This week i interviewed Liberty!, a name that has been featured on the blog a few times with their tracks. Liberty! are based in Los Angeles and with a few tracks out there already they’ve been making quite some noise! The last few months especially, they seem to be taking things to the next level with some stunning original tracks and remixes. The duo form LA, is currently working on their debut EP and like most of you, I hope and will try to find out what else we should expect by them in the near future. So…
01. Hi guys! Would you mind introducing Liberty!?
Dan: Hello there…
Jeremy: Hi!
02. You grabbed our attention with your remix on Justice’s “Stress” at first and then came the remix on Vindata’s “Nightsky” which had a huge success as well. Would you say “Nightsky” played some role in Liberty!’s development as your first released track and what was the feedback you got for that remix?
The “Night Sky” remix definitely was the boost we needed and we were flattered with the amazing response we received from it! It was our first label release (Noise Porn Records) and was featured as a “Beatport must hear track” charting in the top 100. That was the moment we realized the potential career we could make for ourselves… from then on we have been staring at this damn computer working on music nonstop… we have A LOT of music that is coming out, we’ll elaborate more in a minute!
03. What are your influences/music backgrounds and what or who might have played a role in shaping Liberty’s sound?
Jeremy: I’ve been playing piano for a while now; so i’d say my greatest influences are Bach & Mozart (sorry if i sound like a douche haha). I’m also very influenced by BBr & Danger. If i were to pick an artist that may have shaped Liberty!’s sound, I’d say it would definitely be Danger. His idea of giving his songs a storyline (as well as all his songs being amazing) basically said, “you need to do this.” Lets be real, Skrillex is also an influence. That guy walked in and changed everything.
Dan: My influences come from all types of music… from industrial metal to classical as well. BUT, if I had to choose 5 main influences they would be: Nine Inch Nails, Danger, Boys Noize, Sebastian, & yes, Skrillex. If there’s anyone I look up to the most, it would be Trent Reznor of NIN. In my opinion he is the GOD of production.
04. You have been doing quite a few remixes as well as original tracks. Do you prefer writing original tracks or remixing and why?
We really have no personal preference between remixing and writing originals. We honestly just love writing. Regardless of how it may be.
05. Apparently you are also involved in a record label if I’m not mistaken? Would you like to tell us a few things about it?
Dan: Myself, and our manager Mike, started a record label a short while back, “Solfege Records”. We plan on that being Liberty!’s home label for most of our original releases, but Liberty! is not strictly exclusive to it. It’s just nice to have the freedom to put out your music with complete control over the release. I’m currently building up a small roster of talented undiscovered artists, so don’t hesitate to send me or my partner Mike a submission! Solfegerecords@gmail.com
06. Speaking about non-Liberty! activities, are you involved in any other projects or do you produce music only as Liberty!?
We both have our solo projects. Jeremy has My Teddy Eats Children and Dan has The Executive. Right now, those projects are in our back pockets. We’ve both decided to give 100% of our effort to Liberty!; and then maybe start working on our solo projects again. Safe to say, you won’t be hearing from Teddy and The Executive for a while.
07. What would you say is your biggest music achievement/highlight so far? (Personal or as Liberty!)
The great success of “Middle Fingers Up” really excited us. We had no idea that song would have such an impact, especially with it being our first original release.
08. Back to your sounds, I will assume you’ve had your share of rock/metal music in the past. Did you ever play in a rock/metal band or have you always been into electronic music?
Jeremy: Hahah… I’ve been in too many bands. Both rock and metal. Don’t want to talk about it. I’m embarrassed even thinking about it hahaha. EDM is so much easier. Everybody wants to be the star in bands.
Dan: I played guitar in nu-metal/grunge bands growing up… My love for electronic music didn’t come about till only a couple years ago, but it’s safe to say I prefer creating EDM over rock music any day.
09. Do you prefer working only with computers/sequencers or do you get your hands dirty playing and recording instruments? Do you use samples and what’s your opinion on sampling and copyright?
So far we’ve only been using computer/virtual synths, but we’ve definitely thought about incorporating some live instruments in the future. We rarely use samples beyond kicks and snares, but when we do they are for some of those strange glitches we like to throw in the drop. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with sampling as long as it’s done tastefully.
10. If your studio was on fire what would be the first thing to save?
The computer!!! Everything else is replaceable. We both agree that we’d die if we lost all our music.
11. What is music for you and what do you think about the way the music industry is changing?
Jeremy: Music is the best way i can express my emotions, my imagination, and basically myself. The industry’s changing for the better if you ask me. Everyone’s getting noticed now that were all playing each other’s music. We’re all big fish in the pond now.
Dan: Music is art and the ultimate expression of self. It’s basically the exciting version of math… you can communicate with any living being through music. I love the way the music industry is changing, it’s about time those damn major labels are wiped out! They are the reason commercial radio music is such garbage in America. Right now it’s musical revolution and the freedom to create something original and be heard is back and stronger than ever thanks to the Internet!
12. Do you believe that an electronic music artist can earn his/her living from music nowadays?
Unless you’re signed to Mau5trap and shoved into the spotlight, it’s pretty impossible to feed yourself from just music sales with file sharing these days… and we’re not complaining about that. We’d rather the world have our music, give it to all their friends and come to our shows! Because shows are how you can make a great living. So in a way, yes!
13. You’ve been playing quite a few live performances and been DJ-ing as well for a while, what’s the most memorable on-stage/backstage moment would you say and why? If you could pick one artist to share the stage with whom would you pick?
Our favorite show to this date was our Denver gig! The crowd there is just amazing! Everybody is there for the music and will go fucking nuts on every drop! Well, the artist you are going to see us billed with quite often on line ups, is our good friends Mr. Skeleton. Liberty! and Mr. Skeleton is definitely a good live pairing, because although we are both hard electro artists, our sets are just different enough to compliment each other greatly.
14. What do you think is the best thing about working with each other and what the worst?
Jeremy: The best thing about working with Dan is that we have this mental link where we’re thinking the same thing. It sounds stupid but I swear it’s true… haha! We both agree on everything musically; and were both talented musicians. I really can’t ask for anything better.
I guess the worst thing about working with Dan is that his apartment is a pain in the ass to drive to with these shitty gas prices.
Dan: Honestly, same answer as Jeremy. We work great together and that’s something very hard to find. I don’t really have anything bad to say… Ask me in about a year of touring.
15. You’re currently working on your debut EP, what should we expect to listen and when? What’s the title of it? Give the readers something to look forward to…
We don’t have an EP of music coming out, instead we decided to spread out our original tracks as singles for the moment. The title of our first single release is “ThunderFist” which features vocals from Whiskey Pete and will have remixes from Trowa and Over The Top. We don’t want to give too much away but we ask that you don’t wear your favorite pair of pants! It’ll be out very soon, stay tuned 😉
16. What other plans do you have for 2011? (live shows, releases, remixes etc)
All of the above! There are honestly too many remixes and originals coming to list… just expect A LOT of music from us this summer and quite a few tour dates lined up soon!
17. What are you listening to lately? Any tracks/artists you recommend?
Jeremy: Well right now my favorite song is “Needle” by Dirtyloud and “Werewolf” by Figure.
Dan: Friday – Rebecca Black has been on my playlist for the past 2 months. The lyrics are just chilling and take me to a special place.
18. What do you like to do when not in the studio producing music?
Jeremy: Simple answer!!! Party and get drunk out of my mind!
Dan: Living in Los Angeles, there’s never a shortage of things to do…
19. What do you think about the Metalectro blog and the music featured on it?
We love it, big fans of the blog and all the artists metalectro supports!
20. Something else you’d like to mention and we forgot to ask?
I think we’re good! 🙂