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What an absolute honor it was to sit down and not just ‘interview’ Sipp/Smaug, but really delve down deep into his mind and discover where his musical prowess was born from. We’ve featured him on FA in the past, and this seemed the fitting way to follow up I definitely enjoyed this, and I hope you, the reader, will as well!

I’ve always been intrigued with your name, well, both of them to be honest, since you also create under Smaug. Is there a back story to how you came up with them?

[Sipp] I wanted something short, and simple. I didn’t really think about Smaug at first. The Smaug account was created so that I could upload tunes I had lying around that I wouldn’t upload on Sipp for space reasons. The [Smaug] tunes started getting a better response then I had expected, so a new alias was born. Only rather then uploading just the tunes laying around, they are actually new tunes, the only difference is they are made rather quickly. I resample a lot, lots of divas in there lol, hence why they are all free downloads.

You work with people such as Stumbleine, NSC (Night Shift Collective), Warminal, Steamgoat and Lentils, to name a few. Do you often feel as if your creative flow is ebbing by being a part of so many wonderful projects, and if you do, how do you combat it?

[Sipp] No I don’t. Collaborating with artists I admire is a great thing, and I will always encourage it. There is a lot to be learned by working with other producers. Most of the time, you learn about yourself.

Can you give us a little history on how you started out here and how you would like to see your talents grow in the future?

[Sipp] We all want the most that we can get as far as success is concerned. But really, Soundcloud is pretty satisfying enough. Direct feedback from all over the globe? Can one ask for more?

Are there any producers out there that you are currently looking forward to a collab with, or would like to in the future?

[Sipp] I’m looking very forward to my collabs with Broke, Cogidubnus, Retral, Atsuko, Wolf Maps, Klatu, Stompbox, From Fields, Artifice, Shura, Zelda and Ghost Ark! I have had the privilege of collaborating with great producers already, but Sleepyhead, Sotus, Delete, Swarms, Soosh and Memotone are all producers I dream of working with.

The set-up. Describe yours! (software/hardware, do you work out of a home studio or other?)

[Sipp] I use a macbook pro, MPD-32, and REASON 6 up to now. I’ve never used VST’s, but I plan to incorporate them in my future work.

Can you take us through a bit of your creative process?

[Sipp] I start with nothing, and I don’t stop until I have a fairly full sounding tune. That’s my rush. The following session(s) is fine tuning the whole thing.

Any upcoming releases you can divulge us?

[Sipp] My EP with Steamgoat will be out early June on Broken Bubble. We’ve added some new remixes. I’m really excited about this one! I have an EP out with Shemo Neat – “ouie” (became available March 19th through Dubporn Records). I’ll also have my solo EP out on Broken Bubble as well, but no set date yet. As well as an EP with Steamgoat again on Night Tracks.

What’s one of your most memorable moments while working as a producer? Such as a favorite tune of yours that you had fun collaborating on?

[Sipp] Well this might sound cheesy but my most memorable moments is when producers that I admire start to follow me, that alone is worth doing what I do.

Who do you like to unwind to sound wise at the end of your day?

[Sipp] The Night Shift Collective is a great group of artists to unwind to at the end of your day. I highly recommend Dulcimer (formerly Empyrean), Stumbleine and Sina. I can listen to these artists on a regular basis.

Do you have any advice for any up and coming producers?

[Sipp] I’m still taking advice myself!

If you could pick one of your projects to recommend to a new fan, what would you chose and why?

[Sipp] I’m working on a secret project at the moment, which would definitely be my choice, because I absolutely can’t wait for it to be heard by everyone!

So who would you say greatly inspired you to start producing and stick with it, and do you have a muse of any sort?

[Sipp] Before Soundcloud, my inspirations were artists such as Burial, Four-tet, James Blake and Mount Kimbie. Now it’s more like all of the Soundcloud fam who inspire me the most. A lot of abstract hip-hop, some shoe-gaze. Clams Casino is a huge influence. Along with Balam Acab. As far as my muse goes, I’d have to say that would be hemp, of course

 

Find Sipp/Smaug on Facebook / Soundcloud (Smaugs Soundcloud)

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