To get to know the talented artist better we linked with VON STORM for a Guest Mix + Interview. The mix showcases his signature style and is packed full of originals and unreleased gems. Our interview discusses how moved from creating dubstep to phonk, the growth of the genre, what’s next for HOLY MOB, building connections online, and more. Check both below.

Tell us about the mix. What should listeners expect when they press play?

This mix is kinda all over the place, but almost every track is rooted in trap music to some degree. If you listen from start to finish, you’ll get a good idea of what I’m listening to and what I’m working on right now, including some unreleased stuff.

What prompted you to start creating music?

I started getting into dubstep in like 2011, and the idea of being able to make music without knowing how to play an instrument was so sick to me. So I downloaded a “legal” copy of FL Studio 8 and started making really terrible dubstep tracks.

I think the heavy emphasis on sampling was so attractive to me as an amateur producer because I was still pretty bad at writing melodies.

How did you go from producing dubstep to phonk?

For a long time, the only places I listened to music were YouTube and iTunes (where I put all my YouTube-to-MP3 rips). In 2013, I was still deep in my dubstep phase, and YouTube started recommending trap music to me. I kinda just went down that rabbit hole for a few years and eventually started listening to more niche artists on SoundCloud, like Backwhen. When he started tapping into the phonk scene in like 2015/16, I fell in love with the sound. I think the heavy emphasis on sampling was so attractive to me as an amateur producer because I was still pretty bad at writing melodies.

What are the special ingredients to the Von Storm signature?

I use a lot of Splice loops because copyrighted samples have caused me more trouble than they’re worth. You gotta dig through a lot of bullshit to find the good loops though. Been using a lot of sounds from the Holy Mob Sound Kit, DJ Smokey x Soudiere Kit, and 1.9.9.9 Lavish Kit. Favorite tempos at the moment are 144, 151, and 163.

Phonk seems to be bubbling up more and more in the electronic community. What has the growth looked like from your perspective?

I’ve repped this scene hard since like 2017, but its growth is definitely surprising. Not surprised that it blew up, but definitely surprised by how it blew up. I could not have predicted what TikTok did with cowbell/drift phonk. I hope other corners of the scene get some love too.

Discovering hyperpop in late 2020 reignited my love for EDM and had a lot of influence on my releases last year. Everything felt so new and exciting, and I hope that other phonk producers get to experience that.

How do you see the genre expanding or evolving?

I expect to see a lot more electronic influence. Discovering hyperpop in late 2020 reignited my love for EDM and had a lot of influence on my releases last year. Everything felt so new and exciting, and I hope that other phonk producers get to experience that.

Can you talk a little bit about the Memphis rap connection with Phonk and your own sounds?

Apoc Krysis has a YouTube video called “What Is Phonk” that explains the connection between Memphis rap and phonk really well. Memphis rap vocals add a whole new dimension to trap beats, which I guess isn’t surprising considering how much influence Memphis rap has had on hip-hop in general. I still love sampling Memphis rap, but recently I’ve tried to avoid it due to copyright. At this point, I’m more interested in working directly with vocalists.

How did Holy Mob come together and how did you connect with them?

I had just dropped my first phonk project in 2016, and one of the guys I collabed with asked if I wanted to join his new collective.

How did you end up managing/leading the collective?

Right after we dropped our first tape, the guy who started it left. Then we essentially started over. I helped recruit a bunch of the guys on our current roster, and we released a new and improved first tape.

Right now we’re working on something more ambitious than the typical Holy Mob tape. It’s moving slowly, but it will be worth the wait…

Can fans expect Holy Mob Vol. 11 soon?

Right now we’re working on something more ambitious than the typical Holy Mob tape. It’s moving slowly, but it will be worth the wait when it (hopefully) drops sometime next year.

One of the beautiful things about music is its ability to bring people together. How has your musical journey allowed you to build connections online? Have those connections expanded to irl meets-ups as well?

It still blows my mind that I met some of my closest friends through SoundCloud. The Holy Mob group chat is still pretty active 6 years later because we’ve been supporting each other since the beginning. Sounds corny as hell, but it really is more than a collective for me. I’ve only met up with a few of them a couple times, but even that is so surreal to me sometimes.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Getting married soon! It’s been a very busy year outside of music, but I’m also excited to work with more vocalists in the near future.

Tracklist:
1. (00:00) Necroez – You Don’t Need It (feat. Von Storm)
2. (01:55) Von Storm – Weirdo
3. (02:58) Soudiere – FUCKDEMHOES
4. (04:12) Gali & Von Storm – Dreamcast
5. (05:53) olswel – 1/1
6. (08:00) laxcity – Grateful
7. (09:51) Von Storm – LYK
8. (12:06) Von Storm – Master Plan
9. (14:23) HEARSE.T – Havin Thangz
10. (16:14) Von Storm – Scheme
11. (17:37) Von Storm – Horizon
12. (19:28) 6EXTERMINATION – HYPERLEAP
13. (21:21) Von Storm – Coolin’
14. (23:28) Inteus & Von Storm – Animosity
15. (25:00) Apoc Krysis & Von Storm – Spaced Out
16. (26:52) Cvllum – Serenity
17. (29:10) l v k s & Von Storm – Angra
18. (30:58) dark0 – Hardwire
19. (32:33) Roland Jones – SMOKIN ON DIS DOUJA w/ Soudiere
20. (34:19) Von Storm – Warden
21. (36:07) Inteus – What We Need w/ Von Storm
22. (38:00) Von Storm – Hump Day
23. (39:41) Roland Jones – OPP STOPPA w/ Berrymane
24. (41:43) Von Storm – Get Dumb

The post Guest Mix + Interview – Von Storm appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Chunky StrapZ

SoundCloud’s algorithm remains unmatched, proven by enigmatic Chunky StrapZ stumbling into one of the radios I was listening to. Standing at only 50 followers (I was number 50), there’s still not much to know about the artist other than their handful of songs and their biography that states that they’re a “juke, footwork, and Jersey Club producer from the UK.” Chunky StrapZ’s location also states Chicago, but that could just be due to the music’s footwork roots. The song that caught my attention was their juke bootleg of Missy Elliot’s ‘Lose Control.’ It’s hard to top the original’s iconically magnetic beat, but Chunky StrapZ adds a level of frantic, eccentric energy that made me automatically repost it and put it on repeat. I immediately listened to their whole (albeit short) catalog shortly after, but luckily, the producer also just dropped their FTRAX073 EP via FORBIDDEN TRAX. It’ll be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re in need of some fresh new club music.
-AL

Hyades

Fresh of his debut EP released on the recently rebranded PLASMA, Hyades is the last artist (in chronological order) that I discovered who is putting out some really good neogrime. If at this point you’re wondering what the hell neogrime is, I feel you. You can quickly catch up by reading this little Twitter thread. Anyway, this UK heavy-influenced branch of wave is a sound I always liked, but that I started loving after Pholo’s DJ sets at the Liquid Ritual show back in April. Apparently, there’s not much to learn about Hyades online. The only legacy he’s left so far is his music but I won’t be the one who complains about it. His SoundCloud profile has been active only since this February and since then he has delivered 2 EPs (his most successful releases in my opinion) plus a series of singles and remixes. All these releases show a distinct artistic direction that focuses strictly on neogrime. Hyades is walking this specific path testing inch by inch what this genre can offer. As I’ve already said many times before, artistic freedom is an undeniable postulate, but the artists who choose to dissect a single, specific vision are my favorites. What else can I say, enjoy my favorite tracks from Hyades below and keep him under your radar.
-AA

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Jandi

Since the dawn of the pandemic, I’ve found it difficult to sustain my love for heavy bass music, largely due to the lack of live shows. However, every now and then, I am pleasantly surprised to come across an artist that keeps my love for dubstep intact. Most recently, that flame was kept alive by Jandi when I randomly landed on his 2022 Wip Reel (thank you SoundCloud algorithm). Spanning almost twenty minutes, Jandi’s unreleased works are emphatic, energetic, and relentless, and after hearing the mix I knew I had to listen to more. From official releases on Subsidia Records and Cyclops Recordings such as ‘Crystal Fang,’ to remixes for Akeos and Ferra, Jandi’s tunes are tailored for festivals, with ground-shattering bass making itself heard throughout his discography. Boasting a distinct signature and often utilizing sly switch-ups to keep his drops fresh, Jandi is a promising talent sure to make bigger waves in dubstep in the coming months.
-SC

MXSY

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, MXSY continues to impress many with his hard-hitting and vicious tracks. Powerful sound design mixed with spacious environments creates the perfect space for his realm of frequencies. From classic trap tunes, to experimental wonderlands, he’s an artist with many tricks up his sleeve. Always bringing something new to his project while being totally unpredictable. In fact, one of his recent singles, ‘socks.’ made its way to infamous label, dumb collective.! A fun and intoxicating vocal combined with mind-boggling tones shows how much fun he has creating art. It’s a tune you’ll have on replay for a very long time. Gaining the same amount of excitement each time. Perfect for those big stages.

His latest release ‘pullup.’ in particular really knows how to energize your soul with its violent environment in the beginning. Leading up to a huge blast of filth within the chorus. Making listeners fall to their knees with awe. Metallic leads combined with head knocking drums was a great way to showcase the track’s true power. Introducing the next chapter for his project and overall sound evolution. Proving he’s just getting started.
-JD

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VON STORM

After nearly a year of focusing on future beats in my monthly picks, it’s time to switch things up. Don’t worry I’m not venturing too far away. This month’s pick welcomes us into the wonderful world of phonk. For those unfamiliar with the genre, the sound draws inspiration from classic Memphis rap, adds in a heavy dose of bass, and some serious vibes. My go-to phonk tape for the past few months has been HOLY MOB’s Vol. 10 and the opening track ‘Enemies,’ sees VON STORM connecting with Caspian Rose & Necroez for an anthem. The track prompted a deeper dive into his SoundCloud and the quality runs deep.  From the effortlessly breezy ‘GET DUMB,’ to the energetic ‘LAY LOW,’ and the gritty ‘SOLID GOLD,’ each track illustrates a new dimension of the genre and why you should be listening to it. If they’re not already, you need to get VON STORM and HOLY MOB in your life immediately.
-C

Written by Alessio, Arielle, Colin, John & Steph

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