saintwoods

There is so much more to DJing than actually DJing.  Learning how to spin records and mix tracks is the very tip of the iceberg.  And in this day and age it’s really not enough to just learn how play to a crowd.  In a world where computer software makes mixing songs accessible to the laziest debutante your not going to get very far no matter how good your song selection is.  The next logical step then of course is producing your own tracks and this is the normal way you make your way up to the upper echelon of Djs.  But what a lot of people don’t realize these days is all the other ways you can stand out from the pack or get involved with the DJing scene.  A lot of people forget that there are so many interesting grinds out there that not only can make you stand out but are such a key part of the scene and community staying fresh and moving forward.  There’s one guy in Canadian music who embodies the spirit of a true inspired grinder and is quickly becoming the godfather of the Canadian dance music.  He is Vancouver’s DJ Neoteric and he’s at the head of some of the coolest projects in electronic music right now including Discobelle’s mystery mix and the absolutely exceptional White Lights Mix series… Oh and if that’s not reason enough to peep the interview he also drops a hint for the mystery mix!

CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW AFTER THE JUMP!

So what do you have going on at the moment homie?

Neoteric: Ah quite a bit! We’re in the midst of the Mystery Mix, Volume 2 from Brodinski which is a series I created, and partner with Discobelle.net. Also with Discobelle, I’m compiling my first compilation album, the series is called Turned On! and Vol 1 features some amazing tracks from the likes of Crookers, Nadastrom, Brodisnki, Radioclit, Savage Skulls, Sharkslayer, SonicC, Sound of Stereo, Noob and MANY others. That should be out in Mid May on Beatport. Other than that just keeping busy with tracks, mixes, and travelling!

LTB: That sounds crazy… How did you get everyone involved?

Neoteric: Well these are all artists I’ve worked with for many years. Lots of them real life friends, some strictly via the internet. A few of the tracks on the album are from previous and current editions of the Mystery Mix. I just really try to keep my ears tuned and track down the most exciting new talent. It all came together so well on this compilation, I think the release will be very well receieved!  Also Mommas Boy, Gingy, Kid Kaio, NT89, Will Bailey could be added to that list haha

LTB: I don’t think I’ve heard of a compilation album to come out of electro and all that… that’s pretty cool

Neoteric: Yeah its been a great experience, and i hope the start of a long running series. Kind of like the Kistune Maison series, but with a bit more music for the clubs

LTB:  That’s really cool… Deffinately a gap to be filled.  Working with all these guys do you see a certain trend developing in their music? Whats the common thread right now in this kind of dance music?

Neoteric: I think the common thread is to actually always be doing something different. Trends and sounds move fast these days, and the ones with longevity seem to be able to redefine themselves often and create new sounds, rather than try to emulate them.

LTB:  It seemed like a couple years ago everyone was on the same page with electro, now its kind of what you say — it seems like everyone is trying to break out of the box.  What do you think this means for the scene as new perhaps less mainstream friendly genres like tech house and dubstep and experimentation gets popular among producers?

Neoteric:  I think it just increases the potential. Good music of all kinds and sub genres trickles down to the mainstream. Dubstep might influence some Pop producer out there to experiment a bit more and come out with something wild. Some tech house might start bringing some more swing into the next radio hit. So much Pop production is already pretty minimal these days. I think us, as North Americans are long overdue for an influx of dance experimentation in our music, we’ve been playing catchup to the rest of the world for years now.

LTB:  But do you think you can get the same kind of almost mainstream scene following these kind of acts?  Do you think there can be MSTRKFTS and Justice’s with tech house and minimal music? If so what do you think its going to take to get mainstream girls and guys to follow these guys the same way?

Neoteric:  Hmm, that could be tough being that the genres are so specialized. I dont tend to over genre-alize things. There may be a few scattered hits but i can’t see too much of it cracking the mainstream to a great extent.

LTB: What’s the Canadian West Coast scene like right now?  What do you think needs to be done to keep the Canadian scene moving forward and step up production?

NEOTERIC:  Well, Vancouver is sadly quite stagnant. We had a really good thing going  a few years ago but that seems to have fallen of a bit. We have some great DJs, but not too much production coming out, compared to say, Toronto or Montreal, but there is certainly some talent, I just wish the scene was a bit more refined and organized sometimes. Calgary and Edmonton seem really tapped in, theres some great nights out there. In terms of moving forward, its going to sound cliche, but we all need to support good talent when you see it, striaght up. Promoters could also focus a bit more on building up followings for Canadian talent. Smalltown DJs in Calgary, and Dmoney in Toronto have been really amazing over the years booking so many of the artists in the scene.

LTB:  Speaking of west coast production Your production game with Smoke and Mirrors was hot and almost seemed to anticipate what’s popular now.  What’s happening with that now?  Although I have to say your work as a curator is deffinately pretty great as well and filling its own void

Neoteric:  Haha, thanks! Smoke & Mirrors was a side project I did with U-Tern (www.myspace.com/djutern). He’s an amazingly talented dude, who generally makes disco. We worked together on some remixes for Ttittsworth and Major Lazer, plus put out some edits that got a ton of support from some amazing DJs, and that was great. However we both stay so busy seperately that it’s hard to get together and do our thing. We had an EP planned but at this point I think we’re going to focus on edits for the club and our sets and just keep it movin.

LTB:  For sure… So how did you get hooked up with dubsided? What’s that been like?

Neoteric:  Thats been amazing. Switch came to town a few years ago for a show. We laughed, we drank, we talked music and drove around listening to tracks. I left him some CDs and he hit me back the next week and said he love my ear and diverse tastes, and asked if I’d like to do A&R for the label. That was an extreme honor. I know I may be biased but I still look at him as one of the best house producers ever. I hear somethig new every time i listen. I cant understand how he does what he does, and I really do try to understand.

LTB: How was WMC?

It was amazing. They say your first year is always the best but I cant wait for next year. Imagine a week straight of the most amazing parties, where pretty much everyone is there, partying, networking, and playing their newest tracks. We did a show with 2 Live Crew & The Splack pack, and a bunch of artists from the booking agency im on, Stirling, (www.stirlingagency.com) so that was great. Plus the Fools Gold, Mad Decent, Made to Play, Trouble and Bass, and Annie Mac’s parties were all insanely fun! It took a lot out of me, and also really prepared me for next year. I’d highly recommened it to anyone.

LTB:  Let’s talk about your White Light Mixes series.

Neoteric: The White Light Mixes is a series of mixtapes that I currate with my homeboy Matty C (www.myspace.com/badmattyc). We got inspired after a long night driving home in the dark from Whistler to Vancouver, we were listening to some mixes that really grabbed us, and we completely zoned out in the dark watching nothing but the lit pavement, while listening to the music. We wanted to try to re-create that feeling with every edition of the White Light Series. Artists like Kris Menace, Lifelike, Alan Braxe, Fred Falke, and The Revenge really inspire the series. I like to say its ‘Music to epiphanize to”, when you can just put it on, and be completely lost in the music, yet also able to really think deeply. These mixes have to be experienced while driving at night, but they are also great for studying, walking down busy streets, or making out with cute girls to. We just posted up Volume 23 from Moullinex, and have had previous editions from myself and Matty C of course, Fashen, Smalltown DJs, Thee Mike B, Curtis Vodka, Them Jeans, DVAS, Helsinki 78-82 and many others, plus we have upcoming mixes from the likes of Rory Phillips, Eli Escobar, U-Tern, Dinamo Azair from Azair & III, Soul Clap and many many more. I would highly suggest you give this series a try, it just might change your life. (www.whitelightmixes.com)

LTB:  So I know your on this whole new moombahton thing can you tell us a bit about it?

Neoteric:  Well, Last summer Dave Nada was in town, and this is pretty much when that track Moombah was new. I remember we took him to this crazy hippy nude beach thats like this amazing secluded slice of Vancouver paradise. Everyone goes there to get some sun, let lose, drink some beers, do some other things if they so feel like it. You’ve got named hippies walking around selling you cold beer, organic pizza, and mushrooms. Anyways, he played this edit for me and I lost my shit, it sounded so right!!! Then this past February we all had this Olympic gig on one of the mountains, and before that I took him to my friends radio show, we all played some sets. Nada busted out a whole mini mix of the new edits he had been working on which were INSANE! The whole studio was jumpin and smiling and freaking out, and that kind of lit a flame.  I think he did the first Moombahton set in Vancouver actually on top of that Mountain, and everyone there went off. Dave is the master of shit tho, when he plays, you have no choice but to have fun. I got to work the next day and did about 5 edits that week and sent them through to Dave or to any homies that ask, but Im gonna try to stay a bit low bout it and let Dave do his thing, he’s really onto something fun. Unfortunately everyone and their perro is tryin to make Moombahton now and for the most part failing. Shouts out to my dude A-Mac whos been killing it. But I gotta say to all those trying, listen to Nada’s shit, theres a lot of detail and effort that goes into those tracks, and I’ve been sent dozens of terrible, terrible edits. If you’re just gonna simply slow a dutch house song down, you’re missing the point. And straight up violating! Put some time and effort into if, if you feel it, otherwise you’re playin yourself! Oh, and please do not send any Pon De Floor Moombahton edits! Esta Loca!

LTB: haha true dat

NEOTERIC: It sounds so bad worded like that but it needed to be said.  There”s so much bad out there, that i dont want shit to be made a joke of, you know?

LTB: For sure things like bmore and now I guess Moombahton have the power to be abused hard.   Ok anything you want to add homie? Shoutouts? People to watch out for

NEOTERIC: Sure. Watch out for Turned On: Volume 1 coming May 11th to Beatport and all fine digital retailers! Keep an eye on www.djneoteric.com for a bunch of new mixes, tracks and remixes plus some North American tour dates before I jump ship to Europe for a while to get ot work on something *big*, and of course www.whitelightmixes.com for the disco heads. Shouts to Saintwoods, The Stirling Agency, Moombah-je-sus, and all the amazing talented people out for the inspiration

Oh – and here’s that clue I promised….Track 12 of the Mystery Mix is Total Recall by Ultravid

Also check out Neoteric’s excellent mix for the crookers blog here: