NATHAN VICE/DEATHWAVE INTERVIEW @ TIGHTEN UP

We’re big fans of this Puerto Rico native, turned New York transplant. Ever since he came down to DC in May of 09 and played almost an entire set of originals, he’s been heavy on our radar. Last year he teamed up wtih the Tighten UP! crew on his remix of Illy’s Double on the Rocks project, “Thats My Steez.” And was recently featured on Tighten UP! Podcast 4.

So how did you get your start DJ’ing?

I guess it all started when I heard drum & bass for the first time back in 2000 (kind of late I know). I was absolutely blown away. The energy, the sound design. Everything. I didn’t really know how to go about it… I just wanted to make music like that… Somehow. Had a friend who was into promoting parties and knew about this stuff. He recommended I start out DJing first, and then I would pick up on the musical and production skills. Bought a cheap pair of turntables and a mixer, bunch of records, and got to practicing. Played a few small parties for some time, then I took a break to focus on making music for a while. I picked up DJing again around 2008, when I finally jumped from drum & bass to house, electro, etc.

Favorite Jello flavor?

Orange

You’ve played in Puerto Rico quiet a bit, what do you find is the difference between there and the states?

PR has a surprisingly active party scene with lots of great, high profile acts dropping by all the time. It’s an island of course and most of the scene concentrates around the capital, so all in all it’s a handful of local people running things and playing most of the parties along with the bigger names. It’s a tight knit scene so once word spreads that you’re doing good work, especially on the production front, and getting outside recognition, it’s easier to get a variety of consistent gigs. But its not a walk in the park either. You have to put in your work and pay your dues like anywhere else. Here in the states things feel more spread out. Lots of promoters, companies, DJs, producers, etc all trying to do their own thing, so it ends up being a little nerve-racking at times… Until you get one or two tracks that really blow up and put you on the map. I’m working on that heh.

GI Joes or Transformers?

teenage mutant ninja turtles

Favorite track or Remix you’ve done so far?

Probably the last two tracks I finished as Deathwave
Deathwave – Pancake

Deathwave – Jack Her (Til She Screams)

Your stuck on an island, and you can only bring 3 DVD’s to watch for the next 3 years. What do you bring?

Anchorman
Blade Runner
Scarface (I know it’s a cliche but goddamn I always loved that flick)

What can you tell us about your new project “Deathwave”?

I’ve kind of been focusing most of my energy into Deathwave lately. I’m using this project to experiment with darker, heavier tracks. The Nathan Vice thing will continue to draw from 80?s soundtracks, new wave, italo, disco, rock, etc. while Deathwave will include a broader range of influences like acid house, techno, drum & bass, hip hop, funk, tropical stuff, and whatever else. I’m not really limiting myself with it. No set rules. Just an emphasis on big bass, dark, raw, gritty vibes, and getting people to break a sweat on the dancefloor.

What will make a comeback first? Drum and Bass or the Achey Breaky Heart?

I hope country gets huge in 2012. It will make armageddon feel like not such a bad thing after all.

Nathan Vice – Light Cone by Nathan Vice

Deathwave – Pancake by Deathwave

SOURCE: TIGHTEN UP

Sep 24, 2010 | Categories: Featured, News | Tags: deathwave, interview, nathan vice, tighten up | Leave A Comment »