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Interview with FOREST project's DJ LethalRush |
Posted by ZAk on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 04:24 PM
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Tell us abit about yourself, when did you start your career and how did
it get started?
I started learning to create music and manipulate sound using computers and
synths in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I also started out DJing house parties
and small events, while at the same time, learning to play the drums. Over time
I slowly built an electronic music production studio with some friends.
I now produce electronic music (electronica, house, drum n bass, rocktronica) on my
own and in separate partnerships, working with talented producers such as Nuno,
Haig, and Vigs Vegas.
What's the name "DJ LethalRush" is coming from?
I came up with the name when I was eleven years old or so, and it has stayed
with me since. I also produce original music using my name, Saro.
Is this (LethaRush) related with Shutdown Sounds?
Yes. Shutdown Sounds is my record label and studio.
What's the difference between a mix and a remix, is there any in fact?
“Mix” can be interpreted in a couple of ways, but it generally means a set
that a DJ plays. A remix, however, is a re-interpretation of a song, usually
entirely different but with a few key elements still entirely intact from the
original. For me, a mix is like taking the creative output of two dozen
different brains (or the same brain if all the songs are from the same artist)
and stitching them together and over each other in a way that is exciting and
story-like. A remix is like taking the creative output of a brain and then
mashing it up with the creative output of the remixer’s brain and having a new,
composite brain output...
What
tickles your aural fancy outside of drum and bass then?
I listen to a lot of different music, such as metal and classical, but my
favorite style is electronica. Some examples: I love System of a Down, Tool,
Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Orbital, Jam & Spoon, Nuno, and
classic rock, like Rush, Zeppelin, Floyd, and of course, The Beatles.
 What do you look for in a tune for your dj sets or to sign/make?
Anything that makes me smile and nod my head. I love rhythm and groove and
anything funky, as well as interesting melodies that are catchy. I also look for
things that are well written and well produced and sound like a lot of care was
made for attention to detail in the music.
What other rock bands/musician have you mixed?
I created an electronica-rock remix for Serj Tankian, as well as house
remixes for Awaking State, Nuno, Paul Manchin, Lauren Eyton Jones, and others. I
also produce electronica, house, and drum n bass. My next project involves
remixing a Toronto band called Princess.
Do you find it harder to mix a rock/metal song than pop/hip-hop ones?
I think it’s more challenging for me to mix rock songs. Pop/hip-hop songs
usually have sections in them, in the beginning, end, or in a break in the
middle, that are only percussive with no melody. This is a section of a song
that a DJ can easily mix with another song, since there is no melodic conflict.
Rock songs usually have melody all throughout, so clever technique must be used
to get things to work properly together. For example, layering sections with
melodies that are in the correct key, coupling call-response sections across a
measure or two of two different songs, or shifting the pitch of a song to have
it match the key of another.
What's your most memorable gigs from your career so far?
Remixing Serj Tankian’s “Empty Walls” was one of my most memorable gigs so
far; it was an extremely challenging and rewarding experience.
Speaking of System again, are you System fan? you have also remixed a song
for Serj Tankian "Empty Walls", have you meet the band members/worked with them
before?
I am a huge System fan! When I first heard them in 2000 or so, I didn’t like
System at all, but many years ago a girlfriend of mine forced me to sit down and
really listen to Science and Forest, and before I knew it those two songs were
stuck in my head. I then caved and bought Steal This Album! and fell in love
with it after my first run through the album. Mezmerize was shortly afterwards
released, and after that I heavily got into the rest of their stuff.
So, what you're doing for System of a Down songs, a mix or a remix?
For the Forest project with Greg Watermann; it’s essentially a mix of two
things which themselves are also mixed up. The music aspect is a composite of
System songs mashed together, and the visual aspect is a composite of System
concert photos mixed and tied together. These two layers blend together in a
synchronized fashion, and the whole thing is a four-and-a-half minute frenzy of
audio and video. So even though it is a mix of existing music and photos, it’s
also a remix in the sense that it’s assembled together and presented in a whole
new way.
You did a mix entitled "DJ Lethalrush vs System of a Down (Playfully
Traumatized)", are you using this in the new FOREST project or its totally new
thing?
The Forest project is a new thing. Greg had suggested we keep the songs of
the mix as close as possible to the same order of System’s last show’s set list,
so I did the whole project from scratch. Also, Greg had many specific ideas on
different ways of synchronizing his high-quality pictures to the music, so I had
to plan for having a lot of variations of sound, rhythm, and intensity in the
mix. So, Playfully Traumatized was created with just the music in mind, but the
mix for Forest was created with specific details in the mix to which Greg has
added interesting visual effects to.
Since Shavo is a DJ as well, have you ever had a chance to co-operate or work
with him?
No, but that could be very interesting, since he is both the bassist in a
metal band and a DJ himself.
 How did you get involved with the project FOREST with greg watermann?
Michael Haytayan of Serjical Strike Records first connected me to Greg. He
had heard my Playfully Traumatized mix and the Serj Tankian remix, and when Greg
presented his brilliant idea for Forest to me, I instantly loved it.
How long have you been working on the project..
This project has been in the works for a long time, both on the visual and
audio side. I look at it as two things: as a tribute to System and their
incredible music, and as something new and fresh for us System fans to enjoy. So
a lot of care and detail has gone into making this as perfect, unique, and
interesting as possible.
The idea of mixing music especially for photos slides show, the idea itself
sounds insanely creative, does make you create/mix different beats to match the
photos? or photos that matches the beats?
Greg and I discussed in great detail the kinds of visual and audio effect
synchronizations we can have in the piece. I worked on the music mix based on
these ideas. Greg then went to work assembling and editing his photos over the
music, adding interesting and stylized visual effects, synchronized with the
music. So in the end result there is a close connection between how the music
and the visuals interact with each other.
Working on the FOREST, I guess means you saw hundreds of Watermann's
photos..? what do you think of Greg's work and the idea of making shot film
based on slide show photos?
I think his photos have an ‘exciting’ feel and style to them - very vibrant and
edgy. His live concert shots look just as big and loud as the bands sound. Even
his portrait studio photos themselves look like action shots. Very cool stuff.
His photos of SOAD for the Forest project are from their last ever concert (so
far!), and they are rich with the band’s energy and capture the intensity of
their last show perfectly. You can check out his work at his upcoming
photography show at A&I Hollywood on May 7th, featuring his incredible portfolio
of photography and videography, as well as the Forest Project. It will be
displayed there until June 10, and then at A&I Santa Monica from June 18 to June
24. http://www.gregwatermann.com.
Finally, have you seen the final film yet? and are you gonna be present at
Watermann's gallery at May 7th?
I have seen the Forest project and I was blown away, I think it looks
incredibly original; it’s an explosive roller-coaster ride of sound and video. I
will definitely be at Watermann’s gallery on the 7th and am looking forward to
it.
For more info about DJ LethalRush and to listen to his works, check his website:
http://www.djlethalrush.com
Greg Watermann will open his first gallery ever, on May 7th which will include a
collection of his 20 years+ carrer beside a premier of project FOREST.
Check FOREST info details and interview with Greg Watermann on
HERE
Exclusive interview for SOADFans.com ~ Thanks Saro
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Comments
JoshShiells
05.05.09, 18:32
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Wait a moment, I need to re-read this...I don't have a clue what this has to do with System of a Down or it's members... ...oh, he's at Greg's whatsit. Groovy, then. Not a bad interview, anyway.
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redsoxmb545
06.05.09, 01:26
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Josh, He made a crazy remix thing with a ton of System songs. That's what he has to do with the band. Him and Greg Waterman are collaborating for the Forest project.
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Royalpainxx
06.05.09, 02:13
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Aw man I can't wait to see this! I've been exicted for it ever since I read the first article about FOREST. I wish I could go see it on the 7th..but I live directly on the other side of the U.S. -_-. Whenever it comes out on itunes or stores or whatever I'm gonna go buy it right away!
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mom45
06.05.09, 03:18
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Thanks for the interview, ZAk! Did you do the interview yourself?
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JoshShiells
06.05.09, 05:49
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Yes, I picked up on that, redsoxmb545. Come to think of it, I don't actually know your name...
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faisal
06.05.09, 09:25
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erm. he has been is the same process as i did before become a huge fan.hate it the first time and became the fan after that.
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radsystemofpeace22
08.05.09, 02:07
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oh yea so excited im going!!
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mom45
09.05.09, 05:47
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Now that I've read the reviews of those who were there, I'm even more excited. When and how do WE get to hear/see this amazing work of visual and auditory art?
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