While AC Slater has been shaking the L.A. underground with his Night Bass parties and label, Taiki Nulight has been making waves in the UK with his jackin’ garage house hybrid. In 2013, the two got together for the aptly titled “Doing It,” a funky chugger with a crisp tempo.
Now, the two reunite for My Peoples, a two-sided EP featuring a propulsive title track and “Psycho,” a more loose-jointed, shuffling flipside, speckled with grunting wobbles, spattered with house synth stabs, and peppered with vocal loops commanding you to “throw your hands up high.” We caught up with AC Slater to get the scoop on how the track came together and how both artists have matured since the last time they got their collab on.
What has changed in your life—creatively, personally—since you last worked with Taiki? How did that influence your collaboration this time?
AC Slater: The first time we worked together, it was a duo! We had never met before and did the collaboration online. Since then, I’ve started Night Bass, Taiki Nulight became a solo act, I booked him for his first US show (which was the second Night Bass event). We were much more in tune with each other in the studio this time, as we already talk often online and text.
Where and how were these tracks produced?
Both tracks were produced in Downtown Los Angeles by Taiki Nulight and me on Logic Pro X, with the assistance of caffeinated beverages.
What did you get out of this collaboration that you can imagine influencing your future work?
He works really fast, and I am the opposite, so that kind of meeting of styles always influences me to try and work faster.
Were there any specific touches or nods to other genres on “Psycho”?
I had started the song before we got in the studio. I was going for a throwback Switch or Jesse Rose vibe with the looped-up organ samples. I love having a slight nod to something I look up to and respect tucked away in a song, and it worked out perfectly.
You shared an article by Anohni on the music industry recently. What struck you about the article? Would you like to work with Anohni on a track?
I love reading about other people’s experiences in the music industry—especially people in different circles than me. A lot of what she said in the interview about [the] modern music industry resonated with my experience. I would love to work together; not sure if that would work or not stylistically, but anything is possible!
You've said of Night Bass, “It’s a movement and a community.” Critics of EDM’s flashy success say this feeling has been lost in the supersizing of the dance music scene. Your response to that?
My response to that is Night Bass. The whole point of Night Bass is that it’s not flashy. It’s back to basics and it’s personal, built from the ground up. Authentic excitement for something new and evolving can’t be duplicated without the work and love. People can sense authenticity, and people also see right through bullshit.
Jorge Hernandez sees through all bullshit. Follow him on Twitter .
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