One of the best things about that I love about music is that it transcends over all boundaries, creating bridges between individuals with different backgrounds and nationalities; a good example of this transcending is musical cross genre work and collaboration. This is the definition of the legendary Sandra Collins’ new release, the Nineteen Birds EP. One of the notable cross genre works on this album is a classic but sparkling new liquid drum and bass remix by Nvrsoft.
I like to think of genre cross collaborations like food pairings. Some are meant to be together, like chocolate and peanut butter, but some are never meant to be, like tuna and ice cream. There are some that you would never imagine would be delicious, like cheddar cheese with apples or pizza and pineapples.
Over the years, drum and bass has encompassed many sounds, with sub-genres incorporating jazz, soul, hip-hop, and even other EDM styles like trance. Drum and bass clocks in at 160-180 bpm emphasizing more on the drum line that gives drum and bass its own name. House music has a bpm at approximately 128, it is also one of the only genres that has very few rules, and experimentation with sound is welcome. Collaborating house with drum and bass is like that food combination that is unexpectedly delicious.
The EP Nineteen Birds is written by artists Sandra Collins and Micke. Both are successful in the industry and believe in crossing genre boundaries and breaking music barriers. The Sunlight Remix by Nvrsoft is a beautiful and melodic drum and bass tune that compliments and flows nicely with the original.
I appreciate that this EP stands for the blending of music to create a more totality of togetherness. I caught up with each of these artists to learn a bit more about them and their EP coming out on July 23rd.
Hi Micke and Sandra, thank you for talking with us; please introduce yourselves and Sandra please touch on any female experience in the music industry.
Sandra: “My answer might not be the most exciting here as I’ve never focused on the gender aspect. The house scene started off with a 60’s type feel, in that freedom and equality were big statements and celebrated. Perhaps that made it easier? Overall, I’ve had great experiences in this world though I do tend to walk away from positions that aren’t in alignment with who I aspire to be, or that sacrifice my personal integrity. I think those qualities are key to anyones personal success!”
Micke: “I came up as a DJ in Washington, D.C., beginning in the late ‘90s. Much of my development as an artist came from my time at Yoshitoshi Records & from my residency at Scott Henry’s legendary party, “Buzz”. Sandra and I first met in ’00, when I was designated to be her opening DJ. That evening, we ripped the roof off the place. The night was so good that from that day forward, whenever she came to town to play, I would open. Since then, I have learned a great deal from Sandra and we have created an excellent music collaboration together!”
Hi Kat, it’s really good to catch up with you; can you share a little bit about your female experience in the drum and bass scene?
“I’m just a 24-year-old trying to make music. I’ve been producing for around 11 months now, and DJing for 6 years or so. I mostly produce drum and bass, but I make a lot of other kinds of music too, so I’ve been playing outside of my norm lately, which is great. Being a woman trying to do this is hard, I can’t paint it any other way. Being a woman gets you noticed more quickly, which is a plus, but everything else that comes with that isn’t the easiest. I’ve gone through a lot of tough experiences already, and my music career is still so young. I don’t like that I have to be conscious of my gender, but it affects a lot of things, namely, how my peers treat me, how fans see me, what opportunities I get, how I have to handle my image. Some people choose to deal with it by ignoring it, but it’s something I feel I have to be conscious about. Finding Dnb Girls was amazing for me– having a female community by my side is empowering and relieving. Having other girls to talk to isn’t the most common, so I feel privileged to have them by my side. The most special thing about being a girl is the way I can relate to fans, girls in the crowd especially seem to be empowered and comforted by seeing a woman on stage doing their thing, and that’s so special to me. I’m proud that I connect with a lot of women”.
Can you tell us about your new EP Nineteen Birds and the inspiration behind it?
Sandra & Micke: “Nineteen Birds” — “Without going into too much detail, this track was inspired by some unfortunate events that were taking place at the time, a true example of how music can heal and why we’ve stuck by it for so long”.
Kat, what were your goals and inspiration for remixing Nineteen Birds?
“I wanted to make a tune that was beautiful and clean. I actually finished it really fast– less than 12 hours start to finish. Sometimes you doubt your work when it happens so quickly, but everything really fell into place with this one, so I just went with it. I wanted it to have the same emotional appeal that the original did, but I also wanted to go in my own direction. A good remix totes the line between feeling familiar and having its own identity, so I really tried to do that”
Why did multi-genre work appeal to the both of you for the EP and what did you look for in a remix?Sandra: “I don’t see borders when it comes to music, or anywhere really. I feel there’s always room for a piece of well made art and Kat has certainly provided that!”
Micke: “I am a huge supporter of music that can cross genres as long as it makes sense. Sometimes artists try too hard to force a remix, which typically takes the heart out of the original track. In this case, we knew that the other remixers for this EP were going to do the track justice. However, we also wanted to see what else was possible. So, we called up Kat and asked her if she would give it a go. Twelve hours later, we were sold”
Kat, why do you think cross genre remix and collaborations are important; have you done any in the past?
“I have never had the chance to do cross-genre work outside of my own work before, so when they asked me to take a stab at a remix I was thrilled. I think there’s a lot of common ground between house and drum and bass, so that was really exciting to explore. I think artists are really eager to explore and work with other genres, but labels maybe aren’t as keen on work that’s outside of their “sound,” which is entirely understandable, but it makes you feel a bit limited. The reaction I got from Stripped floored me, I honestly expected a ‘well we like the track, but we aren’t sure it’ll fit for the label’ bur instead they took it for the EP without hesitation. I was really impressed by that open-mindedness, and feel incredibly lucky for the opportunity”
Micke, what led you to ask Kat (Nvrsoft) to work with you on this project/song?
“Kat is an old friend of mine. I introduced her to Sandra last year. Over the past three or four months, Kat’s talents have really begun to shine. We decided to give her a chance to remix our music. What she turned in compliments the entire EP. We are looking for big things to come from “Miss Kat Attack” aka Nvrsoft”
Kat, where do you see the drum and bass music evolving to and what are you hopes for this genre?
“Drum and bass is like half staying the same and half moving into another dimension.. There’s so much variety in drum and bass, and that’s something that I hope never changes. If you want traditional sounds, you’ve got it. If you want experimental sounds that can barely be classified, you’ve got it. I think house music is one of the only other genres that is similar in that way, and it’s a huge strength to have”
Our viewers love to know a bit more about the person behind the music, can you share something that you like to do, that maybe people would not know about you?
Kat: “I do this because I want to make music that makes people feel the way that music makes me feel. Music is a really personal thing for me, it keeps me alive, it helps me process the things in my head and my life, and is my way of expressing who I am. I want people to remember that music is a raw expression of a person. An artist is essentially choosing to put their whole selves out there for the world to reject, love, or feel indifferent about. Not a lot of people can handle that kind of vulnerability, and I think it gets forgotten a bit. I want people to know that I don’t want to be the best. I don’t want everyone to like me or my music. I’m okay with being imperfect, and making music that isn’t perfect. My goals are to grow constantly, make the best music I can, where I am, to connect with as much of the world as possible, and to help others grow.The most important and special thing about music is that there’s room for everyone– music is infinite in that way, and we should be embracing that.
Sandra: “All things energy, whether internal or external, and the effects they have on the collective and overall vibration of the planet. Astrology, both western and eastern, numerology, human design, psychology, meditation”.
Micke: “Aviation. My focus in college was aeronautical science, which is a fancy way to say “pilot”. I currently hold a commercial single engine / multi engine license with an instrument rating, of which I continue to maintain. In addition, I am a certificated flight instructor. (No, Sandra has not flown with me yet).”
It was great to learn more about these unique artists and get a glimpse into the world that they are creating, one that I believe will center more on love, acceptance and beautiful melodies.
We have exclusive Soundcloud teasers for the original and Nvrsoft’s Sunshine remix, the Nineteen Birds EP can be found exclusively on Beatport starting June 23rd.
