STATIK LNK Interview

What inspired you to start creating music? How long have you been creating music?

Interestingly enough, no one in my family is a musician. I'm the first musician in my family. I started playing guitar when I was almost six years old, and my dad got me started early. I used to take guitar lessons, did that for a long time, played trumpet in seventh grade, and still play it to this day. It's probably the instrument I'm most comfortable with, outside of my saxophone. I've been doing music for almost 30 years now, so quite some time. I think it's kind of a gray area these days, but I would say probably about 10 to 12 years professionally.

Have you had any placements? Who with?

Last year was great. I worked with Curren$y on his project, as well as a bunch of underground acts, cleared about 200 samples last year, and worked with Rook from Justice League a little bit. We almost made the G-Eazy project, but unfortunately, it didn't make the album, which is a common occurrence, as you know being an engineer. I still work with them to this day, and we communicate nicely and track them all the time.

What samples do you normally like using when creating your own beats?

I create everything from scratch. There's nothing I use from other places. Everything I do, even from the drums, is sourced directly from the source. I'm lucky to know a lot of studio owners and work at a school that has access to that kind of gear. Everything you hear is played live, and there is some sampling, like snares, kicks, and hats. I did a lot of studio sessions, and there aren't even very many VSTs. Most of it is hard work, and there is some stuff that I've used, like the Melaton.

What vibe were you trying to achieve with this sound pack?

I was inspired by new jazz or acid jazz, which is very atmospheric and sporadic. I guess you can say a lot of sporadic sounds and atmospheric sounds. This was around the time I bought a bunch of hardware gear, synths-wise. I got a DX7 too and had a Profit which was used a lot of those on this project, which was really cool, experimenting with the synthesis in jazz music almost like a fusion. The primary inspiration was the Alchemist and Curren$y sound that they used on the Continuance album. The vibe of this project is kind of sinister sounding, with a lot of sample elements as far as a little sporadic sound and atmospheric textures.

How do you see other creators using this pack?

I'm excited to hear how people use it and how they chop it up. A lot of the inspiration behind it is definitely boom-bap influenced or more East Coast influenced, but I've made packs before like that and have heard some incredible more popular trap-style stuff that's come out of that as well. It's difficult to say, and I would ask if anybody uses it, I definitely would like to hear the tracks. I look at every pack I release as a general invitation for collaboration and hope that people share it with me on Instagram.

What advice would you give to upcoming creators and artists, and producers?

Be authentic. I think that's probably the main thing. Always try to add your own flavor and spice to whatever you're creating. Develop a sound that is uniquely you, whether it's the way you program your drums or chop the melody. Doing something that is recognizable and unique to you will take you far.

Who are your top three producers of all time?

Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, and Miles Davis.

What is your favorite studio snack?

I don't really eat that much in the studio because I play horns, but I love drinking water, coffee, and eating tacos.

What's your dream collaboration?

Kendrick Lamar. He reminds me of a modern Miles Davis in terms of his evolution and hands-on approach to the creative process. I also would love to work with Dr. Dre someday.

Interview by Sean P. Jones

You can check out Statik lnk's sample pack here.