Exclusive Interview: Joshva Andrew

This week in the Artist Spotlight, we have Los Angeles based dance music artist, Joshva Andrew. Joshva has been expirementing with music for over a decade now. He recently released his future bass remix of Josh Stevens’ Hill Top which has gotten some serious heat. Below you’ll find the interview we did with Joshva, give it a read and check out his remix.

How did you first begin DJing/Producing?
In 2005, I was about 14, I started making electronic beats on a Yamaha keyboard I had with a 5 track recorder on it. My little brother and I were addicted to the this video game called DDR “Dance Dance Revolution”, we would play it for hours on end. It introduced me to records such as Darude’s trance legacy “Sandstorm” and Ian Van Dahl’s “Castles In The Sky”. That was really what sparked it all for me. Soon after I got a Macbook and started making projects in Garage Band, but it wasn’t till 2012 that I got serious about it. At the time I was playing lead guitar in a post hardcore band called “Author & Finisher”, I made a breakbeat style intro for our live set and an interlude, watching people get hyped and dance to those 2 short pieces inspired me to make more. One of my friends was working with the program Ableton Live, so I decided to download it and I’ve pretty much been a slave to the bass ever since.

Who is your biggest influence(s)?
Not to sound cliché, but Sonny Moore is definitely one of the bigger influences in my musical journey.
I’ve been a fan of his since the earlier years with From First to Last. Also Porter Robison, I have a lot of respect for the direction he’s taken his recent music and his extreme attention to detail is impressive. But to be completely honest, I draw a lot of my influence outside of EDM or electronic music in general. A lot of melodies are inspired from melodic death metal. I’m a metal head at heart.

What’s your favorite record of all time?
That’s a hard questions, narrowing it down to one is close to impossible. I have playlists of favorites in every genre that I would love to share, but if it really had to be one, I would have to say “Never Cry Again” by Dash Berlin, that song holds a lot of sentimental value to me.

What was your favorite party of all time that you have played?
In 2013, I played this underground warehouse rave in the heart of Downtown LA. I spun a dark trance set. Honestly one of the best nights of my life. It was just me playing out some of my heaviest melodic tunes, while raging on stage, surrounded by some of my best friends. The warehouse was packed wall to wall and I rarely play trance, so it was definitely a night to remember.

Who do you want to collaborate with in the future?
I would love to work with the vocalist Aruna, she has the voice of an angel. Or Netsky, I love his whole stadium drum and bass vibe.

What’s the most embarrassing thing thats happened to you at a show?
Well I was spinning at the Yost theater on News Years Eve, 2014 and my camera guy accidentally hit the cue button on my CDJ, bringing the music to a complete stop. I rebuttled pretty quickly by getting on the mic and telling the crowd to make some noise, they responded right away, they probably didn’t even know it was an accident to be honest. Thank God haha.

What do you like to do when you’re not working on music/DJing?
I’m always trying to create and expand my mind. If it’s not music, I’m probably working on some sort of graphic design project or watching documentaries. I tend to watch a lot of weird documentaries actually. I’m kind of obsessed with concepts of paranormal activity and inter-dimensional life.

What is your opinion on the current EDM scene?
Eh, It’s a love hate thing. I hear a lot of people complaining about the mass hype that has hit the states over the past few years. Although, personally I think it’s a good thing. It’s opened up doors for a lot of new artists and really put some new opportunity out there. I’ve watched the scene grow into what it is today and it’s pretty cool to see such a massive mainstream acceptance. I try not to get too involved in the politics. I’m just here for the music. Always have been, always will be.

What do you think will be the next big thing in EDM?
Hybrid music, I see EDM having much heavier incorporation of live instruments, rather than just digital computer noise.

What do you think about all these “frauds” in the EDM scene using ghost producers, buying likes and purchasing their own tracks on Beatport?
Blurred lines. Personally I’m always crushed when I find out that an artist I’ve been jamming to for the past month doesn’t make his own tunes, but does that water down the quality of the music? No it doesn’t. As far as buying likes and purchasing your own music, it’s just false hype. Work hard and make things happen.

Is there any upcoming releases/shows we should keep an eye out for?
Yes, absolutely. I’m working on wrapping up an EP called “False Evolution” that will be released in early December, as well as a biweekly mix show called Sonic Alchemy. I’ll be posting updates on my social media.

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