Part 2
From the earliest sketches to the finished piece, what does your current production workflow/process look like?
My workflow typically begins with inspiration striking at unexpected moments—whether it's a catchy melody playing in my head or a captivating sound I find while experimenting with synths. These initial creative sparks often lead to the creation of rough sketches or ideas that I then try to build upon.
Once I have a collection of sketches, I begin to flesh out the ideas, layering sounds, arranging sections, then editing and refining the composition. This phase involves a combination of experimentation and intentional decision-making.
Throughout the process, I often find myself iterating and refining, constantly revisiting and reassessing elements and modulations, to ensure that each element of the track serves its purpose and contributes to shaping the overall mood and vibe of the piece.
Once finally happy with the elements, modulations and arrangement, I then focus on the mix, attempting to bring everything into balance with each other before moving on to the mastering process.
Rhythm, sound design, melody/harmony, something else – when do the different elements of a piece come into play for you?
My process typically start with a melodic synth that serves as the foundation, setting the tone and creative direction for the composition. From there, I focus on building layers and modulating the sounds to sculpt the shape of the tune.
While rhythm is essential, I tend to approach it more fluidly, often starting with basic drum patterns and gradually using in additional elements to enhance the groove and add depth. This process allows me to play with different variations, gradually refining and evolving the rhythm until it feels right.
Throughout the process, I try to remain open to experimentation, allowing each element to inspire the others. This is probably why I have at least 10 or more versions of a track before I feel a track is ready for release. It’s wild how many versions of “Soma Sequence” and “Punk Kids” were continually amended before finally deciding that I was happy with the outcome.
In relation to sound, one often reads words like “material”, “sculpting”, and “design”. How does your own way of working with sound look like? Do you find using presets lazy?
While presets are a useful starting point, I prefer to modulate them to tailor the sound and infuse it with my own creative vision. It's a more labor-intensive process, but I find it really satisfying to have control over every aspect of the sound design and try to create something that resonates with me.
That being said, I don't view using presets or loops as inherently lazy. They can be a valuable tool and can add a certain flavour to a track. However, I believe that relying too heavily on presets can limit creativity. By investing the time and effort to crafting the sounds, I'm able to create music that reflects my sensibilities.
For example, when creating ‘Onyx Skies’, initially I used a drum loop, but quickly realised this limited my abilities to bring in instruments one at a time and build up and down the energy of the tune. Therefore, I used this loop as inspiration to create my own drums, modelled in a similar fashion but with their own unique sound.
When it comes to working with sound, I approach it as a form of artistic expression akin to sculpting or designing. Each sound is like a raw material waiting to be shaped and molded into something unique and evocative. I meticulously craft and manipulate sounds, experimenting with different parameters and techniques to achieve the desired sonic texture and character.
In my process, I find that each sound serves as raw material, offering endless potential for exploration and transformation. I try to view each element as a canvas to be shaped and moulded into something new and unique. With “Status Quo” for example, I spent a lot of time creating and modulating synths, which created a great scaffold for me, from which I was able to expand and build into a track.
Ultimately, my goal is to evoke a sense of depth and dimensionality in the music, which I hope resonates with listeners.
What, to you, are the respective benefits of solo work and collaborations and do you often feel lonely in the studio? Can machines act as collaborators to you?
Both solo work and collaborations are really interesting for me. When working solo, I appreciate the autonomy and freedom to explore ideas without compromise or restrictions, allowing the sound to unfold organically. While the studio can sometimes feel solitary, I don't necessarily experience loneliness in the traditional sense. Instead, I see it as a space where I can fully immerse myself in the process, free from distractions and external pressures.
On the other hand, collaborations offer an opportunity to tap into the creativity of like-minded individuals, bringing other perspectives and skills to the table. Collaborating with other musicians, producers, or artists can spark new ideas, inspire fresh approaches and brings a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose to the table.
In terms of machines, I believe that they can act as collaborators in their own right. Through their capabilities, these tools also inspire new ideas, generate unexpected results, and expand the boundaries of what's possible. Whether it's a synth that produces a sound that you just can’t forget, or a drum loop that inspires new rhythms, machines can serve as creative catalysts.
In this way, I see them as something that can enrich and enhance the creative process in ways that weren’t possible a few decades ago.
To some, the advent of AI and 'intelligent' composing tools offers potential for machines to contribute to the creative process. What are your hopes, fears, expectations and possible concrete plans in this regard?
This is an area that evokes a range of emotions for me, from anticipation and anxiety, to the excitement and curiosity of new possibilities. There’s no doubt that these tools offer new potential to enhance the creative process but I also harbour concerns about the potential implications of AI in music creation.
While AI can undoubtedly generate impressive results, there's a risk that it could homogenise artistic expression, leading to a proliferation of formulaic music devoid of human emotion and authenticity. As an artist, I value the ability to express myself freely and authentically, and I worry that widespread reliance on AI could erode this essential aspect of creativity.
Saying that, I do find the space incredible interesting and have already entered the rabbit hole. I experimented with an AI voice converter when making my track ‘White Rabbit feat GrimesAI’, enabling me to create vocals sounding more like Grimes herself, which showcases the possibilities of this tech, so I’m definitely not against it, but just hope that AI will serve as a tool to enhance productions, rather than coming to dominate the space.
I would like to see AI tools that empower artists to explore new areas and generate novel ideas, while maintaining the authenticity of their own vision.
If you could make a wish for the future directly to a product developer at a Hard- or Software company – what are developments in tools/instruments you would like to see and hear?
If I could make a wish for the future to a product developer at a hardware or software company, it would be for developments that prioritize creativity, innovation, and accessibility in music production tools and instruments.
I would like to see advancements in user-friendly interfaces that lower the barriers to entry for aspiring musicians and producers. I believe that this could make music production more accessible to a broader audience.
My wish is to see tools and instruments that inspire and empower people of all backgrounds to realise their creative visions.
Please recommend two pieces of art (book, painting, piece of music) to our readers that they should know about.
This is a tough one. There are so many artist pieces that have resonated with me. In terms of music, there’s some songs that I come back to time and time again and feel deserve recognition.
"Small Town Boy" by Bronski Beat: This classic from Bronski Beat is an absolute gem, blending poignant lyrics with early synth integration, bringing a smile to my face every time I hear it. Its raw emotion and infectious energy make it a timeless anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
"Hands" by Four Tet: When I first heard this track back, it was a revelation. Kieran Hebden's innovative production style and creative approach to electronic music opened my eyes to new possibilities and inspired me to explore different avenues of musical expression.
And as mentioned above, I can’t forget to add my favourite tunes by Moderat and Bicep:
”Rusty Nails" by Moderat: This song holds a special place in my heart ever since I discovered it. Its atmospheric vibe and melodies resonated deeply with me.
"Glue" by Bicep: A modern anthem that never fails to get me moving … a masterclass in creating a euphoric vibe.
Each of these songs has touched my soul in a special way, reminding me of the transformative power of music and the profound connections we can forge through sound.
And that’s already twice as many as asked for, so I’ll stop there, but this list could be so much longer. I already have other songs in mind that I feel guilty for not mentioning!
