Interview: Rochester, NY Based EDM Producer And DJ Kabutey
Our latest exclusive interview is with @djkabutey, a Rochester, NY based EDM producer and DJ who recently released the single "Say Yes (Extended Mix)...
Our latest exclusive interview is with Kabutey, a Rochester, NY based EDM producer and DJ who recently released the single "Say Yes (Extended Mix). After reading this Q&A, be sure to follow Kabutey on his social media streams, check out his website and tune into his weekly electro house/deep house set on Invisible Sound Radio.
How did your love for music come about? What attracted you to EDM music specifically?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Ghana, West Africa. As a child playing about the house one day, I found a cassette labelled Ludwig van Beethoven. After listening to a good portion of it, I realized the songs were longer than the usual timing. This peaked my interest and i even found out information on how Ludwig came to be a musician. Over the following years, I memorized my first Rap song verse, Lauren Hill's on 'Ready or Not' and performed 'Return of the Mac' in a classroom talent show. I began writing rap lyrics in my notebook more often. This is how I started my music journey in Hip Hop. Later came EDM.
In my high school years growing up in Rochester, NY I met others at school that freestyled. After making friends, I partnered up with one of them forming my first Hip Hop group Roman Empire. We found music producing softwares Acid Pro and Fruity Loops and started producing our own beats individually with a collaboration sometimes. After managing to record our first mixtape, we hit the road and started performing along the U.S. east coast.
When the time for college came around, I left for Binghamton and we were separated. We still kept contact and performed together when we were able to. At Binghamton I practiced DJing at my fraternity's parties. On vacation rides home, my friend Bill always played trance or house music. I asked him to make me CDs and that is when I started listening to more electronic dance music. I even started watching videos on YouTube and was surprised to see Hip Hop artists were collaborating on songs with electronic artists.
By this time my music production started shifting from Hip Hop to EDM. Everything i was producing was EDM. In 2011, as i drove in my car listening to dance music on satellite radio, I made the decision to brand into EDM as a DJ and Music Producer.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment musically thus far?
Neitreug is my biggest accomplishment musically thus far. It is my record label. Neitreug allowed me to release my entire catalog. Without it, some productions may still be sitting on a CD in my closet.
Tell us about your creative process for "Say Yes". How did the song come about and when did you know that it was complete in relation to creating the beat itself?
"Say Yes" started with me finding a vocal sample in the stock FL Studio library. I heard the sound and all I could think was sexy, sunshine, happiness, maybe even love. I laid out the drum pattern and focused on keeping it simple yet amazing. As I arranged the sounds, I envisioned listeners being able to dance to it in the clubs, listen to it driving their cars, work out with it, and also licensing opportunities.
The song came about first as a completed original version. The music producer in me listened to it over and over again. Mostly because I am always excited to listen to my new productions on bigger louder speakers. From listening to the original, I knew I had to add a little something more. I loaded the original version back into FL Studio and added a synth to the second half of the song and raised the pitch. Then an idea came into mind. I thought about how i mix song into song when I'm playing a DJ set. Then I thought why don't I mix the original into this new version and create the extended version? So that is exactly what I did. I flawlessly mixed the two together. That is how "Say Yes" was made.
What equipment and software do you use for production?
I use a laptop and FL Studio for production. There are moments when I have a live musician record riffs or a solo lead then I import that sample into FL Studio to complete production. I love studio surfing; going to different recording studios. There are many cool studios so trying different ones makes the process a little more exciting. I usually record vocals in the studios. Very soon I know I will be going to studios to master my songs when working with other artists on a global scale.
Tell us about your show Invisible Sound Radio. How long has it been airing and where is it streaming so that we listen to it?
I do an electro house or deep house set that airs weekly on Invisible Sound Radio. It's almost two years now having a residency there. It is streaming on invisiblesoundradio.com.
Connect with Kabutey: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Mixcloud | Beatport
Our Exclusive Interview With Pop/EDM Artist and Producer Lerumo
Lerumo is a DOPE Houston based Pop/EDM singer, songwriter, and producer who started writing music...
Official collab between Vsco & Griffin Digital Image.
Lerumo is a DOPE Houston based Pop/EDM singer, songwriter, and producer who started writing music in 2011. We connected with Lerumo to find out what his goals are in the music game, whether he considers himself an artist or producer first, which artists/producers have been influential to his work and much more.
How did you get your start in music?
I always liked it but I used to mess around singing in class when I was 13 and my friends suggested that I should try to make something out of it. They saw how big my hunger was and it stuck. Here I am.
Would you consider yourself an artist first or producer first?
I am an artist first, and producer third. I write more than produce so that would come second. I mainly target writing mainstream pop and RnB records. It'd be a dream to be behind tons of stuff on the charts even if I'm not the star singing on the record. That's something I'm setting out to achieve.
If you had to describe your music in three words, what words would you choose?
I would choose fun, new, and free. I like to just create freely and not get too deep with it. It's about the fun to me. It's all about the love.
Tell us about the visual of your track "Autumn". Who directed it and who produced the instrumental?
Autumn was directed by an upcoming celebrity videographer by the name Matt Arnold. He owns "M9Visuals" and does amazing work. I knew him through associates and had to get him on board. My buddy from Florida by the name "J-Rum" produced the instrumental. He's very good at making EDM production and when I heard the beat, I knew it was it.
Who are some of the artists/producers who have influenced your work?
Some of the artists and producers that influenced this record specifically were Taio Cruz, Cobra Starship, Outasight, Zedd, Calvin Harris and Krewella but many more influence my current material.
What are the goals for your career in the music game?
My goals are to build my brand to enormous height, own different companies, and get my sound out to as many people possible. I want to be a part of change.
Tell us about the music scene in Portland; are locals supportive of the music coming out of the city?
The music scene is very diverse in Portland. It's huge for rock music. Locals are pretty supporting for what I've seen. I wasn't there long though. I just moved to Houston and things are popping. I love it here and can't wait to see what I achieve. I'm in a great place.
Australian Singer-Songwriter and Rapper Nick de la Hoyde Drops "Never Gonna Beg For It" Remixes
Sydney, Australia based singer/songwriter/rapper Nick de la Hoyde has been expressing himself through music since he was 16...
Sydney, Australia based singer/songwriter/rapper Nick de la Hoyde has been expressing himself through music since he was 16 while pursuing a professional, football career in Barcelona and searching for a new, creative outlet. The result of this exploration was a unique and deeply personal insight into young, dreams and determination. Growing up in a multi-cultural home with a Syrian mother and British father, Nick was exposed to many global influences which he weaved into his music melding sounds of Hip-Hop, Rock, Alternative, RnB and spoken word, together with introspective lyrics that read like personal journal entries. Nick and his long-time producers/collaborators Zuzu and older brother John de la Hoyde have crafted a sound that is simultaneously intimate, expansive and engaging. Now at 22, Nick has penned confessional, real life anthems such as “The Longest Way”, “By My Side” and “Changing” that take you on a
free-spirited, hypnotic and sometimes soulfully moody sonic journey to find the path forward.
His newest track is “Never Gonna Beg For It”, an emotionally moody, deeply textured RnB cut out now. Alongside his music, Nick has quickly made a name for himself in the social media space cultivating a large and dedicated on-line following, becoming a powerful voice for youth empowerment and positivity.
Not being content with just dropping "Never Gonna Beg For It" as a solitary single and video, Nick is also releasing a remix package which includes a collaboration from one of Billboard's top ten selling artists in the Dance/Electronic Sales Chart, RIDDLER, who's officially produced and remixed major artists such as Dillon Francis, Chromeo, Pitbull and more. Additionally, longtime Nick de la Hoyde producer/collaborator Zuzu and JDEL joined forces for their take on "Never Gonna Beg For It." Other featured remixers include SERAFIN, who's often referred to as one of the top 10 remixers of all time for his work with Britney Spears and Parliament, and UK-based hype machine hitmakers Kids On Bridges.
Stream/Download Nick de la Hoyde's "Never Gonna Beg For It" The Remixes
Step inside the mind of The Lincoln Experience
The Lincoln Experience is a one man band who writes, sings and produces all he creates and goes by the alter ego of Herbert Manning. We connected with The Lincoln Experience to find out...
The Lincoln Experience is a one man band who writes, sings and produces all he creates and goes by the alter ego of Herbert Manning. He is the soul contributor, creator, and activating illuminair of The Lincoln Experience. We connected with Herbert to find out more about his latest single "Darkness Esoteric EP", learn how the Paris terrorist attacks affected him as an artist, and much more.
Carlton Boyd
You mentioned that your single "Darkness Esoteric EP" was dedicated to the victims of the Paris terrorist attack; how did that tragedy affect you as an artist?
The events of that night, the shocking scenes of black clad figures walking through the streets, firing ak47's, were to me the next step in terrorists attacking our way of life. Up until that point, it was always far sides of the earth, bombings, some hostage situations, but never so close and so public.
The streets of Paris were a rude awakening. That night I had a dream that I was a priest walking through a church and all the figures in the church were something similar to the scene in 300 where the traitor Elphiates goes over to join the Persians and walks into the sordid boudoir of enemy King. Basically how religion has blackened itself in essence and how man translate holy script into sordid corruption.
What does the name 'The Lincoln Experience" mean to you?
The Lincoln Experience means as long as you try you can never fail. Tenacity is the strength of character that anyone with ambition should hold and keep.
What can we expect next from you musically and what are your goals for the remainder of 2016?
Time permitting I need more time, to continue conducting & creating my individual sound. I've a private digital library full of ideas to be developed into song, last count exceeded 600 blueprints. I'm not interest in the vehicle of fame. This is a music factory & I would hope the music I make, sparks enough for people to return for more.
Is your music influenced by anything in particular, your surroundings, for example?
I grew up in London and at a time when music was in fractions. The underground was a place for new music & still is....
Most of my pals were either dj's or promoters for the nightlife, so this is the purge of a thousand nights of revelry, targeted toward this new age of EDM.
Are there any artists or producers with whom you would love to collaborate with?
The doors are always open, I guess the best way is to see who walks in. I have a couple of favourites but making music is a love hate relationship. Those you think would be great might shit on your parade, as Ego's a plenty in this industry, so I'll stay placid on that one.
If you had to describe your music in three words, what words would you choose?
Acoustic, Gasoline, Rainbows
NERVO thanks fans with a FREE DL of Kyodee's Remix "Let It Go" ft. Nicky Romero
Upon recently reaching the landmark milestone of one million Twitter followers, EDM’s hottest female duo, NERVO thanks fans by releasing a free download of Kyodee’s recent remix of their hit release, “Let It Go” ft. Nicky Romero...
Upon recently reaching the landmark milestone of one million Twitter followers, electronic dance music’s hottest female duo, NERVO thanks fans by releasing a free download of Kyodee’s recent remix of their hit release, “Let It Go” ft. Nicky Romero.
The remix, which pairs Nervo’s gorgeous vocals across Kyodee’s signature, luring house grooves, further adds to the dimension of the original release and is properly suited to take command on the nearest dance floor or festival stage this summer.
Released to fans for free in an effort to thank them for their support, the track can downloaded at the following corresponding link -- FREE DOWNLOAD.
Having already confirmed a string of upcoming tour dates, including a number of auspicious appearances across the European festival circuit this summer, the Australian NERVO twins are scheduled to headline: Balaton Sound in Hungary, Parookaville in Germany, and TomorrowLand in Belgium. The duo, who have also confirmed a residency at the opulent Ibiza hotspot Ushuaïa, will be marking the coveted return of their weekly event series Nervo Nation.
NERVO, whose expansive resume includes working with some of the most defining figures in music including Afrojack, David Guetta, Kylie Minogue, and Steve Aoki to name a few, have also produced a string of hit records including the Grammy Award winning hit single, "When Love Takes Over."
For additional news and information related to the artists, please visit NERVO's official web page or follow them on social media below where further news and announcements are anticipated to be revealed first.
Connect with NERVO: Website Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube
DOPECAUSEWESAID's powerful interview with RnB/Pop/EDM artist Edidion
Edidion is an artist with an abundance of talent who possesses an unmatched drive to become the best entertainer he can be...
Edidion is an artist with an abundance of talent who possesses an unmatched drive to become the best entertainer he can be. Edidion began his musical career in 2010 and has been on an upward rise ever since. Music critics say Edidion is the ‘next big thing’, ‘one to watch’ and recognize his unique sound and diverse style.
He's about to drop his new single 'Power' this Friday, June 17th, and believe us when we tell you that it is a perfect blend of Pop, RnB, EDM and Dance music. We connected with Edidion to find out more about 'Power', his inspiration to create music, his last project "Statistic" and much more.
Carlton Boyd
How would you describe your style of music to someone who has never heard it?
I would describe my music as unique, refreshing and cutting edge. I tap into many different genres of music to be boxed into one but you’ll always get a different vibe when you hear my music.
Describe your creative process for us.
Firstly I listen to the instrumental, get a feel for the overall energy of the beat and then I try to figure out the best story to write. Over the years I’ve gotten better at songwriting but it definitely wasn’t easy at first. I had writers block all the time!
Tell us about your "Statistic" EP. Where can it be streamed and downloaded?
Statistic is my first EP; it can be streamed and downloaded via my bandcamp page – edidion.bandcamp.com. On that EP I wanted to get a lot of things off my chest and show the world that I have depth. When you listen to the songs on Statistic they each tell a different story, the beats are different from each other as well as the melodies. I feel like I’m ahead of my time and in the future people will look back on that EP and see how creative I was.
Of all the songs you've recorded, do you have a favorite or one that personified you the most?
That would be a song called “Statistic” it’s the intro on my EP of the same name. That song was a poem that I wrote about how I feel in regards to the current state of the world and how hard it is to elevate when you don’t have the same privileges as other people. That song embodies me and the message I want to promote as an artist.
What inspires you to create music? Are you influenced by your Nigerian background and music?
My love and passion for music is what inspires me, I truly love doing it so I’m always trying to create the best music I can make. I definitely would love to collaborate with a Nigerian artist or make a song that pays homage to my Nigerian heritage, it will happen soon.
Tell us about the 'Power' single. Who produced it and how did it come together?
Power is a disco inspired song produced by Turreekk. The writing process for the song was challenging, I wrote six different versions of that song until the final version that you all will hear. I miss those classic disco/dance anthems like “I Will Survive” and “A Night to Remember”; I wanted to create that energy again in 2016 so that’s how Power came to be.
Connect with Edidion: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Stream/Download "Statistic" by Edidion
Q&A with POSSE
We connected with POSSE to ask them some questions about their musical goals for 2016, how they got started in music and much more
POSSE is a an electronic DJ/Production duo based out of Brooklyn, New York City, consisting of Justin Rodriguez and Chris Lopez. Their music captures the raw energy of old school hip hop/breaks while infusing it with today’s progressive bass & garage scene. We connected with them to ask some questions about their musical goals for 2016, how they got started in music and much more.
Carlton Boyd
What are some of your goals for this year musically?
P: We feel we’ve really honed in our style of production and performance over the past year and a half and in 2016 we plan on really putting our nose to the grindstone, pushing as much material as possible and playing as much shows as possible.
Who are some of the artists, regardless of genre, that have inspired you guys?
P: We really take inspiration from a lot of artists, both in music and outside. The beautiful thing about what we do is we both take what inspires us - whether it be a dope track, a scene off a film, a skateboard trick, or even a drawing and fuse that into our own sound. That’s why our music has a lot of “texture.” It’s the closest thing to ’touching’ those images.
How did you guys get started in music?
P: We met in the NYC dj circuit. We where both playing shows and supporting each others events. There were many nights where we talked of starting a duo and one day we just decided it was time. Since then we’ve been in the studio.
When can we expect to hear an EP or full album release?
P: While we’re still working out the release date for the album, in the meantime we’re just fine-tuning a lot of elements as a whole for the project.
With so much technology and evolving techniques for music production/DJing, where do you see EDM going next? Could there be a new sub-genre that you see yourselves as the ambassadors or founders of?
P: We don’t know or pretend to know where EDM or pop culture is going next. It sort of feels like we are all in limbo right now, like EDM is actually growing more than ever, but nobody knows whats coming next. We are both a bit fatigued by the perfect pitch and the quantized beats. We would love to hear music with the tonal quality of today and the emotion of years prior. Old school did it better.
Q&A with murkury
murkury is an Undergrowth Foundation affiliated producer whose style combines futuristic, bass-heavy sound design with chill melodies and hard-hitting drums. His minimalist yet groovy style has been entrancing audiences in the Western Carolinas for over four years. We caught up with murkury to find out how the Undergrowth Foundation came about, how he became interested in music, and much more.
Carlton Boyd
Tell me about the Undergrowth Foundation. How did this collaborative network come about? M: What a story. I can't even begin to describe the many tiny, seemingly-random life events that eventually snowballed into this idea. I mean, this time last year, I didn't even know the other founders of The Undergrowth. Fast-forward to this summer: on a whim, I followed my gut to Asheville. Almost immediately, I met this visual artist, Jakeb, by chance, and at my first show I was introduced to his friend Greg, a DJ. We all hit it off and Greg invited us to spend 4th of July at his cabin outside Asheville. That weekend, we spent hours on end listening to Greg mix vinyl, exploring the woods, drawing, and talking about music, art, and the universe. We saw great talent in each other and felt like if we combined those skills, we could do great things. Not only this, but we felt the need to unite other likeminded artists who were talented but didn't have a platform to express themselves. We felt some force beyond our comprehension leading us to the understanding that this was to be our purpose in life. It was only given a name after we were inspired by "Life In The Undergrowth", a wildly profound BBC documentary that illuminated the lives of the insect world. This undergrowth scene, we thought, was just like the underground music scene. Overlooked and underrated by mainstream society, it's actually what holds everything together. It's the place where every good musician rises up from. It just made sense to us, and the rest is history.
What's the music scene like in Asheville? M: Well, keep in mind, I've only been living in Asheville for a few months, yet every day I'm in the city, I'm working overtime to make my way deeper into the scene. I know first-hand what it's like to not have a recognizable name in Asheville...and while that's difficult in any city, it's still amazing to even be here as an artist. The people who are established are friendly and very open to discovering new talent from all genres. You just have to know where to look. There's so much opportunity for someone to make music in Asheville...way more than Boone, which is why I moved to begin with. And when you aren't getting shows, you can busk. With the right people behind you, you can even create your own scene, like we are with The Undergrowth. It's just a great place to do something different and there's inspiration on every corner. People in Asheville are very open to hearing new sounds and experimenting with new artists, which is perfect for an electronic junkie like me.
When and how did you become interested in music production? M: I think producing was just a natural progression for me as an artist. I always played instruments growing up (piano, guitar, drums) and then in college at App State, my passion for music turned into DJing. We threw parties wherever I lived and somebody had to be the DJ, so why not me? I've always loved the idea of setting the vibe and taking people on a journey through sound. At first, I didn't have any equipment of my own, so the mixing was rudimentary at best. I did this for a long time for lots of different people, eager to take the next step but without the resources to do so. To compensate, I got some production software and learned how to make edits and bootlegs so it would be easier for me to mix live. That evolved into making remixes, and eventually, after watching countless hours of tutorials, I started producing originals. Finally, I got some equipment of my own and started to branch out and find a style to call my own. Most of the material I've made will probably never see the light of day, but it's all practice. Even the tracks I released this past month. It's all just practice trying to convert the visions in my head into organized sound. Game day only happens when I play live.
Do you have a dream collaboration? M: Cashmere Cat or Tipper. I know those styles seem contradictory, but honestly, I just want to get in their studios and see how the hell they make their music because I have no idea how they do it. Here are some dudes who propel the consciousness of anyone around them to some next level ish, and that's what I want. 99% sure it'll never happen, but it's nice to think about.
What's next for you and your music? M: Apart from a new EP and several more singles, remixes, and bootlegs, I'll be collaborating with the rest of the Undergrowth crew on our first official mixtape, to be released in 2016. It will be chocked full of drippy, trippy, undergrowthy vibes, so be on the lookout for that. I also hope to play my first music festival next year. Dreaming big got me this far, so why stop now?
Connect with murkury: Website Facebook Soundcloud
Who is Live Animals?
Live Animals is a culmination of all of life's experiences, exploring new soundscapes and expanding the consciousness of sound. Between his West-coast hip hop influences and his entanglements in modern bass music, Live Animals creates a sound that transcends boundaries and blends genres, creating his own space on the map of the electronic dance music scene. With a background in percussion and music theory, Asheville native Josh Stone fuses melody and harmony to create pure sonic force. Live Animals has performed alongside Phutureprimitive, Random Rab, Cashmere Cat, Thriftworks, Space Jesus, Russ Liquid and more, performing at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in NY, Masquerade in Atlanta GA, New Mountain Asheville Theater, Asheville Music Hall, SOL Bar, OneStop and beyond.
Recently, Live Animals released his first physical EP // ARRIVAL // which can be purchased on iTunes digitally (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/arrival-ep/id1035356659) or physically on CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/liveanimals1).
Connect with Live Animals: Website Facebook Bands in Town Soundcloud
BLOG: How to Setup Your Home Studio on a Budget (Ten Steps)
In this post, Scotty Banx gives artists advice on how to setup a home studio without breaking the bank. Click here to read the full post.