Southwestern mastermind Volen returns to Seattle’s Rhizome Records with five fresh cuts from his Arizona beat lab on the Validation EP. Queued up for a first listen we have “Pure Energy”, the Bandcamp Digital Exclusive accompanying the vinyl release.
Since his release Rolling with Papers on Mexico’s UFO Series, we’ve been tracking Volen closely here on the other side of the Portal. His productions combine infectious grooves, with an ear-candy-shop of samples, achieving a retro-futuristic sound that’s beyond timeless.
“Pure Energy” is no exception. Beginning with a classic West Coast break, the track is at times both dreamy and funky, with airy pads, acidic stabs, and a collage of samples that glues it all together.
After years of listening to his tracks, it’s a pleasure to share a few words from Volen on his new release below. Check out the Validation EP via the Rhizome Records Bandcamp.
I find your tracks notoriously have an almost sound collage type style when it comes to the way you use samples. Can you describe your approach to sound design and sampling?
I believe my love for sampling comes from when I started producing music in Ableton, the DAW mixed with my love for hiphop which is also heavily sampled music. I strongly believe that a good producer/engineer in any genre should know his daw! To bring your ideas to life without relying on others too much. Giving your sound an actual fingerprint in my opinion is you learning to mixdown your music, that's my perspective.
Give us a peek into your studio. Are there any particular pieces of gear that are essential to your process?
I've used quite a few pieces of gear throughout the past. I think really the most essential part for me is being able to have a setup that's ready to go! The easiest that you can make for yourself. My computer, ableton and a midi key board is enough! I love my hardware as well! (work with what you got) I think trying to change the process as much as possible is good so I try not to stick to one structure too much.
In the landscape of dance music today, what do you feel can set DJs and producers apart from the pack?
All I can say is be kind to everyone! We're all here just trying to express ourselves through this beautiful art form which is music. But I do think the best of the best have always done it for themselves. Real deejays and producers don't do it for the image or the hype, they're nerds with an inner child who just want to have fun! They do their homework and pay tribute to the way things started. I believe it all starts with the turntables learning how to mix vinyl records.
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