NYC-based producer Child Of creates melodic house and techno with real sonic character, influenced by his myriad musical passions. After touring the world in some hugely influential bands as a young, (formerly) straight-edge guitarist from Long Island, he gradually shifted his love from mosh pits to dancefloors and Child Of was born. Infused with a sense of real, raw emotion: music that seeks to explore the idea that, ultimately, we’re all children of the same life source.

One of the artists invited to remix a track from Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s final album, Child Of’s remix of Life In An Experiment is a nine-minute electronic epic. Commencing with crisp, delicate breakbeats which are soon joined by Perry’s inimitable vocal and increasing intense synthlines and melodies, by its final third it has evolved into a stone-cold techno thumper without sacrificing any of the emotion or atmosphere it so patiently built.

WWD: Thanks for talking to us – how’s 2023 treating you so far?

And thank you for talking to me! Honestly, 2023 has already felt like I’ve quantum jumped about 2023 universes. In the best way possible. I’m right where I need to be 🙂

WWD: What are your earliest memories of music?

When I used to go this summer pool club in queens NY at 4 or 5 years old. There was a house band that would play covers and my favorite song they played was Human League “Don’t You Want Me”. When they played that song (which was every visit.. sometimes multiple times a day) I would run out and dance and sing and a circle would form around me.

WWD: How would you describe your music style, and who are some of the artists that you draw inspiration from?

At it’s core I’d say my music is a mix of melodic and organic house / techno but at MY core (when my core was forming) I got my musical earth school in the New York and Long Island Hardcore (an evolution of punk) scenes. I think all the music I make in it’s essence comes from this place. Also it’s influenced by my over active mind and my efforts to try and quell it.

A recent inspiration was actually when I was in Bogota Colombia a few months ago. I went a place called Club Kaputt. It might have been my favorite club I have ever been to. If there is such thing as a “conscious club” this was it. You could feel the absolute presence from everybody in there. You know the feeling of when you melt into a record that blows your mind with a friend or lover or someone who “gets you”? Just completely merging into a shared wavelength with another human being. This was a whole venue of that. Everyone simultaneously melting. Moderna closed the night with an absolutely gorgeous set and I remember walking outside with the chills just feeling so inspired and alive. Just buzzing thinking about all the new music I was going to create.

WWD: What were the first records you can remember being into, the ones that really made an impression on you?

The absolute first records i remember being into were in my parents vinyl collection. I remember specifically the Beatles White album I played as a tiny boy until it wouldn’t play correctly anymore. I think Michael Jackson – Thriller was when it all clicked for me that I was going to make music my life. Then came my metal, hardcore and new wave phases. A record from each are Faith No More – Angel Dust, Bad Brains – I Against I, and Talking Heads – Speaking In Tongues respectively. I can go on and on and on through each musical phase and sub phase and sub phase of each (i’ve seriously had them all) but you said what were some of the “first” records I remember making an impression so I will leave it here 😉

WWD: How did you become involved in the Remix the Universe project?

I actually got a call from an old friend Eric Breightenbach who is the drummer of New Age Doom. He was like yooooo you will never believe this but we made a record with Lee “Scratch” Perry. He asked if I wanted to do a remix and my mind exploded. It wound being his last ever recording and it is truly one of the greatest privledges, honors (every other word to describe deep gratitiude) of my life to be a part of this!

WWD: Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is an iconic artist with an incredibly recognisable voice – was is daunting to be asked to put your own spin on one of his records?

Yes! It was definitely daunting. Luckily it was not a super rushed and tight deadline because I changed it about 15 times I think. There must be 4 other remixes if go back to older versions of this haha. I called in my buddy Kyle Patrick who is a vocal production mastermind on the last round – the version that became the final – to give the vocals the imperial pampering (as Lee’s Vocals deserved nothing less all the stops pulled).

WWD: It’s a truly epic remix – did you always intend to go big with this one?

Thank you! I think I kind of knew in the back of my head that it had to be a big one. Or at least I think I just wanted to make a track that fit Lee’s larger than life energy. I very much appreciate you saying that I even hit the mark in any capacity!

WWD: Were there any specific bits of kit that were integral when producing the remix?

The Moog Subsequent 37 and The Waldorf Streichfett String Synthesizer. Also my Seafoam Green Jazzmaster guitar… I like to always put some kind of guitar on my tracks even if it’s just string noise or a pick scrape

WWD: When you’re not working on your music, how do you like to spend your time?

I’m very into meditation and breathwork specifcally. I am fascinated with and like study/absorb knowledge on all things related to the breath.. How you can send reverse messages to your own nervous system to control processes in your body that otherwise run on “automatic” or “auto pilot”. I am acutally a rebirthing breathwork practicioner and I guide people through breath “journeys” that can connect you to your sub- conscious mind. It is surprisingly parallel to a psychedelic journey for some people. So yeah I guess in my free time I like to breathe!

WWD: What else do you have coming up in 2023 that we should be looking out for?

Shows, parties, releases, shows, parties, releases, shows, parties, releases, shows, parties, releases…

Child Of: SoundCloud // Facebook