Metronome #116: MSCLS

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.

Hitting play on the new MSCLS mix for Insomniac is like walking into a cool bar and grabbing a drink while you wait for your friend to show up, guide you behind a secret door, and take you downstairs to a dark room that’s basically all bass and strobes. Vocal tracks by the Knocks (featuring Sam Nelson Harris) and Death Ray Shake (featuring Boswell) open the mix before MSCLS plunges us into the deep end of bass-heavy house through underground stompers by Pirupa, Hot Since 82, Pig & Dan with Adam Beyer, Green Velvet with Prok & Fitch, and a handful of new ID cuts by the mixmaster himself.

Originally from Austin, Texas, MSCLS recently signed a deal with Insomniac Records. We caught up with him to discuss the mix, his recent gig at Splash House in Palm Springs, his upcoming gig at EDC Vegas, his pet snake, and his tips for being a good human.

This mix is like stepping into a speakeasy: posh upfront, funky in the back. Was there a theme or vibe you had in mind?
First off, I’d like to say thank you for having me on mix duties. I’m really stoked to be a part of your Metronome series and freaking pumped to play EDC Vegas this coming weekend!

I always like to use records that speak to me and have some depth to them, like statement records. That’s always my goal when I curate mixes, and this one is no different—to make a statement with the records I choose. I like to take listeners for a ride that goes up and down and has a dynamic feel in that sense.

The first two tracks use vocals, and then the mix switches to more of a club feel. What’s the strategy there?
There isn’t a particular strategy in mind when it comes to vocal or non-vocal records. What I like to do generally is start off with a palate cleanser or two of sorts. I can start from there and build a vibe in my own way, and it gives them an auditory reset. It lets them ease into the mix and get comfortable, as opposed to slamming them in the face by opening with a techno heater or a tech house burner. I like to do the same thing with my live sets as well and rebuild the vibe so the crowd and I build our own energy together throughout my sets or mixes. I also like to play longer sets or mixes for this same reason. I don’t like rushing and forcing it; I like for us to take our time getting there and build something from scratch and form the heart with the audience. However, I do know when it’s go time and can definitely come out of the gates swinging when the situation calls for it—and that can be a lot of fun as well!

Which track anchors the whole mix?
I’d say Death Ray Shake “I Beg to Differ” (MSCLS Remix) and Xinobi ft.. Lazarusman “See Me.” The DRS remix is one of those that I mentioned that helps cleanse the palate and set up a vibe for what’s to follow. “See Me” is just an incredible record that I’ve been in love with since the first time I heard it, driving back from Middlelands on the last day at 3 in the morning. I was with David, a friend of mine (who goes by Silky Gold) that I used to DJ with in Austin and did a record with a while back, called “Like This.” We were both extremely tired from the whole weekend and had a pretty long drive to get back and were showing each other new records we really liked to pass the time.

He played that for me, and I was just blown away by it. It’s dark, and the lyrics for the spoken word are pretty creepy. But halfway though it, there’s a key change, and it’s done so well and balances it out in a really amazing way. There’s this duality to it, I feel—kind of dark and ominous with the lyrics. Then you have the music, which is very simple but beautiful, and it just works so well. It’s an amazing song and a work of art. I always like to close with something that people will remember and basically end the mix where I started, so it goes full circle and brings the listener down and gives them a sense of “closure.” It gave me chills the first time I heard it, and I hope it does the same for anyone listening to this mix.

Splash House Party was June 10 in Palm Springs. How’d it go?
I had a really great time—thanks for asking! We brought along a film crew, and my manager flew out from Colorado to come hang, and we all had a great time. I played at the Saguaro hotel on Saturday, and the place was packed out! They did an amazing job with the setup there as well! I was able to play out quite a few new tracks and was stoked on all the positive reactions overall; the crowd was a lot of fun. It was pretty cool seeing everyone that had epic balcony setups and went all out for the fest. Everyone there seemed to be really enjoying themselves. I’d definitely love to be back next year if it’s in the cards!

Tell us about your pet snake.
His name is Severus Snake—sorta like Severus Snape, but obviously way cooler and a lot better looking (no offense, Snape). I got him in November and ordered him from a breeder in Miami. I probably looked at 250+ ball pythons (the breed he is) online and saw a lot of really cool morphs (the different style, color, look, etc.), but as soon as I saw him, I knew he was the one. I ordered him immediately. He’s a “Coral Glow” morph, and he’s incredibly handsome and very laid-back.

His hobbies include: hanging around my neck, curling up around my wrist, climbing up the back of my neck, and slithering into the bottom of my beanie (if I’m wearing one), where he will climb to the top of my head and just chill up there under my beanie until I take him out. He also likes to tag along when I run errands and go for car rides, and he’s very easy-going about it. He recently gained an interest in law and has expressed interest in becoming an injury attorney specializing in car accidents, so me being the supportive dad, I am standing by his decision to pursue courses in the fall. Plus, I think he’s going to make a great lawyer; he is a snake, aft.er all. #Dadjokes

Can you elaborate on this tweet—with which we agree, by the way—“You ever notice how people who are working hard and living their dreams have positive attitudes, support their friends, & help others?”
Of course. There’s a second part to this tweet as well that helps put it into perspective—“You ever notice how the only people talking shit and hate on others for doing them, are the people not doing a single damn thing…?”—which correlates to the tweet you guys mentioned. Honestly, all the people I see making negative status updates, comments, tweets, etc. are the ones who are talking down on others constantly, always have something negative to say about everything, feels the need to let everyone know how much everything sucks, and never takes the time to support anyone else or lend a hand to someone in need. It’s like the age-old “Law of Attraction,” and I believe in that. If you put out positivity into the universe and to those you surround yourself with, it will be given back to you. Positive attracts positive, and negative attracts negative—it’s that simple, really. Work hard, spread love, be a good human.

You recently signed a deal with Insomniac Records. What can you tell us about that and any upcoming releases?
I’m very, very stoked to be working with them! The guys have all been really incredible to work with. There’s a family vibe with them I have only gotten from a few of the labels that I’ve worked with, and I really like that about them. They’re all easy to get ahold of whenever I have a question, and have come out to support my shows and are just cool to hang out with—which, for me, is important with working relationships.

I don’t want to say a whole lot yet, because I want some things to be surprises. We’re working on some cool stuff for the rollout of the records, and I’m planning on getting a music video for one of them, too. I can say that it’s going to feature some more vocal records, which I’m very proud of. This is just the beginning of what I feel will be a long-lasting relationship that will lead to some great releases, since they understand what I’m wanting to do with my music and are letting me do it. There’s a couple of the records in this mix toward the end you can hear and get a taste of, but until they’re out, you’re just gonna have to keep your eyes and ears peeled for the release date(s)! If you’re at EDC Vegas, be sure to find me on the Boombox art car Sunday night during the midnight parade, and rinse out with yours truly.

Track List:: The Knocks ft. Sam Nelson Harris “HEAT” (Toyboy & Robin Remix)
Death Ray Shake ft. Boswell “I Beg to Differ” (MSCLS Remix)
Pirupa “Bless the Rain”
Hot Since 82 “Evolve or Die” (Matthias Tanzmann Remix)
Secret Cinema, Reinier Zonneveld “Extreem”
Pig & Dan, Adam Beyer “We Are E”
Groove Armada “Tune 101”
Holt 88 “Thus Stori”
Spuri, Alex Stein “Cruise Control”
Green Velvet, Prok & Fitch “Sheeple”
Cirez D “Teaser”
MSCLS – ID
Disciples “On My Mind” (Unorthodox Remix)
MSCLS – ID
MSCLS ft. DMG$ “Critical Error”
MSCLS – ID
Xinobi ft. Lazarusman “See Me”