Crack

Last year Crack was lucky enough to witness the mighty MF Doom live at the Roundhouse and considering the anticipation we’d built up in our heads and the quality of the resulting performance, we didn’t think there was much else that could have topped it that night.

We then stumbled into a side room and saw a kid with more energy behind the turntables then the whole crowd had for Doom. The obvious thought passed through our brains; ‘who is this kid and where is his energy coming from?’ That kid was 22 year-old Lunice….

For those who haven’t witnessed Lunice perform, it’s pretty special to watch. The idea of standing onstage looking ‘cool’ evidently doesn’t cross his mind as he spends much of his time DJ’ing in a perpetual state of movement. He gets involved in full dance routines between mixes, often coming forward to party with the crowd. You get the impression he gets the same buzz from outwardly dancing to records he’s completely familiar with as he did when he first heard them. The good news is he carries this energy through into his productions.

He explains: “I make music because never in my life did I feel such a rush and a good feeling from when I completed my first beat.”

Several videos of Lunice creating dance routines to the likes San Francisco’s Lazersword crew have become popular on YouTube with over 200,0000 views of Lazersword’s Gucci Sweatshirt alone. The concept of being a DJ didn’t cross his mind until he tried his hand at production as he was too wrapped up in the sounds of other people.

He explains: “What’s crazy is I never intended to be a DJ, but I guess you naturally fall into that kind of stuff after a while because when you’re producing your own material, you come to a point where you need to figure out the best way of showcasing your music to the people.”

Lunice certainly knows how to showcase. Some would find a DJ creating a whole dance routine behind and in front of the decks a bit distracting and a mini performance in between mixes a little pretentious, but it adds to his individual style. It is an endearing trait from a DJ who has just as much an interest in his records making him want to dance, as the crowd. It’s a unique twist on performance that has definitely got him some much-deserved attention. A quick search on the internet heralds a number of clips with Lunice frenetically break-dancing and even diving into the audience. It’s hard not to get caught up with this kind of energy.

“I try to push myself as a ‘live artist’ performing on stage much more than a conventional DJ. It’s important to have good stage presence because that energy goes directly into the crowd and the crowd replies with that same energy.” Although the routine is a conscious decision, it’s not a novelty act as he takes the music very seriously: “I don’t do requests”, he says affirmatively.

His individuality is also very much apparent in the make-up of his music. He has a distinctive style that relies on short sharp vocal samples, aggressive snares and high-pitched synths. Piecing this together in your head may make it sound like a complete disaster, but the result is a futuristic sound, which at the same harnesses all the best attributes of 90’s rap and electronic music. He name-checks producers such as 9th Wonder and Madlib as influences while he was growing up, with more mainstream producers like Bangladesh (producer of Lil Wayne’s A Milli), The Dream and Timbaland having much more an influence of late.

Initially his remix EP series, Lazermix, reworked the likes of Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Rick Ross and Aaliyah, with a very Timbaland-heavy sound present in the production. His remix of Nicole Scherzinger’s Whatever You Like is particularly infectious, and was the one record that really caught our attention when we first heard a great mix he did for DazedDigital. This track pretty much sums up Lunice’s formula: it’s distinctive, bass driven, synth heavy and ultimately a very simple re-working of a very mainstream record. Fast-forward a number of months and Lunice had clearly developed his sound a lot further, contributing full length mixes for the likes of FACT magazine and, notably, Lookout magazine. He feels these efforts reflect him a lot more as an artist at this current stage of his career.

“This recent mix I’ve made for Lookout Magazine if feel really reflects the phase and rhythm I’m into right now.”

Although not exactly a location one would associate with this kind of music, Lunice is proud of his upbringing in Montreal and the fact that he’s one of many artists, DJ’s and producers that make up a whole host of Canadian talent (not including Drake or Justin Bieber).

“There are singers and producers I’ve met throughout my musical ventures in Montreal that have such insane talent, style and originality. It all depends on how the team behind them will push a particular artist”.

The momentum Lunice has built doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. His first solo record, The Stacker Upper EP, was recently released and he partnered with Diplo on Mad Decent to remix Deerhunter’s Helicopter, which has been championed by the likes of The Fader and Pitchfork.

Hip-hop is at the foundation of Lunice’s music, but his style and attitude towards remixing has changed as part of the plan to create the solidified Lunice sound, as he explains: “What I do nowadays is get inspired from any genre that catches my ear, then I get fully into that genre in order to explore it. I then bring the groove and rhythm I’ve learnt from that genre right back to a rap/hip-hop instrumental concept. I think that’s how my sound differs from others. My whole thing to make a listener say, ‘that’s a Lunice beat’, is still blurry, but it’s starting to piece itself together.”

That ‘whole thing’ Lunice refers to is something he is very close to achieving - if he hasn’t already. Records like Purp Walk and his remix of MeGusta’s Mega Drive, are perfect examples of this sound he’s outlined and what makes him such an intriguing artist.

His future as a notable producer for other artists is also well underway. The list of rappers he’s already working with includes Chiddy (of Chiddy Bang), Lil’ B and mixtape king - Wiz Khalifa, yet he plans to establish himself a lot more before jumping in at the deep end, instead choosing to work with artists who can relate to his style and appreciate his work, instead of megastars.

“I decided to become more of a ‘forefront’ producer, representing myself as an artist until I’ve built a good enough discography of work to holla at legit rappers and singers. I’m trying to connect with vocalists who are mainly my age and generation. I’d much rather work my way up with the right people who are in the same situation as me.”

Connecting with their immediate generation is the focus for a lot of upcoming artists and producers nowadays. Changes in the industry have allowed musicians to become completely self-reliant and easily establish an online presence in order to connectwith an audience and other artists before they have formally released any records. Lunice fully backs Twitter as a launch pad for upcoming talent. “It’s amazing! It’s a super simple, straight to the point way to communicate with people.”

What’s uncertain is which direction Lunice will choose to take next, but what is certain is he’s one of very few contemporary performers who’ve have managed to create such a solid identity so quickly. From hearing first hand the passion and attitude he has for his music and witnessing his sheer enthusiasm onstage, it’s clear he’s happy he’s going in any direction at all, yet alone one as innovative and as thought-out as this. His modest sentiments echo someone who is happy to be in the game at all.

“I never thought it would actually get to this point and I’m so grateful for all that’s happened so far."



Words: Tom Botting

Photo: Jennifer Dunaj

Tune: Purp Walk

http://www.myspace.com/lunice

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