Use Cheap Gear

“The obsession with crystal-clear sound I think can be a limitation, especially when it equates to cost. I really enjoy using cheap gear and interfaces and seeing how big of a sound I can make from those tools. It’s very gratifying to see audiophile nerds with the most expensive studios making boring music, and all of these people that use a looping program on an iPad or field recordings into audacity really making waves.”

Don’t listen to anyone’s rules

“It is damaging to tell people too many rules about the way to do things. Most people I admire have done their own thing in their own way. Access to information is great, and I do love learning about frequencies and mastering etc. But for the most part I think experimentation and innovation and responding to what resonates most with you is the best way to create an original sound.”

Think about patterns instead of genres

“I am inspired by breaking things down to a core. If I’m into techno sounds but making slowed-down footwork beats, where does that lead? It can automatically lead to really interesting crossovers and a more original path. Polyrhythms exist all over music history, and it’s awesome to study what that means.”