If glitch bass and funk fuelled madness gets your boots rocking, then you need to check out US DJ/ producer VibeSquaD, who’s in the country at the moment.
VibeSquaD right now... how would you describe the sound/ style you're emanating? I always have a bit of trouble explaining it because I have a pretty wide variety of tempos and stylistic references in my tracks. I would say the common thread is positivity, big bass, and funk influence.
Your thirst for new music... is that what drives you to create your own soundscapes? I'm always interested in discovering new sounds or always a new approach; keeps things evolving and it's a challenge I enjoy. I love hearing something original and get a lot of inspiration from that. I’ll start trying to figure it out in my head and try that new approach if I can.
Do you approach your music now any differently compared to when you were playing with Future Jazz Project, Zilla etc? Yes for sure. Playing live music with with a group is really different from working alone in my own studio. I used to practice guitar and bass all day every day — now just when I need it for a recording (or before the occasional Zilla show; we still play play a few times a year). I always enjoy the challenge of playing in a group, but these days I think I prefer to work alone. I can steer the sounds in any direction I'm feeling without it being up to debate all of the time. I still enjoy a good ensemble jam from time to time.
I'm listening to Spinning Gears And Making Things on Bandcamp as I write these questions... brilliant recording... is it the kind of album that transfers well into a live setting? Thanks! Some of the tracks do and I play them a lot. About half of them are a bit laidback for the dancefloor, so I haven't tried those live. Some of them might work in a sunrise festival setting and I hope I can try that out this summer. Tracks like ‘Chocolates’ really seem to work better in the club.
The rise of electronic music in the US over the last two to five years has been incredible... while the mainstream is now soaked in 'EDM', is the underground scene still bubbling away nicely? Styles and genres tend to cycle and change quickly these days. The popularity of EDM in the States has been something I don't really feel a part of right now. On a personal level it's inspiring me to not copy and follow trends, just to ignore it and follow my own intuition. Here and there I discover something new in underground music that I find inspiring. Honestly I have heard a bunch of Australian music on this trip over that I'm really feeling. Probably the most inspiring stuff I have heard in in a while.
What's your favourite piece of new technology? I've been really enjoying photography and video and using some new software and DSLR cameras. I'm amazed at how good the camera is on my phone. I'm writing a film screenplay I hope to direct in 2015, so I'm pretty into the related technology these days. I'm sorry did you mean music gear? ;) I haven't really gotten any new musical toys in in a bit...
What's been the career highlight so far? Getting to meet great people around the world is something I really appreciate. I feel fortunate to be able to do this for a living. So different shows and tours have different aspects I like. Getting to perform with artists I admire is always nice. Playing some of the venues I dreamed of playing as I started out is nice too. I'm really enjoying this Oz tour right now.
Speaking of which, you have a date with the Earth Frequency crew in Brisbane... what are you looking forward to the most about the trip? I love Australia. I feel right at home here. It's been three years so I have been really looking forward to this trip.
With your live show... is it simply packing up the laptop and a couple of accessories and you're good to go? Or is there more to it? When I can I bring synth, guitar, bass, and occasionally a live drummer. If it's too much stuff to travel with I pare down to a laptop and a couple controllers and play keyboards through the computer.
Will you be bringing any fresh edits/ mixes etc for this trip? Yep :) I have been working new original material into the set and have some new remixes too. I have one I did for hip hop crew Zion from the US that’s been fun to play. I have refurbished some classic VibeSquaD tracks for this trip as well. Do you have time while touring to create new tunes... maybe a rerub of an older track that works well within the environment you find yourself in? I find it hard to create music in headphones when I travel. My home studio is way better suited for that for me. I am doing a bit of writing on this screenplay though.
The next little bit for you... what plans do you have in the works for future collaborations, releases, tours etc? This [northern] summer I’m playing a bunch of festivals in the States and Canada; there’s a new VibeSquaD mix dropping in a couple weeks, and an EP by summer’s end. I hope to make some more collaborations with my friend Dirty who raps on ‘Chocolates’ and ‘Windshield Wiper’.
Vibesquad Tour Dates
Fri April 25 - Manning Bar (Sydney)Sat April 26 - The Hi-Fi (Brisbane)
