Personally kind of upset with my friends that NO ONE told me about the existence of Stratus. You know who you are and yes we now have a problem for withholding such a talented individual from our ears. Fear not, however, as it is our duty to present you with the heat as soon as we discover it and boy have we been blessed let me tell ya. Brand new 4 track EP titled “Gob Slab” was just recently dropped via our good friends over at SubCarbon Records and this is one project you are not gonna want to miss out on. It has it all, grimy heavy dubstep bass lines with an infuse of outer-dimension alien frequencies that we have all accustomed to love. You’re gonna have this bad boy on repeat is all i’m saying. Now it’s time to take a deeper diver as to why we consider this ep what we like to call, a certified bop.

When it comes to funky and refreshing, yet jaw-dropping sound, Common Creation is one to watch. This psychedelic soul-bass producer has been creating tunes out of Georgia since 2015, and clearly has no plans to slow down anytime soon. As of now, he has released several EP’s and singles under both the Wakaan and Sskwan labels, each one somehow more groundbreaking than the last.  

   Similar to artists like Manic Focus, Common Creation often plays the guitar alongside throwing down on the decks during live performances; somewhat of a rarity within the world of EDM. Adding this live element to shows allows for an invigorating and more personal experience overall, making them unforgettable and leaving fans wanting more. He also creates a good amount of his cover art for his EP and single releases, showcasing his creative skills in fields other than music composition. You can catch Common Creation live at the infamous Mission Ballroom in October; a show that is bound to be a true crowd pleaser. 

   His latest EP release under Wakaan, Sunset Seance, is what can only be described as falling into a psychedelic dreamworld on the verge of a nightmare. Combining light tones and expertly placed scratching with commanding bass, Sunset Seance blurs the lines between light and dark, resulting in tracks that are expertly balanced and sure to take you on an enthralling ride through what he describes as a bridge between the artist he was and the artist he is becoming. This EP is a journey from start to finish, and it is a pleasure to add it to our personal playlists. For more insight into the creation of Sunset Seance, see our exclusive interview with Common Creation below. 

“To finally release this EP is cathartic. I can’t help but look back on the last few years and see how far this project has come. In a lot of ways, this EP feels like the end of one era of my career and the beginning of the next chapter. Dedicating this one to everyone who has supported me so far, thank you for listening.”

Diving Deep w/ Common Creation

1. The Sunset Seance EP is a culmination of tracks you began putting together towards the beginning of your music career in preparation for the Hampton Coliseum in 2021. Did you change these tracks at all from their originals when they were first written to reflect your project currently? Why did you feel it was important to share these tracks with your fans? 

That’s a great question with kind of a long answer. I definitely continued to work on and refine these tunes after that performance but the entire EP was finished up by about April of 2022. I wasn’t sure wanted to do with it release wise initially and honestly was somewhat unsure about the sound I was trying to achieve at the time. Due to this I ended up shelving Sunset Seance while I began working on my next EP Oblique Obelisk. During those sessions I felt like I leveled up a ton in my production techniques, and by the time I had finished it Wakaan had agreed to release both EP’s. They left it up to me to determine the order. I chose to release Oblique first since the first release date they offered was in the spring, and the theme of that project was spring. Conveniently, the second date was around midsummer and the themes of Sunset Seance are way more late summer / autumn so the timing seemed perfect. At that point though the Sunset tracks were over a year old and I started to feel pretty much what you described in the question which is that they didn’t quite reflect where I am as an artist at this point. So around December I did some more sessions to attempt to bring them up to speed with where I was currently. The results were actually really bad. I pretty much just ended up butchering the ideas and ruining the mixdowns. Sometimes you just gotta know when to put the pen down so I just decided f-ck it and went with the original versions. The reason I like working mostly with EP’s is that I really try to focus on making a cohesive piece of art and think of them as snapshots of where I am at as a producer at that time. And this EP was something I had worked hard on and was still proud of and therefore I felt that my existing listeners had a right to hear it. This is actually the second time I have released EP’s out of chronological order. When I got asked by Gramatik to release on Lowtemp Music (my first label release) I had just finished Gold Soul Galaxy, but felt it wasn’t really the statement I wanted to make with my first big exposure release, so I hunkered down and wrote Manufactured Moments while shelving GSG. Almost a year later, I ended up releasing GSG even though I felt pretty much the exact same way that I felt about Sunset. It was old and I had improved. But it was still a solid piece of music so why not release it? Well it actually ended up being an all time fan favorite EP and I kinda realized that if you felt good about a piece of music at one point, it is probably worth sharing. I’m hoping Sunset Seance ends up being a similar story.

2. What is your favorite track off this EP and why?

That’s a tough one but if I had to pick I would probably go with Bizarro Bayou. It definitely has my favorite melodies from the whole EP and I think production wise its just a solid track, but Swamp Zombie would probably be a close second, I think the second drop is the grooviest thing I’ve ever made.

3. Where do you hope to see your project 5 years from now? What are you doing currently to make this dream a reality?

In 5 years i’m hoping to be headlining my own tour. Definitely a tough goal and I have a long road to make it happen, but that has been my dream since I was about 8 years old. I’ve been planning it for years too. I would run my own visuals from stage and perform at least 2 hrs each night, 1 hr solo, 1 hr with a live band ideally. My team and I have had this goal in mind for a while but currently we are mainly focused on getting my name out there as much as possible. We’ve got some big dates coming up that I’m hoping are gonna help me gain some more national exposure, and we are also focusing on getting me in as many cities as possible for 2024.

4. What’s next for Common Creation? What do you and your team have planned in the near future that fans have to look forward to? 

I’ve actually been working on a pretty large amount of new tunes including a bunch of old school remixes, and will be dropping a themed unreleased mix in the very near future. Will be releasing more details on that in the coming weeks. Additionally we are about to launch a new community that will help connect w fans and get as many of the people who support me in one place as possible. I’ll be staying active in that and sharing whatever i’m working on (hopefully daily), and we think it’ll be a great way to get fans a little more involved w the project. Beyond that we are working on another merch run, have at least one more huge show to announce, and have some really cool things planned through the fall to the end of the year

AHEE, the well-rounded producer known for his extraterrestrial sounding tracks continuously has outdone himself once again. Releasing tracks with labels like Wakaan, Subsidia, and Cyclops Recordings. His repertoire expands over a multitude of genres, and he is a master of blending them into a satisfying range of tracks that are sure to be enjoyed by EDM fans of all types. Alongside performing and producing, Ahee spends much of his time sharing tips related to his creative process with other producers and composers, showing that he genuinely cares about the progression of bass music and EDM as a whole.

AHEE’s newest release, “Brain Rot” delves into the topic of corporate greed and consumerism; a conversation that consistently occurs in both the EDM community as well as in other spaces. Referencing topics that are easy to communicate with the general public allows the listener to fully connect with the track and appreciate the discourse layered within it, expanding the audience that an artist can reach. Along with the context of the track, what distinguishes “Brain Rot” from other releases is the inclusion of brand new samples, which add a refreshing twist to his already glitchy, experimental style. Ahee has truly honed in on his craft and places a lot of focus on these vocal samples (many of which are his own voice), resulting in an uneasy, villain-esque vibe followed by wonderful and wonky sound design that is sure to set him apart from other artists. The artist also prides himself in his ability to curate a set for specific crowds, showing that he carries his artistry through the entirety of his work as a producer and performer.

“I’ve been releasing with labels for years, collaborating with some incredible artists and pushing the limits of sound. Now, as I prepare to release my own music on my own label, I feel a mixture of insecurity and excitement. This track, ‘Brain Rot,’ challenges the boundaries that some labels may not feel comfortable with. I believe in making electronic music that pushes boundaries while also carrying a meaningful message that will inspire fans to be more curious about the world around them.” 

Diving Deep w/ AHEE

1. When writing Brain Rot, what elements and inspirations did you use to formulate this infectious track?

When the Brain Rot first started, it wasn’t called Brain Rot, it was a random sound design project file where I was trying to create something similar to my song Bug Eater. Though, as the track progressed and I started to think of vocal ideas, I knew I had the opportunity to do something unique. I began experimenting with satirical corporate office villain voice overs of myself and made a few versions, I showed Brain Rot to a few friends and stuck with what vibed the best. I did have another version that was maybe a lil too unhinged, lol, wouldn’t that be a funny VIP?

2. After numerous different releases on different labels and collaborations with other artists, Brain Rot serves as a milestone for the AHEE project as its first self-release. What does this mean for you as an artist? How is this first self-release going to help shape your project in the future?

It’s exciting and I’m a little nervous about it, I think those feelings come together whenever something big is happening, like my label Zot Records.  For me, it’s the 1st step to express my full artistic potential in new directions. I’m still going to release with other labels – I love working with them, but my own label will help me keep an avenue open for art that might not be curated at other labels. Right now I’m focused on releasing my own music with Zot Records, but eventually I’ll release other people’s music as well, I’d like to see that happen.

3. You have been playing all over at festivals such as Summer Camp and Shambala. What do you do to prepare for bigger sets such as these? 

I spend a lot of time collecting songs, making edits, and trying them out in sequence in ableton, then I set it all up in rekord box with my cues and curated groupings of songs I can choose to explore while vibing with each crowd. I feel like there is a lil bit of psychic perception involved in DJing live and riding a vibe.

I have a track breakdown of Brain Rot I’m gonna upload to my Youtube channel for other producers to learn my techniques and thinking behind the songwriting process.

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 There are a number of artists that can captivate an entire genre with just one song as they propel themselves into the spotlight. After his tracks “Laserbeam” and “HAPPY SONG”, Ray Volpe has grown to be a name everyone in EDM knows due to the resounding hype this track created. As he continues to fuel all of the dubstep rages, Ray Volpe is back again with his latest heater of a track “EAT SLEEP RAGE” off of his forthcoming and highly anticipated EP “VOLPETRON ASCENDS”. As a tribute to his metal and hard rock roots, “EAT SLEEP RAGE” is a dubstep song unlike any heard before, featuring thrashing guitar riffs, bone-crunching bass, and neck-breaking heavy drops that will have crowds all over headbanging.

There is no doubt that Ray Volpe has created yet another EDM banger that will be circulating around the festival circuits this year and be dropped and remixed by tons of artists. Its infectious yet ominous sound, captivates audiences left and right, leaving fans wanting even more from this electronic giant. If this is only the first track off of Ray Volpe’s upcoming EP from Monstercat Uncaged, who knows what other madness is going to be in store down the line? We had the chance to sit down and talk with Ray Volpe about his recent success, upcoming music and more in our exclusive Q+A section down below. Make sure to check out this absolute heater of a track because trust us, this one is a certified bop!

Diving Deep w/ Ray Volpe

1. You have taken the bass scene by storm and ascended to the tops of the ranks with your latest tracks “Laserbeam” and “HAPPY SONG”. What has this rise into the spotlight been like for you as an artist?

It’s been surreal. There’s a lot to unpack with it, to be honest. Firstly, I’ve been so grateful for all of the new attention and new love shown by so many. I’ve been making music for 13 years, I never expected to have a “hit” song, I always thought I’d be an artist that just slowly climbs the ladder step by step. I do believe I am still, but “Laserbeam” just helped me jump ahead a few steps on that ladder. Now we’re back to climbing. It’s crazy, all the opportunities that I’ve been exposed to and how much I’ve been able to achieve since everything happened. I’ve gotten to play a ton of amazing festivals I always dreamed of, and never thought would come true. Selling out shows was not something I was used to before this all happened. It’s so crazy to be able to go and play in Tokyo or Budapest and come back and play shows here in the States. It just blows my mind. There is another side to everything, though. I have definitely been more anxious than I’ve ever been. I have always dealt with anxiety and depression my entire life. The quick growth has led to spikes in that. It’s a lot of pressure, a lot to live up to when moving forward. Once you have the ball in your court, the last thing you want to do is fumble it. Making sure we’re constantly making the correct steps with every new thing we do, it’s definitely overwhelming. I am trying to make sure everything is perfect at all times, no matter how much it may be to my detriment. I’ll lose money and sleep over that to ensure things are to a certain standard, it’s really bad. General feelings of feeling overwhelmed and also a lot of imposter syndrome starts to hit at times too. Sometimes I feel like I forget how to make music entirely. Then a festival comes up and the day of the show I end up throwing together my best ideas. “HAPPY SONG” actually happened this way. So yeah, it’s give and take. I’m happier than ever, but also more stressed than ever. I’m eternally grateful for every single person that’s streamed a song or bought a jersey or stopped by at a show. It’s made everything possible for me. I can’t believe I’m here honestly.

2. “EAT SLEEP RAGE” is the second track you have released off your highly anticipated VOLPETRON ASCENDS EP. What elements and inspirations went into making this track? How will it fit in with the rest of the EP once it is released in its entirety?

This was definitely supposed to be the more “anthem” based rager of a tune. The original demo dates back to like August last year. I wanted something people could chant from the top of their lungs, but I wanted them to believe the words they were saying. I think the entire bass community as a whole can agree that we’re all here to eat, sleep, & rage. We spend hours driving or flying to festivals and shows to see artists and escape from reality through dancing and head banging and having the best time. This song emphasizes that. I went guitar heavy for this, but less in a front facing way and more of a compliment to the vocal. I was really feeling something that felt heavy in energy, and the little metal riff with the little fear strings surrounding it throughout (if you can even hear those it’s quite faint honestly haha) I think it really tells that story nicely. I had a lot of fun making this one, I actually sampled my fans for it. If you listen you’ll hear a crowd chanting “EAT, SLEEP, RAGE!” which is from two of my shows – Supernatural in Denver & Get Freaky in Salt Lake City. I was having them chant it before starting the song for a short period of time. I think I played it for the first time at Lost Lands. I’ve stopped doing it but can hear fans chanting it at some shows, it’s a crazy feeling since the track isn’t even out yet (as of writing this at least!). As for how it sits among the rest of the EP, that’s a good question. I think it helps continue the theme of this looming danger of Volpetron’s ascension. Every song on here feels “big” – and it’s done intentionally. Whether it’s big swelling intros or big late drops/fakeouts or big chant moments, it’s big. I did that to showcase the scale of the story we’ve been building around Volpetron. He’s bigger than Earth now, he’s celestial. He’s ready to take over the entire universe. The entirety of the EP just feels like it’s hitting you in the face with craziness until the last song where things finally calm down.

3. You have a number of huge up-and-coming festival sets such as Lost Lands and more. What do you do to prepare for bigger sets such as these? What do fans have to look forward to from these upcoming festival sets?

I spend an unhealthy amount of time working on them hahaha. I work on them until the last possible second. I love creating an experience for it, they’re not just songs that match key/tempo. The songs need to complement each other, the edits need to be clever, not just popular pre-drop and surprise drops. I mean, there’s a lot of that, but it’s made with very certain intent. The doubles make sense, the edits make sense, nothing feels random or thrown together. I try my best to put every ounce of myself into the sets, making sure they flow well from heavy to melodic, not have too much downtime but also don’t overdo it with heaviness back to back to back to back without stopping. It’s a long and tedious process for me. It really is a craft, I take it more seriously than producing music these days honestly. Everyone coming to sets will absolutely have new music ASIDE from this EP that they can hear only at the sets, and some amazing new visuals that my team and I have been working on to make sure they get something sick that they can appreciate and remember. My goal is to have people leave feeling that they appreciated the set and can see the love that goes into it, because I love this and I love them and I want to give that as much as I can.

4. You are proud to be straight edge and advocate for better mental health practices. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fans or other artists who are trying to practice being straight edge and take care of themselves while still being involved in the EDM scene?

Mainly that it’s possible, and you can do it. It’s way easier said than done, and it’s hard to take first steps when needed, but that’s where family, friends, and a support system comes into place. I go to therapy weekly, as I have for a long time. It’s been so important to overcoming a lot of past trauma I’ve dealt with in my life, some in childhood and some in adulthood. It’s helped me so much to realize who I am, why I am, and how I am. I also recommend walking daily and journaling. Even if it’s small, it’s nice to just let something out about your day. Therapy can be expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance, so I definitely recommend doing those two things if therapy isn’t an option for you. There are hotlines and some free online groups you can find if you need people to relate to. I wish there were more methods readily available. If you feel you’re struggling, and feel like you don’t have many options, I’d also suggest maybe taking a look at eating habits, sleeping habits, friend circles, etc. Things that seem random like that can be extremely taxing. Having a routine as simple as making your bed every morning can be one small step in the right direction. If you live in a messy room, you will feel messy, you know what I mean? Small things to clean up around you (figuratively or literally, up to you haha) will help you in the long run, at least in my experience. As for being straight edge, admittedly It’s been easy for me as I’ve always just been very disinterested in alcohol and drugs, but I understand in this industry it’s something you can be exposed to quite easily. I’ve noticed that most people I’ve come across have been actually incredibly supportive of it. I’ve run into peer pressure maybe a handful of times in the seven years I’ve been touring. It’s super rare, most people don’t really care. So if someone is ever worried about the thoughts of others, it’s the last thing on their mind, I promise. Also, with the amount of traveling we do (artists and fans alike, y’all put in HOURS in cars and planes to come see us!!!) it’s important to be taking care of yourself. I’m not someone that can speak to or give advice on weaning off of things or cutting things out, as I never have taken any drugs nor have I ever been drunk, so I’m not really able to speak much on that.

5. Other than the VOLPETRON ASCENDS EP, what else do you and your team have planned that fans have to look forward to?

There’s a lot. We’re planning to announce a new tour incredibly soon that spans across the USA, Canada, and Europe. It has tons of festival appearances and headline shows that I can not wait to play. I’m doing some bigger rooms that I’m SCARED to do but will absolutely be incredible to finally play. So many bucket list items are being crossed off right now which is so wild, it doesn’t feel real still. Aside from that, we have something special planned towards the end of the year that I know fans have been really wanting, I’m really excited about that. I almost have the next 12 months figured out already, which is CRAZY. It’s filled with things that are so exciting and I feel like everyone is going to be just as excited as me. I remember two years ago I didn’t even know what was going to happen in six months. It feels so silly because I can’t say anything specific haha. A huge full circle moment is in the works that I can’t even believe is happening. I can’t wait to share it all, and I can’t wait to see everyone out at these shows. Meeting y’all is the best part of this and talking to you and hearing your stories. It’s what I live for. It’s going to be amazing.

Pushing the boundaries or “periphery” of sound is what every EDM artist strives to do through their project. Whether it be through new releases or curated live shows, each artist endeavors the push the envelope with their project and explore new and uncharted territories as they rise into the spotlight and long after. This is exactly what Paul Conversano, who is better known to the world as bass wizard RAVENSCOON, has already begun to do with the announcement of his debut headlining Periphery Tour, which will be taking place all over the US starting August 31st. With its goal to be a fully immersive through both live music and atmosphere, RAVENSCOON is gearing up to break the boundaries of what listeners already know from his project and introduce a whole new world. 

“I’m elated to present my Periphery tour with robust, talented, and diverse support from almost two dozen acts from dubstep to wave. My most comprehensive vision yet, this tour promises to captivate and inspire – and showcase a vast amount of emotional bass music.”

The Periphery Tour is not just special due to its curation, but fans will get an exclusive preview of RAVENSCOON’s forthcoming and highly anticipated Periphery album which will be rolling out in cascading EPs over the upcoming months. In case fans need any more reason than this to make sure to be at one of these stops, the Periphery Tour has a massive support lineup unlike any other we have seen to this date featuring a wide variety of artists from other genres ranging all the way from dubstep to wave music. With artists such as Skeler, EAZYBAKED, smith., and DRINKURWATER, as well as regional support for Mistah Dill, flozone, Dream Signal and more, there immense amount of talent this tour is bringing is unlike any we’ve seen previously. PRe-sale tickets go on-sale today so make sure you get the chance to snag one from the link below before general ticket sales being tomorrow! WE cannot wait to see what RAVENSCOON has in store for this monumental headlining tour this fall!