Right before Walker & Royce appear at Marquee New York this Friday, July 12th for their headlining debut, we managed to catch the duo for a "Pit Stop" chat. Sam Walker and Gavin Royce tell us what they love about New York City and what they would change about its electronic music scene. Read on for a few key production tips, that they graciously provide us with.
Where are you on your way to right now? This week we're holed-up in our studio, but we just got back from a bunch of great gigs in LA, SF, San Diego, Mexico, Miami, Texas…
After your successful tracks "Connected" and "Drive," is there anything new cooking in your Brooklyn studio? We have a remix for Baunz out soon on Marathon, which has been getting great reactions from the crowds, we're really excited for that release. But we're always working on several projects. Sometimes we walk in and turn a track out in a few hours. It's unpredictable.
What are some tips on hardware or software for producers, to get the best out of yourself when in the studio? #1) For monitoring, controlling the acoustics cannot be overstressed; it's far more important than the quality of the monitors themselves. #2) If your soft synths sound weak, try running them at very high sample rates. Chances are they'll sound better, especially in the upper register. Then bounce them down with good offline SRC and bring them back into your project.
Is there a place or spot in New York or Brooklyn that you go to get inspired or recharged? Sam: For me, the city itself is intrinsically inspiring. The landscape, the hustle, the people. I can just take a walk, really almost anywhere. The neighborhood around our studio in Bushwick has a sort of industrial, run down look to it, but there's so many people and a lot of stuff going on that it's actually really invigorating.
Gavin: I think going to a great party or event is something that particularly inspires me, one that I am blown away by. Although, I don't have a designated place I prefer to go. The whole city can either bring you up or down, as its a very hard place to be at times. It's very important to keep moving and keep your energy up, otherwise you are in trouble.
You guys have been a part of the New York club scene for over ten years now, and you've witnessed the it changing quite a bit. If you could do one thing to enhance the state of New York's electronic music scene today, what would it be? Sam: I would lower the US drinking age so that people can grow up with clubbing instead of it being something that they can only truly embrace after they turn 21!
Gavin: I like what Sam said about lowering the drinking age, it would expose people to a good dance music at an earlier age, but also I think what is happening now with bigger clubs is good. Parties like the one we are playing at Marquee [on Friday] are really pushing boundaries and taking chances on crowds that may not know what they are getting into and it's working. I think that "underground house" is really getting better exposure in the States, thanks to promoters that are starting to take these chances. This would have been my answer 2 years ago. I am very happy to be a part of this at such a pivotal time in the States.
The two of you are playing for Marquee NY this Friday, what are you most looking forward to? Everything really: that place has a huge F1 system, and a nice main floor; it's a great venue!
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