ZIGHT X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [RECENT TRACK, BEST ADVICE, BIGGEST SUPPORTER]

Zight is an emerging EDM artist hailing from Hong Kong. His style is distinctly upbeat, fusing feel good melodies to euphoria-dripped soundscapes and thunderously thumping rhythms. His creative process is unique in the way he crafts his iconic sound. The artist suffers from the disorder “synthesia”, which means his emotions are often transferred into melodies in his mind. The result is something authentic and oozing with originality. Forming a unique bond with music from an early age, burgeoning producer Zight is ready to leave his mark on the dance music world.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello Zight, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing?

Z: It’s so good to meet you guys. :]

I’m doing great. Social lockdown in Hong Kong. No distraction from the outside world. 100% focus on making music.

CR: Tell us a little bit of the story behind the track ‘Fly Away’ connecting with Sonna Rele to write and produce this track, as well where did the inspiration come for it?

Z: Actually the chorus of “Fly Away” is a piece of melody that stayed in my hard drive for 11 years, like when I was a kid. I have melodies popping in my head occasionally. Most are dull, few are worth recording. I can’t remember exactly how I recorded “Ya gonna be okay, you gotta fly gotta fly away” in my mp3 player. Guess it was the dream of the kid, who just wanted to fly away.

It was a long journey after that. Anyway, I finished “Fly Away” in October last year. And then I tried to contact many singers on Instagram, Youtube, through emails and DMs. One day Sonna Rele replied me. I remember her voice in “Strong”, the theme song of the Disney movie “Cinderella”, so sweet yet so much strength. At that moment I knew she is the singer I’ve been looking for.

CR: What is the best advice you have received while pursuing your career as a DJ/Producer?

Z: Oh there is one piece of advice that helped to improve the quality of my songs - be a professional listener. You have to learn to listen, to analyze, to learn from these songs from the famous producers. The chords, instrumental structure. Listening is far more important than producing.

CR: We know EDM scene is getting huge in Hong Kong how did that influence you as an artist? Also, which club in Hong Kong is your favourite to attend.

Z: It is definitely growing! The mainstream music market here is still dominated by old-fashioned Cantonese love songs. Guess that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to “fly away”.

CR: What do you like to do during your downtime other than producing music?

Z: Actually, I’m a pretty nerdy person. I’m into music theories, piano and music production. Well, for the rest of the time, computer games. Cities Skylines, Planet Coaster. I like strategy simulation games. In these games, you build nice, beautiful cities, and enjoy walking in it. I have a feeling that the DAW and my synthesizer the new “game” that I play with. I “build” nice, beautiful music and enjoy listening to it.

CR: DJs/ Producers travel with multiples of that one item, what is that item for you?

Z: My laptop with Splashtop, a software that remotely connects to my studio desktop. That’s all I need.

CR: Who is your biggest supporter as a Producer/ DJ?

Z: I should announce two names.

Davide Hausmann, my latest teacher in music production. He is the guidance, my mentor in dance music production. I sincerely thank him for every piece of advice.

My younger sister Remi. During the very challenging periods of startup (an online art gallery), and then the very beginning of music production. She consistently supports me to pursue what I feel right to pursue. During the production process, I have so many AB options, like, hey sister, “A” sounds better or “B” sounds better? She consistently gives me her honest opinions. I just want to say thank you to her.

CR: Since we have all been in lockdown, what genres have you been listening to get some inspiration for your next track?

Z: Actually, what I do at this moment is “extracting” beautiful melodies which have been stored in my hard drive over the past 20 years. I rate these melodies, from A grade to E grade, into different folders, different genres. I constantly hear good melodies now for sure, but not as good as what I heard when I was a kid I gotta admit.

CR: Are there any other projects that you are working on that our followers should know about?

Z: “Keep Running”, a song for all runners, collaborating with cover singer Peter Forest. I have strong faith that the pandemic is going to end very soon. I do hope “Keep Running” will bring some positive and energetic vibe to the post-pandemic new bright world.

Lighting Round for Zight

Texting or talking? Texting

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Hard liquor or Wine? Hard liquor

Cake or pie? Cake

Hot dogs or hamburgers? Hotdogs

Xbox or PlayStation? PC please :)

Movie theatre or arcade? PC please :)

Guitar or piano? Piano

Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel for sure

Dog or cat? Cat

Hot weather or cold weather? Cold weather

Zight Socials:

SUB•LABEL X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [HOW IT STARTED, FOLLOW THE PUPIL, FAVOURITE EVENT]

If you have ever attended an event in Toronto, you have spotted the eye in the crowd. Daniel Spata, the creator behind Sub•Label, has made a name in the Toronto rave scene. We love the brand he has created, along with a small community within Toronto. Sub•Label also created some dank memes for their followers for a daily dose of laughter in times like these. We have been following his journey since 2017 and wanted to sit down and get to know the name a little bit better. We hope to see more pupils in the crowd whenever raves do return.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello SUB•LABEL, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing?

SL: Hey guys, thank you so much for having us we appreciate the love! We’re doing great, really excited for what’s to come for us in 2021.

CR: First, how did the idea come to life? Tell us everything about your story?

Daniel Spata (The Creator of SUB•LABEL) with his famous Clubrats shirt!!

SL: Ouffff where do we begin...While the brand officially launched in 2015, Sub•Label the idea, started back in 2013/14. Back then I was attending every festival and event I could go to and I remember seeing the merch available and thinking “this all fucking sucks" lol - no offence to them it was just not my thing. From there I started making custom gear for myself to wear then my friends saw it and liked it. Then I made custom gear for them. Then random strangers would ask them where they got it from...so on and so forth. The name “SUB•LABEL” is the marriage of 2 things... “SUB” meaning sub-culture/subterranean (underground) and “LABEL” conjoining clothing and music.

CR: What is a typical day in the life of SUB•LABEL?

SL: We usually keep in contact throughout the day via group chat, sharing the latest tracks we’ve found, tidbits of news, Guy Fieri gifs etc. Then in the evening we do our daily posting to the feeds and reply to all your DM’s, comments, mentions and emails.

Once that is done I get to work hand printing, decorating and fulfilling all the apparel orders. We all work demanding full-time jobs and sub•label is a daily grind but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

CR: You guys are very well known in the Toronto Techno/House Scene, how was it, in the beginning, trying to make a name for yourself?

SL: First off, thank you, that’s so dope to hear from a third-party perspective. Second, fucking tough and It still is. When I started I was not a DJ, producer, promoter or anything connected to the scene...I was just a club kid who loved the music. No connections meant no shortcuts and that’s how I approach it even today. In my eyes, we haven’t done shit yet...

CR:  We know you have had your booth in a lot of events, which one is by far your favourite and why?

SL: You can’t see me but I am smiling right now thinking back to all our ELECTRIC ISLAND tents! being able to put faces to Instagram handles is amazing (I realize I can see pictures on the IG but it’s not the same fuck u haha). Meeting and interacting with everyone in IRL is pure magic and something I never want to take for granted. The cherry-on-top is walking around the festival and being blown away by everyone who either wore the gear to the festival or purchased it there, it’s so priceless and humbling.

CR: Where did the ‘Follow the Pupil’ term start?

SL: Follow The Pupil was something that started completely on its own which makes it so cool to us. For those who don’t know, our sub•label logo was designed to look like an eyeball. So people would rock their gear at events and we would get tagged on IG by others who’ve spotted them in the crowd or dancing and would take videos and stuff. Our “pupil” logo would be seen throughout the crowd and it kinda became an inside thing for anyone who knows of the brand.

Its kinda like a game...look for the pupil, follow the pupil I guess 

CR: What is the best advice you have received while pursuing your dream?

SL: The best advice I’ve received is “if you want to go fast go alone if you want to go far go together”. This is something I struggle with as I’m an introverted, DIY type person and perfectionist on top of that. The problem with this is it’s literally impossible to grow when doing everything yourself. Luckily 2 very close friends of mine help with posting content to the main feed and curating our banging monthly playlist...shout out to @len0xmusic and @jondraper_ respectively! So grateful to have them to share all the highs and lows with <3

Honourable advice mention: “Art is never finished only abandoned”

CR: Can you describe the process from the idea to printed merchandise? How long does each step take before you go to the next? Do you get an “in the zone” feeling when you do create a new design?

SL: This process is almost never linear for me. Ideas strike whenever or wherever TF they want and you have to be ready to make note of them at any moment. I’ll usually jot down these ideas in my notes on my phone or a physical note pad if I have one handy...I’ll then try to create a super rough digital version of it while it’s fresh. From there it can sit for weeks, months even years before it sees the light of day. I’ll occasionally sift through “old” ideas and edit/fine-tune them at a little bit each time until they’re at the point I feel comfortable releasing them. If you’re wondering where all these ideas are, refer to the honourable advice mention in question #7 ;) Looking to abandon more art in 2021.

CR: The music/entertainment industry is in the dumps right now and everyone is doing their part to keep things afloat, how did you guys connect with the guys from ‘For the Underground Festival Toronto’ to help Toronto underground scene?

SL: Yeah, we’re super stoked to be apart of something so special and close to home. Our homies at UPH actually hit us up and asked if we wanted to be apart of this! No question, any chance to help support our local venues and artists we jumped at. Shout-out out to AD the Kid who also had a hand In the initiative's conception.

CR: Tell us a little bit more about your music taste, what is your favourite genre and some artists?

SL: How much time do we have? Haha, my music taste Is pretty damn wide but is generally dictated by what phase I am in at the moment. Electronic takes the cake 95% of the time (techno, house, trance) but I am also a big pop-punk fan and huge slut for classic rock and 80’s music hahaha.

CR:  You have hosted some artists on your page, will your brand ever turn into an imprint for some of the underground artists to showcase their music?

 SL: I believe that half of the opportunity is timing...The label is in the name for a reason ;) Stay tuned 

CR: We know you collaborated with several artists and events locally for creating their merchandise, will you collaborate with more artists/events outside of techno/house to put your name out locally/internationally?

SL: Absolutely. While sub•label is rooted in Techno and House, SUB stands for anything sub- culture. With that being said, whatever we do must always remain authentic to our interests and beliefs.

@len0xmusic

CR:  What is the future looking like for you guys as 2021 is around the corner, anything the followers should know about?

SL: Wanna be careful not to jinx 2021 with any of that “new year, new me “bullshit but honestly, we’ve never been more excited about the brand’s direction and what’s to come. I have a fuck ton of unreleased shit we’re working hard at releasing and we’re excited to just continuing this journey, taking risks, learning, FAILING, growing, trusting the process and putting everything we have into it. sub•label has always has been rooted in passion and persistence and this year will be no different.

Lighting Round for SUB•LABEL

1. Texting or talking? Texting ( I’ll still respond in 3-5 business days)

2. Coffee or tea? Coffee

3. Hard liquor or Beer? Liquor (vodka only doe)

4. Cake or pie? Cake

5. Hot dogs or hamburgers? Burgs

6. Xbox or PlayStation? Playstation all-day

7. Movie theatre or arcade? Movie theatre

8. Marvel or DC? Batman is my fav but as a universe overall, Marvel.

9. Electric Island or Piknik Montreal. Electric Island...only bc I’ve never been to Piknik!

10. Vertigo or Stereo. Vertigo....again, only bc I’ve never been to Stereo (I know I know)

11. Coda or Toybox. CODA...sorry Toybox fam :P

12. House or Techno. House...Nobody Listens To Techno ;)

SUB•LABEL SOCIALS

MINDGAZM X CANADIANRAVERS INTERVIEW [LATEST ALBUM,THE CITY, THE FUTURE]

MindGazm is an electronic DJ/producer duo that intertwines visual art and live instrumentation into their original deep house productions. The pair, consisting of Gregory Gelfand and Jenya Taran, initially began crafting their own unique signature brand of music as an experimental acid jazz-progressive rock band. By 2017, the group’s sonic identity began to shift into the realm of pop-infused electronic dance music. Together, the pioneering trailblazers innovatively combine experiential visuals with house and rock to create a new sound that has moved both the underground EDM and progressive rock club scenes.

The secret formula that makes MindGazm tick lies in the essence of its hybrid rock-EDM style. Fusing funk, rock, and deep house beats with rich tones and classical textures, MindGazm has taken their performance to the next level. Storytelling visuals, the guitar, keyboard, vocals, and smooth beats aid in telling MindGazm’s story, in turn creating a new medium for an immersive experience.

THE INTERVIEW

CR: Hello MindGazm, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing?

MG: We are doing great! Feeling like 2021 is the big year.

CR: How did you guys meet and start MindGazm? Tell me a little bit about yourself?

MG: MindGazm started as a live music jazz with a visuals project and then quickly morphed into an electronic deep house. We are a DJ/VJ duo and we are also life partners! Creating and working together really helps us bring about something new. We are both from the eastern block, however different parts. We are both classically trained and always inspired by nature and subliminal messaging. With MindGazm we hope to come together to help inspire others but most importantly to make people dance.

CR: Your recent EP ‘Sensual Guidance’ is an incredible 4 track masterpiece, tell us the process of creating the sounds and producing them? 

MG: Each track tells a story, and the combined tracks are a full storyline. The idea behind the EP is it's a guide for certain collections of feelings that we hope will be a trip to the nearest listening station.

CR: We noticed that you are from New York, how has the city inspired you a person and a producer?

MG: The city is like a never-ending onion, always inspiring new stories and never-ending sounds. The concrete jungle is always vibrating with new music ideas and new storylines.

CR: Who is your biggest supporter as Producers/ DJs?

MG: Our fans and the DJs that play our music are our biggest supporters. We are extremely grateful for our listeners; our fanbase is still growing but they are dedicated.

CR: If you can collaborate with one big artist? Who would it be?

MG: We would love to collaborate with someone like Yotto or Ben Bhomer, these guys are coming up with a new sonic plane and we would love to be a part of it.

CR: Which festival is your dream festival to play? And why?

MG: Coachella - because headlining there would mean not only did we breakthrough but we finally made it!!

CR: What do you like to do during your downtime other than producing music?

MG: Gregory from Mindgazm: I really like to write, screenwriting and film production is how I spend my free time when I am not with family or friends. I have written several screenplays and hope someday I can really blow up on the big screen with something.

CR: Since we getting close to the holidays, what are your plans for Christmas and NYE?

MG: No big plans! We were in Mexico hiding out for Christmas and for NYE we are having a small home party and streaming live music staying low & staying safe.

CR: What is the future looking like for you guys as 2021 is around the corner, anything the followers should know about?

MG: We are really looking forward to getting back to festivals and clubs, as well as additional releases in 2021.

Lighting Round for Mindgazm

1.     Texting or talking?

2.     Coffee or tea?

3.     Hard liquor or Wine? neither

4.     Cake or pie?

5.     Hot dogs or hamburgers? neither

6.     Xbox or PlayStation? neither

7.     Movie theatre or arcade?

8.     Guitar or piano?

9.     Marvel or DC Comics?

10.  Dog or cat?

11.  Hot weather or cold weather?