Metronome #141: Protohype

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

The heavy-hitter known as Protohype continues to crush his way to center stage worldwide with an untouchable, bass-driven sound that’s all his own. Having come up in the dirty South (aka Nashville) and drawing on his love of hip-hop, drum & bass and dubstep, the young-blood has been kicking out

chest-thumping, rib-rattling beats that have not only found homes on imprints ranging from SMOG to Firepower, but have also earned him a rabid fan base that spans the globe.

With an impressive work ethic and discography of original tunes stretching into triple digits, the fearless leader of the #puppycrew movement is on a mission: to continuously refine his sound and speak to the masses on a deeper level—all while showing love to no-kill animal shelters and encouraging his fans to do the same.

With Protohype’s head-banging Nimbus EP roaring out of the gates on Firepower, we thought we’d touch down with the man to take a look back on how his early love of a diverse range of music, as well as a fierce streak of rebelliousness, manifest in his current output and provide fuel for his ongoing takeover of the bass music scene. Once you’ve strapped yourself in, check the in-depth Q&A with the bad man himself, followed by an explosive Metronome mix sure to kick-start your weekend in inimitable style.

Talk a bit about growing up and the kind of music you remember hearing your parents and older family members listening to. Was there anyone musical in your family?
There was music everywhere throughout my household. We would play “name that tune” on the way to school, where the first person to recognize the song wins. My brother is an amazing musician; he played the saxophone in high school. My parents were big rock fans—mostly groups like the Beatles and Queen. That’s probably why I love both of those groups so much to this day! I’ve known music was going to be my path since I was a very young boy.

At what point did you start to develop your own taste in music, and what were some of the early tunes, genres, labels, etc. that you remember getting down with?
I got into hip-hop/Southern rap really before anything else. That’s just what everyone listened to, growing up in Nashville. Once I moved from guitar and drums to mixing, engineering, and all other types of computer music, I drew my inspiration from hip-hop. It wasn’t until college that I started making electronic music. I remember first learning to drive and listening to Young Buck, Lil’ Wayne, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Three 6 Mafia. If it wasn’t coming out of my city or one close by, I wasn’t down.

Did you play an instrument growing up?
I played guitar and drums growing up. I was okay at the drums, but I was much better at guitar. Then, I kind of just dropped it all one day to help my friends record in my basement. I think once I started making beats for real and diving into the recording part of the game, I realized this was what mattered to me most.

Which was first: DJing or production?
Production. I started making original music when I was about 14. It wasn’t until I went to college and started the Protohype project that I even considered being a DJ. I’m really glad it went that way, instead of the other way around. When I would DJ, I would play all-original sets. I didn’t really get it, but I had so much music, I figured that’d be the coolest way to go about it. The first 30 Protohype shows were all-original sets.

What we love about your style, and this latest EP in particular, is the way your love for hip-hop, dubstep, and drum & bass all find a way to surface in your output. Even with this wide range of musical influences, how did the Protohype sound develop into something all its own?
I think the best way to be a great producer is to take risks and to try making new types of music. Even though not everyone in the States gets the D&B stuff, it’s almost like collecting data like a scientist—finding out what works, what doesn’t work. What doesn’t work is just as important, if not more important, than the tunes that are well [received].

The Protohype sound has definitely been shaped by my desire to never be a niche producer. I’ve always wanted to be able to make the music I want to make without feeling pressured by fans to make a specific type of music. I like bass music. I like rap. I like house music. I like D&B. Producers should be able to make whatever they want without being so harshly criticized by the people who should be supporting them the most. I guess all these different accounts of trial and error, and a specific style of musicality, have led me to the sound I’m known for today.

For someone who has never been exposed to that Protohype sound, what should they be expecting when they dip in to this smoking Metronome mix you’ve offered up for us?
I probably would listen to it at the gym as a first listen, or when you’re driving. I love to bring high energy consistently throughout my DJ sets—peak-hour stuff. If you’re a fan of big bass and turning up, you’ll be into the mix. It’s a collection of all-original tunes meant to get you crunk.

Before we jump into the mix, let us know what else you’ve got your sights on in the New Year and what kind of projects we should be looking out for.
I’m taking life one day at a time, trying to make the most out of each morning and each day. In this world, we have no clue what’s going to happen tomorrow… so I’m just focusing on being the best person I can be every single day and hoping that leads to some big moves in the near and distant future. Festivals will be sick. Back on the road now and loving it. Things are going better now—almost 10 years into Protohype—than they ever have before. Just going to keep pushing and staying healthy. Thanks to everyone for supporting me. I’d be nothing without you guys. Puppycrew for life!

Protohype Metronome Mix Track List:: Protohype “Threats”
Protohype “Threats” (Shlump Remix)
Protohype & Cosma - ID
Protohype “Knuckles”
Marshmello ft. Selena Gomez “Wolves” (Protohype Remix)
Protohype - ID
Protohype “Power Up!”
Breathe Carolina “Echo (Let Go)” (Protohype & the Arcturians Remix)
Protohype “Black Out”
Protohype “Downfall”
Protohype & Bleep Bloop “Holdin’ Heat”
Protohype & Dabow “Hatin’ on Me”
Protohype ft. the Arcturians “Made It Home”
Protohype “Bring It Back”
Datsik “Nuke ‘Em” (Protohype Remix)
Protohype “Jelly Roll”
Protohype & Dack Janiels “Savage”
Protohype & Goldplate “Yup”
Protohype “Say My Name” (Bassnectar Edit)