Hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, STAYNS has proven to be an artist that continues to push boundaries within the realm of dubstep. Driving a simplistic style that hits harder upon every subsequent bar, the producer has been a steady force in the underground scene and is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. In addition to being a wicked producer, STAYNS has shown himself to be mean behind the decks and, in timely fashion, the talented artist came through to deliver an epic ensemble of heavy bass tracks.
The impressive seventy-minute mix is packed with original and unreleased material from himself and other promising up-and-comers such as Akeos, Jub and SYZY just to name a few. In his interview, STAYNS talks about the importance of separating DJing and producing as separate crafts, the Florida dubstep scene, the use of presets in original material and more. Don’t miss the action-packed mix and chat below.
Tell us about your newest mix. What’s the best setting for listening?
Took a 2-3 week long break, and by the time I returned home it’s been nothing but constantly wanting to make music or perform it. Played two shows in Tampa and West Palm Beach the following days since my return, and it just gave me more motivation to mix and produce as a result.
Although I can’t really explain the best setting for listening, the mix is just a showcase for unreleased tracks by myself and many of the homies. I love doubling and I usually figure out what goes well with what on the fly so I don’t effectively try to plan or structure my mix unless it’s absolutely necessary. Regardless, I do my best to provide the strongest possible doubles and kind of keep the energy throughout the mix.
You said you were itching to mix, so is it safe to assume you made this mix on CDJs as opposed to a DAW? What method do you prefer for mixing and why?
I have XDJ-RX2s, as opposed to CDJs, so mixing with two channels becomes tedious when I’m prepping another track to load in real time in the mix. I’ve never mixed via DAW before, although I’ve done some experimenting in that regard; it seems to be a good alternative however if the means to mix live aren’t there.
How long have you been DJing? And producing? How did the transition from the first to the second happen for you?
I’ve been DJing for a little less than a year now, my first show being in May of 2019. However, I’ve been producing for 10 years now. The transition from production to DJing wasn’t all too jarring, after I moved to Florida in 2018 I got acquainted with some people who enjoyed my music, and one of them being a cool dude named Devenn (aka D3V). He showed me the ropes behind CDJs and what to expect as far as live shows are concerned, really helped me get my shakes from DJing off and gave me a hella confidence boost as a result. Another shoutout, as well, is Kalab (Daygo) who allowed me to practice and helped with connections and information that involved the scene.
What’s the importance of up-and-coming artists separating producing and DJing as two distinct crafts, in your opinion?
I feel like a DJs ability to stand out and be unique solely as a DJ in this scene is much harder compared to the flexibility and creativity you can bring into production. This is especially coupled with the fact that both can go hand in hand if you are active in both settings, as well. To provide your style presented in your music through mixing is an outcome that should be sought after by most aspiring DJs.
How’s the Florida dubstep scene? We often hear about places such as LA and Denver being hubs for the genre, but is Florida also killing it? What do you love about it and what can be better?
Florida definitely has no holds barred when it comes to the scene, especially in areas such as South Florida and Orlando. This past year has been pretty fruitful as far as the scene growing in areas where it wasn’t as prominent prior, but now I definitely see it and the local producers/DJs thriving in the near future!
Nothing much to ask as far as it’s concerned, previously I had gripes of larger venues rarely showing appreciation for artists within their city/state that could absolutely use the support, but that’s clearly turned around nowadays and I’m pretty happy with the current state it’s in. Although, the drama really isn’t necessary.
On a side note, you’ve recently been vocal about the use of presets in original music. Where do you draw the line? How do you differentiate the work of an artist versus the work of a preset creator?
My line is drawn solely at the point where there is the unchanging factor involved with preset/sample usage if it’s a part of your main design. To not try and adapt, improve, or work with the preset in a manner where you can provide either your spin on it or make it something new entirely is absolutely lazy to me and pretty much inexcusable if it’s placed in a setting such as a release on a big label or it’s a track to be paid for. Within a community of producers, the use of sample packs, presets, FX, vocals, and many other sounds is almost always expected and unsurprising when used. To differentiate preset to original work is solely based on the artist’s past work or whether what’s been used has been recognized or popularized throughout the community. Usually when other producers call others out on the copy-paste usage of samples and/or presets, it comes across as unnecessary bickering against someone making music, and that’s understandable; but, in any case, to put out any work out as original when none of it is can be seen as arrogant or as an insult to those who actually try and put effort into their craft, only multiplied should that work be released via a professional label or monetized.
Tell us about WARRIORS. What enticed you to join them? How important do you think it is to surround yourself with peers who have a similar vision?
They’re my absolute inspirations, namely Ecto, who is the reason I’ve gotten around to producing riddim to begin with. All of them, however, are absolutely talented and anything Saunter, Fayte, Packback, or Ecto put out motivates me to my core and gets me into high gear.
I’ve always been infatuated with the Warriors since their conception in 2014, there were different big names under the Warriors crew at the time, but that’s come and gone. To slowly be acquainted with Fayte, and then the rest of the crew at the time, playing games, making music and such was so fun, and the absolute joy I got when I was asked to possibly join. No regrets at all, and I feel it was the most worthwhile decision in my music career.
What benefit isn’t there when with like-minded people, especially those whom you are close friends with; it’s almost a necessity in the dubstep community too, juggling ideas, expressing experiments or ideas you have with the homies, looking for feedback, and the general enjoyment that comes with it all when we’re all working together and accompanying each other for the sake of mutual benefit. It’s a must-have for sure, to be with those of congruent vision for music, otherwise different connections couldn’t be made, and the above mentioned could barely be held possible, if at all.
Do you have anything special planned for 2020, either through WARRIORS or individually?
I have personal goals set for myself as STAYNS, such as wanting to play in more cities, possibly travel abroad for shows, releases on highly regarded labels, just the general stuff I’ve been dreaming of since I’ve become integrated in the scene. But, special plans is something of course best kept secret, however I do plan to have merch set up in the near future, as well as plate/VIP packs to be sold soon, as well.
Keep eyes on the Warriors soon, too, something big’s on its way.
Tracklist:
ID – ID
// ID X ID – ID
MAD DUBZ – ID
// FERRA – ID
SYZY – MERCY KILL (SPECIAL)
ID – ID
// PHISO – PATTERN SCREAMER (ID EDIT)
–// OBAYIFO – PLAY WITH ME 2K
—-// STAYNS – DISLOCATED TONGUE (REGURGITATED VIP)
STAYNS vs STYN vs SUBFILTRONIK vs SYZY vs OBAYIFO vs KABR vs BADPHAZE vs AYONIKZ – SPAZZINSIGHTRARELOADOUSOUTELIMINATOCKZ
// CRIPPLINGG – PEELING
ID – ID
// SAIGGA – SECTOR 571 (VIP)
AKEOS – ID
// FAYTE – PARTY TIME (VIP)
–// JUB – ID
ID – ID
// RENZO – THE CUM ZONE
VERSA – WELCOME TUNE (ID VIP)
// CYBERTR0N X AZABIM X GLOCKZ – JAGERWOMBAT (ECTO REMIX)
SYZY – ID
OBAYIFO – ID
// BADPHAZE – FILTER BASS
ID – ID
// SUBFILTRONIK – BLOCKZ (STYN KORFBAL VIP)
SUBFILTRONIK & BADPHAZE vs KABR – SPAZZINGOUT
// ID – ID
BENZMIXER – PSYCLONES (OBAYIFO VIP)
// OBAYIFO – INFLUENZA
SYZY – ID
ID – ID
SUBFILTRONIK – RELOAD (AYONIKZ ULTRA RELOAD)(STAYNS BOOTLEG)
// AKEOS – ID
AKARIN – AKARIN BOUNCE (HIVE BOUNCE REMIX)
RENZO – THE CUM ZONE (GRAMGREENE SPECIAL)
// JUB X AMOONS – ID
ZARDONIC – RESTLESS SLUMBER (ALIENPARK REMIX)
// SYZY – POISON MUFFINS
STAYNS X KOZIK X SUELDO – ID
// CRIPPLINGG – ID
ZHALO – ID
SUBJECT 31 – BIG SIPP (VIP)
// MAD DUBZ – ID
SYZY – ID
BODYSNATCHERZ – ID
// STOKEZ – WAVES VIP
MAD DUBZ – KEEPIN IT REAL
// STAYNS – DRONE FUNK
STAYNS – SEND BRO (SCRZ SPECIAL)
// FAYTE – RAKDOS
STAYNS X SAUNTER – CATCH! (V2)
AKEOS X FERRA – ID
ID – ID
ID – ID
// BENZMIXER – R28D (MAD DUBZ VIP)
// RATCHET & GANGUS – LINEBARREL RIDDIM (BODYSNATCHERZ VIP)
JUB – GET AWAY (VIP)
// BLANKFACE – STIMULATE
ID – ID
ID – ID
// ID – ID
