Q&A: Idepen
Ah… the Internet. Heard of it? I feel like everyone focuses on the bad sides of the information highway, but it’s actually a great way to connect with a bunch of cool people from around the globe. Through this blog, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with all sorts of great creative minds, and Idepen is right at the top of the list. Hailing from the Netherlands, this lofi producer has a knack for soulful, minimal grooves that, much like the winding streets of Amsterdam, deliver gut-punches of breathtaking beauty through their intricate maze of twists and turns. In this interview, Idepen offers a glimpse into his daily life in Amsterdam, his creative process, and the essential tools that shape his sound. Dive in!
Can you tell us where you are in the world? What does your daily life look like over there?
I’m from Amsterdam, The Netherlands! Love everything about the place, but tourism is crazy. Besides music I work full time as digital marketing manager at an outdoor company.
When you work on new music, do you have a ritual or a routine? Tell us about your creative process - whatever it may be - and how it factors into your life.
I played drums all my life, so I feel comfortable starting with a minimal groove or something that is in my mind and I lay out quickly.
I like to create from a place of spontaneity, without too many thought. I feel like then you truly tap into what's in your mind (without maybe even knowing it) and I love to collab.
I think most of my songs are collabs with others. You always learn something new from this process.
Before you made music, what was a formative experience that shaped you as the artist you are today
Think that would be the internet partly, the resources you got on there to learn (for free!) have made me see so many opportunities that you can just take on when you put your mind to it.
Are there things you wish you had known when you started? What advice would you give yourself if you were starting today?
Patience is key, keep putting out stuff and you learn and get better as you do it more. And ask, or research something when you want to get a specific sound/feeling.
It's out there, and knowledge exists to be shared.
What’s the most unusual object or gadget you keep in the studio? What purpose does it serve?
A small mannequin-shaped brush to dust off my equipment :)
Credit: Jamie Owen - @jamiespositives
What’s the most unusual sound you’ve ever incorporated into one of your productions?
Probably a pencil sharpener!
What would be your desert island plugins and/or digital tools? Are there VSTs you couldn’t live without? What do you like about using them?
Probably a simple EQ and limiter. Just with this, you can do so much in terms of mixing.
Or just a frequency machine to try tap into a radio frequency and escape that island :P
What are your favorite hardware tools?
An SP-404 and M-Audio MIDI keys.
What’s the holy grail of hardware for you?
Any Korg synth haha
What was the last track you were obsessed with? Tell us how you encountered it?
Barry Can't Swim - How It Feels
I think I discovered it just through the magic of the Spotify algorithm.
What meme or video makes you laugh the most?
As a dutch football fan, me and my friends always go crazy on this niche video about dutch football player and now criminal Quincy Promes - alles hoog video
What’s coming up for Idepen?
Got a lot of singles coming up with different music friends, one that I am really excited for it this double single release together with Banks and AC.
It’s coming in two parts at the end of 2024!
Follow Idepen
Spotify | Apple Music | Instagram | Soundcloud
Credit: Jamie Owen - @jamiespositives
Cover photo: Jamie Owen - @jamiespositives
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