A progressive incipient crusade, the newly established NOERCYPHER series furnishes a monthly exhibition intended to harness the untapped prowess of SoundCloud’s thriving underground community while serving as a mechanism for broadening the creative horizon of aspiring producers.
Launched in curation with Patreon’s subscription-based crowdsourcing platform, the project allows students of Noer the Boy, as well as monthly subscribers, access to a variety of practical tools including sound design tutorials, mixing & mastering sessions, and the opportunity to connect with Noer and fellow producers one-on-one.
In addition to providing an opulent medium for collaboration, an exclusive monthly sample pack and specific creative guidelines dictate how each ‘Cypher’ is to be tackled. The finished project takes the shape of an austere mega collaboration, compiling crown entries hand-selected by Noer himself and explicitly curated to incubate the criteria for that given month.
NOERCYPHER VOL.1 was a true showcase of the raw talent and innate creativity of all the artists that made the cut. Working within tight parameters, the levels of variance in submissions in terms of feel, genre, and flow were astounding. To say that it is a testament to Noer’s craftsmanship and ability to teach would be a massive understatement, and his effort to cultivate newfound creative growth certainly warrants a closer look.
This month’s rendition beckons an ominous bass ambiance, requesting that each 1-2 minute submission falls in line with 80/160BPM in C Minor, utilizing at least 3 non-vocal samples from the May Patreon pack. Accommodating submissions from fresh faces such as Hooligan and Akash Gaman, while welcoming back familiar names like Crystal Moth and PELOQUIN for a 13-minute gauntlet of fiercely authentic multi-peripheral stimulation.
It was an absolute treat to catch up with Noah directly to discuss his vision for the Cypher, the factors of consideration when orchestrating the guidelines for each month, and a brief glimpse into the selection process. Be sure to check out the Vol. 2 Cypher as well as the full interview with Noer the Boy below!
What was the creative spark that provoked you to start the Noercypher series as opposed to a traditional guest mix series as other artists have done?
The NOERCYPHER series is meant to showcase the work of my Patreon members and students, while giving them an attainable monthly goal to work towards and a chance to hear what everyone else is making. One of my students actually suggested this concept, and right away I knew it had to be done! It’s safe to say that myself and many of my peers have been inspired by other beat cyphers (most notably Team Supreme, big shout out!!), but there aren’t many cyphers in this particular genre that occur monthly. So I’m hoping NOERCYPHER helps fill that void and give producers who may be isolated by geographical location a chance to connect and compete. And regarding guests, don’t count out the possibility of special guest cypher tracks in the future. I’m fortunate to know so many friends who make mind bending music, so this will certainly be a place to showcase that as well.
The cypher rules mirror my own kaleidoscopic interests. One month it might be slow and sludgy doom bass, while the next month it could be electro house.
What factors are taken into consideration when organizing the rules for a given month?
The cypher rules mirror my own kaleidoscopic interests. One month it might be slow and sludgy doom bass, while the next month it could be electro house. And the next month maybe it’s cinematic soundscapes – I want to push my students to try out different genres and BPMs. You never know what new sounds and styles might resonate. It’s so fun to think outside the box and try your hand at something new, and this cypher is a great place to do that!
There seems to be several different styles present in the Cypher while still maintaining the overall theme. Can you tell us a little about what goes into picking which entries make the cut?
Since I set the BPM and key rules, and provide samples, all submissions will contain some similarities. And the diversity of styles makes it so much more fun to mix together. It makes it not just a challenge for everyone submitting but a challenge for me in figuring out the best way to present the music.
When figuring out the roster for each cypher, it’s all about quality over quantity. One cypher might be 30 minutes long, and another 10 minutes. It’s all dictated by the music. I select the submissions that best execute and embody the particular monthly challenge, and present them in a way that’s cohesive and evolving. At the same time there may be a submission that has one particular section that works really well, and I want to be able to showcase those moments as well.
The project itself seems to be centered upon the foundation of Patreon. Apart from providing an outlet for you to offer mentoring, sample packs, and one-on-one training, has the platform proved to be a useful means of networking with fellow producers?
Patreon is an amazing platform to connecting directly to my fans and offer the kind of help and advice that I was fortunate enough to receive when I started Noer the Boy. Shout of my friend Kaelin aka Zero Tep for teaching me Ableton all throughout college! A lot of people aren’t as lucky to have friends IRL who are into making the same kind of music, and this Patreon cypher allows producers from all over the world to connect through this niche of music. I’ve discovered some truly talented producers through Patreon, and have made many new friends. Super stoked to be developing this platform more and more!
Your bio recognizes an appreciation for the infinite potential that technology and digital progress has afforded. Do you ever feel as if the sheer magnitude of possibilities can hinder creativity?
It is absolutely true how overwhelming it is to have everything at your fingertips. That’s one of the reasons why I started the NOERCYPHER series. Each monthly cypher contains a few rules, 10 samples, and a roughly two week time limit to create and submit for the cypher. By offering an attainable monthly goal, my Patrons can feel accomplished creating a full song and working through the challenges of working against the clock.
I’m trying to do my part to grow a community and create a positive culture. One cypher at a time.
If you could alter one aspect of the music community today, what would it be?
To make it more like a community. The world is a cold place that beats you down at every turn, so it’s important to be surrounded by like minded people who are can offer advice and support that’s specific to your interests. Although NOERCYPHER is still in the very early stages, I’m trying to do my part to grow a community and create a positive culture. One cypher at a time.
Words by Alex & Sam.
