Seppa, a beat producer for 15+ years, discusses creating dance floor excitement, influences, and changing his name. Podcast covers topics like music production process, running Slugwife Records, controversial visuals, balancing quality and quantity in music creation, and the impact of loudness trends on creativity.
Seppa evolved artistically through various labels before co-founding Slug Wife for collaborative success.
Slugwife collective blended humor with serious music to create a distinct brand identity.
Balancing regular content creation with maintaining emotional depth in music is a crucial challenge.
Deep dives
Creation of Slugwife Collective and Philosophy
The podcast delves into the creation and philosophy behind the Slugwife collective, which started in 2017-2018 with Mr. Bill, Cursor, and Fin Fiona. The collective aimed to unite artists creating similar music genres under one label to share audiences and success. Slugwife set itself apart by operating more as a collaborative group of artists rather than a traditional label, aiming to minimize overhead costs and encourage artistic cooperation.
Origin of the Slugwife Name and Concept
The discussion unfolds the origin of the Slugwife name, originating from a track that Mr. Bill and Cursor had, representing a playful twist on the concept of Thug Life. The name aimed to add a fun and cartoonish element to their otherwise serious and technical music. By infusing humor and whimsy into their branding, Slugwife aimed to distinguish itself from the more serious and macho tones often associated with the genre, seeking a more light-hearted approach to music.
Balancing Artistic Integrity with Regular Music Releases
The episode delves into the debate around artistic integrity versus the pressure for regular music releases. Mr. Bill expresses concerns about the expectation for continuous content creation, fearing it may compromise the depth and meaning of the music produced. He emphasizes the importance of creating music with lasting emotional impact, even if it means deviating from the conventional rapid release schedules often seen in today's digital music landscape.
The Importance of Creative Limitations and Time Management in Music Production
Setting creative limitations and deadlines, such as limiting time to work on music projects, can enhance productivity and creativity. The podcast discusses how having structured time constraints, like deadlines before shows, can lead to more focused and efficient work without compromising the quality of the final product. The speakers emphasize the benefits of time pressure in music production, citing examples from their experiences during the pandemic and scheduled studio sessions with a colleague.
Balancing Quality and Quantity in Music Release
The podcast delves into the debate between prioritizing quality over quantity in music releases. The speakers share their perspectives on the ideal frequency of artist content, advocating for a balance between consistent output and high-quality releases. They discuss their approaches to generating a large quantity of music ideas initially, followed by a curation process to refine and elevate selected tracks to ensure a cohesive and impactful final album. The discussion highlights the challenges of perfectionism and the importance of finding a balance between refining music and releasing it in a timely manner.
Seppa has been producing beats for over 15 years, always finding new ways to keep the dance floor exciting. After working with a variety of small labels as Duskky, it was Wonk#ay Records (which he now co-runs with Bunkle and Aytch) that really pushed him into becoming what he is today. Playing a variety of parties, big and small, gave him a feel for what really works and that has influenced his productions up to the present. In 2015 he changed his name to Seppa, releasing a single entitled “Trojan/Coriolis” on AutomAte Recordings in February 2016, which was followed up by the EP ‘Homunculus’ in April that year. In November 2016 he released the ‘Displaced’ EP, which covered a variety of atmospheres and speeds whilst keeping a consistently dance floor friendly sound. After co-founding the record label Slug Wife, he turned out a wide variety of material, including his two solo albums to date, 'More' (2018) and 'Split' (2020), both of which were received to great acclaim. He's also put out two albums with collaborator Chalky, entitled 'Bright Spots' (2018) and 'Strange Changes' (2020), exploring instrument driven Jazz flavours and psychedelia. His beat tape, "Whack Lack Vol. 1" (2018), has also become a firm fan favourite alongside numerous Remixes, Singles and EPs. Having now left Slug Wife behind, and after a few years of big life things - namely becoming a father and a husband - Seppa returns in 2024 with his third full length album, ‘See It Through’. Featuring driving boom bap beats and his inimitable taste for otherworldly soundscapes it’s a narrative experience from start to finish, demanding many full listens to unearth all the hidden details. Whilst designed to be a completely enrapturing home listening experience, Seppa’s production really shines on a sound system, and he’s excited to bring his new musical creations to the dancefloor. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:29 The Story of SlugWife 10:56 The Pressure to Release Music Regularly 15:46 Creating Meaningful and Re-listenable Music 23:30 The Emotional Language of Music 28:01 Exploring Minimal Viable Music 32:35 The Subjective Nature of Music 39:24 The Power of Music and Creative Limitations 44:52 Balancing Quality and Quantity in Music Production 52:49 The Role of Mastering in Music Production 58:31 Clippers vs. Limiters in Mastering 01:05:07 Seppa's Upcoming Album: 'See It Through'