When it comes to booty music, we tend to find the kind of artists that make us want to go from a modest person out in public to a shameless person twerking dat ass like we were blessed by Miley Cyrus herself. A few weeks ago, we had a few moments to chat with one such artist that makes us do all of the above. Los Angeles based producer, Party Favor, encompasses everything that our young dance music culture embraces – literally. Not only does he have show-goers humping the shit out of subwoofers during sets (continue reading), but he continues to craft and develop his music/brand in which they collectively help draw in listeners from all over. With so much hype tied around trap and bass music, Party Favor shares with us his 6 year long journey of how he went from the typical mash-up DJ to a bedroom producer, all the way to performing with the big dogs at EDC this year. This touching interview will leave you inspired, excited, but most importantly, it will make you utilize your Google search bar more than ever before. Enjoy ninjas!
TMN: So, you’re having quite the year this year! You recently landed one of the biggest gigs of your life back in June for EDC Las Vegas – we got a chance to catch that set and it was pretty absurd. What was it like reaching that milestone?
PF: I think that question goes without saying. As someone who has loved this style of music for such a long time, not only was it so humbling and exciting for me but I got to play alongside people I have looked up to for so many years. It was completely surreal. EDC has grown each and every year, and so has dance music and this stage that 7UP set up was better than I could have even imagined. EDC was also a great way to show people who never believed in me before that I’m here to stay. It was way better than I even hoped and still can’t believe how well the crowd responded. Now I have another Insomniac show to look forward to in September: Beyond Wonderland Bay Area!
Check out the official Party Favor EDC After Movie & Download Party Favor’s EDC set here
TMN: Let’s rewind things a little bit – first tell us a little bit about yourself and how you made Party Favor into a career?
PF: So I have always had this infatuation with music but never really found a way to connect these sounds and thoughts into a music that fit my style. I tried the guitar, the piano and eventually gave up thinking I was musically talented enough. It wasn’t until I was in college (studying film) that I started to dabble in some film scoring and different audio programs/courses and it kind of re-sparked my interest. Mashups were actually what got me into House music in general. 6 years ago house music was so different and on a much smaller scale. I was listening to heavy electro house out of Europe mashed with top 40 tracks from the US and I started to hear the beat behind it and realized I loved how that music made me feel and how much it connected on the most basic level. I started playing it out to people in my social circles and became the guy who “had the cool mashups” (laughs). Eventually it snowballed into DJ’ing and then slowly but surely I attempted producing stuff that wasn’t garbage. I hustled myself at clubs/promoters and then eventually got an agent. Now here I am six years later – still trying not to make music that sounds like garbage (laughs).
TMN: (Laughs) Thank goodness you decided to pick things up where you left off. On that note, at what point did you know that things were starting to take off for you as a producer/DJ?
TMN: “Booyah” is definitely one of our favorite remixes of yours. Hands down.
TMN: Moving forward, it’s pretty obvious that you have a growing fan base, a hardworking team behind you, and a credible track record that has been catching the attention of some of the big dogs in the league such as Diplo. In fact, you just released a Diplo & Friends BBC Radio 1 Mix you did for his show this past August – that’s definitely something every artist wants to cross off their bucket list. How did you react when he reached out to you about doing a mix?
PF: Oh its phenomenal. I think as someone who is very hard on my own work, to hear from someone like Diplo that what i’m doing is cool is the ultimate reassurance. BBC is a huge checklist item for every electronic artist, or any talent now for that matter, and i’m honored to have gotten a spot on his show to play out some of my newest tracks. That’s what it’s all about. I think getting a chance to showcase your sound and style to a completely new fan base is absolutely incredible and there are not many media platforms for our scene that have the kind of reach BBC does.
Download Party Favor’s exclusive Diplo & Friends BBC Radio 1 Mix
TMN: We 100% agree with you on that one. Diplo’s show alone is the perfect outlet for artists to bring something new to the table. Speaking of the production beast, you’ve recently done some work over at Diplo’s label, Mad Decent. What would you say was both the most exciting and most challenging thing you have experienced thus far with working with a top label like Mad Decent as well as working alongside one of the most well-respected artists in the industry?
PF: I think the opportunity to work alongside producers that I looked up to is absolutely the most exciting part. What I love about Mad Decent is that they are pushing sounds and styles that are so out there. It’s refreshing to hear that kind of originality in this music. They (Mad Decent) kind of fit the mold for my style of music. “Energy in musical form” is what I like to call what I make (laughs). With each step forward comes more responsibility along the way, you know? I think that’s easily the most challenging part. With each track comes the task of creating your very best work – you have to always be better than your last track. Always.
TMN: Definitely, yo. It’s important to work with people who know how to take you to the next level while also pushing yourself and your music to higher expecations. So yes, we know what you mean by that!
TMN: We recently peeped your socials lately and noticed that you’re embarking on your first Australian tour. *EDIT: PARTY FAVOR IS CURRENTLY IN AUSTRALIA* With all the hype around the Aussie dance music culture, what are you looking most forward to? How do you think people are going to react to Party Favor out on that side of the world? (Please take a picture with a Koala or something).
TMN: With all of these exciting new opportunities popping up on your radar like TomorrowWorld and Beyond Wonderland, what can we expect from you (beyond these current achievements) in the near future? Can you give us any hints as to future releases/collaborations?
PF: Well….I might have something big in the works but that’s all I can say. BAP U is coming out on Mad Decent and that is going to be HUGE. Recently, my track “Sweat” with Toy Conner was released and that’s making big waves at the moment; I think that one will have bigger legs than I ever could have imagined. I’m doing a tour with Meaux Green later in the fall and then TomorrowWorld and Beyond Wonderland will undoubtedly act as a platform for me to debut these and so many more new tracks/remixes.
TMN: Holy buckets. That sounds like quite a year you have going on…Ok so now that the standard part of the interview is over, we here at TMN like to get silly and learn more about our artists. First things first – what would you do for a Klondike bar?
PF: I think the correct way to phrase this question is, “What would I not do for a Klondike bar?” Does that answer your question? Better yet, see what I would do for sushi. Like drive two counties over for the very best. I get protective over this damn sashimi okay.
TMN: What is the strangest thing a fan has ever done at one of your shows?
PF: (Laughs) This could get really weird really fast. I seriously love meeting all the people at my shows (laughs again). The strangest thing I’ve seen at a show may be the subwoofer-hump at this foam party I did in NYC. I posted a picture of that a while back but i’m not sure where it ended up…I think they might have some weird love child by now.
AFTER DIGGING FOR THE VIDEO – IT HAS BEEN RECOVERED!
TMN: That’s wild. Sounds like something on MyBestSubwoofer. If you were stuck in an elevator for over 8 hours – who is the last person you’d want to be stuck with?
PF: Norbit. I think that’d be terrifying. Or carrot top. Could you imagine trying to think his jokes were funny for 8 hours?
TMN: If your life was a song, what would the title be?
PF: All Gold Everything
TMN: If you were stuck on a remote island, which 3 artists would you want to be with you?
- Pablo Picasso
- Walt Whitman
- Soulja Boy “YOOOUUUUUUUUU”
TMN: Be honest, have you ever found Waldo?
PF: Waldo found me.
TMN: If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
PF: That’s easy. The Quokka A.K.A. the happiest animal on earth. Seriously, have you seen the smile on that thing? He’s obviously got it all figured out. Or maybe just a black lab. Must be amazing to have that much love for everything and everyone.
TMN: Thanks so much for taking time our of your insanely busy schedule to chat with us over here at TMN! We wish you all the luck with the rest of this year and we look forward to seeing what big things you have coming up next year.
PF: Thanks guys!
