BeeHive (Out Now)
Only a few days ago, rising bass aficionado, JayKode, released massive track, “BeeHive,” via Buygore. The piece is an elaborate scheme of electronic and live instrumentals that create a sound he labels as “classical bass.” You can hear JayKode demonstrating his mastery of both the piano and guitar, as well as production through out the track.
After having a listen of “BeeHive,” TMN was eager to get to know the producer behind the intense and intricately structured tune.
TMN: Many who listen to your music may be unaware that you’re not only a producer, but additionally, a classically trained musician. What made you decide to create electronic music?
JayKode: It’s been a long and interesting journey. I’ve been doing music almost my whole life. Like you mentioned, I started playing the piano when I was 7, then picked up the guitar when I was 13. Ever since then, I told myself that my number 1 goal in life would be to get my music out there to the world. Back then, I was heavy into the hardcore and metal scene but as I was growing out of it, I started getting into electronic music because all my friends were listening to it. This is back in 2007/2008, so the music was very different compared to how it is now but there was this energy and heaviness that really appealed to me. It was actually very similar to metal as far as composition, build-ups, drops/breakdowns, etc…Once I discovered Wolfgang Gartner, who is still one of my biggest inspirations to this day, I realized that I can actually use my classical skills and guitar skills and combine them to make some really dope electronic music. I feel like he was one of the first to really break that barrier by combining extremely melodic/classical elements with super distorted basslines and I immediately fell in love with his music because of that. That’s really when I embarked on this journey.
TMN: Would you consider electronic music the most predominant genre in CA at this time?
JayKode: I think so. I mean hip-hop is still a very big part of California, and more specifically Los Angeles, culture but I don’t think it’s bigger than electronic music. I know this is an overused example, but look at the Sahara tent at Coachella. Every year they put more and more emphasis on that stage and it keeps getting bigger and crazier with each festival. Sometimes it’s even more crowded than the main stage. It’s also mostly what you hear on the radio nowadays as well. Whether we want to accept it or not, the boundaries between pop and electronic music are becoming almost non-existent at this point. Mainstream pop nowadays IS mostly electronic music.
Read the rest of our interview with JayKode after the jump!
TMN: What inspired you to combine live instruments with electronic production, as well as the concept of “future classical”?
JayKode: I don’t mean to sound negative when I say this, but a lot of my motivation and inspiration comes from the LACK of musicality and composition in a lot of the records that are coming out today. Not to say there isn’t a good chunk of melodic tracks that bang coming out also, but I hear so many tracks that are in the same key throughout the whole song with hardly any variation, creativity or even lacking a simple chord progression and it’s disappointing and boring to me. I want to bring a whole new element to the game. I’m calling it “Classical Bass”. It combines elements of classical music like strings, violins, and piano while still keeping the intensity high with distorted basslines and growls. You’ll hear this in my next couple releases.
TMN: Have you ever had any moments where you were in disbelief about everything that was happening around you?
JayKode: Yeah definitely. This might sound weird, but the first time I was in real disbelief was when Flo Rida released ‘Good Feeling’ back in 2011, which was originally Avicii’s ‘Levels’. I heard it on the radio, which already was still pretty shocking back then but it also had that dubstep type breakdown in the middle and I was like “Wow I can’t believe they’re playing this on the radio!” I felt like after that point, it was becoming pretty normal to hear electronic music on the radio but that still blew my mind when I first heard it.
TMN: Are there any specific places or festivals you’d like to perform at?
JayKode: My goal is to really hit the festival season by early next year/next summer. I’d really like to play EDC and Coachella at least once in my life. Also, I’d love to play control at Avalon in Hollywood. I’ve been going to those parties since early 2009 and it would be a dream come true to finally be able to play there.
TMN: Have you ever been stung by a bee? If so, feel free to elaborate.
JayKode: I actually have been stung once. My friend and I were throwing a vortex (yes, that weird 90’s mini football with the whistles on it) and as I jumped in the air to catch it, a bee stung me right in the middle of my palm. Hurt like hell. Maybe I might make a song about it….
TMN: Given that you are a California native, what’s your typical In-N-Out order?
JayKode: Two double-double’s with no cheese, and an order of fries. I’m a fat ass.
TMN: Lastly, would you be able to give us a little preview of what’s to come for 2015?
JayKode: Yeah! I’ve got a track called ‘Beehive’ coming out on Buygore Records on June 16th and my first original vocal track called ‘Release’ coming out on Elysian Records sometime in July. I’ve got some collaborations in the works and also got some official remixes coming out hopefully soon too but I can’t give much more detail about those just yet. I’m hoping for a big year this year and only hoping to get better as every year goes by. I’ve been working at this almost my whole life and it’s rewarding to see things slowly falling into place.
