Blayze (aka GRGRML)

 Blayze (aka GRGRML) A local uprising

[IF]when did you first start listening to EDM?

[Blayze]I think the first time I ever heard EDM was while watching a fat man shake his belly in the music video of Pendulum - Slam. If this type of music can get a grown ass man to dance around london with his gut out and a tie around his head, it's right down my alley.

[IF]What was your first event as a attendee?

[Blayze]First ever event must of been in Colorado in 07, we had plans to go to a Halloween massive called Hallowfreak'nween, when we got there the Fire Marshall had already called the event at capacity. What else to do but go to some grimey afterhours club in the slums of Denver. Found ourselves at Club 2am, which opens at 2, and closes at 5, and only sells red bull. Apparently a guy by the name of "Zeo" owned the bass speaker, and subsequently wouldn't let me sit on it. I've been hooked ever since.

[IF]Who was your first favorite artist/group?

[Blayze] First CD I owned was Hooray for Boobies by Bloodhound Gang, shortly followed by Afroman - Because I got high. I think those two CDs were my first favorite artists. I think I subconsciously incorporated both of those albums into my life.

[IF]When did you first start producing?

[Blayze]I started producing in the Fall of 09, it was more farting around in Ableton than doing anything productive. I started shadowing some friends whilst they were producing and stole all of their tricks. I've recently been trying to collaborate with various artists including MAJESTRY and a few other local SF producers.

[IF]When did you start DJing?How did you learn?

[Blayze]I bought my first pair of stanton turntables around december with my buddy Ben (http://soundcloud.com/coolfoolsagainstschool) in Denver, went down to the local record store and bought $30 worth of used dollar bin records. We had a collection of different genres more diverse than the line at the DMV, as you can imagine we had no idea what we were doing, and struggled to beatmatch Willie Nelson with Earth Wind & Fire. After deciding my Vinyl collection looked better on my wall I copped some Stanton CDJs and that's where it all started. My at-home setup now consists of two 1000mk3's and a Behringer DDM400.

[IF]First setup and current set up(including comps, software,drum-pads, etc)

[Blayze]I've gone through a lot of hardware that wasn't useful for what I've wanted to do. I bought an MPC1000 because I wanted to be like Dr. Dre, didn't feel right, traded that in for a Kaoss Pad 3, got frustrated as I wanted 2, and then sold that. My current studio consists of Ableton Live, 2 Rokit 5's, 2 Mackie MR5's, an M-Audio 25 Key, an APC40, a Roland SP404 Sampler and my laptop.

[IF]When was your first Gig/Performance?

[Blayze] Besides random house parties and noise complaints, my first 'real' gig was alongside MAJESTRY at Glaskat in SF. It was a great night, although I had to hold my laptop in one hand while playing to make space for the DJ after us to set up.

[IF]Who has been a major influence to your productions?

[Blayze]Where do I start? Umek, Dusty Kid, Harvard Bass, Dubfire, Jan Driver, D.Ramirez, Fake Blood. In no order, those are just the top few on my Beatport 'follow' list. Labels that have influenced me include 1605, Boysnoize records and Toolroom Knights.

[IF]What are your future goals for performances and productions?

[Blayze] My immediate focus is on getting a solid EP released under SubGrounds, and a few compilations with good friends. Performance-wise, I'm focusing on developing my fan base, and booking some wild parties in the city. I have a monthly House and Techno night in the works with the guys at Underground Souls over at Noble on 600 Polk St, every first Friday.

[IF]Do you collaborate with anyone?If so who?

[Blayze]I've been talking to a few producers both in SF and Colorado about collabs, and right now I have a few tracks in the work with MAJESTRY and Candy Cobra. Always up for a little collab if anyone's interested!

[IF]What are your Favorite or preferred performing equipment?(;Turntables(maker)/CDJ's/Drum-pads/Keyboards/Controllers)

[Blayze]I switched from Traktor about 7 months ago and have been using CDJs ever since. I've been in talks with Majestry on a possible iPad + iPhone set with Ableton in the future. Stay tuned!

[IF]What is the biggest event you want to perform at?

[Blayze]It would be a dream to play in Ibiza, or Miami, however I think playing at Red Rocks in Denver would be the most fun I could have playing anywhere. The venue is just ridiculously bad ass, in a valley carved between a mountain of red rock, a crowd that just wiles out whenever they have the chance, and the altitude to get you even more fucked up after the show.

 TRACKS:
  Pluto (Blayzed Remix Teaser) by blayzee 

MIXES:
  Don't Need an Umbrella by blayzee
  Maxi-Padd Minimal Mix by blayzee