With the release of his new LP, I did an interview with the LA based electronic music producer, Sound Remedy. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
How long have you been making Haunted Valor?
I have been working on Haunted Valor since my last EP, Potions, came out 6 months ago. It has been an ongoing process, which included promotional tracks, remixes and finally the release of the original works. That is how I generally approach music as well, it’s just an ongoing process. I never stop working and just move from project to project trying to make each successive one better than the last.
Is the title a reference to something?
Haunted Valor references my feelings about pursuing dreams and creating art. The word valor is meant to encapsulate the feelings of bravery and courage one feels when deciding to take a risk with their life and follow their dream. It also applies to the actual creation of the art itself. My approach is to be as original as possible while still including enough fundamentals of past form to inspire nostalgic recognitions in the listeners. The haunted part is what a lot of producers don’t glorify: lonely nights, separation from society, negative responses to your work, and having no one tell you what is right or wrong and not having a schedule. Personally, I don’t really give a fuck about any of those things cause there is nowhere else I rather be then in LA writing music everyday and playing shows.
Were there any tracks that required a lot more work than others?
All my tracks take a fair a mount of work these days. I would say at least 20+ hours on each. One of the tracks, Victory, probably took 60 – 80 hours to complete. It usually takes about 20 minutes to come up with the basic idea of a track. You just sit there, get really excited and dump out an idea from your head into the software. The next million years after that is spent mixing it, and getting everything perfect. The shortest time any of my recent tracks has ever taken to produce is 4 hours. I love when that happens. Producers shouldn’t stress though, it’s just the nature of the music and the production process that some are going to take a long time.
The mask seems to be a recurring element. What is it / where is it from?
It’s a theater mask from ancient Greece. They come in tragedy and comedy designs. My specific mask is supposed to be a combination of both. It’s not smiling, it’s not frowning, its’ mouth is just open, glaring. I try and balance light and dark, happiness and sadness, beautiful melodic progressions and twisted bass, in my music. That’s how they connect.
Do you wear it at live gigs? If so, is it influenced by Daft Punk and deadmau5 doing something similar?
Sometimes I wear it at gigs. I recently had a life size one made and we are working to get it encased and have it lit up during shows so people can associate it directly to me. I wasn’t trying to be like daft or deadmau5, but I do believe all of us should choose a symbol and stand by it. This is a great marketing tactic as well.
What are your thoughts on getting popular? Is making music that people like is all that matters, or do you need luck or something else as well to succeed?
I write music that I like with the hope that other people like it as well. You have to write music for yourself, because if you don’t, people will know you are faking it, maybe not everyone, but those who matter.
Luck is silly. I know it exists, but it helps me to believe that it doesn’t.
You have made all your releases available for free so far. Can you make a living from music or gigs? How do you feel about monetizing music?
The times have changed, the number of people that actually pay for music has been reduced drastically over the years and will continue to do so. Artists are able to create sustainable lifestyles by playing shows, selling merchandise, and licensing their music. I am not allowed to announce anything yet, but there is a very high probability my music will be featured on network TV in the next couple of months.
That pays. Shows pay. I just want people to listen to my stuff and like it so much that they want to see me play live. Making great music is the way to create a demand and truly profit in this industry.
I may never sell my music. Who knows?
How much other music influence you? Can you imagine major changes in your style in the future?
I am influenced by all music. My style will constantly change. I promise you that you will never ever know what to expect, and I hope my history of recordings proves that.
Is there anything you like as much as (or more) than making music?
No.
He was also kind enough to give away an unreleased track of his, “Home” for your ears only ;)
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