Spotlight: Healboi Bedside
1, You've built an extensive, self-produced discography. What was the initial catalyst that set you on this prolific path as Healboi Bedside?"
Well I had been honing my production chops for years and I've always been inspired by "self produced" artists like Porter Robinson , J Cole or when Mike Shinoda broke off linkin park to do " Fort Minor" , I always found it very admirable to construct something from the ground up all the way till the end result , a lot of my favorite musicians are the type to build the music and have there hand on the mix and master as well as art work. Truly I'm just in love with the process of creation. The ups and downs and seeing ideas through to the end.
2. As Healboi Bedside and 1/2 of Lotus Cloud, how do you navigate the creative headspace and workflow between your solo projects and collaborative work with Mute The Wallflower?
Well I will say the "lotus Cloud sound" is truly rooted in the bouncing back and forth creatively of two best friends who share many influences but possess different production specialities, I truly feel no other 2 people can make what we make when we are in a room together. Healboi Bedside is truly a brainchild of all the different influences coursing through me and in general is more of a personal diary lyrically and direct reflection of My day to day life.
3.Your latest album, Orchard, marks a significant shift towards rock and live instrumentation. What drove this evolution from your established sample-based hip-hop sound?"
Well honestly I view all of my music through a hip hop production lens , I have a very fragmented repetitive nostalgic loop based method that I refer to as "halcyon" i just wanted to move towards sampling myself and getting into music that is fully based around my own ideas sonically. (NOT to say I don't sample at all anymore , the drums are almost always samples) but as far as the main musical element that's repeating , I've been constructing those vibes and feelings more from my own mental space now
4. You've cited artists like The Mars Volta and Linkin Park, with Mike Shinoda as a production influence. How do you internalize these diverse inspirations and translate them into the distinct Healboi Bedside sound?"
Essentially what I mean by these influences is that these are artists that taught me that music doesn't have to be straight forward or just consisting of one genre or vibe , With LP I always loved the marriage of electronics , guitar , rapping , singing and screaming and with TMV is was just a diverse blend of Latin genres and progressive rock and so much more. Pretty much i love any artist that doesn't observe musical limitations. I think harsh contrasts and creative blends really excite me. I can say artists like flume , porter robinson , madeon & j dilla were also really good at this on a production level. Of course bujabes as well. (my goat!)
5. 12+ LPs is a massive undertaking. What's fundamental to your production philosophy or a non-negotiable aspect of your creative process?"
honestly just no rules , if it's sounds good it's good. Im not always going to make the most paletteable music but I'm here to make something that excites me. I love evolution and artists that go through different stages creatively. A lot of my favorite discographies have massive evolution. I'm not to concerned with perception , reception or critics , I'm just here for the art. Let it breathe.
6. From the music/club scene to features in Orlando Weekly, how has your connection to the Orlando music community shaped your artistic development and opportunities?"
i wouldn't be the musician i am today If it were not for this city's music scene , at times I was included , at times I've felt completely on my own but none the less the rooms I've played and gigs I've shared with other artists have never lacked authenticity , variety or just pure talent and inspiration, the old takovr days (the electro dusted era) the hyperclub scene / the indie hip hop scene and lofi beat scene as well. The relief in abstract era with xxyyxx grant and sales , EDC hitting us here. And of course my bread and butter , the warped tour scene of my youth and the resulting "elder emo" era we've been in have all had a huge impact on me musically. OPPURTUNITY wise I've gotten to play many venues in the city and I'm grateful for every show I've played or attended , we are super lucky here in the O!