The Numb Project On the Making Of “Busted”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of “Busted?"
The initial spark for Busted came from listening to the instrumental hip-hop released on a Portland, Oregon based record label called Cold Busted Records. I wanted to create something that felt at home with their laid-back, jazz-inflected vibe, warm atmospheres and punchy hip-hop beats.
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in “Busted?"
After I laid the foundation with those elements I started to become intrigued with chopping high-pitched vocal samples, due in part to spending a lot of time the great UK producer Sorrow’s LP, Carpe Noctem. I found an intriguing vocal sample and started to dig into making it melodic and unrecognizable from the original.
What impact do you hope "Busted" will have on your audience?
I hope it keeps their head nodding and their ears perked up!
Could you share some of your musical influences and how they have shaped your sound?
Well, for “Busted specifically” while those artists on Cold Busted were a big influence I am always seeking warmth, texture and dope grooves that come from classic trip-hop and downtempo. That sort of “auto-tuned”/high pitch vocal chops from Sorrow was new for me in this instance (something I tried to replicate in my other new single, “Shakermaker”) but I’m always drawing inspiration from artists classic trip-hop/idm like Boards of Canada, DJ Krush, Dabrye and others.
Are there any particular skills or techniques that you have been working on lately?
Other than the vocal sample chopping that I mentioned, I have been working on improving the melodic elements in my work. I’m on the hunt for memorable melodies!