The 348th episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer Sohrab G.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
Hello and thanks to having me. I am 31, from Tehran Iran, Maybe about 14 years of producing and 10 years of Djing.
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
My musical roots are where Rhythm and melody started to work together..as a child i raised in a family that music was a top priority part of it’s life. from traditional Iranian music to classical music to pop, rock and roll, metal, disco, and till now. electronic music has two sides in me first it is like Electronica such as Vangelis and Tangerine dream, and other aspects in music one is the dance side, both plays perfectly their sides. dancing is like a gift to me so i would be happy to make anyone dance and i wanted to become a serious producer from the very first day .i really like the music that Hernan Cattaneo, John Digweed, Nick warren, Sasha, Deep Dish were and still are playing.
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught ? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
I started to make music with Ejay and fruity loops and then in Reason, Ableton, and now i am working in Logic, and well i think when you see the name of my country u will understand how hard could it have been , i have had some courses like the theory of music, a little the harmony in music, a little basics and history of electronic music, and anything else i mean the rest is self study . in case of advice i am very grateful to anyone who even taught me one word.
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
Because i would like to have many layers in my tracks the most complicated part for me has been the Mixing Stage. and i don’t have the easiest part because each part has its own problems and eases. When i hit a creative block usually i sit back take a breath and think of as many possibilities as I might have and try to look at the block from the outside of it..but if it doesn’t help i would leave it right there for half a day or 1 day and listen to other music to get the inspiration.
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
I quitted my routine and daily job about 2 years ago and till that time i have been producing and working together ,now i am a full time producer and it means that any time in a day i can be in my home studio. when i am not working on music most of the times i am listening to music and i really love to Play football ,and of course playing games such as Ps4 games. and may be having some friends and sharing a good time.
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
Well i try to listen to any possible styles of music because i think they each have some things to give me to use in my productions, Pop, Hiphop, Rock,Alternative, Jazz, Reggae, Classical, and my favourite artists outside of Electronic producers are Pink Floyd ,Pet shop boys, Depeche mode, Michael Jackson, Sade.
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
Well i don’t remember the first but the last one was Sunlounger-Another day at the terrace Album.
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
Nothing to surprise ,I try to respect everything and anyone that is around me ,logical with full of emotions inside.
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
Well it’s really hard to say because if you choose your goal wisely and try and try and try to get closer to your goal ,u will one day. so that there is nothing like overlooked maybe just not tried enough or not knocking the right door.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
My inspirations mostly comes from the Nature and i really love to be in nature where there is no trace of humans, lol,. and other inspirations for sure comes from listening to lots of music , at this stage of my life Hernan cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy j, Guy Mantzur, John Digweed, Dave Seaman, Above&Beyond, and there are many others that inspires me.
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
I am not yet in a place to give anyone any advice but the only truth is that you have to choose your goal wisely and try and try and try.
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Andain – Summer Calling (Gabriel & Dresden remix) as i have too many many beautiful memories with it.
‘Ignorance Call’ is out now on 3rd Avenue, you can purchase the release: here
