Can you describe your journey into electronic music production? What inspired you to start creating heavy bass and metal influenced music?
- oh man, well, i honestly have always been into metal music, and around high school, i couldn't find anyone to start the type of band i wanted to make, and that was about the same time i discovered and got heavy into Dubstep music. I had zero clue what a Dj was, or what digital music production was, but after some research, I discovered the possibility and endless potential of being a one man band and making the music I enjoy listening to. The blending of both honesty are just my favorite elements of both genres mashing into one. Usually in metal and rock the choruses can be weak, so my logic is to replace that with a high energy Drop. Lately too ive played with more guitar leads and solos into tracks and its gotten good reception.
Many electronic music artists have unique rituals or routines when starting a new project. What's your creative process like when you begin working on a new track?
- The story. Since i rebranded from B-RAFF to "CURATOR", its all about telling stories through music. The story itself creates the tone, or at least core moments of the album. There may be some tracks inside that by default have to be pivotal to simply keep the plot moving, but this is also great because it forces me often to try new things and ideas. Sometimes rough guidelines are your friend. As for rituals. Lots of weed.
Your tracks often feature powerful guitar riffs. Could you talk about the techniques and tools you use to record your guitar sessions?
As an emerging artist, what challenges have you faced in gaining recognition in the electronic music scene, and how have you overcome them?
This is my struggle most right now. I honestly have no idea. I just try and network with bigger artists, and befriend people that are sincere. Every release i notice i gain more traction, but overall i know i don't use social medias to its max potential at all. Id say keep grinding at your own pace and don't be afraid of a slow burn. All in due time.
Music production technology is continually evolving. How have you adapted to new software, hardware, or trends in the industry to keep your sound fresh and relevant?
- oh man, well, i honestly have always been into metal music, and around high school, i couldn't find anyone to start the type of band i wanted to make, and that was about the same time i discovered and got heavy into Dubstep music. I had zero clue what a Dj was, or what digital music production was, but after some research, I discovered the possibility and endless potential of being a one man band and making the music I enjoy listening to. The blending of both honesty are just my favorite elements of both genres mashing into one. Usually in metal and rock the choruses can be weak, so my logic is to replace that with a high energy Drop. Lately too ive played with more guitar leads and solos into tracks and its gotten good reception.
Over the past four years(can't remember when that combustion EP came out lol) I have listened to your music, I've seen significant growth in your production skills. Can you share some specific milestones or moments that were pivotal in your development as an artist?
- fuck i think the combustion E.P. dropped back in 2017. Seems like centuries ago. The big key factors for me can honestly come down to 2 things. First being, don't over complicate things. Youtube and reddit will have you literally overthinking every aspect of everything. Is my kicks compression ratio right? Is this snares Fundamental Frequency in the right place, all sorts of little things that while yes they matter, they don't to the average listener. The more you stick to the basics and don't spend too many hours fucking up an 8 bar loop that was already perfect previously, the more you'll notice your tracks are finishing up quicker and usually cleaner. The second would be mental health. I refuse to sit in the studio if my mind is in a daze. My entire "Fro Days" E.P. was made while i was in a bad place mentally and to me, it shows, i don't enjoy any track off of that album. If i can get at least an hour of production in a day, i can not stress that i'm not doing anything, but as for stressing the pace i finish tracks, i just simply don't anymore, and clearing that space in my head usually allows for the creativity to flow which ultimately turns into a better project in the end. Its all about being happy with your releases, not just simply delivering content to people.
Bass music is known for its intricate sound design. Could you elaborate on your approach to sound design, and how it has evolved throughout your career?
Bass music is known for its intricate sound design. Could you elaborate on your approach to sound design, and how it has evolved throughout your career?
- To keep it simple, serum is your best friend. I also heavily resample the shit out of samples. Ill hunt day and night online for samples. I once spent like 10 hours making a kick drum out of an elephant's foot step, a gunshot, and the reverb of some low end rumble on a TV commercial, its all about having fun. Also, Every plug in Minimal audio makes is insanely essential to my sound design these days. Also a fuck ton of automation. On a bunch of unreleased tracks, i've been using a lot of random plug ins from Komplete such as "Form" and Straylight" and "cloud Supply" just to name a few. Doing this allowed me to take my tracks in a whole new direction sonically and thematically, Slowly learning how to make the chaos that place in my head. oh and last but not least, don't underestimate FL studios "Riff machine" when you're hitting a writer's block.
Many electronic music artists have unique rituals or routines when starting a new project. What's your creative process like when you begin working on a new track?
- The story. Since i rebranded from B-RAFF to "CURATOR", its all about telling stories through music. The story itself creates the tone, or at least core moments of the album. There may be some tracks inside that by default have to be pivotal to simply keep the plot moving, but this is also great because it forces me often to try new things and ideas. Sometimes rough guidelines are your friend. As for rituals. Lots of weed.
Your tracks often feature powerful guitar riffs. Could you talk about the techniques and tools you use to record your guitar sessions?
On my instagram i actually have a rig rundown of my three guitars. Currently i'm running an Ibanez in Drop B tuning, A Shectar in Drop A tuning, and A Taylor in C Standard tuning. Doing this allows me to play and travel across the keys and scales as needed and wanted. The guitars then go straight into my daw, and use a mixture of Archetype Gojira Amp sim and Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6. Besides that, i'm just a riff machine. My favorite band is Slipknot so it makes sense to lay down those riffs that obliterate its listeners, or even toss in some Limp Bizkit vibes and get the crowd bouncing.
Collaboration is a common practice in the music industry. How have your collaborations influenced your creative direction?
-I love collabs, it probably stems from always wanting to be in a band. I'm beyond open and easy going when it comes to collabs. if it sounds good, it is good, and i'll speak my mind and shit something down if needed, luckily that rarely happens. I enjoy making a piece of work, sending it to someone, and hearing what they heard in their head the first time they listened to it. It sends tracks in insane directions. A Prime example would be my collab with 'Kapsyz" on my previous Album called "Division SHift"
Collaboration is a common practice in the music industry. How have your collaborations influenced your creative direction?
-I love collabs, it probably stems from always wanting to be in a band. I'm beyond open and easy going when it comes to collabs. if it sounds good, it is good, and i'll speak my mind and shit something down if needed, luckily that rarely happens. I enjoy making a piece of work, sending it to someone, and hearing what they heard in their head the first time they listened to it. It sends tracks in insane directions. A Prime example would be my collab with 'Kapsyz" on my previous Album called "Division SHift"
As an emerging artist, what challenges have you faced in gaining recognition in the electronic music scene, and how have you overcome them?
This is my struggle most right now. I honestly have no idea. I just try and network with bigger artists, and befriend people that are sincere. Every release i notice i gain more traction, but overall i know i don't use social medias to its max potential at all. Id say keep grinding at your own pace and don't be afraid of a slow burn. All in due time.
Music production technology is continually evolving. How have you adapted to new software, hardware, or trends in the industry to keep your sound fresh and relevant?
- My dubstep elements have always had an old school vibe but keeping up with the new plug ins that drop daily, its honestly fun. it can be expensive but we're all here to just create and have fun. To me, it doesn't matter how the sound comes to be or what makes the sounds, as long as its presented in its purest form to the listeners. that's what matters most. Trends and genres will always come and go, there is a time and pace for every type of music and brand out here. Just be patient and stay true to your craft.
Your tracks often convey a certain mood or atmosphere. How do you use elements like melody, arrangement, and effects to create a cohesive sonic experience for your listeners?
Your tracks often convey a certain mood or atmosphere. How do you use elements like melody, arrangement, and effects to create a cohesive sonic experience for your listeners?
- That's the tricky part for me! I want people to picture some type of visual in their head when they listen to my music, and that's why there is always something cinematic about it. I don't do it intentionally, it just naturally happens. If I'm not envisioning things, neither are my listeners. I try to create little guidelines via artwork, And that's why if you look at how i released "Chaos theory", you get to see not only the city the album takes place within, but also the destroyed ruins of said city, the source of a mysterious power that bends time, and the aftermath and rebuilding of a once destroyed civilization. I do my best with my abiliti4es and tools at hand. One day I'd love to release graphic novels alongside full albums to have the audience follow along on the journey and dive even deeper into my lore. It's a work in progress but I'm listening to my audience and finding what's working and what doesn't.