Meet the Artist: Sindicate
Hey there, Stonxers! As we continue our ‘Meet the Artist’ series, it’s time to shine a spotlight on a true Stonx Music stalwart, Sindicate. With his track ‘Desert Menace VIP,’ a VIP rendition of his very first release on Stonx Music, Sindicate has solidified his place on our roster. Let’s dive deep into the creative mind behind this compelling track.
Where to find Sindicate
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the world of music production?
Grew up in Hamburg, Germany. Started playing the piano with 6. Learned music theory from classical music, played small concerts. Started listening to Prodigy and Pendulum, then quickly discovered lots of Drum & Bass artists and fell in love with the genre. Met Liquicity Artists based in Hamburg, who invited me to play at their event in 2014. The more time went by the darker and heavier my taste in drum & bass became. After being active as a DJ in 2020 finally decided to produce my own music.
Let’s dive right into your contribution to Disciples of Distortion Volume 2. Can you give us some insight into the creative process behind your track?
Since this is a VIP version (Variation in Production) of my first release on Stonx Music “Desert Menace” I’ve tried to give this a little flip. The challange was bringing something new without changing the original vibe. So the original track was written in a phrygian dominant scale, which matches well with the overall eastern vibe, and I’ve tried to exaggerate this even more in the VIP by using more of the peculiarities in the chord progressions that make up this scale. Also my technical production skills increased since I’ve produced the original so I’ve remade most of the bass sounds and tried to bring the whole track to a higher level in terms of production.
I think nowadays it’s much easier to get all the information you need, you just need to understand what information is useful for you and your production.
Sindicate
What inspired you while working on this specific piece of music?
After I’ve watched the movie Dune I was very inspired to bring some of these middle eastern flavour into my music. Because of the turkish roots I have, I am also very familiar with eastern instrumentation.
Are there any unique elements or techniques you used in your track that you’d like to share with your listeners?
To give this track its middle eastern sound the unique elements I’ve used are mainly an traditional Armenian instrument called Duduk and typical eastern percussions called Tabla. I’ve processed the Duduk with a very big reverb to give it a huge space, like walking through the desert into nowhere and even in the distance there’s nothing other than sand.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
To begin with of course Noisia and Black Sun Empire are important names to mention. But in the past years I think the biggest influences I’ve had were from Agressor Bunx, Gydra, Teddy Killerz and Mizo
Are there any artists or genres that you draw inspiration from but might not be immediately apparent in your music?
I’ve learned classical music on the piano and the emotional pieces of Chopin but also the melancholic and dark piece of Rachmaninoff – Prelude in C Sharp Minor (Op. 3 No. 2) have influenced my musical taste.
Can you share a particularly challenging moment you’ve encountered in your music production journey and how you overcame it?
In this perticular case it was a challange for me to create a VIP of an already released track for the first time. It was not easy for me at all. Every little change I did felt wrong in the first place because I was so familiar with the sound of the original.
How do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist since your earlier work, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
I am suprised myself how much my technical skills have evolved in such a short period of time. But I think nowadays it’s much easier to get all the information you need, you just need to understand what information is useful for you and your production. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the very beginning was finishing tracks because the effect of learning is the biggest when you’re going through the whole process of production from start to finish. Every finished track was a huge step forward for me.
The music community is often a source of inspiration and support. How has being a part of the Stonx Music community and collaborating with other artists influenced your work?
I think without the Stonx community I wouldn’t be where I am now with my production. From the moment I’ve joined it was a collaborative learning process. Give and take. It’s just great having somebody to discuss thing about music production. Even trivial things which maybe aren’t that easy to find on the internet.
Are there any fellow artists you’d like to give a shoutout to for their contributions or influence on your music?
I think Stonx themselves have a huge influence on me, I might even have an influence on them aswell. Together we shaped our sound, give each other feedback and exchange techniques.
Neurofunk is known for its distinctive sound. How do you approach experimenting with and pushing the boundaries of the genre in your music?
I think the most important thing with Neurofunk is not to lose the Funk. It’s great to have complex sound design and really good mixdowns, but for me what’s more important is the musicality. You need to keep the listener interested with musical elements, groove, flow, interesting leads and so on. Arrangement is more important than mixdown.
Are there any other musical genres or styles you’re interested in exploring in the future?
Not a specific genre. I think you can get inspiration from all kinds of musical genres.
What would you consider to be a significant highlight in your music career so far?
Hearing my tracks get played at big festivals.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Are there any dream collaborations or projects you’re working on?
I would love to collaborate with some renowned neurofunk artists like Mizo in the future and also release on big labels. I would also like to play international shows.
What advice would you offer to up-and-coming producers who aspire to make their mark in the music industry?
Finish your tunes!
Are there any production tips or resources you wish you had known about when you were starting out?
No I think I had all what I needed. Patreon is a great starting point for beginners, which gives insights into how other producers work.
When you’re not making music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Quality time with my girlfriend
Can you share a fun or quirky fact about yourself that your fans might not know?
Mmhh Ice Cream So Good ( Extra words from Ollie – Sindicate is a freaking Airbus Engineer!? but too humble to put that in the answers 😂)
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans and listeners about your music, upcoming projects, or your journey as an artist?
More music will come, I have a lot on my schedule!
And there you have it, folks! We’ve had the pleasure of delving into the musical world of Sindicate, a true mainstay on the Stonx Music roster. Through ‘Desert Menace VIP,’ his VIP version of his very first Stonx Music release, Sindicate has not only showcased his evolution as an artist but also offered a fresh take on his signature sound. With more exciting projects on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what Sindicate has in store for us next. Keep those speakers tuned, and stay locked into the Stonx Music experience!
Meet the other Artists
- O&P:
- H_MAN:
- Direct Shift:
- The Fi5th:
- Sindicate:
- Moisinn
- Goosetronics
- Subcat
- Icons
- Deviant Program
- M4
- Skorpion
We are incredibly excited for this release and sincerely hope you’ll join us in supporting our vibrant community. Stonx Music’s Disciples Of Distortion Volume 2 is set to unleash its auditory devotion worldwide on September 22nd, 2023
Pre- Order: https://releases.stonx.co.uk/Disciples-vol2
Words by STONX and Stonx Music Co – Founder Ollie Barron
