I fell in love with Zillamatic’s sound the moment I stumbled across his Soundcloud. His tracks and mixes are quite diverse, with hip hop as a consistent influence. This guy spins vinyl, which doesn’t come around too often nowadays. Stay tuned for this one, because you might catch him at one of Neon Owl’s events in the near future!
Tell us something you are excited about or grateful for!
I am grateful that electronic music has become an integral part of so many people’s lives in the past 5-7 years in America. Also that music and talent has become more accessible, a lot would disagree but I think music being to accessible is creating a stronger competition for good production and leading to better music coming out from everyone.
How did the name Zillamatic come about?
For some reason the letter Z has been a fascination of mine, also fun fact I’ve owned a 350Z and a 370Z…But more importantly, the very first watch that I ever purchased was a Nixon. It’s a sick watch; silver, black background and square face with a sick metal lace band. The model is called the “” The first time I opened Ableton live I was wearing this favorite watch of mine, and on it I would always keep track of how many hours I was spending trying to dive into the crazy world of music production. I loved the name of the watch and it just stuck with me and all my friends now refer to me as such lol.
How long has it been since you’ve started to make music?
I started in 2010 with a Ableton Live intro which of course led to the purchase of the big daddy Ableton Live Suite.
What influenced the start to your music career?
Honestly it was Skrillex. I read his biography after I heard Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites album and immediately started to dive in. Before producing on a laptop, I was actually a drummer in a rock-ish band in HS.
It seems like some of your tracks has some hip hop/r&b influences. Are you big into that?
It’s crazy, because I love producing house tracks too, but I feel like my forte is that hip hop/trap-ish sound…I don’t know lol. It’s just what I gravitate towards. It’s my musical aura I guess.
Who are some of your favorite artists and musical influences?
Of course too many to name but recently its been Jack U, Tchami, Kygo, DJ Snake, Ricky Remedy, Marshmello, NGHTMRE, GTA, Knife Party, Branchez, Mr Carmack, UZ, RL Grime and many more than I’m probably missing right now.
Who would be a dream collab for you?
Marshmello without a doubt. The dude has amazing talent and whether it’s a collaboration of artists or just one guy that’s already made it under a different alias it doesn’t matter to me. He saw a need and filled it right up and gave the people what they wanted.
What do you want people to feel when listening to your music?
I want them to feel whatever they need to feel. Listen to it while you’re working out and feel powerful, listen to it in the club and groove, anything they need to feel I want my music to call to that.
What has been the most enjoyable part of making music?
This reaction: “You made that???”
What is the most difficult thing?
The game. You know what I mean.
What do you think is a challenge that up and coming producers/DJs are facing right now?
We are facing a game where we are pawns and it’s controlled by kings and queens. There’s such a huge break in “making it” in music. Its like either you make shit money, or you’re a millionaire. I know there are some that exists in between but you get the idea.
What would like to see happen next or what would you like to see more of to relieve some of that stress?
It’s hard to say what needs to happen, but for starters I think we need to create a more open platform where artists can collaborate and learn from each other. Soundcloud is getting annoying we all know this, but it has the most notoriety. There will always be these mega monster companies trying to protect “their” music like it’s not the artists’ music anymore…a crazy idea but I guess for money that’s what we get right?
Do you ever get artistic blocks? If so, what do you do to overcome them?
Always. To overcome them I usually take a break and listen to some of my favorite tracks or try and find some good underground shit.
What’s been your favorite track produced so far and why?
The most challenging was my collaboration with my fellow musician Stephan in our project called “Pay Attention” where we produced a Rihanna deep house remix. It came out really really well and I was very pleased with the overall mix, and it got some hype too which isn’t a bad thing. It rose to #3 most downloaded on DJCity.com, which is a nationwide site that DJs use as a record pool.
Favorite track of all time?
No way…but if I had to bring one up it would honestly have to be scary monsters & nice sprites. That’s the song that changed my whole outlook on music and made me think “how in the fuck are those sounds produced…?” love it lol.
If you could play at one show or one place, where would that be?
Well I’ve played around at a few clubs here in Dallas and it’s definitely fun, but I would enjoy playing a show opening for someone at Bomb Factory located here in Deep Ellum, and then also back in my home state and town somewhere- Newport Beach, CA.
Tell us a little bit more about the Z brand?
Well, as I mentioned earlier the Z brand is becoming universal to me…I love music, fashion and lifestyle and I hope to one day encompass all of those things within it.
What can we expect from the Z brand and Zillamatic this upcoming year?
Expect more music, collaborations and shows; musically I want to progress alongside of trends. My style of production is vast and unique, and I want to give people what they want to hear, with my twist on it.
Artists to watch out for 2016/17:
Personally, I know the following already have/will have great careers ahead of them: Marshmello, Slushii, James Hype, ZHU, Whiiite, NGHTMRE, Jerome Price, Malaa, DJ Wellman, BoomBox Cartel, MR. CARMACK, and lots more I’m not thinking of lol.
Favorite food in the world?
Chipotle ecoli chicken (I don’t even care I still eat it)
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
NYC
Give us 3 bucket list items.
Play in NYC, Play internationally, talk about life with Skrillex
If you weren’t a producer, what career would you pursue?
Sales/Marketing
Tell us about a guilty pleasure of yours.
Spending way too much time in front of a computer screen… 🙂
Do you have an addiction? If so, to what?
I have an addiction to caffeine lol…
One word to describe yourself.
Insane
If you could go back in time to meet someone, who would it be?
Michael Jackson
Neon Owl is all about giving back to charities around the world. Is there a specific charity or cause you feel passionate about or would like to see us work with?
None in particular but I think what you guys are doing is great and I’m sure any charities that are chosen would be in need or any relief.
What’s something the music industry could use more or less of?
More music, less bullshit
What could the world use more or less of?
More music, less bullshit
Any last words for your fans?
I appreciate any and everyone that has listen to, downloaded, reposted, liked or interacted at all with my music that I’ve posted (or others have posted). It means the world to us producers because we do it all for you guys.
What’s the best way for them to connect with you?
Feel free to email me [email protected] any ideas for remix, stems, vocals, demos, whatever. Or Facebook is always a key, just search Zillamatic, you’ll find me 🙂
https://soundcloud.com/zillamatic
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.