After more than ten years of global touring, seven solo albums on labels such as Pretty Lights Music, Old Tacoma Records, Hefty, 1320, and Mush, Eliot Lipp‘s status as an electronic music pioneer is known to scene experts and weekend warriors alike.
After more than ten years of global touring, seven solo albums on labels such as Pretty Lights Music, Old Tacoma Records, Hefty, 1320, and Mush, Eliot Lipp‘s status as an electronic music pioneer is known to scene experts and weekend warriors alike.
Named one of Vibe Magazine’s top 10 fastest rising DJs (Summer 2013), Vibe says, “Eliot Lipp is making moves! Signed to Pretty Lights Music, Lipp’s omnivorous taste in music expands to include everything from electro to funk to indie to downtempo and trap.” Lipp’s music tastefully spans genres, styles and techniques.
Musically, Lipp is taking chances that are paying off in big ways. In a recent interview with Jay Z’s blog Life+Times, Lipp commented that “People are scared to set themselves apart from the norm, but risks need to be taken in order to progress.” Perhaps this is what sets Lipp apart from the rest. He is a risk taker, not afraid to do something a little different.
RVA Mag’s John Reinhold caught up with Lipp ahead of his May 1st show at the Canal Club. Check out this short interview below, and enter for a chance to win tickets to the May 1st show in the widget after the interview.
What was your first introduction to electronic music?
Around 1999/2000 I heard Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher and Prefuse 73. I was already making hip hop beats so this stuff just blew my mind at the time.
Are there any artists that you feel inspire your sound?
All those I just named, and about 1000 others. I must say DJ Shadow was pretty huge early on for me as well. Lately I’ve been pretty excited about cats like Thundercat, Bonobo, and Hudson Mohawke.
Your sets are largely made by creating loops, then chopping and playing live, right?
I’m controlling Ableton with a Livid slim RGB midi controller. That way I’m playing drum samples and effects live along with 4 channels of loops to create live remixes of my tracks. I also play an analog synth in my set as well, for bass lines & leads.
What has changed for you the most since first starting out?
There’s about 200,000 more DJ/Producers now than there were in ’03.
Your sound is unique to me, as you really play all kinds of genres. Do you feel you fit into any one in particular?
I always say Electro. The term has varied quite a bit through the years, but I think it’s vague enough that I can call all my stuff Electro. Sometimes I make hip hop, sometimes house. It depends on my mood, really.
What else are you into besides playing live? Any other hobbies?
I’ve been out in the northwest for a year or so and I love hiking and biking out here. I like painting too.
2 tix to Elliot Lipp at Canal Club
PLEASE NOTE: All prizes are non-transferable. Winners will be announced on RVA Magazine’s twitter and facebook pages. Winners will receive confirmation emails.
