Naturally, as anything becomes more popular the competition becomes more intense. Simple really. DJ contests are on a steady incline in terms of occurrence, right along side the number of DJ’s being on the rise. Simple. Most contests, when a headliner like Afrojack is on the bill, are a great way for local up and comers to get some additional attention.

Tonight, critically acclaimed all star DJ, Afrojack, / Paris Hilton lover, is in Kelowna on the beach to kick off the Jacked On The Beach Long Weekend parrtay.

Vancouver’s own Kasha Kenndy is set to kick off the party as a winner of the Flipside events “Open For Afrojack DJ Competition.” It’s great to see local Vancouver talent getting their name on a bill like this. Here are some words w. Kasha on ze win.

First off, congrats on the win. Big things poppin! Did you have a winning lotto 649 reaction when you got the news?

My jaw dropped and my heart started racing. So I’d have to say YES!

Do you have anything planned out for your set right now?

I have a rough idea…..I am going to go through my favourite’s songs to play and compile them together into a playlist/set for the show!

How competitive is Vancouver’s DJ scene right now?

I am starting to notice more and more support from other DJ’s in the city, which is awesome. I do think that a lot of clubs and nights have their regular dj’s etc. so as a new DJ maybe it is hard to break in.

Do you feel the need to reach out and enter DJ competitions in other city’s to make it as a DJ?

Well, I was born in Kamloops so I originally entered a Flipside Events (Kelowna) competition to get to play in the interior and have my family and friends come out. As a DJ I definitely want to play in other cities and branch out to bigger things and always grow. So if this is a step in that direction then rad, right?

Are you in the habit of entering contests?

I have entered a couple now. I definitely will enter more and seek out more opportunities wherever possible.

So this win is kind of a big deal and I wanna hit you with those boring interview q’s that every one get’s asked. Just in you case you blow up overnight How long have you been in the game?

I first started learning about 3 years ago and started DJ’n in the clubs almost right away. Got a residency 2 years ago and the grind began.

What adjective got you into DJ initially?

I have always been on the hunt for new music, would make mix cd’s for friends, love to dance and feel music. One day it was a realization that I could learn to DJ and share with people the same things I feel from music. When I started learning, I remembered the days of high school. When it came to homework I couldn’t focus without listening to the radio and a CD at the same time. Hearing two songs/sounds enabled me to focus, My family hated it. But hey, I guess as a DJ it makes sense now.

Which electronica stars were you listening to back in the day?

Back in the day, hmm. How far back are we talking, I kinda grew up country. But as I got a bit older I got into The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Beastie Boys…..

Name you first record, and or CD.

Can we skip this one? Jessica Simpson – sweet kisses……still have it…..awkward…..

Are you making moves with this momentum? What lays ahead for you on the road of 2012?

Oh man, all I see is where I want to be as a DJ. And that is ripping up stages with a crazy show all over the world, playing tracks I produced/remixed/live etc……So for now, I will continue on the grind of Vancouver gigs, entering competitions, getting my mixes out there. Producing, remixing…..and again, just grow and learn with everything I do.

Can you talk a bit about your winning mix? What’s in it, where it was recorded, etc.

I can post a set list under the soundcloud mix online…..But a summary, some dirty beats infused with some old-school remixes…..anyone notice the fatboy slim? :p As far as where it was recorded, I have a very very simple way to record mixes now. I used to use an external device that I plugged into my mixer and it was a long process to upload to your computer after. Now, I record thru Traktor. Right in the program there is a record button (looks like an little tape icon, pretty cool) records your mix exactly as you make it. So, my mixes are all ‘live’……Have a listen to my winning mix, peep the set list and stay tuned for more

XoKk

DJ Kasha Kennedy

Home dougie Uncle Electro come’s through with another win win interview. Today’s words coming at you from across the pond, through the straight of Gibralatar, into the Mediterranean sea from a country on the country opposite (north of) Tunisia. This country shaped like a boot, according to explorers of an earlier time, resembles in no way a boot..

StereoCool is just that. Quote unquote funk driven french guy just out with a new release to his name gives us some words on the aforementioned release and abit about who and what has made himself and his music who and what they are today.

[UE] What’s is your real name and stage name, how old are you and where are you from?

[SC] My name is Andrea, but the internets use to call me Stereocool. I’m 20 (soon 21) and i’m from Catania, in Italy.

[UE] Where did the name StereoCool come from?

[SC] I tried lots of names by composing casual words, but this one was like an inspiration.
It’s Stereo because it’s twice the cool!

[UE] Who’s throwing the best parties in Italy at the moment?

[SC] Here in Catania we have good parties with famous guests but i think that the italian RESET! collective throws the best parties in the country.

[UE] So how did your musical journey begin?

[SC] My father is an orchestral musician and a funk junkie, so he introduced me to the music since i was born.
He didn’t make the mistake of forcing me into the study of his same instrument (violin), and i found my way through the years
in synths, pianos, and music production.

[UE] What gave you that initial push into EDM?

[SC] Well, i think that the first dance music i ever heard was from Daft Punk, Modjo, and some other great 90s artists.
Also chiptune music influenced (and still influences) me a lot.

[UE] Tell me about your new release?

[SC] What can i say: it’s far my best work, since i began producing music.
You know that it was born more than year ago?
It’s a mixture of everything i had in my heart and in my mind, and i think you can really feel that.
I called my favourite remixers to help me making a good product, don’t matter how time would it take.
(In fact we’re pretty late, ahaha)
I just hope that everything goes well, i really believe in what i do.

[UE] Do you have any collaborations or remix projects in the works?

[SC] Sure, i never stop. Just stay tuned on my Facebook page.
I’m preparing compilations, remixes, and remix contests…

[UE] Have you every been star struck working or meeting different producers and djs?

[SC] Sure. It happens me on Youtube too. My all-time favourite is Deadmau5.

[UE] Who would you choose to DJ at dream party?

[SC] Daft Punk. Definitely. They are a real music milestone.

[UE] Who’s productions can you play and find inspiration from?

Well, i believe that inspiration has no default form, so i listen to everything that moves me, to take as much feelings as possible and then release them.
But Tempest’s tunes (chip-tunes, really) always have a special influence.

[UE] Tell us about your current DJ / Production setup? What Hardware / Software do you use?

[SC] Well, that might sound a bit funny, but i don’t actually own Dj equipment (ahah).
I just own a Roland Sh-201, a Microkorg, and two cheap Infrasonic sound cards.
My production choice is Fl Studio (with some Reason add-ins).
I’m learning Live, but i’m not really planning to change.

[UE] Did the Djing, Production, Promoting come 1st?

[SC] Music came first. The rest is just the garnish.

[UE] So how is the EDM scene in your eyes at the moment?

[SC] Slutty. Too much asses and too little music.
I appreciate originality, but most of the scene is just there.

[UE] I just hope that this new Disco incoming wave will save the day.

[SC] What advice would you give to up and coming producers?

Study, learn, and listen.
1: because learning never stops.
2: because studying will give you the technique.
3: because listening will give you the taste.

[UE] What’s your favorite track at the moment?

[SC] I think it’s Capsule – Hello. I love them. Silly (and then irrelevant) lyrics, but breath-taking music.

[UE] What’s your favourite album of all time?

[SC] Jamiroquai – A Funk Odyssey. I’ll never get tired of that.

[UE] What’s your favourite DJ mix of all time?

[SC] I think it’s a Drum&Bass mix from D&BArena, but i don’t remember which one. There were Dj Fresh and Brookes Brothers, though, so…it was a cool one.

[UE] When all the partying is over and you’re not in the studio, how do you like to chill out?

[SC] Makin’ love, staying with my friends, eating chocolate. I’m an human too!

[UE] Anything else you want to say? Any shout outs?

[SC] I hope that people’s gonna rediscover music sensibility soon.
And a special thank to Cody that gave me this wondeful opportunity.

Hugs! (I love hugs.)

G. Poplopavich

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︻╦╤─

This is probably one of my favourite most Soundcloud bio’s. I’m going to a copy paste introduction on this one because I think it lends a pretty good idea as to what kind of character LazerCat is.

Lazercat (SpaceWalker/Nu Indee/Spirit Soul) is a retro-fetishist disco addict born in the future…or simply a little girl with cat ears, a laptop, and a mind that likes to dance off into synthesizer-space.

Currently based in Berlin. Parle français, und kann auch (schlecht) Deutsch.

Takes great amusement in people calling her ‘dude’, ‘bro’, ‘man’, etc.

RELEASES

Lazercat – Nuit Blanche EP [SpaceWalker Recordings]
Lazercat & Nobody’s Hero – Solar Expression EP [Nu Indee Records]
Lazercat – Lovestruck/Heartbeat EP [Spirit Soul Music]

REMIXES

Flashworx – Odaiba Chase (Lazercat & Shawn Mac Remix) [SpaceWalker Recordings]
Litov – Americano (Lazercat Remix) [In Deep Records]
Silenx – Kaleidoscope (Lazercat Remix) [Boombar Music]
P@D – Cosmic Trip (Lazercat & Nobody’s Hero Remix) [Disco Soul Records]

Hopefully you will have allowed some insight into you Here is an interview homebread Uncle Electro did with his homette LazerCat to get some insight as to what the cat has been doing and likes.

[Uncle Electro] Gotta ask where did the name Lazercat come from?

[LC] It was a completely random decision, after I found out that I was about to get a track signed. I like cats, I like lasers, especially when spelled wrong. I may change my alias later on though – perhaps when I think of a side-project.

[UL] Where do you currently live?

[LC] I’m originally from Calgary, but came to Berlin in early 2011 because of an internship. One of the reasons I’m back here now is that I finally found the scene I was looking for here.

[UL] Who’s throwing the best parties in Germany at the moment?

[LC] Well they are in Berlin, that’s for sure. There’s usually something going on at either Berghain, Tresor, Watergate, or any of the big clubs in the city, not to mention the many open-air parties held in secret locations. I often think we’re spoiled for choice here. Mind you, I’m not the type to be hitting all the hottest parties or whatever – I’ve become much more choosy when it comes to going out these days.

[UL] So how did your musical journey begin?

[ LC] Well, I begged my parents to sign me up for violin lessons at age 4 – don’t ask me why. After that, I ended up taking violin until I finished high school, and I’m now starting to take it up again after a bit of a break. I also took some piano lessons on the side for about 5 years, before setting that aside. Of course, somewhere along the way, I decided that I wanted to try making my own electronic music as well…

[UL] What gave you that initial push into EDM?

[LC] Another spur-of-the-moment idea – so typical of me, it seems. Around the age of 14, I became interested in electronic music. Shortly afterwards, I learnt that production did not, in fact, require a massive studio setup, but could rather be done with a single piece of software. This, of course, lead me to buy my first DAW and start messing around with all the funny-looking dials and controls on the softsynths. Through that I learnt the basics of synthesis, step-sequencing, effects, sampling, and so on. For many years afterwards, I started making my own little tracks and snippets, mostly for myself, and eventually decided to give posting them on Youtube and Soundcloud a go. In 2009, I got contacted by a digital label, saying they were interested in signing one of my tracks. The rest is history…

[UL] Tell me about your new release?

[LC] The funny thing is that neither of these tracks are new at all. ‘Heartbeat’ was made last summer, and ‘Lovestruck’ was started the summer before that. Of course, I went back and changed a few things like the mixing (and removing the horrible insta-master preset I used before).

Both tracks were created while in a dreamy, wistful state of mind, and while staring out of a window on a summer afternoon. In the case of ‘Lovestruck’, the window was that of a train from Vienna to Budapest as I was travelling through Europe two years ago.

[UL] I know you’re always working on personal projects, but do you have any collaborations or remix projects in the works?

[LC] Now that I’m in Berlin, I’m able to meet with a lot of producers and DJs I know here. I’m working on a track with the Heartbeat Club DJs – two great guys I’ve known since last year. We’re just putting the finishing touches on a throwback mid-80s boogie number with some sweet pop vocals from a friend of ours – there’s arps, Linn handclaps, funky basslines, and just about everything else I love in it!

[UL] Have you every been star struck working or meeting different producers and djs?

[LC] Living in Berlin has given me the chance to meet and work with disco royalty. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit – but I have gotten to know some pretty impressive people out here.

I recently met the Rimshooters (Victor, aka Rotciv, and Massimiliano Pagliara) for the first time in person. I had been loving their work for a while, so when Victor contacted me on Soundcloud and expressed an interest in my music, I was definitely a little starstruck! Both of them are not only great producers, but are really nice and chill guys, and I’m really glad to have met them.

I did a lot of studio sessions last year with Hans Blitz – one of the Heartbeat DJs – and he’s worked as both a producer and drummer with quite a few big names – he’s even played drums for Feist a few times! So I really appreciate being able to work with him.

The fact that these people – these people with so much experience, who have worked with some really big names, and have played big venues – would not only enjoy my amateur productions, but would be happy to even work with me…that just blew my mind, and is one of the main things that keeps me making music today.

[UL] Who would you choose to DJ at a dream party?

[LC] There are some local guys who consistently throw great parties here: Telephones (this guy is one of my all-time favourite DJs and producers – he’s got a tropical-meets-progressive psychedelic brand of disco that is absolutely impossible to not dance to), The Rimshooters (sometimes I think they can read my mind when I’m on the dancefloor), Achterbahn d’Amour (top-notch acid house and other similarly-jackin’ styles).

I’d throw in a few live sets too, from Raiders of the lost Arp and Opolopo – these guys know electro-funk like it’s their mother tongue!

[UL] Tell us about your current DJ / Production setup? What Hardware / Software do you use?

[LC] FL Studio 10, a few VSTs, and an Akai MPK-Mini that I use more for live sets. I’m hoping to add on at least one more controller – doing a live set with just one is a bit of a nightmare and involves a lot of mouse-clicking! Most of my earlier productions don’t even use VSTs – just a simple 3-oscillator softsynth that I would tune and program myself. Using it taught me a lot about synthesis, and made me a total ADSR control freak. I still use this softsynth for some sounds nowadays, though I find myself having to use a lot of effects, otherwise it sounds a bit tinny.

[UL] Did the Djing, Production, or Promoting come 1st?

[LC] DJing has yet to happen But for me, it was the production. I originally had no intention of promoting myself, actually – it was the labels who discovered me.

[UL] So how is the EDM scene in your eyes at the moment?

[LC] I find musicality is often overlooked – it’s a bit shocking how many producers and DJs these days have absolutely no sense of rhythm, pitch or harmony. Mind you, production can be a good way of learning about music-theory and forming your own musical style, but I think that a lot of people are still fooled into thinking that being a producer does not require having any concept of what music is, or how to actually create it.

I think the accessibility of music and of music-production is mostly a good thing (I certainly could not have afforded a full studio of analogue gear when I was starting out, and I still can’t!). But nowadays, you can find top-selling tracks comprised almost entirely of pre-recorded loops, pre-programmed melodies, and hardly any original work; and I think that we need to remind ourselves that being a producer – a musician, in fact – takes far more work, and requires much more creative input than just arranging blocks together on a screen.

As for the “scene” itself – I’m really lucky to be in a city full of so many really talented and open-minded people, as well as so many different venues and parties. You can hear anything from italo-disco, to live funk, to psychedelic vinyl nights, to experimental noisecore – you name it! And it really is all about the music at a lot of places here – so much, in fact, that you even risk being turned away from certain clubs if you’re too dressed up! Whenever I go back home, that’s probably the one thing I miss the most – that, and the fact that parties here are more likely to start at 2:30, rather than close down!

[UL] What advice would you give to up and coming producers?

[LC] As I ranted about earlier, a little basic music theory doesn’t hurt. Samples and preset midi files are a good place to start, but don’t stay dependent on them for too long. Get to know a few scales, chords, harmonies, rhythms – and start developing your own style based on that. Few things are more powerful in the scene than having your own, unique style as a producer, and few things are more appreciated than true musical talent. Cranking out hit after hit will get you hype, but it’s the ability to create music that gains you respect – and I think that is far more important.

Oh, and another thing – please, for the love of all things holy, stay the hell away from any so-called “promotional” service that auto-spams users on SoundCloud, unless you intend to drive me as far away from your music as possible.

[UL] When all the partying is over and you’re not in the studio, how do you like to chill out?

[LC] At the moment, I don’t really have much of a life outside of music. I work as an editor and copywriter sometimes as my “day-job”. I like to do random things like go on long runs through the city, or spend extended periods of time in some kind of contemplative state (haha). I like to read once in a while, but mostly works of non-fiction – usually about geeky things like historical linguistics, or post-colonial critical theory.

G. Poplopavich

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Vancouver has maintained a bass music scene since dubstep’s inception in the city, some might argue before. But the scenes soft underbelly has always been the sparsity of local based labels providing a solid platform to work from and to be recognized at an international level for both artist and city. This has changed in recent years and Patrik Cure is at the forefront of this change.

My info for this interview proved to be a little shoddy. Under the impression that he was head cat of three labels I proceeded to ask questions that pertained to this falsity. Patrik continued to answer my q’s simultaneously clarifying this as we went along.

His cool and style did’t end there, have you heard this mix yet (included at the end of this post)!!? Personally I could not have asked for a better mix to have accompanied this interview. Sea Punk, Hybrid Bass, Bass Music, or whichever way you, yourself, choose to describe this it’s straight pimp. Thank you Patrik.

[GP] Who is DJ Cure?

[PC] A cat loving shape-shifter named Patrik, purveyor of hybrid bass music, founder of Aufect Recordings.

[GP] How long have you been DJing and producing, and which came first?

[PC] I’d say I started dabbling in both around 94-95. At the time I was really into Hip Hop and tried to do everything from writing graffiti to DJing to rapping over our shitty beats.
I found Drum N Bass and Techno soon after, gained some sensibility and started to take DJing a bit more seriously around 99 (after I bought my first set of 1200s). I would say that I really got into production closer to 2004 or so.

[GP] When and where did you get into managing labels?

[PC] While I was in college I linked up with (my now good friend) Brad – DJ Crisis, who was looking to get me involved in launching a Drum n Bass label called SoulScape Records. We started writing tunes together as Crisis and Cure with the intention of releasing our own material. What ended up happening is we started turning heads and got attention from other labels, so we focused on production, partying and DJing (oh yeah and school). So SoulScape kind of came and went (after I started disliking DNB in favor of Grime), but the idea of having my own vinyl in my hands was still there. A few years passed and Dubstep emerged, I figured it was the perfect time to tap into a brand new market. I decided to move to Vancouver with the goal of starting a Dubstep label in 2007 and Aufect Recordings manifested soon after.

[GP] Would you call it natural progression to move to label management from DJ’ing for so many years?

[PC] For sure, it’s almost like a curse though. I keep wanting to do new stuff, I guess I’m personally a bit too ambitious.

[GP] How do you feel about being a label manager at this point and having that be a part of your day-to-day aside from your own production and DJing?

[PC] At first it was cool doing the day to day stuff, but as Aufect grew it changed from being a hobby to actually being “work”. I’m getting to the point where I just need to hire people so I can focus on production, as that’s where my head is really at right now.

[GP] Do you spend a lot of time listening to demo’s as part of the curatorial process?

[PC] I honestly listen to every demo I get, but have only contemplated releasing submissions just recently. Most releases on Aufect are by friends and people I know or have a connection with. I am very fortunate to know some extremely talented people, and it’s always been about helping each other out.

[GP] As head dude of a label I’m sure you agree that being a DJ helps a producer who’s trying to come up. Does this work the other way around?

[PC] It helps, and it works the other way around for sure. I think as a producer you should be able to hold your own as a performer/DJ, especially if you are accepting bookings. Over the last few years I’ve started to see a trend where producers are getting a free ticket to perform big shows. I don’t care how amazing of a producer you are, or what exclusives you have, if a fan sees a shit performance, you lose credibility. Simply learning how to at least DJ a solid set can really make a big difference.

[GP] I imagine all of the signee’s between the labels both DJ and produce.

[PC] Yes, all of them, some of them more than others.

[GP] Which scenes are you tapping into for new talent and or inspiration? Are you scoping for talent locally or abroad for the most part? Btdubs I wanted to say big ups for getting Glyph on Gradient. I’m a hugecore fanboy of those Belgian cats. Neurofunk ftw.

[PC] I’ve always tried to do things primarily with Canadian talent I know, but there are a few releases with people from the US and Europe. I wouldn’t say I’m trying to tap into a particular scene per say, but am trying to appeal to open minded people that enjoy a variety of sounds and don’t take themselves too seriously. As far as inspiration goes, I draw from future house/bass music, as well as Grime, Roots Dub, 808s, Techno, old school Jungle and golden era Hip Hop (I’m a little obsessed with the 90’s). Yeah Glyph is dope, but I’m actually only signed to Gradient as an artist (HxdB helps run Gradient).

[GP] Lastly before we switch this over to your own sound and style, where are you and your labels at with vinyl?

[PC] I’ve actually amalgamated two labels into Aufect Recordings and let the other vinyl label (Pressing Issues) pretty much lay to rest. Pressing Issue was a good idea at first, and we had a couple great vinyl releases with Reso and DJG, but “PI” relied too heavily on a democratic process, which isn’t a good business model. As far as Aufect, we have six vinyl releases under our belt, as well as ten digital/CD releases. I’ve been focussing on slewing out digi releases as the overhead is almost nonexistent and Vinyl seems to be a luxury these days. Besides, most have converted to digital with Serato or something similar. The next Aufect vinyl release we have planned will be Taal Mala’s “Elegant Replica” featuring remixes by HxdB and Bassmynt.

[GP] What are you producing your own tracks with? Do you use midi controllers?

[PC] Currently Cherrie P (of Philthkids) and I have all of our gear set up in my studio, so it’s pretty pimped out. We are running a MacPro 8 core tower, that is a f*cking beast. I personally now use Ableton almost exclusively. For controllers, I primarily use my TriggerFinger, but we have multiple controllers and a couple hardware synths.

[GP] Whilst making music, how much of you is trying to blur boundaries?

[PC] I wouldn’t say I try to, it just happens naturally. I never really sit down and stay Im gonna make a House tune, or a Dubstep tune. Sometimes I’ll start a tune and drastically change the tempo, and all of a sudden it’s the exact opposite of what I started with. It’s whatever feels right to me.

[GP] Whats the weirdest genre name you’ve ever heard of or been classified as?

[PC] Umm, I would say the weirdest classification would be “Donk”, “Deathwave-GrimeCore” (courtesy of Self Evident), and “Sea Punk” is a pretty ridiculous name as well.

[GP] How do you balance your sound with vocals? Do you look for lyrical content in your track selection?

[PC] I always look for vocals, whether it be full on or chopped up. Having that human element really helps people connect to a track.

[GP] How important is bpm in your sets?

[PC] Pretty important, and it’s one of the reasons I switched from DJing with turntables to CDJs. I feel like you can move around between BPM a bit more seamlessly while using CDJs as controllers, and if you’ve heard my sets then you know I like to cover a lot of ground.

[GP] Are you willing to work with weird quality mp3′s and how do you deal with them if so?

[PC] I don’t f*ck with anything less than 320 Kbps and prefer Wavs or Aiffs. Your shit can’t sound pinner on a big rig, it needs to be full and loud. Besides if you have bad quality MP3′s it probably means you shouldn’t be playing them..

[GP] Can you give us some words on the mix you’ve provided, how you recorded it and such.

[PC] It mostly consists of brand new material from artists I am feeling, plus forthcoming heaters from Aufect, as well as some unreleased bits. Recorded live in my studio with Serato and CDJs exclusively for Schitzpopinov.com

[GP] Pimp

G. Poplopavich

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[GF] We are Drew and Brendan. We both currently living in Montreal and going to University here (Drew is actually currently in London, UK for the moment) Drew grew up in Hawaii and Brendan grew up in Vermont.

[GF] We met at University in Montreal in 2009 and both became interested in electronic music as neither of us had much exposure to it in the US. We began as resident DJs for a promotion company putting on events with all the big electro artists of that time (I say “that time” even though it was only 3 years ago). By 2010 we were dabbling in production under solo projects. After a few months of sending music back and forth we realized we were into similar things and decided to collaborate on some tracks. It was just going to be a one off thing, but it went so well we decided to stick together.

[GF] This name actually came from Markus from LOL Boys. I was sending him some tracks and he kept telling me that it was some “grown folks house music.” That kind of stuck with me and when we were thinking of a name that’s what stuck.

[GF] We were both working on solo projects and getting our feet wet in the whole production thing as neither of us really started until late 2009. Drew was putting out tunes under Kid Aloha and Brendan under Roladex.

[GF] We have really only been into DJing and making music for about 3 years at this point. Both of us are life long music fans of many different genres, but we didn’t start becoming very active until we arrived in Montreal and were exposed to clubs and DJing in general. Initially I (Brendan) didn’t really have much interest in producing because I had no past musical experience and was worried I couldn’t do it. In the Winter of 2010 I saw Renaissance Man play at a big festival in Montreal and something changed. I decided that I could make music too and dove right in. Drew started producing a little bit before that, but for both of us it was really a natural progression from DJing.

[GF] Right now we are working with Ableton and a MIDI keyboard. That is about it. We have plans to get hardware eventually, I think the goal is to eventually produce completely on analog gear. But that will take time and money. This summer we will probably get a 707 and hopefully if all works out some sort of synth, maybe an SH-101 or something.

[GF] This is actually a pretty funny story. This track started out as a hip hop beat that was being made for a friend. Before the vocal got put in and some of the synth lines we noticed the bassline had a really nice groove. So we sped it up about 25 bpm and realized we could turn it into a summer house tune. We found the vocal and put that in and worked on the structure for 2 weeks or so before we were completely happy with it.

[GF] Thanks man! To be honest we are more into the 90s house stuff rather than the rave and hardcore producers although there was a minute when we were putting some more rave influences into our tunes. People like MK, Murk, Larry Heard, and Kerri Chandler have all had a big influence on our sound. We are still pretty new and discovering so much new music every day that we are constantly influenced by producers from the past 20 years.

[GF] Montreal has had a great response to everything we have done so far. Local producers like Jacques Greene, Prince Club, and LOL Boys have all been big supporters and have become good friends. We are being booked for nights in the city pretty regularly now so things are going great!

[GF] Yea we are slowly getting our name out there. DJ Mag did a nice review on the City Wind EP and Fact Mag has shown us some love as well.

[GF] As of now we aren’t doing any parties of our own but we have lots of friends putting on parties every week so we are playing those mostly.

[GF] Haha, absolutely. We listen to a lot of rap and usually even sneak a little into our sets when we play out.

[GF] I (Brendan) basically listen to house or electronic music all the time. I also listen to some hip hop, but unlike a lot of people, I enjoy listening to mixes or Rinse FM when I’m just relaxing. Drew is much more into rap than I am so he is definitely listening to a lot of hip hop when relaxing.

[GF] We met Markus because he lives in Montreal as well and became good friends. The remixes were just a natural extension of that.

[GF] I would say we basically always start with drums. We are both into trying to make interesting rhythms combing classic drum sounds with more experimental ones. So usually we will create a skeleton with that and a bassline and move forward from there.

[GF] We have an original track and a collab with Dro Carey coming our on February 20^th on CD on the Templar Sound Compilation. This is CD only and Aidan from Templar did an incredible job on the packaging as well as getting great artwork for it so can’t wait for that. After that we have a 12” dropping on Templar. I have to keep the details a little secret on this, but its going to be a hip hop collaboration with two rappers who are really killing it right now. We also have 2 great remixes lined up for that. In the summer we will have another 12” coming out on a new label. It will be house, and I can’t say any more than that. We also have a collaboration with LOL Boys dropping sometime in the future on the Friends of Friends sub label called Young Adults.

[GF] We haven’t been there yet but hope to get out there soon. Tell your friends to book us!

[GF] Thanks  to everyone who’s supported us and bought our music, 2012 is going to be a great year, so stay tuned!

G. Poplopavich

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I talked to Mike D aka Bombaman abit about him in the new year and got some words on his Tommy Otis EP dropping today on Lucky Beard Records, which you should probably check.

GP: Bombaman. Who are ya where are you from?

MD: I am Mike D, born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario.

GP: Hows about those people tampons hey?

MD: Don’t even get me started…

GP: Before you went under just Bombaman you used to be Mat Carl / Bombaman. I hear you hate trying to explain the Matt Carl name but I was hopin you could here today.

MD: Haha, oh gosh. Ok, it goes back like, 6 or 7 years when me and some friends were playing some Star Wars fighting game or something for the original Playstation or Xbox, I forget.  I was noticing how lame the names of the characters were, like, how unoriginal and lame they were and one pops up that says “Marl.” I figured they just picked the names of two guys in the room, Matt and Carl and mashed them up to make this lame character name. I put them together as a persons first and last name and had a laugh. Then sometimes down the road I needed a funny name for dj’ing or whatever, and always had that stupid name in the back of my mind.  It’s a terribly lame story and the only reason it’s funny to me is cuz my real name is also two first names.  So, yeah…kinda wack lol

GP: What got you into producing?

MD: I always had an interest.  I have played drums for a long time so it kind of lended itself to wanting to make stuff, I guess. I don’t know what the true determining factor was, but buying CD players definitely got me motivated to start making and playing my own stuff.  I couldn’t do that with vinyl, cutting dub plates was too expensive for me..

GP: What’s your DJ set up like these days?

MD: Two CD players and a mixer.  Nothing special, lol. Typical Pioneer setup.

GP: And what are you producing with?

MD: Ableton Live 8.

GP: Are you Evian Christ?

MD: I am not.

GP: I did an interview with Paul Shore / SnapBack a couple month’s back and he’s of the opinion that your producing the kind of music that producers should be producing. Are you just going for straight bass heavy as fuck / weird isht when you jump into a new track? Or is there a more structured approach that you take and people might not expect?

MD: Ummm, I’d say I don’t have much of an approach other than just kind of goofing around, seeing what different effects chains can do to a sound.  It’s literally just me mucking about. I’m sure you can tell, but yeah, the sub bass is the most important part to me, and that’s where I usually start.

GP: How often do you go back to your pre Ableton days and background with traditional (old school) instruments for new track ideas? Ableton was a total game changer for you wasn’t it?

MD: I’d say I never go back to pre Ableton days, haha. Ableton was definitely the EXACT program I was looking for.  I was using a tracker called Making Waves that was, I dunno, sort of finicky. It wasn’t intuitive, but I learned the hell out of it and made it work. Then through some music magazines I eventually came across Ableton. Based on what I read, it sounded like it was right up my alley. I started using it and haven’t turned back. That must have been about 5 or 6 years ago, I guess.

GP: Your Tommy Otis EP is due via LuckBeard Records pretty quick here. Give us some words on that.

MD: Ah man, so glad to get some of those tunes out on a label like LB. I had a pretty good cache of unreleased music by the time we started talking about releasing something. So we went through some of the better ones and picked out some older and newer stuff.  This is also like, a two part EP.  I don’t know if the second one will share the Tommy Otis name, we’ll see, haha.

Part one mixes up some old and new.  “A Number of Names” was one of the first tunes I made late last year that is along the vein of what i am currently making.  Some weird, super subbed out, chopped up vocal retardation.  Lots of weird automation with the delays and reverbs, weird panning and stuff.  I think I had just hooked up a second sub to my setup, so it may have been more of a demo tune that I just ended up finishing, lol. “Are Pats” is an old one from 2010, I think.  It got some unexpected support, but I still never thought much of it.  That one is definitely more of a cheesy, party tune. Super up beat with some female vocal workout. The last one is “Everything Came From Strangers,” which is a huge personal favourite, also from 2010. I had just come back from doing a five week stint in the States, and all those kids want is hard hard hard, except in Portland, lol.  Anyways, I came back and didn’t want to listen to any of that shit anymore, so I started making some of that really stripped back, pure sub bass, no drums kind of stuff that I am getting known for. That was probably one of the first I made in that style. That track sounds fucking BANANAS on a big sound system, shit will knock a wall down.

GP: Dubstep. I think your the man to ask on the state of the genre, it seems to be a hot topic these days.

MD: I don’t like what is being made and played these days.  That’s that.

GP: Is it just me or has “Bass Music” become the new in thing along side Future Garage?

MD: Yeah, I think I’d agree with that.

GP: Top 3 parties for you these days?

MD: I don’t even know.  I don’t go out or dj much these days, haha.

GP: Do you spend much time following labels? You’ve got some shit hot releases with some of the good ones atm. I won’t go into listing them all.

MD: No. I’ll be honest. I don’t follow much at all.  I know what I like and I tend to stick within my comfort zone until someone shows me some truly next shit, then I go in the studio and try and make it myself, lol.

This past Sunday Vancouver & Blueprint hosted two of the biggest heavy weights in dubstep, and us Schitheadz managed to ketchup with Doorly!!
Here is how that when…

SP – How did you start djing & producing?

MD – I started DJing when a DJ at a bar i was working at as a server didnt show so i filled in with some cds i had and got the job! I’ve always edited tracks for my own sets so just kind of pushed on and built from there.

SP – What do you Dj & Produce with??

MD – ableton, sometimes reason for drums and percussion.

SP – We work at the School of Remix DJ & Production School. Do you have any words of wisdom for new producers/djs?

MD – Just get stuck in making bootlegs, its the best way to practice. dont expect people to send you parts and offer you official remixes. Look for a track with a cleanish breakdown that you can grab and re-work into your own kind of banger (Thats what i did with my first breakthrough remixes for dizzee rascal, calvin harris & Mr Hudson) and i am still a big beleiver of remixing stuff i wasnt supposed to to give my DJ sets an edge.

SP – How did u get into dubstep??

MD – I was playing an early set at a Drum & Bass party about 4 / 5 years ago and had just started to hear a few people (Skream / Rusko etc) playing this exciting new sound that i thought would work great before the headliners came on. So i made a few edits (The bonkers remix was one of them – i actually made that on the train on the way to that gig) and collected as much as i could and just got into it from there.

SP – What does the future hold for dubstep??

MD – in the UK the tear out stuff is over now, its gone much deeper and theres a lot of hate on anything with a loud wobble. in the States its only going to get bigger with, for the first time since house music, a fleet o true american global superstars in the scene emerging (Skrillex, 12th planet etc)

SP – Who are you listening to right now??

MD – I’m really into Joy Orbison, Ramadanman, Boddika and that crew right now.

Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo [HFT009] by Hotflush
Ramadanman Remix Showreel by Reprise Agency
You Tell Me by Boddika aka.Instra:mental

SP – Where is your favorite place to play??

MD – Fabric in London is always wicked, Bestival was my favourite UK festival last year and Los Angeles is my favourite city to play in.

SP – Who are your favorite artists?

MD – Toddla T is inspiring, huge drive and boundryless music that is totally unique to him. His next album is sounding awesome. And again wait til you hear some of the new Joy orbison stuff this year, its absolutely next level game changing stuff!

Toddla T – Take It Back (Dillon Francis Remix) by DILLONFRANCIS
Toddla T – ‘Take It Back (Radio Edit)’ by toddla_t

SP – How many times have you played in Vancouver and what do u enjoy about It??

MD – Last night was my first vancouver show and i LOVED it!! I love pretty much every gig i play in Canada to be honest, the people here have unrivalled friendliness and know how to have a good time! Last night i overslept and had to wake up run straight into the venue from the tour bus and just play. That would usually be difficult to pull off but that crowd was awesome and i had a blast! Cant wait to come back : )

SP – What do you do to give back??

MD – To celebrate the launch of my own record (Pigeonhole This!) a genreless outlet for myself and other producers that i’m feeling to put out music without being forced to conform to any style. This year i am giving away a free bootleg every month where i re-mash a classic track in a future style. So far ive done Mr Scruff, Musical Youth and missy elliott. All the bootys can be downloaded for free from www.doorlydj.com
Also we are given a LOT of snack food and drinks on this tour, way more than we need in every city so at the end of each night i put aside what we need for that nights travel and then go and give the rest of the stuff to some local homeless people. I look for the friendly ones : )

SP – What food do you miss the most on tour?

MD – Fresh, Healthy food like a good freshly chopped salad or maybe some hot vegetables. We tend to just grab quick stuff wherever we go, its hard to find the time to sit somewhere really nice and we cant really cook on the tour bus.

SP – What’s your cocktail??

MD – I’m a bit of a connosouir in cocktails actually. Nothing cures last nights hangover before the next show better than a well made cocktail! I live in Ibiza during the summer months as i run clubnights and hold residencies there and in the main bar (Bar M) i actually have my own Signature “Doorly Daqueri” (A la Larry David’s sandwhich in curb your enthusiasm) Its a Frozen strawberry daqueri, thats my fave!

SP – If you had to choose a different career outside music what would it be?

MD – An international Football (Soccer) Legend – or maybe a career in porn!

SP – What should fans look for in upcoming projects and gigs.?

MD – I’m leaving the rusko tour for one night and flying to Los Angeles to launch my new live show this friday at Avalon in Hollywood. The show will be called “Afrodigiscratch” a new Live / Turntablism show with live visuals and Interactive elements such as a live twitter wall and a live U Stream of the set (If we manage to get it all set up on time!) This will be the debut of the set and i will be doing a full tour of the show around north America towards the end of the year. I have also just released a brand new three track EP More info:

DOORLY – PIGEONHOLE THIS! EP2 by doorly

www.doorlydj.com
www.twitter.com/doorlydj
www.facebook.com/doorlydj

Big thx to Doorly for taking the time to rap with us.

Shout out to Jonah Berry!

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Schitz Popinov w/ TEED

SP – What’s the origin of your name? Have you change your name before?
TEED- I got drunk, and it started.

SP – What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
TEED – Just dance music.

SP – When did you form Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs?
TEED – Maybe 3 years ago… not sure.

SP – Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
TEED – What is a music organisation? I have released 3 EPs on a label called Greco Roman.

SP – What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/colour preference?
TEED – I’ve just bought what I have been able to afford. I do love Korg synths though.. I have an MS20, a Poly61 and a MicroKorg.

SP – What are your favourite and least favourite venues that you’ve performed at? What upcoming show are you most excited about? – Tonight I am playing at Astra in Berlin which looks amazing, so really looking forward to getting on stage.

SP – Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers or remixes? Do you have a set play list?
TEED – I have all my tracks in front of me so I can play which ever ones I feel. Of course I try to make sure that people hear the tracks they want. Occasionally I play bootlegs ive done of other tracks and I definitely play some of my remixes.

SP – What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
TEED – All my songs sound a bit sad.. one day I hope to change that.

SP – Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
TEED – Make noise, sing, add a hi hat, turn up the bassline.

SP – What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
TEED – I’ve had one rehearsal. It was fun, apart from that I like working it out on stage.

SP – How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
TEED – That question is too big to answer..

SP – What has been your biggest challenge? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
TEED – Singing live. Im not a fan of my own voice, but im getting used to it.

SP – What’s your ultimate direction for your music? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
TEED – I’m doing what I love, and I’ll do it for as long as I can. I feel very fortunate to be able to live from my music.

SP – What advice do you have for people who want to become musicians?
TEED – Work harder! And only write tracks you want to write, never write what other people want you to write.

SP – How can fans gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or myspace iTunes etc?
TEED …. yes

SP – Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
TEED – My parents I guess.

Questions by Danny D

Be sure to check out TEEDz WEBSITE HERE √

How Far (The 2 Bears remix) FREE DOWNLOAD by T-E-E-D

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – tracks and remixes by T-E-E-D

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In this interview with LCD frontman James Murphy…which for some reason I can’t embed so you have to click the link and go watch….

James Murphy Interview

…he mentions Bronski Beat and OMD as inspiration for this track. I’m glad he listened to them cus this track is perf.

LCD Soundsytem – I Can Change by SchitzPopinov

Peep the inspiration.

OMD – 2nd Thought by SchitzPopinov

Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy by SchitzPopinov

And if your in Vancouver this coming Monday they are playing at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. Epic probably so get yer tix. See you there.

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There is a lot to be said about Disney kids.. it seems like the fantasy upbringing for people like Britney and Christina doesn’t make for  well adjusted adults.  Being in the lime light at such a capacity, saturated with only hints of reality has turned many of Disney’s sweethearts into young adults  who struggle to gain a true sense of identity.

This was also the case for Disney child star Nala Idowu, best known for her role as NALA in Disney’s blockbuster hit, The Lion King.  We sat down down with Nala at a cafe in North Hollywood, Los Angeles to talk about life after Disney in this Schitzpopinov exlusive:

After exiting Cold Water Canyon off the 101, i quickly remembered why I never come to the valley, because it sort of depresses me.  I parked my car in the busy lot of the Coffee Bean, and I could see Nala through the glass of the front window of the cafe, she text messages on her first generation Nokia 3310 and sips a Iced Mocha.

I join her, I can’t help but notice her striking eyes.  She still looks the same, hones the familiar cub like qualities as she did while playing the breakthrough character of the same name.  I must admit it’s a bit surreal to sit with her, all grown up…in North Hollywood…

We introduced ourselves, I bought an iced green tea and we get right into it.

Schitz:  What brought you over to America from Nigeria?

N: I was sick of Lagos, you know?  I wasn’t being challenged in my roles.. I was being cast as a novelty, always some unintelligent spin off of my charachter from L.K, mostly commercials.. I recenetly did one for Subway which was kinda fun

Schitz: Are you getting put up for better projects here?

N: Well (laughing) slowly but surely, yeah yeah, they’re coming through just you wait.

Schitz: Word on the street is you have your own reality webisode series in production?

N: Yeah, it’s really going good.  Watch for it in a few months.

Schitz: How has it been adjusting to America and the industry over here?

N: One thing that I want everyone to know, I play more than just a lion from the Serengeti, you know what I’m saying? I really feel that I’m being type cast as that, and I have so much more depth and range.. I actually have an audition for the love interest of one of the lead frat boys on Greek (ABC Family)

But Adjusting? Yeah Im adjusting.  Really trying to break into the edgier roles.  I just finished shooting a remake of Salt ‘n’ Pepa’s “What a Man”

Schitz: Oh Schit.. I think we need a preview

“Nala” What a Man – Teaser Edit from jody wilson on Vimeo.

We look forward to seeing more of Nala in the future,  judging from this teaser above, she sure does keep it real.  Can’t wait for the full version!

Jody Schitz LA