Internet Tattoo Turns 6: Revisiting My Six Favorite Interviews So Far
Six years ago, the world was a different place. Well, I guess it was pretty much the same, except for a few things. At the time, I was leaving Montreal behind to spend a year in LA, and since my modus operandi was to burn as many bridges as possible, I told everyone who employed me as a freelance writer to forget my number. I wanted to spread my wings, baby! Around that time, I started Internet Tattoo as a way to keep blogging and stay sane. The world was my oyster, and I was gonna blog about it on a semi-regular basis. Cut to 6 years later, after all sorts of ups and downs, and life changes, I’m back in Montreal and more semi-regular than ever! All this to say, I’ve been fortunate enough to interview a bunch of great artists over the past six years, and while they are all precious to me, there are a few Q&As I keep coming back to my mind. As I’m compiling them in this post, I’m raising my glass to six years of blogging and—why not?—to six more?
Chrissy | 2020.07.18
At the time of our conversation, Chrissy was riding high on the release of his EP New Atlantis, a project that encapsulates his deep-rooted love for dance music and his encyclopedic knowledge of the genre's history.
We discussed how his DJing experience profoundly influences his production, with his tracks often serving as the music he wishes he had more of in his crates. What stood out in our conversation was Chrissy’s ability to blend historical influences with a modern sensibility, creating a sound that feels both timeless and innovative.
One of the most insightful parts of our discussion was Chrissy's perspective on the tools of his trade. Unlike many producers who swear by hardware, Chrissy embraces a digital workflow, relying heavily on VST plugins and Ableton to capture his ideas quickly and efficiently. His approach reflects a modern take on music production, where accessibility and immediacy often trump the tactile experience of traditional gear. His advice to young artists—to work hard, stay true to themselves, and only collaborate with those they believe in—offers a glimpse into his philosophy, which values authenticity over commercial success.
This guy does it for the right reasons!
CREDIT: Ming Chen Photography
dj poolboi | 2022.02.15
dj poolboi was at a pivotal moment in his career when we connected, preparing to release his album stay just a little while longer and embark on his first international tour.
During our conversation, he reflected on how his feelings of monotony and anxiety inspired him to experiment with his earlier material, while the creative process for his new album was more deliberate and meticulous, focusing on creating a cohesive yet diverse collection of tracks that reflected his emotional state.
I appreciated dj poolboi's openness in discussing his desire not to be typecast into one genre, emphasizing that he listens to a wide range of music and wants his work to reflect that diversity. His love for live performances, especially his excitement about touring Europe for the first time, highlighted his passion for connecting with audiences and sharing his music on a global scale.
I had the chance to see dj poolboi's set in New York last fall, and it was one of the standout performances of the year for sure! If he comes to your neck of the woods, be sure to check him out.
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COMPUTER DATA | 2020.11.05
I was a big fan of COMPUTER DATA before we even spoke, so getting the chance to connect with him during the pandemic was a real highlight.
CD was in the midst of releasing his EP Baum, a project deeply rooted in playful garage breaks and minimalist European influences. The EP reflected a more introspective and emotionally charged side of his music, something he developed during late-night sessions where he let his emotions guide the creative process. During our conversation, he opened up about the challenges of maintaining productivity during lockdown and finding temporary solace in video games before returning to music.
One of the most fascinating aspects of our discussion was COMPUTER DATA's deep connection to German culture, which has profoundly influenced his work. His frequent visits to Germany, where his parents live, have ingrained in him the repetitive, organic, and hypnotic elements of German techno and deep house, which are clearly reflected in his sound. We also touched on his methods for staying creative, which involve constantly evolving his workflow and embracing new synthesizers and gear to keep things fresh.
His work as a DJ feeds directly into his production, driving him to create tracks that thrive in a club environment. Despite the uncertainty of the future, at the time COMPUTER DATA remained optimistic, with plans for more EPs and hopes of resuming his European tour once conditions allow.
upper class | 2021.04.12
At the time of our conversation, upper class was fresh off the release of his album Seagull Joints, which he described as a project capturing the essence of a walk along the beach on a stormy, rainy day. The album was unique in that it was almost entirely sample-free, a departure from his previous work, and featured him playing all the instruments himself, including guitar, bass, and keys.
Benedict shared the challenges he faced while recording, especially dealing with static noise and his self-admitted inexperience in recording and processing live instruments. Despite these hurdles, he found the process refreshing and was proud of how the album translated the mood he aimed for.
We also touched on the artistic scene in Jena, Germany, where upper class has been living for the past four years. He described the local hip hop scene as compact but close-knit, with a vibrant community of creative individuals. Although he initially moved to Jena to study politics, his music career quickly took precedence, leading him to perform at open mics and connect with the local scene.
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Hiroko Yamamura | 2021.08.30
Hiroko Yamamura is a prominent figure in the Chicago dance music scene, known for her electrifying live performances and innovative production work. I’m a huge fan, and I must not be the only one because it has since become my most popular interview on the blog!
At the time, she was preparing to perform at the ARC Festival, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, and honored to share the stage with legends who have influenced her career. During our conversation, she reflected on recent challenges and the significance of celebrating her city through music. Hiroko's approach to DJing is highly intuitive, allowing her to feel the vibe of the venue and the crowd before deciding on her set, ensuring each performance is unique and resonant with the moment.
Hiroko talked about her recent EP, Midwest Panic, a collaboration with Justin Cudmore that came together during the lockdown, with the duo exchanging ideas and stems through late-night FaceTime sessions. Hiroko’s production process is deeply rooted in hardware, where she relies on grooveboxes and jam sessions to capture the essence of her tracks before refining them into finished pieces.
She also shared her latest venture into modular techno, thanks to a Eurorack case and module sent by a fellow artist, marking the beginning of her fall learning projects.
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Karl Can Be Cool | 2020.11.25
Karl Can Be Cool is a self-taught producer whose humorous and laid-back approach to music production reflects his idiosyncratic take on lo-fi house. Originally from Dublin and now based in Vancouver, KCBC's music is driven by a DIY ethos, as he candidly admits to using nothing more than a MacBook with a basic version of Ableton and stock presets.
His music, which he openly describes as being made primarily for his own enjoyment, resonates with a sense of nostalgia and the occasional melancholy of everyday life. Despite the simplicity of his setup, KCBC's tracks have an experimental edge, as seen in his latest EP, Irish and New in Vancouver, which draws inspiration from his experiences in the city. His unpretentious attitude toward production gives his music a relatable and refreshing quality.
In our conversation, Karl Can Be Cool highlighted his spontaneous and mood-driven approach to creating beats, often starting with a sample or a kick and building the track around it. He shared his admiration for artists like Baltra and Ross From Friends, whose work in lo-fi house inspired him to pursue a similar sound. Although he said he doesn't consider himself a serious producer, KCBC's music carries a distinctive charm that has earned him a place among his favorite left-field electronic artists.
Check out our interview, if only to see the hilarious press photos he sent me. To this day, they're the best visuals on the whole blog!
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Another Toast
A lot of these interviews wouldn’t have been possible without the support of some really great PR people. I won’t name them all here, but I’d like to thank you all. I can sincerely say that every interaction I’ve had with PRs from around the world has been nothing short of wonderful. If we’ve talked over email, I hope we get to meet in real life someday. :)
I’d also like to invite any artists out there making cool music to send me a link to their stuff. I listen to everything I receive, and while I can’t cover everyone’s music on here, I always enjoy getting in touch. Let me know who you are, where you’re from, and what you do… Who knows, you might be my next favorite interviewee!
Cover credit: @splashhouse / @computrdata
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