Troy Spino: Featured DJ Artist
For those of you having arguments after bong rips over the technical terminology for DJs, I apply a new definition. No longer based on spinning old school vinyl records (which can certainly still be used), no longer based on playing bar mitzvahs with top hit lists; according to my connotation, a DJ is one that creates and produces their own electro, house, techno, trance, underground, etc. or combination of such – sound. So when I say DJ, I mean electro artist/musician. I mean what they are today, and not five, ten years ago. They’re spinning in their studio, I’m listening in my loft across the city…
Enter Troy Spino. A DJ. Musician. Or combination of the two… Formerly of the band Wicker, which boasts a diehard Hollywood following, Spino has opted out to do his own thing. Don’t know how, and at this point, don’t care how tHe MaTrIx orchestrated this artist onto my feed in the beginning days of Twitter. I feel chosen. And blessed. If you’ve ever heard of Spino’s work currently project titled ‘Lost & Jealous’….you will too. Fucking righteous…Hey Jesse, can I say fucking righteous? Because this music is fucking righteous…
NLS: How did you fall into this particular path as a musician?
TS: Always wanted to be an A and R for some label, but got my first guitar "on sale", I think from Costco...when I was around 15. I played in random high school bands, then went to Musicians Institute for music business. Met the guys from 'Wicker' and after 6 years or so of writing, swapping instruments and members, had a lil 'falling out' and made the choice to start producing. I'm working on a new project called Riot Van right now too.
NLS: At what point did you decide that this was what you wanted to do exclusively?
TS: I've always wrote for the bands I've been in, I co-produced for a lot of Wicker stuff and thought I should get serious with it and invest the time to make myself better as an 'artist'. I'm not really 'exclusive' to music, like I should be; I also design and co-own my clothing line LOST and JEALOUS. Lil' play on words for Los Angeles.
NLS: Put your music into a genre and describe with some freshly lit adjectives of your choice…
TS: Genre is always the hardest question for me because I'm all over the place as a producer. I mess with dubstep, hiphop, house, and rock. But as an artist in Riot Van... Its 'indie hiphop' to me. Rapping, sing, guitars, produced beats.... The whole deal. And for the 'words'.. Creative, dymanic [sic], curious, and experimental.
NLS: To what extent did being a drummer help with your new genre?
TS: I really was never a drummer for a band until Wicker and that was only for a live song... But I do play though so it does help. Drums are the heartbeat of a song so being able to use the weird sounds in place of a kick or snare while producing is a lot of fun.
NLS: Have you had any cross over/following of fans? Go into how that whole scenario plays out…
TS: guess I do. Some old Wicker fans like my clothing line and some can't wait to hear to new stuff from Riot Van.... So yes. Well especially with facebook and twitter, people can really 'be with you' all day. They end up knowing more info then I do...
NLS: What is the vision you have for yourself as a musician?
TS: I want to write for musicians and produce, but I'm going to perform in bands until I lose my looks, haha ;) .
NLS: What is the most rewarding and most difficult aspect of being an electronic artist?
TS: Hardest part is keeping up with the changes... The sounds, the artists, the venues. Everything is so quick now because of the technology. You can literally record a whole song on your iPhone... The most rewarding is seeing the reaction of the listener or person I'm showing the music to. I also love the repeat supporters, the familiar face that I don't personally know.
NLS: How would you describe the Hollywood electro music scene?
TS: Very connected... Everyone seems to know everyone. If you make music, you know a lot of musicians. If you DJ, you know ever other DJ. It is a small but large family.
NLS: What do you bring to the music scene that no one else has?
TS: I don't know if 'no one else has it' but I'm very versatile. I can create your logo, 'style' and single in a week. And then perform on stage for you...
NLS: Describe the musical process of creating a new track.
TS: #1: Drums #2: Melody #3: Sounds #4: Arrangement #5: Vocals #6: Mixing
[Constantly changing everything throughout]. I use a lot of midi instruments now a days so I can literally be anywhere and have a computer with microphone, and that's my studio.
NLS: Tell me your favorite pastime and how it relates to you in a musical sense.
TS: Partying...:) . Skateboarding is always going to be a part of me too.
NLS: What is not divulged in your music/webpage(s) that fans will benefit from knowing about you?
TS: ... Meeting me. I'm nicer in person. I like being 'personal'. The world is very 'impersonal' with technology and texting and stuff. You really don't need to meet anyone to feel like you 'know' them.
NLS: I need an exclusive on an upcoming track from you, or an insider scoop on current/future work. This can include anything from talks with a certain record label, to the title of a currently unreleased single, basically anything really worth its weight in electro news…
TS: Working on a new EP with the group Riot Van. We are not up online or anything yet because we want to release everything when its done. But the first song we will release is called 'If I Could' , a love song for the girls ;)
Spino is an avid Twitter fan, with hysterical one liners that will have you backtracking to find out what the hell he’s talking about. Check out his music on Soundcloud and don’t forget Lost & Jealous Clothing.
Interview by: kaMi: Facebook // Twitter
