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Easter Eggs - Sound In The Signals Interview

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You are considered a mash-up artist. What made you get into the style of music?
Music has always been an interest to me, more so than anything else. The idea of creating music has always been intriguing, but I honestly suck at making music. I heard some mash ups that a friend of a friend made and the "genre" seemed awesome to me, I never even thought of layering songs to create new music. People have been doing it for longer than I've been alive, but I must have never caught on. I then looked into some programs to create music on the computer, and started layering tracks. They all sounded horrid for the longest time, but I put in work and now I believe that I have a better idea of what I'm supposed to do.
What is the craziest two things you've put together that you didn't think would work and turned out great?
In all honesty, if I'm putting something together, it's because it sounds good in my head. I probably wouldn't bother trying something out if I don't think it would work. I get a lot of ideas, but only a very small percentage comes out sounding decent. I'm getting more and more picky, which is making it harder for me to create, but I'm much more satisfied with what I do release.
I read an interview where you discussed the styles of music you were interested in. I was wondering how the style of music that interest you effects how you choose what you will put together? What are some of your current favorite artists?
It's all trial and error, I guess. The style of music that interests me does influence me, of course. I'll be listening to music, hear a part I like, and keep a mental note to try to rework it in an appropriate manner. Nothing gets forced, though. I will not force myself to use a sample just because I really like it. As far as current artists go,that's a tough one for me to answer. I guess lately I've been listening to a lot of assorted reggae.

I did some reading up about you and it seems like most people consider your Jackin' For Beats album one of your most popular works. What do you think it is about that album that sticks out with people? I've also heard you aren't a fan of the way the album turned out is that true?
I couldn't tell you what sticks out with that project. I got very lucky and had my work noticed by a good handful of people. Seems like most anyone could and will release a mash up project now, and for me to get noticed makes me feel blessed. Could be the choice of samples, could be the arrangement, could be anything. I've never questioned it, actually. At the time it came out, I thought it sounded awesome. As I get older, I like mash ups less and less. I think they don't have very much playback value, but are fun for the novelty purpose. Now that my ear is trained a bit more, I hear so many flaws in the work, but it's still a huge progress over my past work.
One of my favorite mixes you've done is the “Return of the Mack” mix you did. How did you put that track together and what made you choose “Return of the Mack” that almost seems like a classic 90's track everyone has forgotten?
You nailed it. "Return of the Mack" is definitely a classic track that I think a lot of people don't listen to in their free time, most likely because they forgot, or simply don't know the name of it. I actually have two mixes of that song that I've made, so I'm not sure which version you are referring to. The mix for the album just came with trial and error. My other version, which is the version I use for DJing when I don't use the original basically came from me really wanting to make something with an Ace of Base sample. I feel like a lot of people could get down to Ace of Base but I don't really like to play original Ace of Base tracks, kind of takes away from my fun hip hop vibe that I try to create.
Outside of mash-up music do you produce any original tracks? If not is that something you'd like to venture into?
I'd like to, someday. I don't quite understand it, or maybe I don't have the patience. Anything I've tried to make hasn't gotten very far. I guess I'd have to first find my "sound." I don't want to make mash ups forever, that's for sure.
I read online one of your biggest early influences was Hollertronix “Never Scared” mixtape. What are some of your current influences? Do you listen to a lot of mash-up music?
My current influence would be the Portland club scene. I love watching live DJs and seeing how people react to certain types of music. Just last Saturday, I was DJing with this guy and he dropped "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, and people jumped for it. I would have never guessed to play that song. I try to take mental notes from live mixing, whether it be from someone else or myself. If you don't know what a crowd wants to hear, then you have no place playing music for people. I don't really listen to much mash up music. Ironic, right?
What types of equipment do you like to use to create your music?
Basically, my laptop is all I use to create anything. I don't have the need for any kind of hardware, because what I'm doing isn't that technical. The music is already made, I'm just rearranging it.
The album you are currently working on has a little of a different vibe that people have heard from you before. You've described it as a little more “pop” influenced. Could you tell me what influenced your decisions with the new material?
What influenced this, goes back to a couple questions ago when I mentioned that I take notes on what people like to listen to. I play mainstream parties, I don't specialize in disco or drum n bass or dubstep or house or any type of certain genre, and with that, I've learned that if people come to a party without any certain type of music in mind, they get pretty happy with music they know. "Comfort music," as I like to call it. With that in mind, I've stocked up on plenty of "comfort music" and that's basically what is making up most of the samples in the new project.

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