US producer Shaded makes a highly anticipated return to Tiga’s Turbo Recordings this month with a roaring two track EP titled ‘My Stimuli’. We’re very excited to present an exclusive sliver from the release in the form of a full premiere of the title track.
We also caught up with the globe-trotting music producer to discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on artists, his approach to surviving on the road and much more. It’s all below!
WWD: We heard you travelled 40,000 miles this month, amidst the coronavirus outbreak. How has that affected your travel? Have you had any gigs cancelled?
Yeah, so it has been a hectic month on road. Probably the most air travel I have put it on the road ever actually within such a short period. Amidst the Corona Virus it honestly feels the same, just the extra added on Temperature checks when you are clearing customs. I hit Singapore and Thailand, travelling via San Francisco, and more people had masks on in SFO than in Asia, which was weird. It was a bit rattling though, as I was just in Chile, and some tourists got quarantined for having high fevers. So if you’re a touring DJ you could possibly miss shows if your temperature reading pops to high. Had some shows almost cancelled, but all in all its been business as usual with none of my shows being affected. Now I am in Europe and the alert seems to be growing here. But it is crazy, as all the airports have been strangely empty, and kinda amazing. Flight prices are mad cheap and people are wearing masks more so chances of sitting next to people with bad breath are declining rapidly.
WWD: What do you do to stay sane during travel days on the road? So much of your time is spent sitting down or waiting in line for something, perhaps without access to wifi – how do you like to pass the time? Do you try to stay productive or more relaxed?
Yes. Travel days are the definition of stress, but chill, all at the same time. Unless you have done it, like full tour mode, you can’t understand. It’s this weird combination of not being entirely in control, ever. Lots of sitting around, relying on other people, waiting in lines, meeting new people, getting in strangers cars, sitting in traffic, finding new ways to not check in your overweight carry on, looking for half-decent food and trying to take mini naps. And as this is going on, you are coordinating the next night’s logistics, updating social media, on emails for last-minute changes while usually being on minimum to no sleep at all and possibly hungover because you were an idiot and drank too much the night before. It’s like a time warp. Your day just “happens” and then you are at another show. The only productive things I get done on the road are emails and social media things. Other than that I just cook on my iPad with the shows I download because wifi is a constant issue and data doesn’t always work well. Or I listen to books via audible, which I find to be the most relaxing. Whatever you do just don’t stress because control is an illusion whilst on the road!
WWD: How do you navigate airport food options? Do you eat whatever you crave in the moment or try to keep it healthy & balanced, even though what’s on offer is likely almost all junk?
Recently I stopped eating on airplanes. I always feel more shit if I eat airplane food. Plus I heard your digestive system does not work proper at 35,000 feet up, but who knows. All I know is airplane food sucks. Now I buy like travel snacks everywhere I fly, just to keep my brain firing, or I will just straight up fast. On layovers, I always google the airports to find the best places. Airport food is always way too expensive anyway, so I figure I might as well just eat at the best place. I’m already getting ripped off, so I may as well just go all in. But when there is literally no good options, I opt for just water and KIND bars. Unless you’re in Italy. Italy has good airport food hahaha. I will go early just to eat pizza at the airport.
WWD: What are your top 3 travel items you cannot do without? For the sake of this let’s say your smartphone and passport are a given.
iPad for sure, it is a must for me. Especially now with some airlines ditching TVs, it’s a necessity on long hauls. Audible, the app on the phone, which allows me to download books. This one’s essential. Lastly is my sweater and neck pillow. Airplanes are uncomfortable and cold, so staying warm and keeping my neck in order are top priorities these days. Health is wealth so I gotta keep the rig in order no matter how much Jack Daniels I took to the dome at last nights party.
WWD: Do you ever try to write music on the road?
Never. I just can’t, it always turns out like shit. And I have long arms, so it is super uncomfortable trying to use a laptop for anything, especially when flying economy. I can barely fit in the seats. I use airplanes as a chance to disconnect. I never use wifi on planes. I just watch movies, sleep as much as possible, and take embarrassing photos of people with bad airplane etiquette and put them on my Instagram storie
Stream/Download – Shaded – My Stimuli EP here: https://turborec.lnk.to/MyStimuli