Ben Seagren & DJ Kramer are behind the US party brand DISTRIKT that has recently launched their label DISTRIKT SOUND along with Jordan Postrel aka m.O.N.R.O.E. With their first release, Ben and Jordan have come together to produce “Eaze The Pressure” so we caught up with them to find out how they met, and how their process is when they work together…
Hey guys, how are you all, how has your year been?
Ben: This year has been great so far. We just launched a new label called DISTRIKT Sound with DJ Kramer and have been setting up club events for label showcases. Besides that, we’re staying busy making music. Jordan hits the studio for 15 hours a day, while I am working at RedPill in Hollywood virtualizing live DJ performances for the metaverse.
When did you decide to work together on this new single, and why?
Jordan: We met several years ago at Lighting in a Bottle, but really bonded a couple years later at Burning Man, which is where we discussed making a label together. I’m new school and Ben is the OG, so that’s why this release has a vintage, yet modern feel to it.
Were you all together in the studio or was it online?
Jordan: “Eaze The Pressure” we did online, passing it back and forth along with our singer Kyla Millette. We were surprised how fast this one came together, but when all the parts work well with each other it tends to flow faster. We produced “Look Into My Future” at Ben’s studio in LA. First, we wrote the piano lead and drums, then later that day, I went to a recording studio where he linked up with FNP and did all the vocals. After that, I took both tracks back to my studio in Miami, processed everything and they was ready to go.
Who did what, did you each take care of certain stems and aspects of the tune?
Ben: Jordan did all the engineering and wrote the music. I worked on the beats, structure, direction & feedback on the record. The vocals for “Look Into My Future” were written & sung by the duo FNP and “Eaze The Pressure” was Kyla free-styling everything in one take.
Were there any disputes? Any decisions to make that were argued over?
Jordan: Not at all. We were both looking to produce the same style of music, so we wrote about 5-6 ideas before we landed on these two. When you have a few options in front of you the strongest ideas clearly stand out and make the decision easy.
What did you learn about yourselves and each other in the process?
Ben: The main thing we discovered is that we make a great team in the studio. Beyond that, Jordan has become a lot more comfortable working with vocalists and wanted to further that skill. Both Kyla and FNP were the perfect vocalists to work with on this first DISTRIKT Sound release.
What gear did you use, does that matter, did it define the sound?
Jordan: This is a topic I can almost get too deep in, but personally I don’t think it matters what gear you use. As the old producer saying goes, “it’s not in the gear, it’s in the ear.” Anyone who knows me knows I’m a gear/plugin junkie, but that being said I try to restrict myself from not using too many synths/drum machines in one track. As I mentioned before, simplicity is key. I find that I can make something sound pretty damn close to analog with just my laptop and headphones because I know what I am looking to achieve. Of course, when I’m home I do love geeking out in the studio with all my toys.
Both “Eaze The Pressure” and “Look Into My Future” have piano leads (Key Scape I believe, it’s great) with a lot of heavy processing to make it feel like a sample. I used Decimort 2, a light tape wobble FX, some vinyl hiss layered in to give the impression of a sample, and last but not least a simple LP filter with slight LFO modulation. The drums on “Eaze The Pressure” are a chopped up vintage drum break, with some new drum layers to modernize them. For “Look Into My Future,” we used the drums from my sample company “Studio Tan Samples”.
Was there a plan, concept, certain party in mind when you wrote this one?
Jordan: We wanted to merge old school & new school together, so the tracks are vibey, but still hold a dance floor. Our events can range from 500 to 5000 people, depending on the venue, so we have to keep that in mind and not release anything too laid back, because at the end of the day this has to be dance music!
Will you be doing it again together do you think?
Ben: Definitely. And there is a lot in the pipeline for DISTRIKT Sound this year, so stay tuned!
m.O.N.R.O.E. & Ben Seagren “Eaze The Pressure” is out now on DISTRIKT Sound
Grab it here
Follow:
m.O.N.R.O.E. – SoundCloud – Instagram
Ben Seagren – SoundCloud – Instagram