Meet the Artist: Deviant Program
Next up, we’re introducing you to Deviant Program, an artist making their first-ever appearance on Stonx Music. With a brand-new sound and plenty of potential, Deviant Program is set to make their mark in the world of music. Join us as we get to know this up-and-coming artist and explore the beginning of their musical journey.
Where to find Deviant Program
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the world of music production?
I’ve always loved music for as long as I can remember. My dad bought me Guns N Roses Appetite For Destruction album for Christmas when I was about 7 or 8, so I think it was probably inevitable that I would grow up listening to fast, heavy music. I got some decks and a mixer for my 16th birthday and spent pretty much all my time mixing (must have driven my poor parents nuts) but, I loved it. Eventually I realised that I wanted to actually make my own music and not just play other people’s stuff, so I went to college and did a 3 year creative music production course where I learned the basics and from there I just kept working on music and learning everything I could about it.
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?
I’ve usually got a pretty good idea of what I want to do when I start a new project, so it’s just a case of making all the sounds and arranging it all so it sounds as close to the initial idea I had in my head, then mixing it down and mastering it, however in this case, because it was for a VA album all the tracks were mastered by Sindicate. It’s always easier if the idea has a strong theme to work with.
I felt like giving up countless times over the years just due to the shear frustration of not being able to get it right but, there was no chance of that, I love it too much.
deviant program
What inspired you while working on this specific piece of music?
“Artificial intelligence” was inspired by, believe it or not, Artificial Intelligence haha. The topic has been on my mind for quite a while now. As much as I am in awe of the abilities and potential positive applications of AI at this current moment in time, I also think the dangers it presents in the near future are vast and incomprehensible. I think it’s possible we may have created the very thing that could ultimately lead to our destruction. I really hope I’m wrong. It seems that, just as Noisia once told us… “what has begun, cannot be stopped” is true and I wanted this track to represent the fast paced, unrelenting and scary advancement that is unfolding within the field of Artificial Intelligence.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
The artists that have had the most influence on me are probably: Bad company Spor Noisia Black Sun Empire Audio Merikan Pythius Finalfix
Are there any artists or genres that you draw inspiration from but might not be immediately apparent in your music?
I like all sorts of stuff and I think it probably all influences me in some way. I spend most of my time working on my own music, so I don’t spend as much time as I’d like listening to other music but, when I do, it’s usually Drum & Bass or some more chilled out stuff like stuff by Lorn, or sometimes some retro Synthwave type stuff.
Can you share a particularly challenging moment you’ve encountered in your music production journey and how you overcame it?
The whole journey has been challenging to be honest. It’s been a long and difficult process to get to where I’m at with it now and I’m only really just getting the hang of it. I felt like giving up countless times over the years just due to the shear frustration of not being able to get it right but, there was no chance of that, I love it too much. I think I’d probably go insane if I didn’t make music because it’s pretty much all I think about.
How do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist since your earlier work, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
I think I’m improving my skills all the time. Lot’s of lessons learned along the way. Too many to list really.
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?
Being part of the Stonx Music community is the reason I’ve started releasing music. I found Stonx Music after seeing an advert for Subcat’s Hyenas EP. I joined the discord and after chatting with Subcat and eventually sending him a link to a track I was working on, he gave me a really positive response and that gave me the confidence to share it publicly on the ‘Feedback’ section of the server where I got a positive response from everyone else too, which led me to feeling confident enough to submit “Artificial Intelligence” for the album. That’s all thanks to the Stonx community. Its a really cool community of people and there’s some serious talent there.
Are there any fellow artists you’d like to give a shoutout to for their contributions or influence on your music?
Shout to Bad Company, Spor, Noisia, Black Sun Empire, Merikan, Pythius and Finalfix for consistently inspiring me over the years! Big shout to Stonx for all the feedback and tips, Ollie is a wizard! Big shout to Subcat for giving me such kind and positive feedback and big shout to all the other artists on the album who all made such great pieces of music that made this album what it is.
Neurofunk is known for its distinctive sound. How do you approach experimenting with and pushing the boundaries of the genre in your music?
I’m always working on music and thinking about various aspects of production and sound design, so it’s pretty much a way of life for me. I’m always trying to push the boundaries with my music and with the rate that technology moves forward, giving us all these new plugins to play with all the time, we can continue to push the boundaries and see where it takes us.
Are there any other musical genres or styles you’re interested in exploring in the future?
I’m up for exploring all genres that interest me. I make a few different styles of music for fun when I’m not in the mood for making Drum & Bass. I wouldn’t mind making some Neuro Breaks in the future and I’m working on some oldskool Techstep stuff as well.
What would you consider to be a significant highlight in your music career so far?
Well, my career is only just beginning, this is my very first release so, I would say I consider having “Artificial Intelligence” featured on this album to be the highlight so far.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Are there any dream collaborations or projects you’re working on?
Looking ahead, I just want to continue learning and honing my skills and trying to push the boundaries to make the music as good as possible. Dream collaborations would be Merikan, Pythius and Finalfix… one day, hopefully!
What advice would you offer to up-and-coming producers who aspire to make their mark in the music industry?
I would say, if making music is what you really want to do, then give it everything you’ve got, try as hard as you can, stick with it and you will almost certainly get there in the end. Passion and determination are the keys to success.
Are there any production tips or resources you wish you had known about when you were starting out?
Yes, too many to mention! When I first started, there was a lot of gatekeeping in the scene and nobody really shared the knowledge, so you kind of had to learn it yourself the hard way but, I think having to work it out for myself through trial and error probably gave me a more solid understanding in the long run.
When you’re not making music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Well, I spend pretty much all my time making music but, other than that, just hanging out with my friends and going on holiday. I also like riding dirt bikes… super fun!
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?
I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank my mom and dad and for all their support over the years, my sister for putting up with my noise and also my mate Vinny for all his support. I don’t think I could have done it without them. I’m working on tons of music, so keep your ears peeled!
As we conclude our exploration of Deviant Program’s inaugural release and the start of their musical voyage, we’re filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. Deviant Program has unveiled their unique sound, and the future promises exciting possibilities. Keep an ear out for more fresh releases and evolving music from this emerging artist.
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
