Although only his first extended-release on SLANDER’s new label Heaven Sent, N3WPORT immediately fits the imprint’s ‘emotional music sent from above’ ethos. Following the title track lead single, N3WPORT returns with the complete melodic bass-inspired ‘Best Part Of Me’ EP, striking an evocative balance between tear-jerking vocals/instrumentation and forceful synths. DMCWORLD dive in for a world exclusive…
What was your production process like when crafting the ‘Best Part Of Me’ EP?
This EP has actually been in the works for a while. I started writing Where You Are Now back in 2018 with Dianna vs. putting the finishing touches on Miss You just a few months ago! I wanted to display a wide breadth of sound on this record to showcase the range of music I like to write, as well as the emotion that’s lyrically represented. Where you are now is slower and euphoric, which was very intentional. Miss You I wanted to give a punk rock/melancholy vibe to to show my love for guitar and rock music. Best Part of Me was effortless – it was so easy to work with the incredible vocal that SVRCINA gave me – that that song practically wrote itself!
Stream: bit.ly/N3WEPS
How does it feel having this EP as one of the first slew of recent releases on Slander’s newly-launched Heaven Sent imprint?
It’s truthfully such an honor. I’ve been a huge fan of SLANDER since I first heard GUD VIBRATIONS back in 2016, so now to have support from them in this way is a dream come true. They’re both incredibly genuine guys and the team behind Heaven Sent is enormously talented and kind!
What was it like collaborating with Detroit native and singer/songwriter SVRCINA for this?
Molly is so amazing and a gift to music! Working with her was really fun and getting to dive into the song-writing process with her and our song writing partner Sarah McIntyre made writing this track a growing process for all of us. I came to Molly and Sarah with the concept of loss and love, and working through those emotions both lyrically and melodically was both intense and simultaneously really exciting!
You’ve remixed songs from some of the biggest names in future bass right now like Nurko and Outwild — what’s your relationship like with these fellow DJ/producers and how did these come to be?
Nurko is awesome and I’ve been a fan of his for a while! His team approached mine about doing a remix for Blindspot and I don’t think I could’ve said yes quicker! I’ve also had the privilege of playing some virtual festivals with him and have gotten to go back and forth with him a few times. He’s a cool dude! Outwild and I share a management team and getting to remix The Way You Are was kind of my intro/initiation into 10G Management! Outwild’s sound is so unique in the future bass scene and he’s a nice guy too, excited to maybe work more with him in the near future 😉
What role do your immediate surroundings in Virginia play in your music?
Virginia is a geographically diverse place! I’ve lived in many different spots in Virginia over the past few years and the various landscapes from Beaches to rivers to mountains are really inspiring. My music is often influenced by nature and it’s beauty, so I love to soak in the different beauty that Virginia has to offer to give me a little motivation to write.
What does it feel like reeling in over 947k monthly listeners via Spotify, & having collectively garnered over 67 million combined streams across platforms since 2017?
Absolutely unreal. Seeing my audience grow over time has been really inspiring. When I was asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always answer “a Rockstar”. While I wouldn’t say I’m there yet, to have an audience that large and such a supportive fan base from that audience is truly incredible and humbling and so freaking cool! Thank you to everyone and anyone who has ever listened.
Over the years your music has gained staunch support from noteworthy talent the likes of Gryffin, Slushii, & Tiësto — what’s it like having their backing?
So dope! Gryffin’s track ‘Feel Good’ was one of the biggest influences in my early production years. Having DJ support is so cool – it shows you you’re doing something right with your music and how you’re writing it! Having support from legends like these guys is really, truly awesome.
How do you see your signature sound evolving over the course of the next 5 years?
I do think I’ll be including more guitar solos and punk rock style emotion into some of it. As a high schooler I’d rock out to Blink 182 and Green Day and I think incorporating more guitar/organic instruments in my music is definitely going to happen! 5 years is a long time though – 5 years ago I was still using FL Studio to make house beats.. so a lot can change between now and then! One thing’s for certain – I’ll still be making music in 5 years and having the most fun I possibly can with it!
What recent song, or songs, of yours, are you most looking forward to playing at a festival or event this year?
I am really excited to shred the guitar on Miss You live this year – that’ll be fun! I also have a lot of unreleased music and edits that you’ll be hearing at N3WPORT Performances as well, and I think that’s the stuff I’m most excited to play!
Are there slated tour dates, or announcements for any upcoming projects, in the works currently that you’d like to mention?
I can let leak that there is an acoustic version of Best Part of Me in the works, and yes, I have cried while mixing it (lol). As far as shows, all I can say is that I do have some dates planned and people on the east coast should get ready to head bang in the fall! I’m bringing every ounce of energy I have to every show I play this year – that’s a guarantee!
