Exclusive Interview: M. Sylvia

This week in the Artist Spotlight we have one of Nor DJs, M. Sylvia who has been spinning records for the last decade. You can catch her live at Mamby on the Beach this Saturday, July 11th. Check out the interview we did with her below where she talks about how she got into the scene and shares some of her experiences.

How did you first begin DJing/Producing?
It’s been almost exactly a decade ago that I started DJ-ing. First, I picked it up from people around me, then bought my own equipment. Then, I met the NORdjs crew, and things took off from there.

In terms of production, I initially began exploring on Mixmeister (believe it or not) and Sony Acid, but had no guidance or idea as to what I was doing. Years later, I got Logic Studio. It took me a while to turn out product, because I had to learn the program and battle my own perfectionism for a very long time. Making peace with the idea that not all product will be good or even decent is still something I’m trying to sort out for myself.

 

Who is your biggest influence(s)?
My heaviest musical influence is Loco Dice. I heard him play years ago, and my entire style changed literally overnight. I woke up a new person, sought out new music, and played in a completely different style.

 

What’s your favorite record of all time?
Andre Kraml, Shad Privat – Safari. Never gets old!

 

What was your favorite party of all time that you have played?
I think it would be the time I closed Rednofive for Marco Nastic in 2008. It was hot, sweaty, full of people who were completely into the music.

 

Who do you want to collaborate with in the future?
The Pool House crew and I were talking about sitting down in the studio together a while back. I really respect them and love what they’ve done in Chicago.

 

What’s the most embarrassing thing thats happened to you at a show?
A few years ago at Sound-bar, I accidentally ejected the CD that was playing.

 

What do you like to do when you’re not working on music/DJing?
I enjoy reading and art. I also work full-time as clinic coordinator at a non-profit clinic for people without insurance called CommunityHealth.

 

What is your opinion on the current EDM scene?
The way EDM blew up to be a glamorous industry, to me, is rather curious. I think EDM is now a genre far separate from house and techno. EDM used to be the umbrella term for all dance music, but now the moniker is attached to a whole new style. Whereas I adore, live and breathe house and techno, EDM is not my thing, and I stay away from it. EDM, I feel, has warped into something of a whole new world that doesn’t quite exist without sparkler-adorned bottle service. This world is not about music.

 

What do you think will be the next big thing in EDM?
The next big thing in EDM will be analogous to the organic food industry revolt we are seeing now. Things will go back to vinyl for many. Analog gear and plug-ins will start to replace technological advancements that seemed to render them outdated. We will also see a fusion of old and new production, mastering, and DJ techniques in very cool ways.

 

What do you think about all these “frauds” in the EDM scene using ghost producers, buying likes and purchasing their own tracks on Beatport?
Well, ghost production is an excellent way for talented producers to get their foot in the door, and that’s just great! Otherwise, I think consistently stamping your name on someone else’s work is the equivalent of plagiarism. What am I saying? It IS plagiarism. I suppose you cannot officially call it stealing, because ghost producers are compensated. I think, however, anytime someone’s work is passed off as somebody else’s — in music, writing, design, anything — the people or group doing the name reassignment are, essentially, pulling an ethical breach.

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