Hi Blake and welcome to College Radio Charts! Thanks for joining us today. How has your summer been so far?
Amazing. My team has done an incredible job booking festivals and pushing the album.
Your latest single, “Molly (so WHAT?),” has been getting a lot of attention. Can you talk about the inspiration behind the track?
Whenever I get back home from trips, I usually have newfound inspiration that I plug into my music right away. Last year, my label was in the middle of our midwest tour and I had time for a session. The reason the track works is because it perfectly communicates the grind and energy it takes to be a broke musician with an attitude.
You’ve been known to blend house music with grimey 808s and bass synths. What drew you to this unique combination of sounds?
I always liked the basslines in UK grime, they were more dynamic than a lot of American drill music. Couple that with my natural desire to make house music, and this is what happens.
DCF2 dropped earlier this year. How does it build on or diverge from your previous album, Dirty Club Floor?
In Dirty Club Floor, that was pretty much me finding my identity. I give a lot of credit to my mentor, Jae Havoc. That EP was the result of sitting in a basement for six months trying to make something new, intriguing, and absolutely me.
The video for “Pit Viper” has a very distinctive style. What was the creative process behind its conception and production?
All of my visuals are an attempt to push the boundaries of the art, and typically, the editor. With Pit Viper, the goal was to push up the saturation level on everything visually consumable. We probably went through seven phases of re-editing before the final product. Like many of my other videos, this one was based off of the strategy of creating chaos, editing it with as much chaos as possible, and then adding a few final touches of chaos.
Coming from Rochester, Minnesota, how has your hometown influenced your music and artistic journey?
I moved to Rochester when I was 19. The city is typical midwestern sights. For me, the cold winters and isolated nature are strong influencers of the grungy alternative. It is not necessarily favorable to artists, and that’s okay. That’s the challenge. I challenge any artist to create here.
Did you come from a musical family? What are some of your earliest musical memories?
My place in the music world is unequivocally a result of my family’s musical interest and the state of culture in the 2000s. To create what I create, someone would have absolutely needed to experience 2 Fast 2 Furious, 3 Doors Down, Ace of Base, and Batman and Robin (1997).
Singles like “Blackout,” “Crash It!,” “Raveboy,” and “District 9” have a high-energy vibe. How do you maintain that intensity throughout your music?
I’m incredibly intense and competitive. When the creative conditions are favorable, I am a worse artist. When I perform, that is my attempt to be as authentic as possible, while also giving everything I have.
Can you tell us about the process of creating DCF2? What was the writing and recording process like? What was the most challenging part?
DCF2 was in the works since 2019 production-wise. The recording and mixing portion took place from November to April of this year. When I finally got into the final mix phase the week of release, I had to get my ears checked from the fatigue.
Your music often feels like it’s designed for the club. How do you envision your tracks being experienced by listeners?
I am for the festivals. I am for the clubs, exactly. Although I can produce, write, record, and mix, my best attribute is when I am on stage.
What’s your approach to producing and recording? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the creative zone?
I don’t need much. The challenge is to stay focused long-term and get my hours in. When I get that, I will be locked in no matter what.
How do you see the evolution of house music in the current musical landscape, and where do you think it’s heading?
It’s time for a new wave of music to dominate the charts. We’re at a lull right now. Nobody knows what they want. But the possibilities of House as a genre are endless, and that is where I come in.
What artists or producers have had the biggest influence on your sound and career?
JPEGMAFIA, Kanye West, Die Antwoord, Ace of Base, SKRILLEX
Your work features a lot of heavy bass and synths. How do you balance these elements to ensure they don’t overpower the rest of the track?
Sidechaining and praying to God.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to up-and-coming producers and musicians trying to break into the industry?
Find any way to get better. It could be the smallest thing, like your recording settings. Make one of those changes every day and don’t be afraid to sacrifice what you think is unsacrificeable. Have your priorities straight.
What’s next for Blake Shepperd? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should be on the lookout for? Can you give us any hints about upcoming projects or future directions in your music?
DCF3 will be out sooner than many would advise.
Thank you for spending some time with us today, Blake! Where can people go to find out more about your music and any upcoming releases?
Google Me!
https://solo.to/blakeshepperd
https://www.facebook.com/blakeshepperdofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/blakeshepperd
