Shlump’s (@shlumpbass) debut album The Chronicles of Shlump – Sine Waves & Stardust dropped via WAKAAN back March 13, and it comes as the clearest full-length statement of his sound so far. After years of releases across labels like WAKAAN, Deadbeats, Circus Records, and Deep Dark & Dangerous, the LP gives him space to bring his bass-heavy production into a single, cohesive body of work. The release also follows singles like “Oh My Gatos!” and “Cartoons,” which helped set the tone for what the album aims to do.
What comes through in the album framing is how intentionally he approached it.
Shlump describes the record as something he wanted to make for himself first, after years of steady output and the pressure that can come with trying to please listeners. He says he wrote around 60 ideas before narrowing them down to an 11-track record, and that process shows a producer trying to get closer to his own taste rather than chasing a formula. That gives the album a cool angle for this conversation, because the Q&A below is really all about authenticity, influence, and the line between appreciation and imitation.
The rollout also arrives alongside his biggest headline tour so far, with dates bringing the new material to larger rooms, including the Ogden Theatre. That wider push gives extra weight to the questions here, since Shlump is speaking from a point where his sound, audience, and live profile are all expanding at the same time. His thoughts clearly reflect that, especially when he talks about identity, consistency, and how music keeps changing shape as scenes and styles evolve.
Interview With Shlump
How do you acknowledge the musical lineages that have shaped your voice?
I would have to say, through appreciation and respect. I am a true music appreciator.
I listen to all different types of music and can get down to many different genres. I go through lots of phases with genres and styles. Right now I’m in a bit of a jungle and atmospheric dnb phase, but that is always changing. I think one of the biggest aspects of good music is authenticity and emotion. you want to feel something from music. I think one of the other ways to acknowledge musical lineages is to take your own spin on something.
That’s what I really like about true artists is that sense of identity. I think if you make art for long enough it starts to take on a personality and I draw inspiration for all different aspects of life.
In your perspective, what distinguishes thoughtful inspiration from surface-level borrowing?
I think time and devotion are what separate inspiring art from boring art. It takes time and devotion to start to create your own style, it doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency and a passion for becoming better are what help you come up with your own unique spin on something.
I think the difference is some people want attention and some people want to master a craft.
Who in your scene deserves more visibility or appreciation than they currently receive?
I would have to give The Widdler his flowers. one of the all time goats in the dubstep scene. Such a true artist and one of my favorite producers.
When working with music rooted in cultures beyond your own, what helps you stay mindful and informed?
Some of my favorite music is kind of melting pot stuff.
I grew up listening to nu metal like Limp Bizkit and Korn. which was basically taking a bunch of different cultures and throwing them in a pot and mixing it up. I think some of the best music draws inspiration from all over the place. The first show I ever went to was Blink-182 and Green Day. I mean pop punk? two things that seem like the opposite but work together.
Another of my favorite albums of all time is the “sublime” self-titled album. i mean sublime… white boy reggae mixed with ska, hip hop and punk lol i think some of the best music out takes inspiration from tons of different cultures and styles. I think the best way to be mindful is to stay true to yourself, write from the heart and be authentic, unique and unfiltered.
Beyond public acknowledgment, what does meaningful respect for culture-bearers look like to you?
To be honest, I come from the United States and basically the whole culture is immigrants from other countries moving here and bringing pieces of their culture here.
Through time those pieces morph into our own culture of the United States. Food is a great example like pizza or burritos, or bbq. I think that is part of the beauty of the United States is it’s a bit of a melting pot of culture. As far as music goes I feel like culture is always morphing. I mean look at the golden era of rap in the 90s compared to the auto tune trap beats of the current era.
Things never stay the same and that’s beautiful and terrifying. Even look at dubstep. I’m a huge fan of the more traditional sub heavy and 2 step style from the UK. Then look at what happened in the states, with artists like Skrillex and Excision. Turned into something else and morphed to the point that it’s not even that recognisable. but i’m not here to say one is better, it’s really all about personal taste and what moves you.
So I think culture is always changing and the best thing you can do is be authentic, be yourself and add your vision to the culture. I will say that everything goes in cycles and that what’s hot now will not be hot in 5 years, but it all cycles back around and the best thing you can do is find out what you really like and do that.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
