Artist Interviews 🎶 Studio Tours 🎛

Hello music people 👋

Today in the spotlight, TASTEOFSLOW

Currently in Bali, he’s been making music for more than 20 years and found filmmaking to be the medium where he can combine his music and other artistic pursuits 🎶

Interview & Studio Tour

Who are you and what is your relationship with music?

Hello, im Alex Grabchilev (TASTEOFSLOW)

I live in Bali for more than 10 years. My main source of income is filmmaking and photography.

I started writing music at 13 years old (now I’m 35). It was a way to feel real all the imagined worlds I had in my mind.

All my life I was switching back and forth between music and visual arts, until I found myself in filmmaking where I can join this parts of myself.

Which piece of equipment in your studio is essential to your production process?

It’s an iPad. i use it as a main sequencer for all my stuff.

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

I think it’s the volcas.

Volca is an amazing little synth that is really difficult to replace. They are analog (most of them) and have midi cc control which unfolds huge amount of sonic possibilities.

Walk us through your process for creating and producing music.

My whole process is around the concert of making live performance video. As I have a “computerless “ setup, I’m starting a new track only if I record previous one or I want to ruin it.

Sometimes I have sessions where I just explore synths and create patches.

What is a production technique that you always come back to?

I’m always doubling my bpm in the middle of the track. It’s like 72/144 . I intuitively stick to this bpm, and what is the funny thing , recently I discovered some magic behind this number. 72 is like 2/3 of 108 (which is sacred and represents wholeness of existence in Hindu and Buddhist culture.)

The production always starts with a patch. Sometimes I’m starting with a very raw idea of sound I want to create, then I’m trying to get this sound and on the way I’m coming up with the melody and groove.

But most important technique is to finish previous track before starting new one.

Sometimes if I’m not happy with the track and I don’t feel to finish it, I’m starting new with the base of previous one with patches and drum kit.

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How would you describe your style?

I grown up listening to IDM , BigBeat, Jungle, Electro, Ambient.

So I guess its Space, IDM, Synth-wave

What is a big challenge you have as an artist?

Uf, the biggest challenge is to fit all my studio in live setup rig. I love to plan and optimize the workflow and the space my synth takes from studio. So I came up with rack cases where all my stuff lives and I can take it with me without unpatching it.

Also big challenge is promoting. In the modern era of attention wars you should really force yourself to push your music everywhere.

Has building a hardware setup changed your perspective on music or life in general?

Yes for sure,

One tip on how to spark creativity?

Easiest way to spark your creativity is to start creating without pressure that you need to create something. If you love to spend time doing music, tweaking knobs, just relax and enjoy.

A book, movie, article, or album that has inspired you?

I’m a big fan of science fiction movies, books, and futurology in general. I also have small collection of books of concept art, like Syd Mead, Chris Foss, John Harris.

Anything else you'd like to say?

I want to add that my genre can be described as musical storytelling. Many people told me that my music will be good as game soundtrack, I actually will be happy to try to write music for games.

Where can people find more of your music and connect with you online?

instagram | soundcloud | bandcamp | youtube | spotify 

Gear List

• Apple - Ipad pro 11”

• Yamaha - HS8

• IK Multimedia - iLoud

• Behringer - UMC 1820

  • Extension for it - Ada 8200

• Korg - SQ1

• Akai - Midimix

• Novation - Nanokontrol XL

• Novation - Launchkey 37

• Behringer - 2600 Gray Meanie

• Mutable Instuments - Veils | Stages | Tides | Warps | Blades | Beads

• Behringer - Neutron | Pro 800 | Deepmind 12

• ASM - Hydrasynth 

• Novation - Peak

• Korg - Monotron Delay | Volca - Keys | Bass | Kick | Drum | FM

• Moog - Minitaur 

• Elektron - Analog Rytm MK2

In Case You Missed It

139 - Novak The Enjoyer

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