Had an opportunity to catch up with with vocalist, songwriter and producer Almamy, based in NYC. Recently his rework of the infamous Daft Punk’s ‘Digital Love’ (written by DJ Sneak) has been making rounds and he is in full support. Listen and learn below.
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Good day Almamy, wanna lead this with a little about yourself?
Hi, my name is Almamy and I was born to rule because my name actually means King.
(Laughs) So when did you start producing?
When I first started writing I knew how I wanted my songs to sound like but I didn’t know the first thing about making records, so a producer friend taught me how by purposely fucking up my recordings, knowing it would somehow make me articulate clearly what I wanted to hear. Basically he made me produce him into producing me, best way to learn! It taught me how to produce a record versus making a beat, and it made me a better writer because I learned about structures, arrangements, etc.
And what style of music were you making then?
Dance music, I’ve always been making dance music. I just wanted to make house records, even though I ended up making something else! (Laughs) But yes it started with me wanting to make music for DJs, I was into house, turntablism and raves.
Nowadays, are you a sole software cat? What is your studio comprised of?
I use hardware actually and software, Pro-Tool, only to record. I ain’t the bedroom producer type, so the bulk of my music is made in recording studios. But it’s a creative choice, I prefer working in an environment created specifically to make records.
Your latest release, “Digital Love,” why did you decide to cover the Daft Punk’s classic?
I was actually working on some concept project and “Digital Love” was the song that tied it all together lyrically. When the project fell through though I decided to keep the song because I liked it and though it was good.
Can you walk us through the process of producing and finalizing the song?
I started by selecting clock samples and recording sounds, then I took my rough demos to Emmett Farley, who co-produced “Digital Love” with me, and we made a skeleton for me to sing over, then we moved to DFA’s recording studio and built the whole record around my vocals by using their sick analog gear; synthesizers, turntables, etc. It was so chaotic though, everybody was either having a baby or traveling or something, so I ended up finishing the record on my own with the assistant engineer there. When it was all done DFA’s Matt Thornley mixed the record and did the dub version.
Aside from Daft Punk, who else inspires you enough to possibly cover? Can we be expecting more of the alike?
No fucking way. I don’t like anybody else enough to want to be them. (Laughs)
(Laughs) I hear you! Since the release is through your own label ModyWorks will there be any remixes to follow from some of the producers on the label?
Maybe, some of my labelmates did contribute sick remixes for the 12″ but I’m still waiting for a couple of remixes from outside producers to select the ones that’ll go on the release. I may keep a few for a mix and a label compilation.
Finally, what’s next for Almamy? Your Soundcloud is a little on the light side.
Working on my debut album, so the next releases are gonna be a couple of singles, the remix project and possibly a mix, before dropping the LP later this year. Also I’m gonna hit the road by late summer and tour until next February or something.
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