Interview with Phasen
For the reviews and download locations of his albums, follow these links:
Phasen - Urban Nomad [io026]
Phasen - Yesterday Was Tomorrow (EP) [io023]
Phasen - On Your Way Out [io021]
Afri: Tell us a bit about yourself where are you from?
Phasen: I was born in Orlando, Florida USA in 1989.
Afri: (chuckles) Wow! Now i feel like an old fart!
Afri: I see on your bio you're a student. What and where are you studying?
Phasen: I'm currently a student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Although I obviously have a passion for music, I am majoring in Journalism, and I plan on being a foreign news correspondent someday.
Afri: When did you start making music and where does your interest stem from?
Phasen: As a child I messed around on the piano in my home. Then, when I was 11 I started taking lessons for trumpet and eventually switched to baritone. At 14 I taught myself how to play the guitar, and as shown in my music, my drive has remained with that instrument since. After a few years playing alone I took lessons from Jack Stirling of the Legendary JC's. During high school I decided to start making my own music, more so out of curiosity than ambition. I immediately embraced the process of creating my own music, and being able to listen to something I made on my own later.
Afri: So, out of your own albums, which one is your personal favorite?
Phasen: My favorite album I've personally produced is my Yesterday Was Tomorrow EP. Although it's only 15 minutes, I love the sound of the album.
Afri: Thats the album you recorded in "record time" isn't it?
Phasen: Yes, I recorded those tracks in only two weeks and as a result it reflects that specific time in my life. Listening to that album takes me back to a very special segment of my life.
Afri: Name some of your Favorite artists and what have you currently got playing on your iPod?
Phasen: Three of my favorite aritsts are Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, and Black Moth Super Rainbow. I have a rather eclectic taste however, and Lil' Wayne is currently playing on my iPod.
Afri: Yeah, it always good to keep an open mind with music... So do you have any highly regarded "net audio" artists?
Phasen: As far as the net audio scene goes, I love Mark.Nine, Orange Crush, and Austech. Those fellows are a big influence on my music. I often listen to such artists, hear something I like, and then try to recreate it. Every time I inevitably fail, but the result is then something original. A lot of my music is trying to recreate something, and messing up, causing something else I really like.
Afri: What is your opinion on Netlabels and where do you see it going in future?
Phasen: I think netlabels are a great way for people to discover new artists and genres that would otherwise go unnoticed. The fact that a large majority of netlabel music is free also encourages people to take a listen.
Afri: Was there any benefit to releasing under a Netlabel, as opposed to releasing independent?
Phasen: Being associated with I/O Netlabel garnered not only attention and exposure, but a plethora of downloads and opportunities. Just knowing that people listen to my music and enjoy it, relax to it, and share it with friends’ blows my mind. It puts a smile on my face to think that I can make at least one person's day a little more enjoyable every now and then. That's why I make music.
Afri: So now to the lame questions ...
Afri: If you could meet one person who would it be and why?
Phasen: I'm going to have to cheat on this question. I'd like to meet two people at once-Marcus and Michael Sandison-the sibling duo that is Boards of Canada. They are the two people who initially sparked my interest in electronic and experimental music. Their music never gets old to me; each new listen reveals something new I didn't notice before. It's that balance of simplicity and complexity that I strive to form when I make music. I feel they are pioneers of a new genre, and are responsible for influencing a multitude of artists - including myself - a great deal.
Afri: If there was one thing you could change about the world, what would it be?
Phasen: (laughs) Well I suppose that's not a very realistic question?
Afri: True but it might tell us a little more about you …
Phasen: I guess it wouldn't hurt to have all humans be more open-minded, more accepting, and more respectful of others. Things we don't understand scare us. I feel as though a lot of the world's problems would be solved if humans of different backgrounds took some time to put each other in other's shoes. See the world in the eye of our neighbour, without being too quick to judge.
Afri: Phasen thanks for your time. I wish you all the best and hopefully we will see another release from you in the not too distant future!
Phasen: Thanks to you as well and I can assure you a new release is very close.
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