Northern California producer Bleep Bloop is on a mission. Aaron Triggs, known professionally as Bleep Bloop, aims to bring his cosmic soundwaves to the masses. The DJ Shadow protégé just made his debut on Shadow's new label Liquid Amber with a new three track EP 10 Watt Lazers.
The follow up to his Feel The Cosmos EP, Bleep Bloop delivers what he believes is his best work yet to date. It is exotic blend of deep bass that "sounds great on a big system," laser synths and fx straight from another galaxy. The effort mixes together different styles, notably on the trap-influenced "Denial" and the two spacey bookends, "10 Watt Lazers" and "Crushed."
We had the chance to chat with Triggs on the heels of his EP release to discuss his relationship with DJ Shadow, the creative process behind the EP, and his love for out space. Listen to the EP below and keep on reading for the full interview.
MUSIC TIMES: How are things... are you over the pneumonia?
BLEEP BLOOP: I'm doing well, finally over pneumonia basically. As of right now I'm still using an inhaler and not smoking weed, but that should be done by the end of the week.
MT: How would you characterize your relationship with DJ Shadow?
BP: My relationship with Shadow is mutually beneficial I would say, in a way. But also, he is somewhat of a mentor to me. Any question I ever have about the music industry or music, he can generally answer for me. He has done so much for me over the last year or so. That being said, I've also helped him some. I assisted him in making the transition from producing in Pro Tools, which he is an absolute pro/magician in, to producing in Ableton, which he is now quite the wizard in. I just helped him transfer his techniques over. The relationship has been so great to me so far, and I hope that he would say the same.
MT: What is it like to be a part of his label? Is this going to be the new home for your music going forward?
BP: It's an honor to be a part of his label. For him to pick me to be the first artist — beside himself — that he's released is just mind bogglingly awesome to me. I am so happy to have the energy of him and his team behind the release. Liquid Amber will certainly be a place that I put more music out as time goes on, but it is not going to be an exclusive one by any means. In today's music landscape, I really don't see any reason for someone to be exclusive with just one record label, and every label has their own flavor and fan base, and I think it is wise to reach out to all of them. That being said, yes, I feel like Liquid Amber is definitely one of my homes, musically.
MT: Where would you place this label EP in your overall discography?
BP: The production on this EP is what I believe is the highest quality production that I have ever done. On a big sound system, it really hits the way I want it to hit, and it transfers over really well to smaller systems as well I think. Musically, these are for sure some of the heaviest tunes that I have released to date. That might be a little different for my listeners, but I think it fits in really nicely as a follow up to my last release, the Feel The Cosmos EP on Saturate.
MT: Describe your creative process for the EP.
BP: This EP is almost 100 percent from inside the computer. I did use some outboard/analog fx in it, but for the most part it was done within the resources of Ableton live. I actually started each of the tunes on the EP on my porch, on laptop speakers, as opposed to in my studio with monitors and all my gear and stuff. I've found that doing that can be very helpful when I am trying to develop ideas and write grooves. It makes it so I don't get too caught up in fine-tuning all the knobs and sounds and can really just focus on the music of the EP. After I laid out the main ideas and the grooves, I took it into the studio and freaked it out with lots of processing, fine tuning and careful mixing to come out with what you hear today.
MT: When did your infatuation with outer space begin? Did you ever want to be an astronaut?
BP: I have been pretty obsessed with outer space since I was a little kid. I always looked up at the night sky and tripped out on how big and endless it was, and I've always wanted to meet an alien. I distinctly remember thinking that the night sky looked like a big black blanket hanging from the tiny pinholes of light up there. I know now that it's nothing like that, but it is an interesting way to look at it. As far as being an astronaut, I did always want to go into space, and I still would if the opportunity arose. But around 7th grade, it became very clear that I was not going into the world of academics [laughs].
MT: You recently moved into your own place. How was that, and what sort of stuff do you have there?
BP: Well I just got better from pneumonia, so I really have not moved much yet. As of right now, all that's there are some synths, my dresser, my bookshelf and books, and some other little crap. Going to get moved in here soon. I just haven't felt like moving in the rain, but in the next week I should be moved in. I need to get the interwebs set up first as well, cause we all know that is super duper important.
MT: How do your roommates deal with you making music at all hours?
BP: Well, I mostly make music in the daytime. I wake up naturally at about 7:30 every day, and I feel my best ideas come in the morning. So for the most part I don't think they will have a problem with it. But we have already discussed that sometimes I will be inconveniently loud. My roommates are some of my best friends though, so they are nothing but supportive my journey as a musician.
MT: What type of music do you listen to on your down time?
BP: I love all sorts of music. My go-to stuff is been a lot of Bay Area rap, such as Mac Dre and the Cutthoat Committee. Also I frequently find myself listening to old music. I love the idea that someone created it so long ago, and I am still enjoying it. Sun Ra is on constant rotation, as is Hank Williams. My tastes are pretty damn diverse. I also, of course, love listening to bass music: 808 tunes to dub step — the deeper the bass the better. I never end up listening to music for very long though, no matter what it is, because if I am really feeling it I will get inspired to make some music.
MT: What is something people might not know about you?
BP: I guess [there's] probably lots of stuff people don't know about me. One thing would be that I am avid reader. I love many different styles from Hunter S. Thompson to Kurt Vonnegut.
MT: What do you have coming up?
BP: Coming up I have a NYE show in Arcata, CA. then I have my Low End Theory debut performance. I have always wanted to play that show, so it is definitely a career milestone for me. Also, look out from new music on compilations from SMOG, STYLSS, Robox Neotech, and EP on Robox Neotech, and a series of bootleg releases of rap tunes that I have been saving up. I have lots of musical treats in store so stay tuned.
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