#604Spotlight: Parallel Mindz
One of our goals at Electric Love is to provide opportunities for local artists to showcase and share their work with the community. We think local talent is important, so we reached out to some Electric Love performers who live in the 604 area code for our #604Spotlight series. For our final installment we put the spotlight on Bass Music Duo Parallel Mindz.
Parallel Mindz is a Cloverdale based duo composed of DJ Wyatt and Obe G. Coming from different backgrounds and influences, their sound comes together in a smorgasbord of soulful bass music when they perform. Featuring soulful vocals from Obe and turntablism from DJ Wyatt they take you on a rollercoaster of bpms with genres such as DnB, Breaks, Trap, Speed Garage, and Bass House. Catch these two lay it down and turn up the heat on Friday at 6 pm at the Arcade Stage.
How long have you been performing? Did you start producing before or after you started performing? Do you think this impacted your outlook towards creating music? If so, why?
W- I bought my first set of decks and started spinning records back in 99. I played my first show in Vancouver in 01. I tried to get into producing without a lot of success up until about a year ago when me and Obe hooked up and started Parallel Mindz.
O- I have been a performer for about 15 years now. Started out playing worship music at church, then started rapping with the HouseWreckerz back in 2008. This past year I started a production group with DJ Wyatt, called Parallel Mindz, as a result of both of our similar experiences in music.
What Gear & Software do you use while performing?
W- cdj 2000's, pioneer djm 900, and a Technics 1200 turntable for scratching on vinyl.
O- Mic, Guitar, Maschine drum pad.
What about when you produce or compose? Could you give us a little bit of insight into your process?
O- I always start off with building a chord progression. Once I have my melody I begin the process of adding bass, pads, and whatever else I intend on doing in my creation. But for the most part, I always start off making a melody!
Most people have one or two iconic moments that inspires one to follow along their musical path. Have you had such an experience? Please elaborate a bit if possible...
W- I've always been a superfan of hip hop and DJs. I went to my first party back in 99. Had the best time of my life. Saw DJs playing the coolest music ever on the same turntables I always looked up to in hip hop. That was the day I decided I was going to go buy myself a set of decks and learn to play.
What are the top 3 genres that you feel have helped shape your sound?
W- Hip-hop, DnB, Speed garage
O- Hip-Hop, Dnb & Gospel
What are your 3 favorite artists that don't sound like you at all but have still have had a significant impact on you?
W - Beastie Boys, Rage against the machine, Notorious B.I.G
O- G easy, Linkin Park, Andy Mineo
Do you have any sort of pre-performance routine to prepare yourself? Could you tell us a little bit about it?
W-Not really, I just make sure to show up prepared to kill it!
O- I always just play my set on repeat for 2 weeks before I perform lol.
What are your three favorite up and comers in your local community? What in particular do you like about what they are doing with their music?
W - Gold Bullets - Making super slick bass house. Galactic hobos -I'm Loving their new release fan flip right nowPalletz -Banging out solid breaks
O- Gold Bullets, Lil Windex...JK, Galatic Hobos, Palletz
What is best and/or most memorable performance you have had before?
W- It has to be the first time playing on a PK rig. I always make sure to get a few pictures with that logo in the shot. Playing on pk sound is awesome :)
O- I remember playing a trap set with Ben Chemical in Duncan about 8 years ago. We had the whole place jumping and crashing the stage the whole set. One of my best sets ever!!!
What is the best way for fans to engage with and keep up with you? Is there a specific social network in which you are more active or are you easier to interact with through more traditional means like E-mail or at a show?
W- our Facebook @parallelmindz is the best way to get in touch with us id say.
What excites you the most about playing or going to electric love this year?
W- I am most excited to play on the same stage as Planet of the Drums. Ak1200 was my all time favoritednb producers since way back. Ak 1200 - drowning, is the track that got me into dnb. The elf crew did a super sick job with the lineup this year, so many wicked acts. It's hard to pick any one, there's so many I won't miss. Also, Vekked & Featurecast are all must see for me.
O- Super excited to be playing along side so many amazing artists. I am excited to be a part of the team, working harm reduction, as well as helping setup.
Anything else you would like to let us know about?
W- Be sure to hit us up on Facebook @ParallelMindz, we are always posting live jam sessions and all kinds of new content.