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What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

Ever since I was a kid I remember being drawn to music. The electric guitar was the first instrument that caught my attention and learning to play drums and bass soon followed. As a teenager I was very into hip-hop which is what got me into production in the first place. I remember making beats and writing lyrics with my friends. We actually put out records that I wish I still had today – I think it would be very inspiring to hear what I was doing back then! After that, I remember I discovered DJing and through that I started discovering all these electronic mixes like Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi. That got me into Electronic Music and soon after that I started to learn how to produce and experiment with the genre. I think my music still breathes hip hop and it always will, but Electronic Music for me was like love at first sight and it’s something I enjoy doing very much.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

My latest release is called Brutal and it’s coming out next Wednesday February 27. I did this song with my friend Kyle Reynolds who is a wonderful singer and songwriter. Brutal is about reaching the breaking point in a relationship where you know it’s toxic and you just have to end it. Love can be beautiful, but it also can be brutal if you’re in an unhealthy relationship.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

I would say I’m usually influenced by upcoming artists that are constantly trying to create something new that no one has ever heard before. Besides music, I’m usually inspired by videos and movies, I often find myself inspired by movie soundtracks and it inspires me to push my boundaries.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

My sound has always been very influenced by 90s and early 00s hip-hop! That’s what I grew up with. I love synths, both VSTs and Hardware and I’ve had the chance to experiment with both in the studio and I can say hardware synths definitely have my heart, I think it gives my music that retro vibe it sometimes has. I’ve also been incorporating more and more live instrumentation including guitars, basses and percussion. Frankly, I think nothing compares to the way in which humans play instruments and there’s an undeniable beauty in that imperfection! In this way my music can feel both organic and electronic at the same time, and I think that’s why I enjoy doing it so much. As for why people should listen – well that’s for you all to decide, but I do my best to keep it fresh and innovative, and I am always experimenting with new sounds!

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

This is a really tough one! If I were stuck on a desert island I would really have to think about what types of things would entertain me for the longest amount of time. Here it goes:
For albums, I’d take Dr. Dre – 2001, Flume – Flume and definitely Until Now – Swedish House Mafia

For movies, it would have to be Forrest Gump, one of the Harry Potter movies, and Cast Away to like, get in the mood of being on a dessert island to learn survival skills lol.

Although I’m not much of a reader (I would like to be), I would take the opportunity to finally read 100 Years Of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, any book by Mario Vargas Llosa and maybe whatever the most recent New York Times Best Seller is!

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Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I love both very much, but I’d have to say studio. I grew up in the studio, learning to play instruments and teaching myself how to make hip hop beats. It’s something I plan on doing until I’m physically unable to. That one thing I want to do for the rest of my life!

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

Yes, definitely! 3 or 4 years ago I was booked to play a festival on the island of Antigua, I was very excited to play, and it was a 6-day long festival where I was scheduled to play for 3 or 4 days in a row. The festival covered everything – flights, hotel, hospitality, etc. I was prepared and ready to do my thing, but when I got there it was empty, no one was there. I got worried, but figured people were just going to arrive later… I played my set for like 1 person and I got a text the next day from the promoter saying the festival did not sell any tickets and that the whole thing was just cancelled. I had already been payed so I spend a couple more days on the island just hanging around and scuba diving. While it was stressful at first, it ended up being a nice experience and it was amazing to spend time on such a beautiful island!

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I’d say the most unique track I’ve put out so far is ‘Loner’, the single I released last October together with Hyara. It’s unique in the sense that I experimented with a lot of sounds that I’d never heard before. So that became the goal – to make a track that didn’t sound like something anyone had ever heard before. In all honesty, I think I accomplished this and it was weird and fun and amazing all at the same time. Additionally, Hyara really brings in a flare to the track that wasn’t there before so the combination of my really experimental instrumental and her impressive vocal work creates a pretty incredible and unique song!

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

I have been working on a lot of stuff that I’m really excited to share with everyone. There’s also some cool shows ahead for sure, but nothing I can talk about at the moment. Definitely expect to be hearing a ton of originals and remixes from me in 2019 and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming shows!

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

What would be your dream collaboration?

This is a really difficult question because there are so many talented people I would love to collaborate with! If I have to select a few – I would say the top people at the moment are Freddy Kennett from Louis The Child, Diplo, Skrillex, RL Grime, Ed Sheeran, and Robert DeLong -who in my opinion is an amazingly talented songwriter and producer! In reality the list is just endless. Just so many talented individuals who I would be honored to work with!

Photo credits: Vomba

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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