Our EDC Orlando pre-show coverage keeps rolling in!
If you've ever been out to Exchange LA, there's a good chance you've probably seen this guy spinning records on the stage. Shmitty is the resident DJ at Exchange LA and Create, and he will be opening up the one and only Kinetic Field stage tomorrow afternoon at EDC Orlando. That means he's the first music the fans will be hearing as they step through the doors and prepare for a night under the electric sky.
I spoke with Shmitty on the eve of the show, talking about the free "No Stop In Sight" EP he gave to fans a little while back, what fans can expect from his set when he opens the show tomorrow, why he records all of his live sets, and much more.
I took a listen to a few of your tracks, and you definitely have a unique techno flair to your music. It's very relaxing, but almost trance-like when you listen to it for awhile. What was it, for you, that drew you towards that type of sound when creating tracks like "Curveball" or "No Stop In Sight"? (i.e. the tracks on the "No Stop In Sight" EP?)
The No Stop in Sight EP was a free download I put out for hitting 10,000 fans on Facebook. Up until these tracks, I had worked on almost all my music with my buddy Tyler Rouse. I had been producing for about two years, and it was the first time I had finished tracks on my own that I was proud enough to play in my own sets. I love simple (laughs) and that's just what those tracks are. I was always trying to make the tracks bigger, stronger, bassier, and ended up always putting too many sounds in a track to the point that it would muddy up the music. For these tracks, I trusted my instinct, and kept it minimal and from the soul.
I noticed on your Soundcloud channel that you post a lot of your live sets! Knowing that you're going to have them recorded during each show, does that make performing and mixing a little more nerve-wracking for you? Or would you say it's more fun since you can look back on it afterwards?
I like to record all my sets because it forces me to mix it up. I try to not be stale by constantly downloading new music often. I think it's fun to look back and listen to my mixes, and see what I can learn from them.
You'll be playing EDC Orlando tomorrow afternoon. Since you're up first and you're playing on the Main Stage (congratulations!) what kind of mind set do you have to get yourself into, since you know that you'll essentially be the first taste of music people will get to hear when walking through the doors?
For festivals, I like to play a little more of an energetic techno "day vibe". Stuff that is a little more funky and groovy, rather than dark. I like to get people warmed up and to start dancing, but save their "raging" for the main acts.
With music festivals like EDC, fans are having music, visuals, and constant distractions thrown at them left and right. It can be a bit overwhelming. In your opinion, what do you think sets you apart from any of the other artists out there? What is it about your set that will get a group to stop and essentially say "hey guys, let's hang here and check this out for a while!"
I try to always play music that people don't know. Not because it's cool and makes me hipster (laughs) but because nothing is as fun as it was the first time around. Lots of artists play music that the crowd wants to hear. I play music I think people should know...but don't.
This is the last question, and I ask it to every artist that I interview, as a way to close things out. It's broad, but what does music mean to you?
Music is an outlet. It's a place I can be creative, be accepted, and enjoy every minute of it. Music is universal.
Be sure to catch Shmitty at EDC Orlando on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 on the KINETIC FIELD STAGE from 1:00 PM to 1:14 PM.
For more music and info on Shmitty, visit www.facebook.com/shmittymusic
This has been another Shameless Promotion.