Hi, right now I’m listening to DJ Dazed’s DREAMDAZE project and digging the exploratory electronic sounds. He digs deep into a wide range of styles and pulls out dreamlike productions.

I’m into looping myself and so I asked the DJ a few questions because I was curious about his approach to pc-based electronic experimental music creation and how to make a live performance of it.

Artist: DREAMDAZE by DJ Dazed

Website: http://www.dreamdaze.org

Buy CD: The Harvest Of Exact Calculations

What specific software do you use to create your music? What kinds of sources do you use for loops? Do you record any of your own loops?

I use various software packages to create my music: Ableton Live (mainly) but also Sound Forge, Traktor DJ and Acid. For sounds, I usually tweak Sony loops, but I also generate some myself from the VSTs included with Ableton and from scratch using my Novation X Station. All the loops (even the ones I generate myself), I end up cutting up endlessly, running through filters and plug-ins.

Do you ever perform your music live and what challenges have you run into performing electronic music?

Besides the audio component of my show, I focus on a strong visual and performance element as well. It’s kinda boring to watch a guy and his laptop sit around on stage.

On the audio side, depending on the show, I use either Ableton Live or Traktor DJ. With Live, I actually compose live onstage - either new versions of my existing songs or entirely new compositions. I find Ableton Live works really well for my IDM, drum-n-bass and down-tempo sets. When performing live with Traktor, I use the four turntable set-up to blend loops together (not songs); this gives a more ambient and/or ambient-techno feel…kind of like The Orb in style.

On the visual side, I use Arkaos to do live video mixing through a couple of projectors. I tend to use a lot of video clips from stag movies, furries, freaks, cartoons, cult movies, odd geometric animations, German experimental video from the 60s, etc. If you’ve seen any old Dada art video, you’ll get the idea (floating eyes, close-up’s of faces, swirling geometric patterns, people behaving badly in costume).

On the performance side, I incorporate costumes, lighting, lasers, smoke machines, etc. I perform dressed in a white robe in white face paint behind a white monolith - while on stilts. So on stage I’m 8′ tall and the video projects over me.

Basically my challenges performing electronic music live tend to be that I’m too busy (music mixing, video mixing, smoke machine triggering…and try to keep moving and engaging the audience).

How would you recommend a person get started with creating electronic music?

To get started creating electronic music, I suggest downloading the free version of Acid then downloading ALL the sample loops from their web site. Then check back weekly for their free 8-packs. This will keep you busy for a LONG time. I also suggest reading up (online or in books) on song structure. And then just play play play with the software, samples and structures - and have some fun!

What artists have you listened to lately that have given you new ideas you want to try out?

Everytime I listen to Aphex Twin I get a new idea. I don’t remember the song I listened to now, but the next night I cranked out an Aphex-style podcast (180 BPM, cut up drums, noisy pads). It was a lot of fun.

Some ideas I’d like to try out on the performance front would be to incorporate AirFX and a KaosPad (and maybe a theremin) into my show somehow.

How do you go about composing pieces, do you have any basic methods?

My mom was a music teacher until she retired. Even her very simple (early) feedback to me of “do everything in 4s” was helpful. It just makes the song sound “right”. That is unless you’re trying make it sound “not right” or add unexpected results to the song…then, of course, you might substitute some thing on the “3″ or replace the “4″ with an odd sound/loop/effect for a transition, etc - that’s what I love about laptop music…the quick cuts, the unexpected and often amusing surprise samples - I’m a big fan of Wagon Christ/Luke Vibert for this reason.

I also play with Velva (www.velva9000.com) and the music we do there we call “song-based electronica” because we use regular song structures like ABABCABB and all electronic instruments (z-tar, custom made instruments, circuit bent toys, lots of f/x pedals, laptop).

Also, do you have any quotes from the press or buyers about your current cd for sale?

RandomArtist.com said:
“…electronica that continues to surprise and please…”

UnsignedMusicMag.com said:
“DJ Dazed [of DREAMDAZE] served up a great CD with some very expressive tracks.”

Well I learned allot from the DJ and I was particularly interested in live video mixing, now that is cool and something I would like to see. I guess I need to get to some electronic shows.

If your interested in hearing more electronic music I have some on my home page, and you can sign up to get new tracks by email!

Peace,

Dan-O

Hey, this week I had the good fortune to listen to Nila Kay and ask her a few questions about her music. Nila writes and sings genuine, natural pop tunes with an innovative edge and I love her tracks.

What was the last book you read or artistic work you saw (like a movie) that inspired your lyrics and why?

I’m kind of embarrassed to say it, because you’re probably expecting me to say something prophetic but here goes…GOSSIP GIRL! It’s a really good source for drama these days, especially when you don’t have a boyfriend and you’re a single-parent who doesn’t go out as often as they once did. Gossip Girl is GREAT for lyric ideas! Last artistic work that I read or saw that inspired me to live…in general…from the bible “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible for you.” and also this one from a teabag “We do not remember days, we remember moments” - Cesare Pavese

Are you going to release a CD? What are your plans for it?

Sooner or later I would like to release a cd, but I want all the songs to be great so it might take a while…I don’t like to rush the recording process. It seems like that’s when mistakes happen…I like to let my songs live for a while on stage and in the real world.

With who and where did you record the tracks on your Website?

The tracks I have were recorded at Chung King Studios in NYC, NY with Patrick Brown of Brown Bottle Records, also at Different Fur in SF with Patrick. I think four of the songs I have on music submit were recorded at Bias Studios in Springfield VA with JLaine http://www.myspace.com/jlainemusic as music director, producer, and percussionist! I also recorded a couple of the tracks at home on my four trackin either my kitchen or bathroom.

What area are you in now and where you play live? Do you play solo or with a band?

Right now I live in Arlington, VA about 5 minutes from DC- I play here in VA, in DC, MD, NY, Bryn Mawr, PA (at milkboy acoustic cafe!), and once this year in Austin TX during SXSW for RedGorilla music festival. and I play at my friends’ parties! I play solo, or with a cajon, or with my drummer, or with bass and drums.

What is your approach to writing songs as of the moment and how did you come to that place?

I used just write whatever popped into my head and rhymed (actually I still do, but I try not to as much). But I wasn’t happy with the way that works, and thought I could do better. so now I’m taking online classes with berkleemusic.com. It’s SO GREAT! There’s so much to learn…I feel myself improving, and being able to put a lot more into my writing. I LOVE IT! but in general i get ideas from many different places…conversations that I hear via eavesdropping…conversations that I have… people that I see…and past experiences…

You can check out Nila’s new pop songs at http://www.nilakaymusic.com and have a listen for yourself! For more information about what this site is all about go to my home page or sign up for my mailing list to get more articles on great new artists like Nila!

Peace,

Dan-O

Hi, a while back my friend Rob Kudyba asked me to sing a tune called “I Want You Here With Me” on his CD. It turned out to be a real nice take and a pretty killer pop rock love song. I have even heard it aired on college radio here and there. I asked Rob if we could put the track under the Creative Commons attribution license and offer it completely free and royalty free as part of the stock production music library on my site, and he agreed.

Pop Rock Royalty Free MP3 Download with Vocals: IWantYouHereWithMe.MP3 - CC Licensed - More

Just be sure to credit and/or link to: beezoo.com/danosongs.com if you use it in any projects. Download and share all you want for personal use.

I met Rob when we were going to the Hartford Conservatory together and I have stayed in touch with him ever since. Over the years I saw him grow into being a top-notch solid rock guitarist and consummate entertaining performer. Here are links to his current bands, all of which are fun and excellent to see live:

Vine House: http://www.vinehousemusic.com
Area 44: http://www.myspace.com/area44
Spare Time and Rob: http://www.myspace.com/rkudyba

Area 44 will be putting out a new 6 song CD and they are looking for a drummer in the New York City area if you know anyone. Plus I know Rob is always on the lookout for a challenging new gig - so check him out on myspace! Besides that I have a new instrumental pop rock tune in the works for next week that I was asked to create for a motercycle YouTube video channel. That’s it for now.

Peace,

Dan-O

Hi, thanks for checking out my latest update.

I am getting more and more interest in royalty free instrumental songs that people can use as background music for YouTube videos and on their Websites. If you don’t know, I offer my tracks under the creative commons for free use if you provide a link back to my Website danosongs.com.

For that reason I am going to get even more focused with these posts and just send out my own music so that you can be sure its ok download it it and do whatever you want with it. I love reviewing other artists but it is just to complicated to ask them to let people who visit my site use the music totally for free.

The other week a visitor asked if I could create something in the techno style of DJ Tiesto so I came up with this track called “Snapsphere”:

Downloadable Royalty Free MP3 Instrumental: Snapshpere.mp3 - CC Licensed - More

I am working on building my music library so if you need custom music I may be able to come up with something. Also, this week I uploaded two new rock songs with vocals on solo acoustic guitar called “Everything Dies” and “The Art of Gardens” on my home page.

Plus check out a couple of write ups I did on the online music institute Music Master Pro and the web-based beat making program called Sonic Producer.

Peace,

Dan-O