To say that Egyptrixx is a one of a kind artist is an understatement. While staying familiar to the sounds of grime and techno, he has created a completely original style that has allowed him to stand out from his Night Slugs brethren. With his new EP Transfer of Energy [Feelings of Power] being released next week via his label Halocline Trance, it was the perfect time for him to give some tips to aspiring artists.
Preparation and troubleshooting:
These two principles are the foundation for every track Egyptrixx makes. It’s essential to have a solid set of ideas, and be able to deal with problems as they arise.
Refine ideas outside the studio:
“I find it basically impossible to come up with good ideas while staring at a computer screen; it’s such a paralysis device.”
By working outside the studio, it’s possible to make initial decisions on new music without the distractions that would usually be found in the studio. That way once you begin to actually produce a track, the workflow is steadier.
Egyptrixx – Start from the Beginning from A N F on Vimeo.
Parameters are an artist’s best friend.
While DAW’s like Ableton and Logic give an artist endless possibilities for different sounds, they can become overwhelming and finding a direction for a track. Creating a basic sound palette before starting and working with hardware whenever possible is a good way to stay focused.
“I also think it’s important to make decisions about general atmosphere and basic production techniques in advance so that when you get tired or frustrated, you can refer back and keep things rolling forward.”
Egyptrixx Live Set [Excerpt] from A N F on Vimeo.
Avoid fatigue:
A huge part of producing music is decision making, and when you’re tired, your ability to make good decisions is impaired. By creating a solid schedule, it’s possible to maximize your efficiency in the studio without losing your creative energy. It’s also crucial to take breaks from listening your music, otherwise you can get bored of a song you’re producing and begin to second guess yourself.
“Take breaks; go do emails, read something, go outside, eat, whatever. Make sure you’re purposeful and have energy when working—don’t overdose on work. Four to five hours of good, productive studio time is better than 12 hours of drudgery.”
Write with the wrong instrument:
If you find yourself stuck on a track, try playing it on a different instrument. It will give you a fresh set of ears for the melody and allow you to have a deeper understanding of the your music.
“There’s nothing revelatory here, it’s just a silly little trick that can sometimes be useful and produce an interesting result.”
Embrace non-musical ideas:
Inspiration is everywhere, and all forms of art and design can be translated into music.
“This process has basically become the mission statement for the Egyptrixx project.”
Egyptrixx – Ax//s from A N F on Vimeo.
The full interview with Egyptrixx can be found at XLR8R.
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