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

California’s Amp Live has made an impressive name for himself over the last decade and the in many areas of the entertainment and creative world. He has defined himself as an artist of visionary levels, reaching across the musical spectrum with his own branding as a creative entity, productions for major label artists, Hollywood film scoring and background tracks for various sports culture. Jazz, electronica, downtempo, hip hop, rock, soul, his music is boundless and creates a tapestry all its own that never ceases to amaze us at SCV. Amp Live’s Zion I group has remained his most dedicated endeavor and the duo have continued to tour the world and release album after album that reaches the same standards of quality. With his music played on ESPN, Hollywood film and other large platforms, he has entered a realm very few artists of his creative approach are afforded.

In recent years, he has worked extensively with musicians all over the world as a solo artist, gravitating towards the forward thinking Plug Research for the release of materials under his solo name. When we were introduced to this years Kaleidoscope Theory, it was an immediate moment of awe and inspiration from the sheer density of skill and beauty in the music. Music that transcends the definition of genre and resonates with a gorgeous essence that only the most talented and creative can reach. We caught up with Amp Live for an exclusive interview about this new EP Kaleidoscope Theory, his background as a musician along with the full length he is preparing for Plug Research later this year. Amp Live is a musician we really believe sets his own standards outside of anything else coming out right now. He is bridging many different people under his music and because of this respect we have for his craft, we are very happy to present this exclusive interview today.

http://www.amplivesworld.com/

Check out the official music video for D.H.E.A. ft James Melo released in April of this year with Plug Research and director R.J. Sanchez before diving into the interview.

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Q&A with Amp Live of Plug Research
Conducted by Erik Otis
April-May 2013

SCV: Hello Amp Live, we have been into the Kaleidoscope Theory heavily this year. It’s a record that we feel really captures the growing evolution of where music is going in electronic and acoustic based realms. The instrumental technique is off the charts and the experimental nature of the album never deviates the refreshing and soothing vibes that the rhythms evoke. It’s a powerful record that took me a few full listens to really grasp, thank you for such an immersed album experience. Did you record everything present on the album or did you bring in guests for the Kaleidoscope Theory EP? How long did it take to construct the EP and where was it recorded at? We would love to know as much as possible about the construction of this EP that the public doesn’t already know.

ANS: I created most of the melodies and music ideas. Some songs I did myself in terms of writing/producing, but on most of the songs I worked with live musicians to really expand on what I was thinking. Kaleidoscope Theory took me around four months to complete.

SCV: I really love the artwork for Kaleidoscope Theory, something that really compliments the variation of color tone and modes that are in the music. How did you get the album artwork together?

ANS: I wanted the artwork to look colorful and very interesting. I thought that doing a colorful face mask for the cover would do both. The vibe of this EP was to show a lot of variety and modes, but meshed into one to create a pretty picture. About a year ago, the layout designer took pictures and tweaked the cover to what you finally saw.

SCV: The spiritual essence of your music is a really contagious element to the album, immediately making me feel really good regardless of my mood before the album started. What are you looking for your music to achieve or affect through your listeners and their emotional and spiritual states?

ANS: I definitely want listeners to get something from my music, no matter what emotion it is. I think it is all positive, whether if it makes you upset, happy, or mad. As long as it evokes thought.

SCV: How important do you feel it is for artists to take into consideration the spiritual well being of their audience?

ANS: I think artist should stand behind what they are about and what they put in their release. Some people aren’t worried about the spiritual well being of their audience and are about just releasing their thoughts and that is okay. I on the other hand, I am. I want my audience to be uplifted spiritually or be thinking in some kind of way on another level after hearing my music.

SCV: You have been producing and creating music under different monikers and projects over the years. How does Amp Live differentiate from all of these previous projects?

ANS: I have always used my name Amp Live in conjunction with my music. I just have never really put my self out there as a solo artist until the past few years. Usually I am just producing albums for artists and playing the background position. With my own personal projects I am just more open and basically working by myself.

SCV: What kind of live set up are you using to bring the music of Kaleidoscope Theory to life on the stage?

ANS: The live set up I have is constantly changing. I love creating new machines and instruments for the stage. I currently use a drum machine and guitar during my show and the Zion I show. Plan to definitely add on to that. I also will be using live musicians to play along with me. I want people to feel like they have been on a journey when they see my show.

SCV: There’s a lot of exciting music going on right now with artists who are bridging jazz, electronica and many other genres under one roof. Who are some your favorite artists or groups in the evolving movement of visionaries who are bridging the past, present and future of sound? Any records from recent years that just really blow you away?

ANS: You are right and this is a very fun time right now to be doing music. I am feeling a lot of people actually. Artist like James Blake, Jonti, and IG Culture are tight to listen to. Tylers new album Wolf, Robert Glasper, and the Kendrick Lamar’s album stay in rotation also.

SCV: Looking back through your career, who are the voices of reason that have really steered you in the right direction and have stayed mentors for years now?

ANS: I have always listened to my family in terms of big decisions. When I was in college, I was debating on whether to go to Medical School or pursue music so I confided in my parents a lot and they told me to follow my heart.

SCV: You have released music with many labels and have toured in so many different situations. Without expecting too much, what do you feel a label should provide an artist so the future of their success can have a chance? What do you feel the artist should provide the label in the act of balancing the equation?

ANS: I think of the years because of such a big industry shift, the definition of a label has actually changed. Now days, a label is really just some entity that can make phone calls and provide money for marketing (publicity, videos, etc). I feel like that a good label will do just so, with realistic goals in mind. I feel like for any artist to succeed during these times, they have to be really committed to push their own music, be active on their social media and create a lot of content for a label to work with.

SCV: What were some of the most memorable experiences that first come to mind when thinking about the Kaleidoscope Theory sessions?

ANS: The most memorable was working with James Melo on the song D.H.E.A. I had been introduced to him by a friend and I really liked his voice because he was part of a indie rock group. After I made a skeleton track for the song I just sent it to him to lay down some ideas. When he sent it back to me I took a immediate listen to it. The rap verse was first and I was like “okay this is interesting”. Then all of a sudden this crazy big hook comes in and I almost fell out my chair. I was excited.

SCV: From a technical stand point, what were the most challenging pieces on Kaleidoscope Theory to record and for what reasons?

ANS: Definitely recording the horn parts. I had to set up flash studios to record them, meaning using my mobile rig in hotel rooms, apartments, etc.

SCV: You have released this new EP with Plug Research in preparation for your full length on the label. What do you have in store for your full length album (guests, material already recorded, tours, etc…) and how has it been working with Plug Research so far?

ANS: Plug Research has been great and very supportive. The album in the fall that will be released is called A Headphone Conceirto. I definitely will have some cool features on the album, cant say yet. Will be an album I can perform all the way through. Look out for it!

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Check out the full stream of Amp Live’s You Are Not Human (The Love EP) via Amp Live’s Soundcloud Page