Hell-o all and we hope you are having a great weekend, whether partying or just chilling and getting some rest. Either way your weekend is just about to get better since we are back with one more Sunday special and this week’s guest is a girl that has been delivering some pretty Metalectric blows and tracks over the last year through this blog! So, you all say hell-o to Heavygrinder and stick around for some nice reading, info and insight on Heavygrinder‘s past, present and future!
01. Hi, nice to have you on Metalectro! Would you please mind introducing the person behind Heavygrinder?
I’m just a huge music junkie. A metal head, and a electro junkie. Basically, music is my life and lover, it’s always been since I can remember. I wanted to become a singer when I was a little girl! I must admit Mariah Carrey was my biggest influence back then. haha Been in the DJ business for 13 years (I started quite young, well before I was even able to drink.) Production side for 7, and am currently in the process of trying to start a side project in a dark electro/emo band. Aside from spreading brutalness and love through music, I enjoy making crafts, cutting t-shirts, art, cooking, dancing, hoola hooping, watching cartoons, horror movies, and hanging out with close friends.
02. How long have you been producing as Heavygrinder and how did it all start for you?
7 years and been DJing for 13. I was a teenager and my friend’s brother was a DJ. One day he let me play on his decks and I have been in love with the art of DJing since. As far as production goes, the very first track I made a bootleg of was Garbage – I would die for you. I loved that song so much and had to find a way to be able to incorporate it into my own set so I decided to take it into my own hands. Started off with Acid, Properpellerhead Reason and Image-line Fruity Loops and here I am now.
03. You grabbed our attention with your remixes of some metal classics from the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Pantera, Slipknot, Megadeth and many more. What was the feedback and reactions you got for these remixes?
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first decided to mix Metal and Electro but the reaction has been mostly positive with an exception of a few that simply dislike dance music and do not want the original track being altered. But I strongly believe that music is here to connect people and ideas so I really think it’s a great gateway to one genre or another. Music is meant to be enjoyed therefore there really shouldn’t be a limit on appreciation based solely on one genre or another. Enjoy it all!
04. What are your influences/music background?
I took vocal training when I was a young teen and am actually retaking coaching at the moment for the band project I am about to put together.
05. Have you ever played in a rock/metal band?
Never been in a band but it is definitely something i’m looking forward to doing.
06. Your favorite rock/metal band of all time?
My favorite would have to be Pantera. Phil Anselmo is my idol and inspiration. Wish they were still around. R.I.P. Dimebag. \m/
07. Would you ever quit producing as Heavygrinder in order to join your favorite metal band?
I would never give up on Heavygrinder. I’ve been working on Heavygrinder for 13 years… going into 14. That took a lot of dedication and having to wipe tears and bite my tongue and stand strong. Heavygrinder is my baby! As long as my fans and friends keep listening, Heavygrinder will always be there.
08. 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?
No. Other than sequences, I don’t play an instrument and only work with samples primarily. And I also use emulating VST’s.
Obviously, at this point, every single sequence of note has been played… so by utilizing some else’s work by painting your own picture, as long as it is not copying progression, i don’t feel like it should be considered stealing.
09. Recently we saw Kylie Minogue entering the Beatport Top 100 Electro House Releases chart and a number of pop artists and celebrities starting DJ careers. What do you think about today’s mainstream music and the so called “EDM circus”? Do you agree with those who believe it to be a bubble that is going to burst as quickly as it grew?
By no means am I speaking of Kylie or pointing at anyone at all… However, because I have been passionately doing this for an extended amount of time, I do have my opinion on how ‘The art of DJing is being destroyed’ by people who don’t even genuinely care about it. Some people don’t seem to care about the meaning let alone truly understand and appreciate the beauty of the art at all. I think too many people are hungry for the wrong reasons… seems like they see an easy way to fame and money. DJing has become overly mainstream and the art seems to be forgotten now… I started off playing wax on turn tables and collecting white labels and even traveling all the way to New York from LA to get to satellite records just to go through crates of music… so it’s hard for me to understand the ‘new way’ and mainstream attention the art of DJing has been given lately.
10. How hard is it for an electronic music artist to earn his/her living from music nowadays?
It’s been up and down over the years with the economy etc, but since the industry has been over saturated, it’s been a little rockier for everyone I believe.
11. You just recently released a collaboration track titled “The Children Of The Night” as well as a remix for Rubber Spanner’s “Drop Like Flies”. Are you happy with how these tracks turned out and how the fans reacted to them?
I am very happy with both tracks and the reaction has been great! It’s an honor to be able to release on both labels, Bugeyed Records and Jet Set Trash and collaborate with the artists on the records.
12. You have been collaborating with a few artists on your tracks, Antichrist, Access Denied and Meaux Green to name a few. Do you have any more collaborations planned that we should know about and look forward to?
I have quite a few collaborations coming up with some of the major metal bands. Which is very exciting for me! Exactly what I’ve been wanting to do.
13. What are your plans for the remaining of 2013? Any more releases, remixes, live dates to announce?
Give our readers something to look forward too! I will be releasing a track I did with the legend, YOJI (Also known as Yoji Biomehanilka) on the 25th via his label. I can not say the names of the other Metal artists I am working with till details are ironed out but I am currently working on a remix for Veil of Maya which will be out on Sumerian Records (Release date is TBA). \m/
14. Do you have any favorite place/city you like playing live and can’t wait to return to or is the “no place like home” saying true in your case? Any interesting or funny onstage/backstage stories to share with us?
To me, Texas is like a second home. I have so many awesome friends there and I love playing shows out there cause the energy is just so intense! I love seeing a room full of metalheads dancing and headbangng to Metalectro . This might not be too interesting but I usually have a bottle of gin and tonic onstage. Sometimes promoters tell me I am the only artist that had ever requested gin in their rider. hehe
15. If you could pick any artist to collaborate and share the studio with for a day who would that be and why?
Justice or SebastiAn or both! hehe
16. If your studio was on fire what would be the first thing to save?
Laptop!
17. How do you like spending your time when not in the studio producing music and what’s a regular day in the life of Heavygrinder like?
I am usually running around town… one end to another. Trying to take over the world one day at a time.
18. Which 5 tracks would you like us to feature here and suggest to all Heavygrinder and Metalectro fans alike to check out and why (a few words about each)?
KATFYR “Green Hill”
Meaux Green “Grindin’ On Acid”
Anything from the Le Castle Vania new EP
Valerna “Set The Microphone Of Fire”
Downlink “The Chopper”!!!
19. What do you think about the Metalectro blog and the music featured on it?
Metalectro is one of my very favorite blogs. The music that you guys feature are all badass – on point! And I love that we can push this movement together! \m/ \m/ It’a an absolute honor and pleasure having an interview feature with you guys.
20. Anything else you’d like to mention and we forgot to ask?
I just wanted to thank the readers… my fans and friends… and all of you brutal headbanging metalectro supporters. Thank You for listening and reading all the way to the bottom. hehe Thank you so much for the interview, Metalectro!
Heavygrinder Track Picks!!!
01. KATFYR “Green Hill”
Katfyr is one of the very very few artists that can take any subgenre in electronica and create a serious banger! Definitely a name to watch for. \m/ Glitching it hard!
02. Meaux Green “Grindin’ On Acid”
Meaux Green is on fire right now!! Blowing up! \m/
03. Le Castle Vania “Prophication” EP
Le Castle Vania never disappoints. One of my favorite producer/DJ's in the biz. Was so stoked about his EP on Mau5trap. \m/ Eargasm to the max.
04. Valerna “Set The Microphone Of Fire”
Came back with this hotness! Keep an eye out for some serious floor bangers from him. \m/
05. Downlink “The Chopper”
Just because no one does it like Downlink. Two Horns UP for his latest 'The Chopper' is siiiick. \m/\m/