BlueRize » Mix & Master

Mix & Master 013: Braiden Interview on DJing

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:04 +0000

Braiden is a London-based electronic DJ and producer who does a radio show on the famed dance station Rinse FM, DJs at clubs and festivals all over, and has had his debut single The Alps released on Joy Orbison’s label Doldrums. In this interview, Braiden shares how he got started DJing, what led him to getting his career-breaking Rinse FM gig, and explains the crucial difference between radio and club DJing. Find out how to get started on your own effective DJ career. Enjoy.

If you dig not-quite-dubstep house music, check out Braiden’s great single The Alps on the Doldrum label. And tune into Braiden’s radio show on Rinse FM every other Tuesday from 1-3pm GMT. You can also connect with Braiden on Twitter.

Note: Apologies in advance for the garbled audio quality due to the internet connection. Braiden’s awesomeness still comes through though, which is what’s most important.

Mix & Master 012: J-Boogie Interview on Crafting Your Own Sound

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:19 +0000

J-Boogie is a San Francisco-based electronic producer and DJ. His music is released on OM Records, and he’s the co-creator of the award-winning radio show Beatsauce. He’s worked with people like Kaskade, Talib Kweli, and Mark Farina, among many others around the world. In this interview, J-Boogie shares his production techniques, and he talks about how he came to create his personal sound. Find out how you too can craft your own sound while still using the same digital tools as other producers. Enjoy.

If you love unique-sounding downtempo music such as Kruder & Dorfmeister and Thievery Corporation, make sure to check out J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science on OM Records as well as new tunes on J-Boogie’s SoundCloud. You can also visit J-Boogie’s blog for the latest news and show updates, and hit him up on Facebook and Twitter.

Mix & Master 011: Asura Interview on Creating a Good Concept Album

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:00:36 +0000

Ryan York aka Asura is a Los Angeles-based electronic artist who’s the co-founder of record label Non Projects and has had his self-titled album distributed by Alpha Pup Records. In this interview, Asura talks about how he made a concept album based on Japanese poet Kenji Miyazawa’s work of the same name, shares his recording process, and offers insight into why concept albums are important—especially in electronic music—and how to make them genuine instead of pretentious. Find out how you can create a good concept album and make it meaningful rather than art-for-the-sake-of-art.

If you like gorgeous beat-based electronic music with an experimental touch, check out Asura’s music at his website or at his label Non Projects.

Mix & Master 010: Christopher Willits Interview on Designing Your Own Sound Tools

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:00:06 +0000

Christopher Willits is a San Francisco-based electronic artist and guitarist who has released albums on Ghostly International, collaborated with artists like Ryuichi Sakamoto and Matmos, and is owner of label and community catalyst Overlap. In this interview, Christopher talks about why he started designing his own software tools for his guitar and shares his recording process. Find out why designing your own tools is simpler than you think and how it can actually improve the music you’re making. Enjoy.

If you like lush guitar-driven electronic music, make sure to check out Christopher Willits’ website. You can also buy his albums here. And for live performances, visit Overlap’s website to see the latest events.

Note: The interview was done at a cafe so pardon the background talking in the first few minutes.

Mix & Master 009: Loscil Interview on Creating Unique Sounds

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:00:24 +0000

Loscil is a Vancouver-based electronic artist who also plays drums in the band Destroyer. He’s released his albums on Kranky and an EP on Ghostly International. In this interview, Loscil talks about how he creates his own unique sounds via sound synthesis, and how that landed him sound design opportunities in film and video games. Learn how you too can start creating your own unique sounds and separate yourself from the pack. Enjoy.

If you like lush ambient soundscapes that sound unique and emotionally hit, make sure to visit Loscil’s website for his latest music and updates, and check out Loscil’s albums and his EP Strathcona Variations.

Mix & Master 008: Com Truise Interview on Visuals, Synths, and Opportunities

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:00:43 +0000

Com Truise is a New Jersey-based electronic artist and designer who’s on the Ghostly International label. In this interview, Com Truise shares how he got into designing, the importance of visuals in music, the benefits of using hardware synths, his software-plus-hardware recording setup, and how he hooked up with Ghostly in a relatively short time – and how you can also effectively open up great opportunities for yourself as an independent artist. Enjoy.

If you love lush, melodic, and funky synth-based electronic music, make sure to check out Com Truise’s Cyanide Sisters EP and his debut album Galactic Melt, released May 2011 on Ghostly International.

Mix & Master 007: Oliver Chesler Interview on Music Gear and Blogging

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:00:38 +0000

Oliver Chesler aka The Horrorist is a New York-based electronic artist and founder of Things to Come Records, on which he released his acclaimed debut album Manic Panic. What’s cool is he’s also a prolific music blogger. In this interview, he talks about his widely-read music gear blog Wire to the Ear, how he started it, how he grew the readership, and how the blog comes full circle and helps his music side. He then talks about music gear itself and the benefits of both constantly-progressing software and classic tactile hardware. Enjoy.

If you haven’t read Wire to the Ear before, one of the most popular articles to start with is a funny yet insightful one titled Keep your channel faders low and the master at 0db!. And you can buy The Horrorist tunes here.

Mix & Master 006: Dr. Strangeloop Interview on Music Visuals

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:00:28 +0000

LA-based cinema artist and musician Dr. Strangeloop has performed visuals for artists like Amon Tobin, Flying Lotus, Kode 9, Hudson Mohawke, King Britt, and tons more, as well as events for labels like Brainfeeder, Warp, Ninja Tune, and at the Coachella festival, among others. In this interview, Strangeloop talks about the importance of visuals in music and how he sees the two as intertwined rather than separate entities. Strangeloop also shares how he got into VJing (live visual performances), how he collaborates with musicians, and what the future holds for music and visuals. Enjoy.

Mix & Master 005: Solvent Interview on Analog vs. Digital

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:00:17 +0000

Solvent has been using analog synths to create and release electronic music since the late ’90s on labels such as Suction Records (which he co-founded), Morr Music, and Ghostly International. In this interview, Solvent talks about the real benefits of analog synths over digital instruments (ie. not wishy-washy “it sounds warmer”). Solvent also shares how he combines vintage synths with his modern recording setup, and he dishes out simple ways for new artists to start adding some analog to their own music. Enjoy.

Make sure to listen to the sweet Suction Records mix that Solvent did for the relaunched label.

Note: I unfortunately had a few net connectivity issues while recording this interview, so I had to edit some parts. However, this doesn’t take away from the awesomeness that Solvent shared.

Mix & Master 004: Austin Peralta Interview on Getting Interesting Collaborations

info@bluerize.com (Mix & Master) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:40 +0000

LA-based pianist and composer Austin Peralta has played on albums by Erykah Badu & Shafiq Husayn, and he’s collaborated with The Cinematic Orchestra, Flying Lotus, Dr. Strangeloop, and many others. In this interview, Austin talks about how to get interesting collaborations and shares how he works and collaborates with both musicians and electronic and hip-hop producers. Enjoy.

Austin Peralta also shares how he self-produced his new album Endless Planets, released February 8, 2011 on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label. If you dig great piano and jazz-driven music, get Endless Planets at your favorite online or physical record shop or through the Brainfeeder website.

Note: I unfortunately had net connectivity issues while recording this interview, so I had to edit parts and re-record some questions. And apologies for the lower quality in places. However, this doesn’t take away from Austin’s awesomeness and what he had to say.