Harvard Bass has been making a name for himself using minimal house inspired building blocks to build catchy, layered tracks with substance. Hot off the heels of his Sound Pellegrino debut EP have come an unrelenting series of remixes for Drop The Lime, The Toxic Avenger, Mom & Dad, Sinden, Acid Girls and Teki Latex.
Even though he was writing everything to me from his iPhone, and, despite the fact that my internet kept spontanously signing off (my apartment may be haunted), I got a chance to chat with Victor and get a look into where he’s at and where he’s headed next.
Interview by Brendan Arnott, my text in bold.
When you were growing up, what were your big musical influences?
My musical influences when I was young spread a bunch of varieties. It moved from Weezer to Tupac to The Beatles. But in the house scene I began to listen to a lot of Mark Farina mixes, I was maybe around 13 when I got into dance music.
You say Weezer are one of your influences… they just did a song with Little Wayne, how do you feel about that?
I think it’s awesome that different genres can work together like that.
When you talk about different genres working together, I think about how your music is like, dance music that’s made to be played really loud in clubs and get people going crazy, but it’s also a bit minimal. like the drop the lime remix that you just finished, it’s got a bit more pacing than “huge electro banger” stuff – did house music influence that kind of production?
House music definitely influenced it and so did minimal. I like making a sound that’s for everyone and not just for one group of people or genre. If u compare the DTL remix to the toxic avenger remix. Sound like 2 totally different genres. I’m all about connecting all genres together.
Yeah, it seems that a lot of the vibrant & interesting dance music out there is adopting that ethos these days, how do you feel that electronic dance music has changed over the last few years?
I think it’s great. I like the new sounds. I’ll be honest though, I’m kinda glad the whole banger sound is dying out.
Same here. It’s surreal how these trends are always shifting, and how at one point back in early 2006, making really loud clangy ‘bangers’ seemed like the most rebellious thing ever. Now, it’s definitely the status quo. Another one of these cool but weird intersections is that you’ve been touring with Tiesto, right? Do you find that his fans are open to your sounds?
Yes! Absolutely. After opening for him I would walk around the crowd and people are def feeling my sound. Glad they have a open mind for that kind of set
I read on your twitter that you’ve been having panic attacks lately?
Ohh man… Haha I didn’t think people read my twitts. But yeah, ever since I signed to my agency and management I’ve been getting gnarly panic attacks. Playing in big stadium also contributes to that stress. Yikes. It’s a horrible feeling, but I’m trying to beat it as we speak.
Any suggestions to other people who might be going through the same thing?
Don’t drink. It backfires and makes it worse. At least for me. It’s been a couple months dealing with it. Not cool. Yea I’ll beat it though. No worries. Just gotta get used to this lifestyle
Since you’ve been making music, you’ve been doing a ton of really varied remixes for people. is there ever a plan for a Harvard Bass album, or are you happy with the way things are working right now, a more eclectic process of doing EPs and remixing other artists?
For now I’m sticking to EPs and remixing. I know that if I work on an album, it will sound nothing like “Harvard Bass”. It will be weird sounds and pretty much the music I don’t release for Harvard Bass. Maybe even some rap beats in there, haha.
Who would rap on the Harvard Bass album? (in a perfect world)
Too $hort and Gucci Mane. He’s been on my number one for a couple years now. Glad to see people loving his work now.
What was the best advice anyone’s ever given you?
If you love it do it 200% and don’t give up. If it doesn’t work out at least you tried your best. And drop out of school. Haha, that’s another one I liked… Thanks dad, haha.
What comes next for you? What’s 2010 going to look like for Harvard Bass?
Awww man, all I gotta say is that I hope my anxiety dies out because next year is going to be hectic. Tons of shows and tons of remixes and new tracks. I’m glad though. :) haha
Suggest a book, album and movie to me.
The Logic 8 learning book, the new Raekwon album, and the Bloods n Crips documentary.
Is there any genre of music that we will NEVER see Harvard Bass touch? (country, polka, donk)
Trance.
