Q&A / mpbanga

What is your creative process like when making music?

• For me, it's all about experimentation with sounds, textures, and frequency.  Being spontaneous, trying not to follow rules, just doing what sounds good to the ear.  I always start with the melody and try to build everything else around it.  This can be a rabbit hole and lead to nothing.  But occasionally, the stars align and something beautiful happens!

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What or who inspired you to start making music?

• My inspiration to make music stems partly from DJing heavily in the 90s.  Seeing first-hand, how music makes people feel.  I was also inspired by how "I felt" listening to my favourite producers: Pete Rock, J Dilla & DJ Premier.  It was inevitable that I would pick up an mpc 2000 XL when I found out, how this machine could manipulate sound.

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Aside from lofi/chill beats, what is your favorite music genre?

• Neo Soul, Reggae, 90s Hip-Hop, 90s R&B

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What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

• Well, that would be from my mum: "Son, you've only got one life to live"

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What inspires you the most in your daily life? Why?

• Easy answer, my son.  It's hard to say, but I never felt like I had a Dad growing up.  This void affected me in the life choices I made: some bad, some good.  Now, I just try to do my best and make time for him.  But I'm far from perfect.  A work in progress.

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How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

• Everyone's relationship with music is deeply personal.  It can transport you to a  time and place.  As a teenager, I used music as a place of solace where I could relax or release anxiety.  I would describe my music as: chill, melodic beats.  It's unique in the way I chop and layer samples, but a small part of me lives inside that beat.  There are millions of beatmakers.  Ultimately it's about how you relate to the person/story.  As he's growing up, I try to feature my son's imagery on most of my releases.

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What do you wish you could tell yourself five years ago?

• "Less is more" — Don't get caught up with having the latest and greatest gear.  Having way too many plugins can actually ruin the workflow by distracting you away from the vibe.  In the last two years, I've limited myself to working with one sampler (mpc Live 2) 100% standalone.  I've found myself to be much more focused and have achieved greater results.