entitled “We Will Riot”. Feels like a fitting day for Disco Droppings to profile Romas and share his ideas. Check out my interview with this progressive talent below. If his vision connects with you, head to the project’s Kickstarter where you can view a short video by Romas, learn more about the story line and most importantly, donate to the project. By Friday, May 4th at 6:05PM, this project must raise 10k, otherwise Romas will not receive any of the money pledged to support his film. Currently the project has just under 6k pledged. 

DD Hello Romas, how is the hustle going for “We Will Riot”?

RZ It’s going well! I came to New York last August for an exchange year of film studies at Hunter College, knowing that I want to start shooting my debut feature while I’m here. I had a pretty concise idea for a story about a hip New York DJ who goes to Lithuania in order to experience something real for the first time… and ends up causing a riot. I’ve met plenty of people whose feedback helped to finish the script, including John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus, Rabbit Hole), but little by little I realized that because of the film’s subject it’s gonna be tough to find a bigger producer even with all the support I had from him, Gus Van Sant, Berlinale and others. So I decided to fundraise for the first part of the shoot and start making the film on my own. After I shoot the New York part, I’ll come back to Lithuania, where I’ve just established my own public enterprise, and try to finance and shoot the rest. 

DD What makes the Lithuanian beat scene special? Who are some of the artists featured in this new film?

RZ A few things are special in the Lithuanian beat scene: first of all, these kids are super young but they’re reaching out all the world because of new, cheap technologies. Second, many of them have classical music education and are experimenting with beats from a very musical perspective. Also, I think the Lithuanian context is exceptional in a way that the beat music is really “hip” – all the beautiful and edgy boys and girls listen to that in Vilnius.

The beatmaking scene in Lithuania little by little has drawn the attention of such “tastemakers” as Mary Anne Hobbs and Radiohead..But these musicians haven’t yet been discovered by a wider audience, and I’m hoping to increase their exposure through my film. 

 

Also I’ve to say I’m not that knowledgeable in music myself – but I work with the experts and made my research. British music promoter and internet entrepreneur, Stableface.com owner Mark Splinter works as a music supervisor for We Will Riot, and we’re also collaborating with one of the beat/bass community leaders Vaiper Despotin. I can’t name the artists yet but for sure we’ll aim for all the best ones – and most of them are already excited and supportive.

DD How has the process to raise money for thus film challenged you? 

RZ It’s extremely difficult to raise money on Kickstarter.com – I didn’t expect it would be so difficult. It’s definitely a tiring full time job. But at the same time it’s extremely rewarding to see that people are so supportive and excited about my film. It inspires me and makes me want to deliver the best I possibly can. 

DD How do you feel this film, if it goes into filming, will impact the political atmosphere and underground music community?

RZ I hope it would bring more attention to the beatmakers – the attention that they deserve. For the political atmosphere – my aim isn’t to invite everyone to riot, but rather to discuss how can we authentically protest against the system that most of us are involved in one way or another – the use of Gmail being one example. I also wish to shake “hipster” apolitical views so common to the young people everywhere in the world. We need to be political – no one else will change the world for us.

DD Last words? Cheers to you for such a progressive, right on the pulse idea.

RZ Thanks! Happy May Day! Go to the streets!

Romas Zabarauskas – Twitter Facebook

http://wewillriot.com/

– Jimi Jaxon 

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