Artist:
Dj Sid-the Apocalypze (
theApocalypze)
Group:
Pleasantly Neurotic
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What 'tags' would you use to characterize your music (no more than 3)
Instrumental Hip Hop, Electronic, Trip Hop
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What country are you from (i.e., where do you produce your music)?
US
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Is there any one track that you're most proud of? Why?
Thats hard... Not sure if I have made that track yet. But I will say that collaborations with Pixieguts have been very interesting!
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What hardware/software setup do you use to produce music?
Gateway Tower, Acid Pro, PDX Turntables, Serato
In the past I have used the Ensoniq ASR 10, Alesis Drum Machine
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Are you formally trained in music? Can you read sheet music?
I've had a couple (and I mean 2) of piano clasess but I'm not concert pianist.
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What resources did you use to learn how to produce your own music?
Watching other people do it and experimenting.
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What role do drugs play in producing music? What role do they play in listening to music?
Drug free... But I do get inspiration from life (women, sci fi, superheroes, my imagination)
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How do you feel about 'copycat' artists? That is, artists that mimic the style of another artist. For example, consider how many 'Boards of Canada' copycats there are out there.
I think the number of copy cats are low. I think the majority are artists who do similar styles of music.
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What artists do you feel most influenced the music you produce?
I've listened to Hip Hop, Soul, Disco and Electronic music since the late 70s. Its hard to think about all the different influences.
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What advice would you give to someone who is interested in producing
music but has yet to "take the plunge"?
Just do it. Have some fun. Make some tunes.
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How would you describe the "lifecycle" of your music? That is, how does a track go from not existing, to being an idea, to being produced, and to being introduced to the world. How long does the entire process take?
I try to work on stuff all throughout the year and try to release something once a year.
Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours to make a track sometimes it takes a couple of weeks.
I have some I've never finished. I just make it when I'm in the mood or when I have
free time outside my day job.
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What specifically could Last.fm do (or do better) to help independent artists?
Return the classic recommendations feature and broaden the promotinal tools.
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What sites other than Last.fm have been most helpful/useful to you as an independent artist?
myspace.com, cdbaby.com, sonicbids.com
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What separates a successful netlabel from a failed one?
uncertain but I would say marketing and promotion
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Do you have a "day job", or are you a full-time musician?
I have a day job...
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Do you ever play live shows? Have you ever toured?
Yeah, I have played in Denver, Cincy, Albuquereque
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Name a single independent artist, other than yourself and anyone you know personally, that you think produces amazing music that more people should experience.
too hard to choose one...
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Any hints on what to expect from you in the future?
A commercial project with Pixieguts and a new solo EP. Possibly a new vid or two.
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Dj Sid-the Apocalypze
Atoms Apart
