
Illustrated Interview
With Dubstep being the talk of the town and megastars like Skrillex and Magnetic Man paving the way for a new generation of young, fresh talent to take the stage. Introducing young Illustrated who looks set to be one of the names of the non to distant future. Here is what he had to say to MOBO.com blogger Danny Taylor
Where are you based?
I am located in Los Angeles, California
What age did you start to generate music?
My dad bought me my first bass guitar when I was 11 I believe, but when I turned 14, and started listening to a lot of punk was when I did everything I could to convince people to play music with me. I have played in so many different bands from age 14-25 years old. They all got me to where I am today.
Who are your musical influences?
I grew up listening to a whole lot of punk and metal mainly. I have always been drawn to fast, energetic, and heavy music. It was really only a year ago when I started heavily getting into EDM. EDM/Dubstep has so much of the angst, and energy that a lot of the music I loved growing up had. So I guess it was really only time until I found it. I think you can definitely hear in my songs that I grew up from a different back ground musically, and I like to think that is what helps separates me from everyone else. But we will see the EP doesn't drop for another couple weeks!
Are you planning to make any more new songs?
Oh yes definitely. I am already writing for my next release. I spend an unhealthy amount of time on Ableton everyday.
Who would you like to collaborate with and why?
I think it would be so sick to do a collaboration with Eminem some day. I haven't seen him do anything on a Dubstep track yet. I would imagine its only time until he does. If anyone gets that shot it will probably be Skrillex.
Have you performed at live gigs?
I have been playing in bands, and performing live since I was 17. As for doing shows as 'ILLUSTRATED' I have not yet. I am still getting everything in order. I will be gigging by this summer though for sure. This project is only a month and a half old.
Are you considering in making videos for your music?
Yeah I have a music video idea I am working on for my single, "Subtle Hints"
What zone do you need to be in to write your music?
I am the most ADD person on this planet. Everything distracts me. So I guess I need my surrounding to be quiet, when I am by myself. But majority of all the songs I have ever written all come from a melody I will think up in my head. If you were go to through my BlackBerry, there is seriously hundreds of little voice notes of me humming a little melody that I will think randomly throughout the day so I don't forget it. If a stranger found my phone and listened to them they would have a field day with it. I use to be a host at a restaurant back in TX before I moved to LA, so I would stand for hours. To kill time I would just write songs in my head, and jot down lyrics. When I got home I would demo them. "Subtle Hints", "Mental Drug", and "We Are Anonymous" are all products of my boredom at work.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Well for starters my debut EP, "Mental Drug" will be out on Beat Port/iTunes on April 23rd. Other than that I will be cranking out as much music as I possibly can, and playing out as much as possible.
Anything you would like to add?
I want to thank everyone who is already supporting ILLUSTRATED right off the bat. This project is so new, and its already growing at a steady pace. If you haven't heard any of my music, please go to Facebook.com/illustratedmusic.
Interviewed by: @Danbean_









