Greetings, music lovers. For the last Yan Zombie Presents of the summer, I am happy to welcome musical mad scientist from Vancouver, Taal Mala.
Often described as un-categorizable, Taal Mala’s music is inspired by new ideas and classic standards, and takes influence from a diverse selection of both new and classic sounds. Genre-defying acts of synth genius and production lustre form a solid foundation for Taal Mala’s destruction of any soundboy who comes to test it. Dubstep, Grime, Jungle, Acid, Hardcore and Reggae are all partially responsible for the fusion that is created.
As a member of the Lighta! Soundsystem, Taal Mala has remained one of the few DJs still dedicated to playing music on the vastly superior format of vinyl records, and has buried an excess of tin pan soundboys alongside The Bug, Juan Atkins, Kode9, and many more.
He was kind enough to answer a few questions:
Yan Zombie: How would you define "musical taste" and "musical snobbery?"
Taal Mala: I fully support musical snobbery in every way. It's quality control. It just makes sense, and makes all music better as a whole. If something is bollocks, let it be known. Musical taste is a term for people who like bad music to justify it to themselves and others. Like when those stoners say, "Nah man, you just haven't heard the good trance..."
YZ: Any advice for established DJs and producers ?
TM: Stop raving so much and stay home and work in the studio as much as possible. Be very organized. Don't ever stop eating/breathing/living/sleeping music. Quit your day job, if you have one.
YZ: Any advice for new and upcoming DJs and producers?
TM: Be original. Don't try to sound like anyone else. Don't try to jump on a bandwagon or do something because other people are doing it. Create your own sound and your own following, and do it for the music not for any other reason, especially money (because there isn't any). Don't redline the dj mixer. Tell everyone how awesome you think you are. Don't pester the shit out of the producers and DJs you look up to.
YZ: Name a few things that make you happy.
TM: Many subwoofers stacked in a large array. Reggae music playing through said subwoofers. The combination of the two previous things outdoors. Kitties. Ice cream. Fast internet. Vinyl records. Analogue Synthesizers. All my amazingly fantastic, cute, talented, and loving friends. Spicy foods. Going fast on a bicycle. Boobies. Good espresso. Adventures. Raccoons.
Check out Taal Mala at Spiritbar on Thursday, September 12. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7 before 11:30 p.m. or $10 after.