The ballistic producer from Las Vegas spinning his Machine round and round
Welcome back to DMCWORLD Touvan, where in the world are your right now?
“Heya! I’m currently in San Francisco, CA.”
A brand new ‘Machine’ EP coming out next week via Dim Mak. Three tracks with their own vibe, please talk us through this dancefloor bound release…
“Yes and very excited about it! Well the EP starts off with By Your Side, a dubstep song with with a deep melody & lyrics followed by explosive drops. Next is Dirty Secret, a collaborative project with my friends Defunct!, which lies more along the lines of electro, but puts out a quite bouncy vibe and very unique bassline stabs. Last is Machine, which is an big room electro banger, infused with some progressive influence as well. All three tracks from the EP are lyrical and tell their own stories, so I encourage giving them an interpretive listen yourself!”
It must be wonderful working with the vocal talents of Lea?
“It was a different approach doing an entire EP with one vocalist, it was a cool experience. Lea is a great songwriter and vocalist.”
I interviewed Dennis Ferrer this week. We were talking about a quote from him where he said “all the heroes that I grew up with are just not relevant right now because they’re not willing to change, they have forgotten what it is that got them there…kids.” What are your thoughts on that comment?
“I believe in constant self innovation, it’s actually sort of the idea behind my name… constantly revolving and evolving. So I agree with Dennis. I personally cannot see myself in that position because my mind is always forward thinking, looking at “what is next for our future” as opposed to “what it used to be like”. In my eyes, becoming irrelevant is simply losing your influence on the culture.”
We also spoke to Fatboy Slim this week and were talking about all of these teenage producers who before they are out of school have managers, tour managers, people to wipe their ass etc. Norman Cook reckoned it should be obligatory for these people to experience the chemical highs on the dancefloor at least once so they know what the kids on the dancefloor feel like and expect. Again, what are your thoughts on that?
“Agree 100%. You should always understand the experience that you are giving. You can’t just sell a cookie but have no idea what it tastes like! You can learn so much from your audience by putting yourself into perspective.”
Let’s go back to that live changing sunrise moment at Burning Man in 2010 when things changed forever. One minute you are in the corporate world the next you’re not…
“Haha I wouldn’t say it took one minute to change my life, but definitely the way I saw my life. I just came to the realization that I just wasn’t happy on the path I was on, setting aside a passion that I’ve had my entire life to chase something I thought was right, like going to college and getting a career. I have absolutely nothing against education, I think it’s so important. But as far as paving your future, I believe that making sure it’s something you are passionate about is invaluable.”
Prior to that moment, you had perfected your DJ skills in San Diego whilst finishing college. Your artist name Revolvr has nothing to do with guns, it is a reference to your style revolving around so many different aspects of music. So, who were the artists that you were listening to and were influences back then?
“I was listening to everything to be honest. Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, The Prodigy, Underworld, all the way to the more recent BT, Pendulum, Deadmau5 & Wolfgang Gartner.”
We know you use either your own tracks or edits, but lay us down a current top 10 you’re spinning…
Knife Party – Internet Friends (Revolvr Bootleg)
Zedd – Spectrum (Revolvr Remix)
Nari & Milani – Hello Atom (Revolvr Remix)
Scooter & Lavelle – Beats Inside My Head (Revolvr VIP Remix)
Revolvr & Lea Luna – Machine
Frew – Wicked Woman (Revolvr Remix)
Revolvr & Sue Cho – Make Me Want More
Rollin in the Mush (Revolvr Bootleg)
Revolvr, Defunct! & Lea Luna – Dirty Secret
“And lastly have I my own bootleg of ‘I’m Coming Home’ that is just insane but I only play it live.”
You burst onto the scene largely thanks to yours and Donald Glaude’s remix of Scooter and Lavelle’s ‘Beats Inside My Head’ that set Beatport ablaze. Why did your re-work so well on that tune?
“The lyrics on the tune were just so catchy already, and I think the instrumental beats underneath it just created a really solid track. I’m still not sure exactly what it is, but the tune and lyrics combined just really strikes a chord with the crowd!”
How would you describe a Revolvr stage set in 2012?
“Raging energy fused with uplifting vibes.”
What has been your big tune of 2012?
“I would say my remix of Zedd’s Spectrum. It’s one of my most favorite tracks to play, I would even play it if it wasn’t mine, maybe even if it was someone I hated, haha. It just works so well every time I drop it, such a different sound that most electro pieces.”
You have smashed some memorable clubs and festivals this year, what have been the stand out gigs? We all remember Avalon earlier this year…
“I would say Sun City Music Festival in El Paso and PURE White Party in Edmonton. Not only did I get to share the billing with some of the industry’s biggest names, but such an involved and interactive crowd. I felt so much energy and love at these two festivals.”
What are your thoughts on how EDM has exploded in your home country in 2012? Trance DJs signing to Roc Nation, US companies offering hundreds of millions of dollars for European club brands, casinos trebling DJs wages to play in their clubs. Is this the right platform to build a long term scene for America? Is it too much, too quick?
“I’m excited but I am a little worried at the same time. As much as I love to see the growth moving so fast, I am a little concerned a lot of it involves the money sign. When greed takes over, it usually does not end well. I am just hoping that enough individuals hold on to the true values of the culture, the love of music, to keep a part of this grounded.”
It’s your birthday, who are the celebrities dead or alive you invite round for dinner…and who plays at the after party?
“Will Ferrel, Jack Black, Rob Swire, Steve Jobs…and Liam Howlett.”
What is next in the pipeline release wise for you after the EP?
“I have another EP in the works, this time 4 tracks. Really excited for this one!”
Away from dance music, who are the artists you are listening to at home chilling out?
“I like listening to Pretty Lights, Bluetech, Eastern Sun and PhuturePromitive to name a few really amazing artists I like to chill out to.”
What is the most amount of money you have won at a casino in your home city Las Vegas?
“Around a thousand dollars. Nothing crazy but pretty awesome considering it started as $60!”
And finally, where will you be celebrating Christmas this year and what is going to be your New Years Resolution for 2013?
“I’ll be celebrating x-mas this year in sunny San Diego with my girlfriend and some close friends. New Years resolution is to stay healthy while I tour, because it’s SO easy to eat bad when on the road!”
http://www.soundcloud.com/revolvr
