The dance music culture may have exploded in the past few years, but no city has seen a bigger impact then Los Angeles. The city of angels is currently home to many major DJs and producers who continue to push the envelope of EDM. Not only home to the bigger names but LA is currently booming with a surge of up and coming talent who are making their own path to success.

To learn more about the music industry and dance music culture in Los Angeles we went straight to the heart of the scene thanks to Icon Collective graduate Warden. Having moved to LA from Portland, Oregon, Austin knows too well the struggles of making it as an artist in a big city like Los Angeles. From the outside it may be all glamour and massive but just like any other city it has it’s good and bad. Warden helps us really understand the scene and the culture that is currently happening in La-La Land.

Bassdrop: What is it like to be involved in the music industry in Los Angeles?
Warden: To be honest, I don’t really feel like I’m “involved” even though I am. I know it’s an industry, but I try to surround myself with people who are genuine. That kind of takes away the “industry” feel of it in a way. It just feels like a bunch of friends doing what they love doing.

BD: From the outside, the music scene in Los Angeles looks huge right now. Is this really the case?
W: I would say so yeah. There are a lot of sick up and coming artists coming out of here right now. It’s pretty exciting to watch especially because it’s kids I’ve gone to Icon Collective with and just people I’ve met from being around the scene for a while. Everyone works their asses off and it pays off. There’s a lot of talent here. Apparently, Los Angeles is physically around 500 square miles and the music scene has gotta be almost half of that.

BD: As an artist what makes LA so great to live in?
W: There are a lot of creative people out here. It constantly inspires me. There’s this “I moved here to do what I love” energy that floats around the city and our scene which really inspires me. It’s kind of nice knowing everyone here has a similar mindset as you.

BD: What are some of the pros and cons being in the heart of it all?
W: I mean my biggest pro is that there is something always going on. There’s always multiple shows every day of the year it feels like. It’s almost overwhelming, but it’s pretty kick ass. My only con really is that it’s hard to escape the scene sometimes. I go through phases of just locking myself away in my apartment to hide from everyone.

BD: What are some of the most surprising things about the music scene in LA?
W: Honestly, what shocked me the most was how small the dance music scene feels. I didn’t expect that at all. And how fucking nice everyone is involved in our scene (for the most part). At least, the people I hang around are. Everyone has this whole like “LA WILL EAT YOU ALIVE BRO,” mentality before they live here. I mean it can, if you hang around the wrong people. You just find the people who are genuine and stick with them.

BD: A majority of the artist in the Los Angeles area seem to be really good friends. Is this really how it is and how close is everyone?
W: I mean pretty much. We all live here. For me and other Icon Collective kids, we all went to school together. That’s where I met Garrett (Fawks, he sucks) and we became super close. Like really close. Like so close that he won’t call me back and he’s already ruined like 8 of our weddings but I mean we’re sorting that out. Icon Collective is also where I met Sullivan King, Jauz, The Khan Don, Castor Troy, Boy Bishop and like countless other homies.

BD: A lot of the bigger acts are based in the LA area as well, does this make it harder to get gigs and events to play at?
W: Not really. I mean there are a lot of awesome local parties that have a lot of up and comers and sometimes bigger acts come through. Space Yacht is the best example of this, their parties are always so much damn fun.

BD: LA is known to be an expensive city to live in. What are some of the struggles that up and coming artists go through to survive while trying to make a name for themselves?
W: Yeah it’s pretty expensive it sucks. My personal struggles are as follows:

1) My bedroom isn’t a bedroom. For the past 2+ years, I’ve shared a pretty big 1 bedroom apartment with my sister. My bed is in the living room. Which is actually pretty sick because I’m also really close to the kitchen.
2) I have a part-job working at a dog daycare. It’s also pretty cool, but it does take away time from working on music and sometimes I miss events because I can’t get out of work.
3) I can’t afford to drink at the clubs. No one can. Seriously what’s up with 12 dollar drinks guys, no one wants that shit so knock it off.

BD: What else can you tell us that many may not know?
W: One time I saw Avicii’s mansion on a Hollywood tour when my mom came and visited. Shit had so many levels dog it was lit.

Read our full interview with Warden to learn a little more about his personal music career!

Nightenjin

The post Los Angeles: In the Heart of the Music Industry appeared first on Nightenjin.

Recently we had the chance to catch up with LA based DJ and producer Warden. The sole guardian of the source is known for his dark, weird and bass music, while creating his own unique sound in an ever growing music scene. Make sure to keep an eye out for Wardens debut ep, coming sometime next year. We’ll be standing by, ready to cover it when it launches but in the meantime lets get to know Warden a little better.

Nightenjin: What’s the story behind Warden?

Warden: Warden was originally created as a character for a comic book or an anime. As I’ve been progressing, I’ve realized that Warden is basically just an extension of myself taking shape in a different world. It’s all about being different and having a unique voice in a scene that is oversaturated. It’s about not following trends and not really giving a shit. I make what I make. Like it or don’t.

NE: For those out there who aren’t familiar with your music, please describe your style.

W: My sound is basically everything dark weird and bassy. I really enjoy crossing all genres to my sound and style.

NE: Who or what are your biggest sources of inspiration for your music?

W: My biggest sources of inspiration have always been people like deadmau5, Skrillex, Flying Lotus, Kill The Noise, Bassnecter, Nero, and Borgore. To me they’ve all spent a lot of time crafting their own sound. You could hear one of their songs not knowing it was them and guess it was them. Also none of them give a fuck about what people think they just do what they do. Oh, and I’m also really into Max Richter and Clint Mansell. They are genius composers. Movie scores inspire the hell out of me.

NE: What do you think makes you unique in an industry flooded with talent?

W: My sound is my sound. I don’t sound like anyone else and that’s what I’m going for. It’s easy to be different from other producers because most of them are chasing the same sound. I just do the opposite. I don’t like to take myself and the scene too seriously. I make dance music. It’s fun. Let’s have fun.

NE: What are your goals for your music career for the next few years?

W: I want to be touring constantly and spreading my music as much as possible. I would love to do an album every 1-2 years. I love the creative process so much.

NE: If you could work with any artist, who would it be and why?

W: Either Flying Lotus or Action Bronson. I’m a huge hip hop fan and would love keep crossing it with bass music. Flying Lotus is an incredibly talented (obviously) and I would have so much fun making weird beats with him. Also working with Action Bronson and his raw as fuck attitude would be amazing. That dude is such a creative lyricist.

NE: If you weren’t a DJ, what would you be doing instead?

W: I’d still be a musician. Since I was 13 all I wanted to do was be a musician. So as a drummer, I’d probably be playing drums in a band. It doesn’t really matter because this what I’m doing now. I don’t like to speculate on that stuff.

NE: What do you think of today’s music scene?

W: I think the scene is a bit oversaturated. Everyone wants instant success and that creates a lot less originality in music. There’s a lot of people who jump on a trend, get famous off it, then once that trend dies out, they have to adapt to the next cool thing. Fuck that. People are also obsessed with their social media followings. Everyone is trying to make themselves look like the coolest fucking thing on the planet without making sure their music is coolest fucking thing on the planet.

NE: What has been your most memorable moment to date?

W: I don’t really know to be honest. I get pretty weirded out every day when I think about what I’m doing. Like what the fuck I’m making music and people like it. I live in LA. A lot of my friends are also extremely talented producers on the rise. It’s fucking crazy. Every day feels likes it might be my next memorable moment. I just wanna keep moving forward.

NE: Are there any new projects that we can know about?

W: I’m planning on releasing my first EP next year. I can’t say much, but I’m super excited about the overall concept behind it.

NE: Anything else not mentioned here that you’d like to tell your fans?

W: Yeah, make sure when you’re at the shows you go to, that you make sure everyone around you is safe and having a good time. Take care of each other, don’t be a dickhead, and have as much fun as possible.

Speed Round

Favorite City?
Portland, Oregon
Go to song?
Nookie
Life of a DJ?
Neat
Sports?
Hockey
Food?
Spaghetti
Drink?
COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE
Nightenjin?
Schwifty

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The post Warden Interview appeared first on Nightenjin.