Terminal V Podcast 096 || CRUSH3d
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Melbourne’s high-energy dance explosion is being fuelled in part by breakout stars like native talent CRUSH3d. He says his main aim as an artist is to conjure good vibes on the dance floor, and he’s now doing that across his homeland and as far afield as London.
As heard on his new album ev3r, his tunes are a heartfelt blend of warm and rubbery drums and pensive pads, often topped with a nagging vocal hook. They work as well for chilled out home listening as they do for dreamy dance floor escapes and on this week’s mix he mixes up that signature sound with some low slung bass, wild club rhythms and tranced out house that’s perfect for those late afternoon into early evening sessions when the golden hour sets in.
How much did Melbourne shape your sound and how did you get your first break as a DJ, and where? How did you then go on to international touring?
I’m not really sure how home specifically influenced my sound but I feel like when I was figuring it out initially it was really naive. My first break as a DJ I think was on a Willaris.K show in Melbourne. I had a couple of tracks going around as well so it started slowly from that.
Internationally has been just a steady progression, I still feel new everywhere except home. I first came to the UK and Europe playing some Skin On Skin shows and then just tried to keep it moving from there..
When it comes to DJing – what do you set out to do when you step to the decks – edify, amaze, shock or something else? And what is your mixing style?
I’m actually not sure. I think I just want to make a good feeling on the dance floor. My understanding of a good dance floor is always changing and growing though.
My mixing style is also always changing and growing too. I used to maybe do more tricks than I do now.
Tell us about your album. They are less common in dance music these days in the days of streaming, what made you want to do one? How did you make sure it’s more than a collection of tracks?
I’ve just always really loved albums. Ever since I can remember, my favourite thing when I find a new artist is to listen to their albums.
I maybe romanticise the process a little bit but I wanted to work on something that felt bigger than me making a song. I guess that’s how I was intending to make it more than a collection of tracks, but I don’t know if you can really make sure. The record and the story kind of grew the further in I went, until at some point I felt like there was a narrative there.
The album is called ev3r.
What’s your process in the studio—do you start with a beat, melody, or mood?
I’d say it changes depending on what I think Im trying to do, but I try not to get in my own way at the start of working on something.
Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say.
This mix is what I want to hear on the dance floor at the moment.
Ive been thinking about the idea of leaving the dance floor with more energy than when I got there. The idea that I could take everyone locked in through some shit but in a caring way so that we all feel better at the end.
I don’t know how to do it yet but id say I’m trying to find that in all my sets at the moment.
What gear did you use, is that important to you in any way whether in the booth or studio?
I recorded this on some cdj’s and a pioneer mixer but It’s not important to me. I like mixes that are made on Ableton and recorded live.
In the studio, if I’m at home or have the opportunity to use hardware I love it. But a lot of the time I’m away so I think the main thing for me is a pair of headphones I like using. As long as I can really hear what I’m doing I’m not too caught up on how I’m making it.
What are you working on for the rest of the year?
Right now I think I’ll just make club tracks for a little bit. Maybe do some sessions with people.
I’m also in a band called pain gain and we’re nearly finished our first record so I’m looking forward to spending a little time there.
kristan j caryl