Artist Interviews 🎶 Studio Tours 🎛

Hello music people 👋

I’m on vacation ⛵☀️🏖 so for the next few issues I’ve curated compilations that feature a specific attribute or type of gear.

On this issue we’ll take a look of G.A.S. Newsletter featured artists that have vintage gear in their studios.

Studios

35 - Stegonaute

Has this journey of building a hardware setup changed the way you think about music or life in general?

Not in my life in general, but indeed I love the restriction it brings.

It creates homogeneity and consistency in my work, I remember how lost I was when I scrolled through the presets of my virtual instruments. In the end I didn't even make music...

51 - A Last Picture From Voyager

What is the least expensive piece of gear that gave you the most results?

Definitely my Loewe Opta Reel-to-Reel.

This is a simple tape recorder and player, bought for 10 euros at my favorite second hand store. I use it to listen to all the old tapes I find around, and with this little tape deck, I discovered some of the best samples I used into my albums and EP.

This is a part of my process: I am constantly looking for some kind of archive sounds I can manipulate and use to create music pieces.

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78 - Joshua Wentz

Walk us through your process for creating and producing music.

I like to start with a concept.

If there's not a brief for a project, like there is when working on sound design for a play where they have specific cues and such, then I tend to make up my own parameters.

Sometimes it's a general theme, or maybe I want to explore a particular instrument. After that I will typically sit down at a piano to begin. A few times I've started songs with a groovebox, like the Electribe Sampler 2, but mostly keyboards are my way in to a song. I'll typically come up with a general sound and structure, then come back to lyrics/vocals if it's going to be that sort of music.

Once I feel like I have a piece of music where I want it in terms of recording and a general mix, I will usually step away from it for a few days and then return fresh to see if it still works. At that point I'll do more mixing and prep it for release.

79 - PaprTape

What is a big challenge you have as an artist?

As an artist, it's hard to find something that defines you.

I first started making music for artists since I wasn't sure what style I wanted to go for. I also did some apprenticeship to see how the big boys do it, and tbh, there's an old saying of do as I say but don't do as I do.

Once you find that spark that clicks as an artist, trust yourself and put all your heart and soul into it. Because the big boys aren't doing anything special and sometimes you might realize you know more or are more capable than those in the big leagues. However, finding that spark that defines you as an artist is hard and there is no specific formula to how or how long it will take.

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Giannis @giannis.kampiotis