Sound Colour Vibration (Music | Art | Film | Technology | Science | Culture)

Virginia’s Ohbliv has been one of those producers/musicians we have been absorbing for a few years now, completely fascinated with his approach to warm, analog driven pathways into beat culture. A nostalgic essence of the past trails its way to the surface in his productions, illuminating bright from within. A richness evolves inside of his beats that swells to the outer seams, revealing a meditative sheeting of sound that showers the listener over with his subtle mantras. The dusty, rustic textures of the vinyl samples are given limitless life with the organic flow of rich melodic overtones, deep low end bass lines and classic drum breaks. Simplistic compositions flow with the beauty of the most speechless scenery’s and his gift to extract the most beautiful states out of “less is more” has only become stronger through each year.

Releasing full length albums, splits and EP’s with influential labels such as HW&W, Dirty Tapes and Culture Dealer, Ohbliv extends himself even further into the digital realm. His track record for digital content has become prolific, releasing a plethora of music through out the year around his select physical materials. The latest in this digital output is April’s ‘Ritual Swing’, and is a must hear collection of tracks for those who are hearing his music for the first time. Ohbliv was one of the artists we really wanted to find out more about after all of these incredible releases kept piling up and he offered some moments of his time via email for this exclusive interview with SCV. In this interview, we tackle subjects such as album track selection methods, linking with labels, influences of his peers and his favorite hip hop productions. Enjoy the read and check out the various streaming players to hear some of his latest sounds.

http://0hbliv.tumblr.com/

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Q&A with Ohbliv
Conducted by Erik Otis
2013

SCV: What defines a phenomenal producer to you?

Ohbliv: A phenomenal producer to me is one who is able to put together all the pieces needed to create something that resonates with the people.

SCV: How did the new split come together with Dil Withers for the Dirty Tapes label?

Ohbliv: I met Daniel Bashin who runs the Dirty Tapes label through the internet. At the time he was just starting his split tapes with a lot of fellow beatsmiths whom I respect dearly. He offered an opportunity to do a split with the homie Dil Withers and it was said and done.

SCV: You recently put out the record Up on the HW&W imprint along with music on Culture Dealer and other labels. What type of process do you have for selecting which tracks will go on each release?

Ohbliv: Everything I release is based on a feeling. When I drop something, sometimes it’s for no rhyme or reason other than I’m feeling it. I don’t make stuff for a specific release, I just make so much music I’m able to pick and choose what will fit the vibe of each release.

SCV: You are a producer who represents a lot of hip hop culture through your productions. What hip hop records can you recommend to us where the production is on another level to you?

Ohbliv: I’m gonna date myself with some of my choices but here goes:

• Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet (The Bomb Squad, nuff said)
• Main Source – Breaking Atoms – (The first time I heard beats with such variety and depth. Large Professor is a master of digging and sampling, I learned a lot listening to this album)
• Company Flow – Funcrusher Plus – (The first time I heard raw rapping over abstract dirty beats)
• Count Bass D – Dwight Spitz – (The rapper with the most chords)
• Quasimoto – Further Adventures… (A lot of people will say that the 1st Quasimoto album is better, but further adventures is a mind trip. Madlib takes the trippiness to insane levels. I couldn’t listen to the whole thing the first time I copped it, it’s an overwhelming listen but i hear something new everytime i hear it.)

I could really keep going but I’ll stop there.

SCV: What are the most important views and perspectives you have gained since releasing records?

Ohbliv: That you can’t please everybody, and the best thing you can do is love yourself, stick to the plan and stay true to yourself.

SCV: Collectively, I feel this is a very potent time to experience music culture, something I have realized might even be more active then the 60′s or 70′s. Who are some artists of any genre, style of instrument preference that have really given you a special and inspired feeling about this generation and have possibly made you put this generation in that same light as I have?

Ohbliv: I have so many peers doing really dope inspirational things in many different creative fields. They may not know it but people like DJ Harrison, Knxwledge, Ahnnu, Cavalier, Fresh Daily, Mndsgn, QuelleChris, Swarvy, Suzi Analogue, Iman Omari and many more (if I have forgotten about you please blame my mind, not my heart) have and are a inspiration and definitely keep me going with this art.

SCV: Your music is something that responds beautifully in the analog domain, something I admire with all of the era’s of music I have come to love before the digital age of capturing sound. Do you feel analog music will always be close to your heart and at the root of your music or do you see yourself adapting to the digital forms just as much?

Ohbliv: Analog forever, straight up. I’m pretty set in my ways when it comes to my sound. I’ve been dealing with analog from making pause tapes to using hardware for so long it’s just embedded in my DNA now. Digital has its place and I’ve even got music that’s purely digital but you’ll probably never hear.

SCV: Music influences always define the obvious areas of an artists conceptual direction with crafting music. What are some of your non musical influences that keep your creative fire lit and searching for that new song inside of you?

Ohbliv: I study and apply what some may call esoteric knowledge. I may read something or hear a lecture that will spark an idea for a project or song. On the flip-side, I like to watch bad cult films, and a lot of stand-up comedy.

SCV: What do you feel about music so far this year? Anything that has been a new mind set and view of yours based on what’s going on with music culture that you want to shed light on?

Ohbliv: This year so far has been wild, I stopped trying to keep up because there’s been so much good new music out. So for the most part I’ve just been listening to my records. Same mind set, just drop that raw dope shit.

SCV: Asking simply from the deep rooted essence of jazz that underlines many of your works, if you could bring back any jazz artist while they were in their prime for a recording session who would it be?

Ohbliv: Max Roach

SCV: Off the top of your head, most important things to consider before starting and after finishing a music session?

Ohbliv: Where’s the trees?

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