A few months ago you released your debut EP Mind to tremendous applause! Can you touch a little on the project as a whole, and your personal favorite pieces from it? 

Yes! I am still giddy with excitement thinking about MIND. MIND was really my first cohesive release as Ravenscoon, and showcased multiple genres from wave to dubstep, halftime, experimental bass, and drum & bass. 

It was my first fully realized vision, from start to finish. I was lucky enough to work with multiple friends and collaborators, including Womping Willow (FKA Masohn), Zuni, Feelmonger, and Born I. I also worked with wonderful artists on the cover art, who I couldn’t recommend more: Oozium & SURVIVETHETRAP. The whole thing was professionally engineered by my great friend and bass wizard Kristopher Blazer. It truly was a big team effort.

It was also my first time working with a lyricist on the caliber of Born I. Him and I actually met up at Deja Voom, and then got dinner together when he was in San Francisco. We talked about everything from music to life to spirituality, to how bass music lacks soul. 

My focus with Born I on ‘MIND’ was to discuss the relationship between oneself and their MIND, how they’re connected, how we battle depression, how we love, what it means to be alive. Born really took that and ran with it and gave me this beautiful, almost spoken word verse. I loved it so much that I chopped it up and ran it over the song three times. It’s almost a power ballad of a dubstep song, haha.

I honestly love the whole release though. I did my best to write songs that all fit the same vibe, feeling, and I am happy with the reception. I feel like it solidified me and legitimized me as a producer. It showed how serious I am about this project.

Your mixes have been legendary in the underground bass music community for years now. Can you tell us what got you started making them in the first place?

Oh man! This is such a multi-layered question… but.

I have ALWAYS loved music. Since I was a 4 year old kid asking the wedding DJ at my uncle’s wedding to play REM and Talking Heads. I carried this love throughout my adolescence, making girls I had crushes on mix CDs. Making playlists on the iPod for our parties and road trips. 

This carried over into college, where I studied abroad in Chile, learning Spanish and traveling/hiking. I actually became really good friends with another person in the program, Lukas Jaehn, whose brother Felix Jaehn is a world famous DJ. Him and I downloaded traktor (which he was familiar with) and he taught me the basics of the program (without even owning or having a controller) and I immediately became obsessed.

I have always had so many ideas of music that I want to combine, and been a huge fan of technical DJs since I was a kid. 

From there, I began just making mini mixes and mashups, teaching myself the program and using my mouse and keyboard shortcuts, since I couldn’t afford a DJ controller.

I did this for a few years, making fan mixes for bass music artists, and eventually decided to name myself Ravenscoon, an anagram of my last name “Conversano,” made with an online anagram generator. From there, I became more and more serious about my mixes – becoming more and more original and finally deciding that I wanted to try to play shows and make DJing a reality once I got so much positive feedback.

At that point, 3 years ago or so, I started a new Ravenscoon page and deleted all my old fan mixes (ones that weren’t flagged for copyright and deleted).

After that I began producing my own music about a year and a half ago – and now I’m here!

Did you have a singular defining moment that made you say “damn this is exactly what I want to do with my life”? Or was it more of a continual build-up of events that lead you to where you are now?

Honestly, I feel like I have no idea what I am doing with my life. I still work a pretty serious corporate job, so I don’t feel like I have truly made it yet in music. I might feel that way once it pays the rent.

But music has always been the defining passion in my life, next to writing. I think it’s only natural that I followed what I loved and got serious about it. I can certainly be obsessive about the things that I love, so this is a perfect balance for me.

If you could peak into another timeline of yourself that didn’t include bass music, what do you believe you would be doing with your life?

I think my life could have gone many ways. I definitely could be dead right now from all the drug and alcohol related issues I’ve dealt with. I could be stuck in my old toxic and abusive relationships.

On another hand, I could be backpacking the world. Travel and language are big passions of mine – so I like to think I could have escaped the monotony of corporate america, and the mortality of continuing my past addictions.

Thankfully, I’ve used all of my life experiences to try to become a better person. Bass music and the connections there helped me get my corporate job. Everything has intersected over time to create me, a collage of a human. I feel like I am the sum total of thousands of lifetimes of good and bad decisions.

I’m certainly happy and lucky that my life is the way it is right now.

What artists did you listen to growing up that you feel play a role in the overall sound you’ve honed-in on for yourself currently?

This is going to be tough because there are SO MANY inspirations. I honestly draw inspiration all day every single day from so many things around me. The person driving past blasting some cool music, the ringback tone a friend has, my friends taste, my roots in hip hop/rap / EDM.

I would say overall the most important influences as an artist, if I had to name them, would be:

Blink 182
Suicide Silence
The Devil Wears Prada
Pretty Lights
Rusko
Minnesota
Bassnectar
AT
Basshunter
Pink Floyd
As I Lay Dying
Deadmau5
Gucci Mane
Young Jeezy
RL Grime

Who do you feel are some of the most progressive acts in the industry right now? 

There is such a wide variety of incredible music being created right now. I’m going to couple that with people who I think are pushing the boundaries of electronic music, as well as people who are using their voices and platforms for good.

I think G Jones, Alix Perez, and EPROM are definitely at the forefront of bass music – especially EPROM & G Jones when it comes to using their voices and platforms for social justice. I don’t think their groundbreaking music needs any preface.

Other artists that come to mind are Buku, Of The Trees, Subdocta, Smoakland, Mersiv, Skeler, Heimanu, Kumarion, Deadcrow, iSorin, DMVU, Juche. Vibe Digital is my favorite label right now. They’ve been releasing the cutting edge in bass and emotional bass music. 

There’s a ton of my friends that are doing incredible things as well, like UHNK, Feelmonger, Yewz, Viskus, Super Future, Bromosapien, Zuni, Inspect3r, Womping Willow, SLAVE, Illanthropy. So many names I know I’m forgetting.

Between COVID making it exceedingly difficult to socialize and do the things we love, coupled with the swarm of societal issues we’re presently facing, the prevalence of mental health issues is at an all-time high for people. Have you been having any issues with this yourself, and if so, how have you been coping?

Communication. Outreach. Love. Patience. We all need to be kinder, listen more, and check on our friends during this time. Suicide rates are skyrocketing. Rather than be toxic and fight online, we should take a step back, take a breather.

I always struggle with my mental health, so its been paramount for me to do the above. I am lucky enough to live with my girlfriend who helps keep me in check, and have my friends and parents that love and support me.

You’ve stated in the past that you believe artists with any sizable platform have a moral obligation to speak up about injustices in our society. Why do you believe now, more than ever, that’s of the utmost importance?

If you can witness the injustices happening right now and not have anything positive or helpful to say, especially if you have a platform, then you are weak. 

BIPOC are being targeted in the streets by police, murdered, and protestors are being arrested by Trump’s illegal DHS gestapo. Immigrants are being separated from their children and locked away. The president is calling Nazis good people. Our institutions are being attacked. Democracy is at stake. 

If you have a platform, you MUST use it to call attention to these injustices. Help raise funds, awareness, anything. We are stronger together, and we need to come together to defeat these fascists now more than ever.

You did a guest mix for us today! Can you tell us a little about how you determine the overall flow + energy of your mixes, and what you prepared for us this time around?

I typically will download a TON of new music and then just fit it together in one flow session like a puzzle. Once I find the first song I really know where to go with it from there. I’ll then record it live and then put the mix in ableton and clean it up and mix it for levels.

Today’s mix features some of my favorite tunes I’ve been playing in streams during quarantine. The intro is a mashup of the intro from Sugar by System of a Down, and the remix to War Pigs by Meduso (go check him out plz). The lyrics should explain my views of right now plenty.

I also feature some unreleased music from me, viskus, deadcrow, and iSorin, as well as some classic mashups. I touch on riddim, dubstep, trap, wave, and much more in this mix. It was a ton of fun to make :)

What’s next on the horizon for you in 2020 and beyond?

I have soooo much stuff coming up! I have been working like a mad man in the lab on new mixes, music, collabs, and hopefully some COVID-proof safe shows.

I have this mix with FUXWITHIT, a remix of WAP by Cardi B (which can be heard for the first time in this mix), a collab with Yewz out on a compilation album, an EP called Nystagmus (with 4 originals), 10+ collabs I’m working on, an EP with Viskus thats ⅔ done already, a wave EP, a bunch of mixes.

I’m planning something special for halloween this year. Two nights. Hallow’s Eve & Halloween. 2 mixes, each 90 minutes long for 3 hours total. SIDE A will be dubstep and SIDE B will be drum & bass. I’m going to be having Pickles do visuals like he did for my Return of the Downtempo Adventure stream I did on my twitch channel, and am working on securing a Halloween drive-in show…. Stay tuned there.

Tracklist:

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The initial dive into ‘Sandman’ greets the listener with a foreboding, staticky air. This is the first sign that shit is absolutely about to hit the fan. A dark, disembodied voice greets you, letting you know they are the master of this realm, and you are but a lowly visitor in their playground. This sense that the listener is but a mere peasant or pawn in a game is readily apparent, as this piece encompasses one’s entire consciousness, gripping it by the throat and commanding singularly-focused attention. The first drop is a torrential downpour of grimey basslines that are the sonic opposite of a Pringles can, with every square inch of space filled to the brim with full-bodied bass-fueled rumbles. The last drop is an immaculate switch-up aided by vocal chops and earthquake-inducing low end that shakes everything in the vicinity at a subatomic level. To say that this piece will do irreparable damage on a full-scale sound system is a vast understatement, as when festivals start up again this track will be eviscerating ears to immaculate delight. If you’re in the mood for some dubby, wubby madness, look no further. Check out ‘Sandman’ for yourself below, and see the full visual presentation here!

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From the opening notes of ‘Control’ your entire being will be enraptured in the current moment, a spacey, haunting melody swiftly lulling you into feeble submission. The vocal sample “mind control” greets you right before you’re doused in a thick deluge of cascading bass that quickly descends into delightful, wobbly goodness. Surgically maneuvering between grungy basslines and wiggly madness, this track will leave your ears in a state of true elation, completely transfixed by the vibrations echoing forth. Equal parts heavy and beautiful, the whole realm of emotion is on the table with this piece. Mind as a whole is an immensely impressive, full-bodied showcase of what this young maestro can do, and a truly proper debut EP. Check out ‘Control’ and the rest of Mind for yourself below, and grab the free download here!

The post PREMIERE: Ravenscoon & Feelmonger Take Complete ‘Control’ appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

With Ravenscoon originally from Atlanta, Georgia and Viskus hailing from Austin, Texas, you know they had to represent it proper with this release. Aaliyah’s ‘Are You That Somebody?’ provides the eccentric vocals for this piece, pitched downwards to create a more raw, intimidating atmosphere. The vocal loops of “dirty south, can ya’ll really feel me?” guide you with an out-stretched hand to the preposterous first drop, leaving you absolutely sure you experienced ever iota of immense grime. The drops exude this exceptionally heavy, yet sensual energy that makes your body contort in wonderful ways you didn’t even know possible. Just when you’ve thought you’ve bore the full brunt of the audible assault, you’re greeted with immaculately crafted builds that drop you into yet another tidal wave of scrumptious speaker purrs. The production throughout the entirety of the piece is absolutely top-notch, and a joy to rinse through high-quality sound systems. Festival season beware, this track is going for the kill shot.

‘Dirty South’ is a sure-fire success for these two southern boys, with a perfect concoction of their two distinct styles into a greasy, delicious sonic affair. Both acts will surely be can’t-miss performances throughout the entirety of the summer, and are assuredly worth making a hearty trek to see. For now though, check out ‘Dirty South’ in all its majesty for yourself below!

The post PREMIERE: Ravenscoon & Viskus Take You To The ‘Dirty South’ With Latest Collab appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

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Starting off this body of work is Fryar and Matheny’s steamy collab ‘Under Pressure’. Featuring cascades of rich basslines and saucy “the best ever” vocal samples, this is a track that will fill you with the intense urge to put on shades at nighttime and bob your head to the beat. Dripping with attitude and style, this is a collaborative effort that speaks volumes to the attention to detail and overall prowess of these two fantastically talented artists.

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Taking up the 2nd spot on the album is Ravenscoon’s ‘GOTDAMN,’ a track that will have you unconsciously exclaiming its name in the throngs of passion. A deep, swampy, jaunt filled with so many layers you could almost consider it an onion, this track will thrust you into mental head spaces you didn’t even know were possible. The vocal sample “fuck me harder” is inserted to let all listeners know they’re about to get obliterated with grime, left quivering from these auditory delights.

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Batting clean-up on this team effort is Psyoctave’s track ‘Swing’, an absolute belter of a track if you’ve ever heard one. If you value your vocal chords you’ll stray far away from this piece, as it will have you howling from sheer brutality. The vocal “what” is looped, fitting as that’s all you’ll be able to muster in response, high-cognitive functions reduced solely to the most primal of responses. What exactly will you be swinging you might ask? Your entire being as violently as possible, doing your most spot-on impression of a hardcore dancer, limbs flailing around more than those inflatable mascots in front of used-car sale lots.

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The last track I’m going to highlight is SuperAve’s ‘Open Up,’ another masterful execution of carnal frequency savagery. Many tracks nowadays are described as “fat,” but this piece distinctly under the jurisdiction of “morbidly obese.” A veritable torrential downpour of bass droplets leaves your entire being in a state of general moistness, soaked through to the bone. Skip your morning espresso and just throw this bad boy into your speakers and let your day start off on the most energetic of high notes. The two things most likely to “open up” from this song are your eyes as they raise in shock from the punch of this piece, turning listening into a full-body experience.

With a year laden with hard-work promoting some of the brightest young minds in the music scene, In Harmony is a fantastic capping-off to 2019 for the entire team at Electric Hawk. For many, the rise from obscurity to a household name is one of arduous grind in attempt to get one’s name out there and amass a pool of people that believe in your efforts. With teams like Electric Hawk and their work through In Harmony, the word gets spread even further, and artists that deserve these types of chances have an outlet to grow. If this year was any indication of things to come, 2020 and beyond are going to be years of massive success and prosperity for this organization and all they choose to work with. For now, get yourself In Harmony with some of the hottest producers in the game and check out the full compilation below!

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The post Electric Hawk Comes Out Swinging With Debut Compilation Album appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Harnessing a hip shaking melody and hip-hop beat with vocals courtesy of Gucci Mane’s ‘Pillz,’ this beat is so hot you could cook bacon on it. The layering and blending in this song is immaculate, making for a wholly enjoyable listening experience that you’ll want to repeatedly dive right back into. The vocals loop “is you rollin? Bitch I might be” and you could find yourself unsure of that answer once this track is done with you. If this is any inkling of the vibe and level of production he’ll be putting forth in the near future, every fan of bass music should be anxiously awaiting what he has coming next.

Take a peek at ‘Sugar Tits’ for yourself below!

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