SNS: Rod, thanks for your time. Our team over here are big fans and we’re all excited to have the opportunity to ask you some questions. We’d like to know how you would describe your sound and musical taste at this point in time?
Sticky K: My tastes change on a daily basis. One day I might feel like making a stupid ambient track and then next hour I want to make a cross over anthem track it all depends what drugs I took that day.
SNS: It has become pretty clear that electronic music is quickly evolving and especially in the United States, the growing fan base is becoming increasingly more knowledgeable about the genre. Does this change how you go about producing?
Sticky K: The more people in the states become more learned in dance music’s history, the more references you can make as a producer to other styles and genres, so it certainly makes things more fun and interesting. At the same time this is why dance music in the billboard top 100 sucks donkey dick, because people are still amazed by a simple 4 on the floor kick pattern.
SNS: Who do you think are some of the most forward thinking artists out there at the moment and which would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Sticky K: The best producers right now in my opinion are Siriusmo, Hudson Mohawke, Canblaster, Skrillex, James Blake, Danja, The-Dream, Madlib to name just a few.
SNS: What are your favorite record labels right now?
Sticky K: Labels don’t really mean shit to me as far as an actual platform for music to be experienced. However, what’s important is that you sometimes have a certain like minded group of people working within a certain musical context. Like Sound Pellegrino, Club Cheval, Mad Decent etc. Then u have a label like XL that actually works as a platform for people to Adele and Tyler the Creator to penetrate popular culture.
SNS: What were some of your favorite gigs from the past year, where were they, and what made them so special?
Sticky K: I played with Switch in San Francisco in March. That was fun because I finally got to play a show with the man who put out my first record and mentored me.
SNS: Any place in particular you would like to play in the future?
Sticky K: It would be a sweet to play an underground rave in Iran cause that shit will get you arrested.
SNS: Thanks for your input, we’ll be looking out for you in SF, LA, and Phoenix.

We’ve all seen artists who are guilty of jumping on bandwagons and we applaud those who really don’t give a fuck when it comes to playing different styles and aren’t afraid to draw from whatever influences appeal to them. We’re constantly looking for these types of artists, and Manics, the up and coming producers from San Francisco sum up this philosophy perfectly. Musically, Chris and Jordan, come from different backgrounds and this translates into their productions that spans several different genres.

We love the fact that they pride themselves on being ‘manics’ because their music IS all over the place. They hand pick synths and samples and re-arrange them on the go during performances like a live remix. You may be hearing an edited synth or sample that no one would ever think to throw over that banging moombahton track but it sounds so good that the audience doesn’t even notice that it’s not part of the original song.

They know exactly what they’re doing on stage and in the studio they have an even better spontaneous approach. The Manics described themselves as being “up without hesitation” so when they have ideas they get them down and run with it without even knowing where it’s going to end up. Their productions have already caught the attention of one of our favorite labels, Mad Decent, who are known for pushing sonic boundaries.

Things are looking very promising for the Manics, they have already secured a residency at the SF hot spot Temple, and have releases on a remix album by JasWho?.  The Manic’s continue to challenge themselves and are always moving forward musically. Their newest project will incorporate more live sounds as they work towards developing a completely original live set. So yes, think guitars and heavy bass riffs on top of everything we’ve described so far. I think that we can expect to see Manic’s putting San Franacisco on the map big time.  Check out the Manics facebook page too for updates.We’ve included two of our favorite Manics tracks below, a tropical-moombahton banger and a heavy peak time electro remix.

Manics – Tropical Beams

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Let me start off by saying that we aren’t too big on advertising events so when we write about one, we promise it will be worth your time, period. At this point in the game if you haven’t heard of Dillon Francis,  you shouldn’t be playing at all. He’s been one of the hottest producers in Los Angeles for the past year and there’s no doubt that you have heard some of his massive tracks which have been causing seismic waves across dance floors worldwide in all genres dominated by bass.  He has become an icon and pioneer  for moombahton as a genre while still gaining  loads of fans from his dubstep and electro productions and remixes.  Because of this, it comes as no surprise that Mad Decent label boss Diplo made the decision to add him to his exclusive roster of producers. Chances are if you are reading this blog you know exactly who he is so I won’t waste time with any more introduction.

The fact is that our amigos over at Gotta Dance Dirty and Redeye Presents have a new monthly party called Melt (SF people look out for our free tickets to these) and  they have done some serious work to get him up here to Norcal for his San Francisco debut at the Rickshaw Stop. This is sure to be a great party with a full lineup of talented DJs across the board and you know that Dillon Francis will bring the heat since it’s his first time in The City. If you really need another reason to go, Svedka will be holding an open vodka bar from 9-10pm so come early to take advantage of these free drinks. Tickets to the show can be found here.

Even though this Westside EP dates back to March this EP is far from being played out. For those of you who don’t already have it please enjoy some of our favorite moombahton gems including a FIRE remix from Munchi below.

Dillon Francis – Westside (We always have love for the best coast)

Dillon Francis – Que Que (Cant get enough of those Spanish vocals or the chunky beat for that matter)

Dillon Francis – Bangbros (Munchi Remix) (Yes we have a banger!)