Witness the fusion of two distinctive creative forces in the “Demons & The Ghost” EP, an unparalleled collaboration between VOXNOX’s core artists, Blame The Mono & DLV. This groundbreaking 4-track EP is an explosive fusion of raw energy and unparalleled creativity, designed to ignite dance floors across the globe. Prepare yourself for a sonic journey with this one, Blame The Mono & DLV have unleashed a bold and unforgettable testament to the VOXNOX sound. Don’t miss it – destined to become a classic. Below, the three artists sit down for an exclusive chat where they discuss the creative process, challenges, and insights they learned while working together.
Questions for Blame The Mono by DLV
What do you find most rewarding about our musical collaboration, and how do you think our unique individual strengths complement each other in our creative process?
There was overall a good and fluid workflow during our sessions, and it was great to see the projects moving forward rather quickly. Whenever there was some creative tension, it was for the best and resulted in the end in something we were all satisfied with. Looking at the EP as a whole while being able to spot each other’s secret sauce is definitely something fulfilling.
Have you noticed any specific ways in which our musical styles or preferences have influenced each other over time? How has this mutual influence enriched our work?
Our musical esthetics have been quite compatible and complementary from the beginning. Our styles didn’t literally influence each other, but working together had an effect on the way we approach production and how some tricks can be used differently. Danny also had an impact on the way we shape arrangements, for example on Getrieben Von Der Bassline. It’s a track purely built as a straight-forward material for DJ sets, which we haven’t done before as Blame The Mono.
Working together closely, we’ve likely encountered challenges that tested our collaboration. Can you share an experience where we overcame a hurdle together, leading to valuable insights or improvements in our music-making?
The first session together during the making of Wachtraum was certainly the most insightful: while there was this boiling energy in the studio, we were also discovering ourselves and had to learn how to deal with each other’s “creative urgencies”. It’s not always easy to have a mouse and a keyboard for three! While we were building up the track, there were these moments when we would step back and try to get the best out of the possibilities in terms of arrangement. Those kinds of moments really settled a strong base.
As music partners, we often inspire each other to grow artistically. Is there a particular moment or piece of feedback from our collaboration that significantly impacted your musical journey?
Being a duo, we were already used to collaborating and molding different artistic visions into one. But we often took our time in the studio to do so, finding the fun in the intricate details of sound design. When we added Danny to the equation, we felt we had to maximise the limited amount of time we could spend all together in the studio. This time pressure pushed us to focus on the important aspects of songwriting and not get lost in all the nerdy production sugarcoating. If we felt we were going down the wrong road and were losing the bigger picture, we would very quickly go back to the basics. We had never done that before and it really made us progress as musicians. Danny also led us to reimagine our studio a little. Before we had our first collab studio session at his studio, we always wrote melodies directly into the Ableton piano roll and never used a midi keyboard. But seeing Danny spontaneously come up with the main lead melody of “Wachtraum”, hip-hop producer style, has definitely encouraged us to put our keyboard at arms reach!
If you could describe our musical partnership as a famous trio or band, who would we be and why?
Our musical collaboration could be compared to that between Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams. We, the two nerdy studio workhorses, pairing up with a hip-hop and pop-grounded musician. The sound engineers and the frontman!
Questions for DLV, asked by Blame The Mono
If you had to keep only one track from our collab EP, which one would it be and why?
If I had to choose just one track from our collab EP, it would undoubtedly be “Demons and the Ghost.” This track holds a special place in my heart as it symbolizes the essence of our collaboration and the artistic growth we experienced together. “Demons and the Ghost” truly challenged my artistic approach in unexpected ways. Your unique style and innovative ideas pushed me to break free from old habits and explore new creative territories within the realm of contemporary techno. The track’s mesmerizing blend of haunting melodies and driving beats takes our listeners on a captivating journey, and I firmly believe it represents the pinnacle of our creative synergy.
It’s the first time that you work together with other people on an electronic music project. Did that make you want to collaborate again but with other artist(s) in particular?
Absolutely! Working together on this project has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. It has opened up a whole new world of collaborative possibilities, and I am now eager to explore further partnerships with other talented artists. In particular, I have my eyes set on collaborating with Parallx. His unique aesthetics and approach to making music resonate deeply with me. I admire how he blends intricate sound design with emotive melodies, creating a truly captivating sonic landscape. Collaborating with him in the studio would undoubtedly be an inspiring journey, pushing our creative boundaries and producing something truly exceptional.
Throughout our collaboration, what would you say was the most challenging part in the process of crafting this EP?
Throughout our collaboration, I would say the most challenging part in the process of crafting this EP was establishing effective communication, mutual respect, and trust. In the initial stages of our partnership, we had to navigate through different ideas, preferences, and artistic visions. It required open and honest communication to understand each other’s perspectives fully.
And on the other hand, do you remember a specific moment or phase that was particularly fulfilling?
Certainly! One of the most gratifying moments during our collaboration was when we worked on the drum groove of “Getrieben von der Bassline.” It was a defining phase that left a lasting impact on both of us. As we meticulously crafted the rhythm, there was a magical moment when the groove and the bassline locked into perfect sync. The energy and vibe that emanated from the speakers were so infectious that we couldn’t help but jump out of our chairs in excitement. It was as if the track came alive, and we could feel the pulse of our music pulsating through our very beings.
Being a regular Mac user, how does it feel to now be able to duplicate a MIDI clip in less than 2 minutes on Windows?
Oh, as a regular Mac user, being able to duplicate a MIDI clip in less than 2 minutes on Windows feels like discovering a whole new world of lightning-fast music production! It’s like zooming through a MIDI time warp where time slows down for everyone else, but I’m already jamming to the next beat! But truth be told, I’m more of an audio guy, so all this MIDI duplication wizardry doesn’t faze me much. While my Windows friends celebrate their newfound speed, I’ll just be over here, bopping to the rhythm, and enjoying my audio editing groove! Who needs MIDI miracles when you can rock the audio magic? 🙂
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