Static & Bass

Nothing more than twenty years of combined experience within the realms of DJing and production, Static and Bass have now begun to come into their own after roughly two years of dedicated partnership. Since combing their efforts back in 2011, They have released 2 EP’s on the Southern California based label AcropolisRPM.

//

I think for the both of us growing up in New York City and both being of Asian decent, we were fortunate enough to be blessed with so much culture and diversity. That definitely plays a factor in our ability to explore different artistic angles. To be able to go from a Russian neighborhood to a Colombian neighborhood all on the same subway ride and then end up in the melting pot of culture (aka Manhattan) is just amazing. Walking around the city humbles you. It’s almost like the music is playing even without it actually playing. We implore people to try that sometime! We don’t ever limit ourselves to the type of music we listen to, it all depends on our mood and what the setting is, from listening to some Sinatra while driving down the Westside highway to bumping Biggie Smalls in a Brooklyn park, it’s all a true blessing.

 

Interview

---

Home Town: Both from Queens, New York
Currently Living: Queens, New York
Origin Of Name: When we started to produce we used to make all these tracks that had this really cool “static bass” sound, so one thing led to another.
Weapon of Choice: FL Studio/Ableton
Source of Power: Our family, friends come first as they are a big factor in our drive and determination. Artist wise, there are so many to list but on a personal level we would both agree Alex Mind is a big inspiration when we are in the studio. We also love Heatbeat, Madeon, Dirtyloud, Mord Fustang, Feed Me, deadmau5, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Mat Zo, Moar Levi—too many to list.

Was there one particular moment in the recording or mixing process for your Discovery Project entry that made you feel like you were creating something pretty damn special?
Every moment…but then again we feel that way about a lot of our music.

Are there any dots to connect with where/how you grew up to your musical output?
Static: I was in band, playing the trombone from 4th grade through high school. I dabbled in guitar as well.
Bass: I grew up playing the piano and violin and cello. I was fortunate that my parents made me learn and I am able to apply it to my music today.

What do your parents think of what you are doing?
Our parents are happy we are aiming for our dreams.

What’s the strangest part of your job?
When people ask for hip-hop at an EDM event.

What would people be surprised to find out about being a DJ?
How much money you actually make.

How does what you do for a living affect your friends and family?
My family is very supportive so that keeps me highly inspired.

What is your ultimate career dream?
To tour the world and see parts of the world we’ve never dreamed of seeing. To create an album that inspires the next generation of producers.

Are you impulsive with your work or do you have a sketch in mind before you start?
We always start with a melody and a mean bass when we are in the studio. For our sets we create an intro and freestyle the rest.

What’s the last song you heard that made you drop what you were doing and go into the studio?
“#Boom” by Heatbeat.

What’s the most important piece of gear in your studio?
Our main computer—it’s really the only thing we need to make a track.

How important is it for you to experiment and take on the risk of failure?
We don’t have a clear formula on producing a track. We start with a melody and go with styles we are into at the time, and bring them all together. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Do you have a list of people you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
We’d love to make a track with Alex Mind. That guy is just crazy.

If we pressed Shuffle on your iPod while you went to the bathroom, what would you be embarrassed to come back to us listening to?
“Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake

What sound or noise do you love?
That static bass!

What should everyone just shut the fuck up about?
The whole laptop DJ vs. controller vs. vinyl purist DJ. That conversation is just really old.

What gets you excited when you think about the future of electronic music and club culture?
How big it’s getting and how many opportunities are appearing.

What worries you about the future?
The commercialization of it. It really can be a great and bad thing. We just hope people don’t become accustomed to what the media shows you and still look for different music that defines what was great about the music from the start.

What are your weaknesses?
Anime and video games—I play and watch too many sometimes.

Do you have a secret passion?
Static: Glowsticking
Bass: Cooking

How would you describe your sound to a deaf person?
Think of a rain forest where lots of peaceful creatures are living in harmony. The sun is shining through the dewdrops, everyone and everything is happy. Out of nowhere something starts falling from the sky. It’s on fire, it’s big, and it’s about to crash down onto the rainforest. It smashes down and it turns out to be a spaceship. Hostile aliens with reptilian skin release a toxin in the air that causes everything to turn into zombies. Just as the rainforest is about to succumb to the invasion, two heroes from the heavens appear. They smite the aliens and cure the rainforest creatures and serenity has returned once again.

Is success physical or internal?
Success is both. It means accomplishment!

What do you remember about your first DJ gig?
The day we decided to put on our masks at our District 36 residency (we used to go by the name Cheric and Madraverrai), and the look on the faces in the crowd has to be the most memorable.

What’s the hardest professional lesson you’ve learned thus far?
There is always more to learn and there is always room for growth.

Tell me about your most memorable night out.
Spinning EDC NY was the most memorable night for us so far. It felt like an accomplishment that we have been striving for. Now that we have achieved it we have to work even harder. It’s like when an Asian kid gets an A on his report card, it’s awesome but he knows the next time his parents will want him to get an A+ so he has to study much harder.

What advice would you offer someone thinking about entering the Discovery Project competition?
Be unique with your sound, don’t try to go for the same thing everyone else is doing, separate yourself from the rest and you will shine!

Last words?
Passion over talent, all day everyday.

Link to winning track:

 

 

Set from EDC NYC 2013:

 

 

---

Share