To say that StrobeHypnoticz is on the rise is to miss the mark. Rather, StrobeHypnoticz has arrived. The young Torontonian has rattled Hype Machine on three occasions and the sound of StrobeHypnoticz is spreading like wildfire. StrobeHypnoticz’s freshman EP entitled, “Invincible” recently debuted on Beatport and has already been made Beatport’s Top 100 Progressive House Exclusive Releases. As he continues to spend his time in the studio tirelessly working to create new masterpieces, his stamp in the industry is becoming more prominent. Canada may have another export on its hands, so invest not your money but your time into discovering all about StrobeHypnoticz. Here’s our recent catch up with the lad…
ReySon
Devon, it’s a real pleasure to have you on Salacious! We’ve featured your remixes in the past and they have been a hit with the masses every time. Tell me, whats running through your mind at this very moment?
StrobeHypnoticz
Its a pleasure to kick back and chat with you guys finally, you’ve been real supportive of my work thus far and its much appreciated! Lately what has been going through my mind is nothing but pure excitement, idea’s and wonder. I couldn’t be more stoked about my release and what’s to come in the near future!
ReySon
Great! I’m positive that your excitement is merely the beginning of many more great accomplishments. However, like everything in life, there is a beginning. Where was the beginning point to this musical path your currently walking?
StrobeHypnoticz
All my life I’ve been immersed into so many different types of music, but the EDM scene had just connected with me on another level. At some point about 2 years ago I decided what better way to express my love for the music than to start making my own; and so that’s where it began. I picked up FL Studio and it instantly became an addiction.
ReySon
You mention being immersed into various musical genres, which ones have influenced you the most? And, on a more specific level, which artists have influenced your work the most?
StrobeHypnoticz
Trance was the first genre I was deeply impacted by, I’m a sucker for anything melodic. It just connects with me emotionally more than anything else has and I think that inspiration shows in my work. I’ve been hugely impacted by electronic pioneers like Tiesto, Benny Benassi, ATB and deadmau5. I have mad respect for all those artists because they have all crafted a signature sound that you just know is their own.
ReySon
Trance! That makes two suckers! Haha. I noticed that you even have Tiesto inked on your calf! You weren’t joking about being impacted by trance ;D
Besides being influenced by artists, can you think of any other elements in life that you draw your inspiration from?
StrobeHypnoticz
Besides other artists, I draw inspiration purely from friends family and fans of my work. i love them all and they are my fuel. Moving to Toronto last November (2010) definitely made me realize 100% that this is what i want to do, even though I’ve always knew i would do something with music. The move really got me going and i started focusing on my music a lot more and taking things more seriously.
ReySon
Ah yes, focus & seriousness, some essential keys to success! Do you have a musical background at all? Did pops make you learn the harmonica as a child, haha, or were you all self taught?
StrobeHypnoticz
I’m completely self taught all out of my own interests. Never owned any instruments in my life but if I’m somewhere where there is any sort of instrument I’ll always pick it up and try to get something out of it relentlessly. Im purely Kinesthetic.
ReySon
Self teaching seems to be the way of the new era! What tips can you give to the beginners and knoobies out there who have enrolled into the same self-teach program? Any key resources or sites that you have found to be very helpful?
StrobeHypnoticz
Honestly Google is the greatest weapon for finding literally anything i have needed to know or wanted to learn. If you have an idea, stick to it and don’t ever let it go, make sure you get what you want and you’ll always be happy with it. Show people and get opinions, thoughts and idea’s from others, in doing that you will be able to appeal to many different audiences and gain new idea’s constantly.
ReySon
Ah Google, life’s swiss army knife for information. Priceless advice. You mention appealing to different audiences, is that your goal as an artist? Do you want to be classified as just a progressive house producer, or just an electro producer, or are you aiming to be unbounded by only one style?
StrobeHypnoticz
The last thing I ever want to happen is to be held down to one genre, I love too many different styles to ever be held down to one, although it’s hard to escape your own signature sound for instance deadmau5, who has been constantly coming up with new and crazy sounding stuff but you just always know it’s him soon as it comes on, just by subtle details that you pick out.
ReySon
That’s the key right there, having a signature sound but never limiting yourself. On a slightly different note, how important are your fans to you? I recall you mentioning to me that your able to draw another common similarity with Deadmau5 in that department.
StrobeHypnoticz
Well, i just swore to myself and friends that i would never let any potential fame blind me to what’s most important, and to me that will ALWAYS be family friends and fans, they are the driving force that keep me going every single day. Giving someone the time of day for a quick and simple chat goes such a long way and can make such an impact on them which can do nothing but help things in the long run. I know i will always remain real to everyone no matter what happens in the future.
ReySon
Well put. Your heart’s in the right place.
Devon, I’ve gotta ask, what’s on your playlist at the moment? Any artists that have been making you tingle lately?
StrobeHypnoticz
Ahh I’m all over the map all the time listening to a dozen different artists all the time but in the last week or so I’ve been listening to a lot of Eric Prydz, Gui Boratto, EDX and Calvin Harris, artists that have all inspired me in different ways. Prydz and EDX for their uplifting flawlessly polished melodies, Calvin Harris and Boratto for non stop musical innovation, can’t get enough!
ReySon
Lethal playlist! I went through a mini Boratto crush over the summer myself, haha.
Well my friend, I think that’s it for this time around, any last words? What can we expect from you in the upcoming months…anything in the production tank?
StrobeHypnoticz
Always stuff in the production tank my friend! You can expect some pretty intense new sounds from me soon! Ive been getting amazing feedback on 2 tracks in the works and I’ve got something special coming as well no one has heard. Its been a pleasure chatting with you guys and I look forward to future endeavors! Thanks for having me 🙂
StrobeHypnoticz – Eleven 27 by 1ReySon
StrobeHypnoticz – Moonwalker by 1ReySon
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