This time, DOLCE.'s "What is this!?" accompanied by Mr. RoughSketch, we interviewed the current focal figure, Mr. Srav3r. (on Skype)
While discussing the works participating in the winter CM, he also talked about the opportunity that led him to start his activities, the process of joining Notebook Records, and the environment for music production. It's very suitable for everyone to read!
～HARDCORE started with music games～
DOLCE.: Thank you for accepting this interview today!
Srav3r: Sure! Thank you for having me!
DOLCE.: Let's get straight to the point; I want to hear about Mr. Srav3r's early days of activity! I heard from Mr. RoughSketch's interview that you initially started your activities on Soundcloud. What was the opportunity that led you to start making music?
Srav3r: Yes, at first, I just wanted to pass the time making music. I started by creating and uploading songs according to my own wishes. I used to play rhythm games, so I knew about HARDCORE early on. After various searches, I found a music compilation called "Clubland X-Treme HARDCORE." From that point on, "UK HARDCORE" became a major component of my playlist. As a result, I now mainly produce UK HARDCORE; that's about it.
DOLCE.: So HARDCORE started with music games!
Srav3r: Yes! I first got into beatmania, and my understanding of Hardcore started from there. Initially, I was using a free software called Domino to mess around with MIDI; I don't really remember why I chose that software... I noticed that I had already been making music for a while when I started!
DOLCE.: Mr. Srav3r naturally started creating music...!
Srav3r: Is that so? (laughs)
Srav3r: I played with Domino for about half a year, but then I started wanting to seriously make music, so I researched a lot of things and finally found FL STUDIO, which I mainly use now. Before using FL STUDIO, I had tried demo versions of other DAWs like Ableton Live and Cubase, and I bought FL STUDIO around early spring 2013, then officially started producing.
RoughSketch: So your overall career is about 4 years?
Srav3r: Yes! About 3 and a half to 4 years.
RoughSketch: Ah~ that's impressive!
DOLCE.: The growth rate is quite surprising...!
Srav3r: After that, I spent about 2 years doing free releases on Soundcloud, and then I was discovered by Rakuten.
RoughSketch: So it wasn't niconico or anything, but Soundcloud.
Srav3r: Yes! I had always been active on Soundcloud. At that time, I never thought I would be discovered...! Later, when I attended an event, I met Mr. RoughSketch for the first time, and that was when I participated in the CD production of "We Can Fly EP" for the first time, and that's when I officially joined Notebook Records.
RoughSketch: Right, right, there was a time when I invited Rakuten and Srav3r to drink after coming back from Yatsukora, and we talked about joining Notebook Records there. Later, when the first release came, I asked Srav3r to do a remix for the EP.
DOLCE.: I see! That's how you joined RoughSketch.
～The huge change after joining the group～
DOLCE.: How did you feel when someone invited you to join Notebook Records?
Srav3r: To be honest, I was a bit tired of doing free content on Soundcloud at that time. I had always wanted to see if I could take it to the next level. So when someone reached out to me, I was really excited. I was very happy to follow RoughSketch to Notebook Records, and Notebook Records itself is very famous, so I was particularly happy at that time.
DOLCE.: After joining, did you feel any significant changes in your surroundings?
Srav3r: There were indeed quite a few (laughs).
Srav3r: Although it was only a year and a half, it was incredible for me to collaborate with people from TANOC at that time. When I was working on the "Kamuy EP," the mixing engineers were all members of TANOC. I was able to quickly communicate and work with some big names leading the Japanese HARDCORE scene and write songs together. I think that's the biggest change that happened after I joined the group.
Srav3r: Additionally, when I was making free music, I actually didn't participate in many events and didn't have to do DJing or anything like that. But now, there is a very popular event in Hokkaido called "YATSUZAKI HARDCORE," and recently, I participated in "SW!TCH 2016" hosted by DJ Noriken; I have attended quite a few events. I have more opportunities to appear in front of people, which is also a big change!
DOLCE.: SW!TCH should be your first appearance at an event in Tokyo!
DOLCE.: How did you feel when you got to the venue?
Srav3r: It was very interesting! (laughs)
Srav3r: When I played my song on stage and saw the audience getting hyped to my music, I was very happy. I was also worried about how it would sound in a big club. After this, I thought about making the next song's kick a bit more upfront or emphasizing the bass; I thought a lot about it.
DOLCE.: You got quite a few production tips! I think it's great that you have such ambition.
DOLCE.: You also played Kamuy at SW!TCH; I want to hear more about that Kamuy EP. How was the response?
Srav3r: Yes, when I played it at SW!TCH, an audience member directly told me, "I'm so happy to hear Kamuy." At that moment, I felt really great that I could create that song. It gave people the impression of Srav3r = Kamuy. Also, regarding the name Kamuy, I wanted to use a name unique to Hokkaido. The indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, have stories that various things are inhabited by spirits, and it seems that the god is called "kamui," so I borrowed that name for this work.
DOLCE.: So this is an important work with a strong Hokkaido flavor!
Srav3r: That's right! From a sound perspective, it has a lot of emotion, a bit of coldness and winter feeling, and a melancholic melody. I also drew inspiration from the popular Future Bass melodies and incorporated them into this song. I think this song is truly a combination of various elements.
DOLCE.: Although it's still HARDCORE, this work incorporates various sounds. After listening to it, I really feel that it's a very original piece.
Srav3r: However, to be honest, achieving this is quite difficult (laughs).
DOLCE.: Indeed! In Mr. RoughSketch's interview, he mentioned that it's different from making free works. For the first time, you have to set a deadline for music production and feel a different kind of tension compared to when you had freedom. It must be quite tough (laughs).
Srav3r: It really is... very tough! Really! (laughs)
But my approach to work has changed, and there have been various situations where it has developed positively or pushed me to the brink. There are still many things I'm not used to (laughs). It's been about a year since I entered this industry, and it must be tough before I get used to it.
DOLCE.: Thank you for making such music!
RoughSketch: Like the Kamuy album, Mr. Srav3r likes to mix various types of elements together. In Notebook, I really like people who have experience with various genres. While some bring rock and metal into their music, there aren't many like Mr. Srav3r who absorb the essence of current music in Notebook, so I'm glad to have brought Mr. Srav3r out from home.
Srav3r: Many producers in Notebook like the old-school hardcore feel. (laughs)
Of course, there are also those who produce mainstream UK HARDCORE, like Liqo and XIO. But I really think I am someone who likes to incorporate various things into my tracks.
DOLCE.: There are various inputs of music, right?
Srav3r: There are inputs, but there are also many outputs! Just not publicly available; there are House, Trance, etc., that I casually make, and now those tracks are happily stored on my computer (laughs). If I have the opportunity, I want to release them somewhere.
DOLCE.: You are also challenging many unseen aspects! Let's aim to be a versatile producer!
Srav3r: Yes, I really want to become a versatile producer (laughs).
Srav3r: Not long ago, I felt that Japanese HARDCORE had a lot of similar sounds, but recently, more people like me who throw various styles into HARDCORE have emerged. I feel that the evolution trend of HARDCORE unique to Japan has arrived, and I don't want to miss this wave. Moreover, in this wave, we also got to know creators who are striving in the same generation, and in this sense, my relationship with those around me has become closer.
DOLCE.: Thank you!
DOLCE.: The winter CM is also approaching, so I want to talk about your participation in this CM. What work did you participate in?
Srav3r: This time, I received invitations from different groups, and I have also written for various groups. At the same time, I participated in a new song from TANOC, and the members of TANOC were also interviewed! This song is also a very energetic piece, so I hope everyone can look forward to this high-quality work! (Note: This song should be Moon Glass, it's good, I recommend everyone to listen to it.)
DOLCE.: I'm really sorry to have Srav3r inform everyone (laughs).
Thank you, everyone! This time, I, DOLCE., also participated in the CD production, and this information will be released soon, so I hope everyone will like it!
Srav3r: I also participated in the production of new songs from Notebook.
RoughSketch: It's my turn; the latest work of the long-running "Bokushoukei Series" is about to be released! If you're interested in this interview, please make sure to check it out; thank you, everyone!
(The link is broken, so I won't post it.)
Srav3r: Including various other things, if everything goes as planned, there will be about 8 songs in my winter CM, so please take care of me!
DOLCE.: If everything goes as planned (laughs) thank you! Please let me write about the details of the new songs from Notebook on my blog! But you are really active in various places! I was personally surprised to learn that I participated in a CD that is not primarily HARDCORE called "wavforme."
Srav3r: I'm really happy that groups not primarily focused on HARDCORE also reached out to me. Each new score from wavforme has a different theme, and I create music that fits it. During the creative process, I had no knowledge of the essence of this type of music, but they told me to just make the music I wanted to make. This time's song production also taught me a lot of things I couldn't learn in HARDCORE production, greatly contributing to my skill improvement. I'm very grateful to them. (This refers to Mercury; you can listen to it.)
DOLCE.: Thank you!
I look forward to seeing the rare tracks outside of HARDCORE released somewhere (laughs).
Will there be more activities in the future?
Srav3r: Yes! I think it will keep increasing; if needed, I will definitely ask you. I have already decided to participate in "ReVIBES" in Osaka.
This is my first invitation to participate in a HARDCORE event in Osaka. Although there are many amazing people performing together, I will do my best!
RoughSketch: For me, I'm also very happy to have someone like Mr. Srav3r actively participating in events. For people outside of Hokkaido, if they book a trip to Hokkaido, regardless of distance or flight costs, it can easily feel like a high barrier, but from a time perspective, it's just like taking a train from Tokyo to Osaka, so I'm really grateful for those who can come!
DOLCE.: There are also many low-cost airlines nowadays.
RoughSketch: Yes, speaking of booking flights, I really hope our audience can come to Hokkaido. It would be a shame to give up because of distance, so we are waiting for your arrival in Hokkaido! (laughs)
DOLCE.: Thank you! I will mark it in red on my blog (laughs).
By the way, we just talked about the topic of fellow composers of Mr. Srav3r's generation. Can you give a few examples of composers you pay attention to?
Srav3r: Speaking of the first one, I've been following "DJ Noriken" for a long time, and also "aran," who has written many emotional songs. There are many amazing people from the same generation, like "Ujico," and when it comes to HARDCORE, "Getty" definitely has the best bass in the world. There's also an illustrator named "Makai no Juumin," who has written a lot of HARDCORE under the name "Seventhrun," and can write both bass and emotion styles, so I pay a lot of attention to him.
Later, although not a composer, I have listened to many tracks from overseas record labels. Some good ones are Monstercat, and slightly less so, I also follow "MAD DECENT." Recently, I have been paying a lot of attention to two Koreans, Aiobahn and Zekk.
DOLCE.: Thank you! I always feel like I'm chasing after DJ Noriken's shadow, and this situation is quite profound...! Also, the two Koreans, I have also paid attention to them; their momentum is great!
Srav3r: Yes! It seems that when various people start to emerge, it's hard to decide who to follow first, but not only listening to HARDCORE, I also pay attention to various people's music. Just listening to HARDCORE won't lead to making HARDCORE!
I believe that only by listening to various types of music and combining them can I create my own HARDCORE, and in that process, there will be quite a few gains!
DOLCE.: Cool! I feel like I've heard a very good statement.
DOLCE.: Now, I want to ask you about your music production... mainly about the sounds and synthesizers you use. If you don't mind me asking?
Srav3r: The DAW is the latest version of "FL STUDIO" that I mentioned earlier, and recently, "Spire" and "Serum" feel like the strongest plugins. Next, I think "Sylenth1" or "Massive" are also good. Now Spire and Serum have become essentials! I definitely use them! (laughs)
RoughSketch: Which one is used for bass, and which one is used for lead?
Srav3r: Yes, Spire is used for basic leads or sounds like plucks. Serum can be used to create in any direction, whether it's bass or lead. I generally use Sylenth1 or Massive to enhance the parts I think Serum lacks; that's how I use them. In any case, there are several projects where I start with Serum and Spire before beginning production, and I feel like I use them as templates.
RoughSketch: I see~.
DOLCE.: Initially, you used something like a template!
Srav3r: Yes, I first adjust the tempo of the track, then add kick, snare, hi-hat, etc., putting them all in one pattern. Then, I can adjust each element one by one, like changing a kick or percussion to create a rhythmic texture, and then produce the song based on that.
DOLCE.: I understand; that's a very efficient method.
Srav3r: Rather than deciding everything from the start, if you care about it, you can change it later, so I think this production method is more efficient and can produce good things.
DOLCE.: Thank you for telling me about your production process!
How long does it take to make a song?
Srav3r: Well, the one that took the longest was "Kamuy."
It took about a week.
DOLCE.: The longest only takes a week...!
Srav3r: The most time I spend composing in a day is only about 5 hours; if I keep that pace for about 3 days, I feel like I can finish a song, right? Personally, I feel that the rhythm of composing is constantly accelerating (laughs).
DOLCE.: If you have a whole day to use, it's also difficult to arrange that time well!
Srav3r: Yes! A student's duty is to study... (laughs)
DOLCE.: In that case, the time for making music is also determined, right?
Srav3r: Yes. I generally work at night, but it's also a difficult time for mixing. I take time during the day to mix and then submit; that's the workflow. Although some say it's better to work with speakers while making sound, it's hard due to the environment, so now I basically work with headphones.
DOLCE.: This is the plight of student creators.
But I heard that Mr. Kobaryo also makes music with headphones.
Srav3r: Really!? That's impressive too!
That said, my headphones aren't very expensive either (laughs).
If I could spend money now, I would want to buy plugins and such.
RoughSketch: Speaking of which, did you buy anything during the recent Black Friday?
Srav3r: I often buy Waves products, and I bought "DeEsser" during Black Friday (I haven't bought Waves' de-esser, so I don't know what it's called; if you know, please let me know). Is it something that can remove vocal sibilance? I'm not very good at processing main vocals. So I wanted to buy something that could help me do this well.
DOLCE.: Speaking of which, I remember that Mr. Srav3r hasn't made a vocal track himself yet?
Srav3r: While I have done remixes of vocal tracks, I haven't started from scratch yet! Although I have many tracks made using free vocal samples (laughs).
RoughSketch: By the way, if you were to make a vocal track, what kind of person would be the vocal performer?
Srav3r: Yes, I don't have much knowledge in this area, so it would be great if I could collaborate with someone like Aikapin or Yukacco, who already know the vocal track production process, and they are very professional, so I feel safe collaborating with people like that (laughs).
DOLCE.: Do you want to make such tracks?
Srav3r: Of course! It's just that there are many things I don't know where to start when it comes to vocal tracks... Where should I start, Mr. RoughSketch! (laughs)
RoughSketch: Huh!? When making vocal tracks... how should I say, first listen to a lot of vocal songs! Is that right? Before starting production, listen to regular pop songs first.
Srav3r: For singers, is the production of the track entirely entrusted to the composer?
RoughSketch: It depends on the time and occasion!
RoughSketch: After the singer completes the melody and lyrics, they send over the melody, key points, and lyrics files; that's one model. Another model is where the composer is responsible for the entire melody of the track, and even the lyrics, with the singer only responsible for singing. Aikapin is an example of the former model.
Srav3r: I see. That's very informative!
DOLCE.: If it's the former, then the melody would come to the front of the track, right?
RoughSketch: Yes, the hummed melody comes, and then I start composing. There are also cases where I create the melody myself and ask for lyrics and singing, so I think the production process will vary based on various communication methods.
Srav3r: If I were to do it, it would definitely be the latter! (laughs)
RoughSketch: That might be the case (laughs).
DOLCE.: It's great to learn about the vocal track production process that we don't often hear about (laughs). Let's end this interview while looking forward to the day we can hear Mr. Srav3r's vocal tracks!
Finally, could you say a word about your future activities and goals?
Srav3r: It's been over a year since I joined Notebook Records, and the number of people who know my name is gradually increasing. From the feedback I get from people listening to my tracks, I hear voices saying, "That's good," and I want to cherish these people and those voices even more. To avoid making my tracks feel stale, I want to become a composer who continuously adds new elements to my songs. Please continue to take care of me in the future...!
DOLCE.: Thank you for your message!
(The last part is a live notification, so I won't translate it.)