Time and time again, we see incredible work coming from numerous up and coming names in the EDM scene. Alek Slon, better known to most as Rezi, makes the long awaited release of his EP on Morflo Records, Reflections, a 5 tune compilation is nothing short of madness, creating a heavy uptempo soundscape that is not to be missed. For today’s premiere off this incredible EP, “Black Hole”, Rezi teams up with Polish producer, Ankou, to bring forth an absolute stomper of a track that will transport listeners into space and through their black hole of sound.  Its heavy basslines and uptempo hard melody combine both styles of these two artists into one, showing off both of their sound melded into one stomper of a bass heavy tune. This one is definitely a track that will get you up and bouncing around with a bassface anytime you hear it. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Black Hole” and the rest of Rezi’s upcoming EP Adventus , a certified bop.

1. What is your biggest inspiration to this day that has helped shape your style of music and why?

 It’s hard to pin my inspiration down on something singular, because the growth of my personal sound has taken inspiration from multiple genres and artists. The sound I’m trying to create is an attempt at blending my love of heavy bass/dubstep with IDM themes that are more geared towards creativity. A sound that can go off on the dance floor, but also is just as satisfying when sitting down and listening through headphones. I have an array of inspirations from artists like CharlesTheFirst, KOAN Sound, Culprate and Ekcle to Virtual Riot, Moody Good, Mr. Bill and Vctre. As well as the friends Slang Dogs, Eugene, Underbelly, Jiqui and Cyclops; they inspire me constantly. Just trying to do something unique with my personal music taste. 

2. What has been a personal career struggle that you have battled with the most and how has it helped mold your character for the better good presently?

The biggest thing I’ve grappled with all these years is the constant cloud of uncertainty that comes with pursuing a career like this. Trying to make your place and create a life/career in an industry that’s over saturated with so much amazing art can be very daunting, difficult, and can make you feel like you’re not good enough because you think so many others are doing it better. It’s almost impossible to not compare yourself to others. On top of that, it’s really hard to make gameplans, because you don’t know who is going to accept you and believe in the project. With all those things combined, it can make you feel like it’s just not worth the stress. 

BUT, through my time working on this project, and grappling with such things, I have learned some things that have helped keep me sane while dealing with all this stuff. 

For one, you just cannot compare your sound to others. Your sound is a culmination of your tastes, techniques that you’ve come to fancy, and the things you’ve figured out that work for you. It is going to sound different then someone else’s because your artistic journey has been different then that other person. That doesn’t make anyone’s personal sound better or worse, just different! And that’s okay because people will come to you for your sound and them for theirs.  

Also, you can create a general plan and goals, but you should never ride on them, or put all of your hope in them. If you do it can lead to you feeling some very negative things when they don’t work out like you want them to. But, as long as you stay consistent with the art and keep making friends in the industry, some things will work out, just not stuff that you would expect. So focus on growing the art, and take the things that come your way, when they come your way. Sometimes things won’t work out like you hoped and that’s okay, it just means you aren’t ready for that thing yet. 

3. How did the collaborative process work with Ankou? How were you both connected/introduced to each other? What was your favorite moment in the process of working on the track together?

One day I decided to DM Ankou cause I was a big fan of his music and wanted to show him some appreciation for it. We got to talking, then eventually got to talking about working on a project together. He sent me a WIP (work in progress) that he was stuck on, I had immediate inspiration the minute I heard it, and the rest is history.

Sum R&R has been on the forefront of the underground bass scene for over 5 years now, curating releases, shows and making an overall incredible space for bass music. As we venture through the different soundscapes that are present on their 5 Year Anniversary Compilation, we are proud to present to you today’s premiere, “Piff”, an absolute stomper of a bass track brought to you by none other than the don, The WIddler. Combining reggae with new school bass sounds, this tune is a banger from start to finish providing the perfect mid-tempo twist on The Widdler’s classic tunes. THis track will definitely have you bopping and vibing from start to finish, so don’t sleep on checking this out. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Piff” and the rest of the Sum R&R 5 Year Anniversary Compilation, a certified bop.

1. What has been a personal career struggle that you have battled with the most and how has it helped mold your character for the better good presently?

One of the career struggles I have had is the stress of travel and not knowing what to expect from each city in terms of promoters and shows. I have turned this into motivation to be more assertive and heard when it comes to my needs. For the record, Sum RNR has always been top quality from the moment I land to the moment I take off!

2. What has been your favorite memory this far having been part of the EDM scene prior to successfully launching off as a reputable bass artist?

There are so many. From getting to meet and perform with artists that I have looked up to since I was finishing high-school, all the way to being able to play red rocks. No one thing trumps the other and I am lucky for every one of them.

Breaking out and making a name for yourself in the electronic scene can be a difficult task among the masses of new and upcoming artists. This, however, is not the case for two insane bass producers, Devious and TRON3X, who have come out absolutely swinging with their new track, “Space Sauce”. Providing the perfect balance of weird wonky bass and space themed soundscapes, this track transports listeners into another galaxy. Its distorted bass lines combined with its uptempo, high energy sound will have you wanting to have this one on repeat for the foreseeable future. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling this heater, “Space Sauce”, a certified bop. 

Here at Headbang Society, we love seeing new fire remixes of our favorite tunes from new and upcoming artists. Texas bass producer, NTICE has come out swinging with a new, exciting rendition of NAZAAR’s track “War Cry” that has been rinsed out continuously since its release. Continuing the heavy uptempo energy from the original track, NTICE puts a playful spin on the drop, focusing on stepping out of his usual comfort zone and bringing an absolutely bass heavy take on the original tune. This remix showcases the perfect combination of the original song we have all come to love with a unique twist that is not to be missed. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling NTICE’s remix of “War Cry”, a certified bop.  

Creating the perfect outlet for artists to express their up and coming freeform bass projects, SUM R&R has been one of the labels at the forefront of this venture as they enter their 5th year in the bass music scene. Not only do they showcase a plethora of music, they provide an outlet for many to see their favorite artists by putting on numerous shows throughout the year for music goers to enjoy. As their anniversary approaches, we have the pleasure of premiering yet another track off their 5 year compilation, this time produced by both California artist, Father or Chrome and Macrohard. “Lost Salvation” is a downtempo combination of melodic and psychedelic soundscapes, coupled with both hip hop and dub elements. This track provides the perfect deep bass experience that will leave you wanting more. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Lost Salvation” and the rest of the SUM R&R 5-Year Anniversary Compilation, a certified bop.

If you could go back in time and start over given what you have learned in your career so far, what changes and approach would you have done differently?

 FATHER OF CHROME: If I could go back in time, I would try to start performing earlier in my career. I really enjoy performing now, but it took a long time to start to feel confident and truly enjoy myself and in turn have people enjoy themselves during my set. If I had the confidence to go out and seek more opportunities earlier on, I think it would have accumulated into an even better live aspect to my music today.

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2Who/what are the biggest inspirations in the music you create today

 MACROHARD: In general, I get musical inspirations from anything and everything around me (sounds of birds chirping, an anime BGM, car sirens, old K-pop at a karaoke, tiktok videos, etc..) but as for the great musicians that have left a mark on my soul, it would be: DJ Premier, Notorious B.I.G., DJ Shadow, Brodinski, Pretty Lights, Eric Prydz, Flying Lotus, and Sphongle, to name a few.

FATHER OF CHROME:

I have always had my top 3:

 #1 Daedelus, an amazing LA based performer. I originally saw him when I was going to school in San Fran, he did a free show at the apple store. best known for his monome performances he is an amazing artist, and now at this point in my life i have met him and even had the pleasure of giving him some of my artwork. 

#2 The Widdler, a godfather in deep dark dubstep. I have been listening to him since I first switched from making music no one will ever hear in Garageband, to a major leap in my production career with Reason. Just excellent, really deep innovative sound design that no one could match. Now he is really seeing the fruits of his labor and garnishing the recognition that he deserves. I had the pleasure of meeting him and even having releases on Sum R&R which has also hosted some of his releases. Big goal of mine is to one day have something under one of his WiddFam releases. 

#3 Crystal Castles, Beautiful melodies coupled with distorted punk vocals and Alice Glass star power. I can only describe crystal castles as chilling techno punk for the dystopian future. I really wanted to achieve the ability to make something heavy yet melodic, catchy but truly unique. Crystal Castles captured this in their music and as true innovators have been doing it for almost 20 years. Despite recent developments in the bands history between the 2 members, their first album will forever be a major influence on me and one of my personal favorites. I will forever be an Alice Glass fan, Crystal Castles or her new solo project.