Coffee Break with SHMN
Hi SHMN, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. First of all, how are you doing?
Hey guys! Thanks for having me :) Recently I have been working on a lot of music, and I’m excited to share my latest EP «Sinking» that was just released today on Edu Imbernon’s label Fayer. I’m hoping that people will enjoy this record, as much as I’ve enjoyed working on it.
Could you tell us about your background and how you first got introduced to dance music?
It’s hard to pinpoint when and how I first encountered dance music, but I’m happy to highlight some key artists and events that I believe have shaped my interest in the genre. Some of the tracks that come to mind include «Alleys of Your Mind» by Cybotron, «The Tunnel» by Richie Hawtin, and «First Day» by Timo Maas & Brian Molko. This music was futuristic and different from a lot of the music featured on the music channels back then. My curiosity pushed me into exploring this genre further which led me to making my first steps in music production. I first got into music production and DJing in my early teens. I came across «eJay» - a musical software that allowed the arrangement of sound bites and readymade loops using a drag-and-drop interface. From that point onward, I never looked back and soon got introduced to Ableton which enabled me further explore this endeavor.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?
I rarely go into the studio with a pre-medicated plan, so it really depends on my intentions when coming into the studio. There are days where I focus solely on sound design where I create my own presets or experiment with existing presets until I come up with a sound that I’m happy with. Also, there are studio sessions where I explore new chord progressions, melodic riffs, or rhythmical elements. Of course, these processes inform each other and do not exist on their own. Finally, there are sessions where it’s all about «getting things» done, which are more goal-oriented and focused on finishing tracks. To answer your question, there is no such thing as a typical day in the studio for me :) It really depends on the day I’m in the studio and the projects that I’m currently working on.
What DAW, VSTs, or instruments do you use to produce music?
As far as DAW goes, I have been an Ableton user from day one. Considering the fact that I have been producing «in the box» in the past year, I have been working more with virtual instruments and plugins. Some of my favorites include Massive X by Native Instruments, Diva, EchoBoy by Soundtoys, Valhalla Shimmer, and FF Saturn by Fabfilter to name a few. I do also use a lot of Ableton’s stock plugins which I believe are effective and simple to use.
You are releasing a new EP «Sinking» on Edu Imbernon’s label Fayer. What is the story behind this EP, and how long did it take to produce it?
«Sinking» - the title track of this EP is an Indie Dance record that consists of emotive piano chords and a melancholic electric guitar arpeggio that progresses throughout the arrangement of the track. The low end of the track consists of a kick drum that pulsates with the warm acoustic bass and the rest of the drum section to create a groove that acts as a backbone for the rhythmical part of the track. The vocals on this record bring everything together and tell a narrative that the listener can gravitate and relate to on a deeper level.
The second record on this EP «Circle of Life» is a downtempo cut which I believe is the perfect B-side for this release. Both tracks share a lot of sonic qualities, yet are different in the energy levels. In terms of the arrangement, «Circle of Life» follows a more traditional song structure that includes verses and choruses and is much shorter in its duration compared to the usual extended arrangement in electronic music. I have been working with shorter song-style arrangements a lot in the past year, and have learned a few things in this process.
Sonically this EP was inspired a lot by live acts such as Ry X and Who Made Who. I would say that this EP was an unconscious attempt to bring some of the sonic qualities that both live acts carry into my own sound and meld the two worlds to come up with something new. I am happy with the final result, and I can’t wait for everyone to check it out. Additionally, I want to say thank you to the guys from Fayer for believing in this project and making it come to life as a team. I have followed Fayer from its early days, and it's a great pleasure for me to release my music on the label.
How would you describe your sound?
My sonic palette includes elements of Melodic Techno & House, Indie Dance, Electronica, and so much more. I don’t conform to a sub-genre of electronic music, which always keeps things interesting for me. My sound is emotive & driving, deep & uplifting, as well as atmospheric and rich in textures.
What are your hobbies outside of music and where do you usually find inspiration?
All things Japan - Traditional as well as contemporary Japanese art. Having a degree in Graphic Design - I have always drawn inspiration from visual arts. Some of the art movements that I find particularly inspiring would be Romanticism, Surrealism, Postmodernism, and more. Also, I am also inspired a lot by Cinematography and Soundtracks of course. Some of the movie directors that come to mind include Wong Kar-wai, Park Chan-wook, Paolo Sorrentino, and Jim Jarmusch to name a few.
Last but not least: coffee or tea?
That’s a tough question. It really depends on the day, but right now I would give my preference to coffee :)
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