Antilectual Recordings > Media

INTERVIEW: DIRTLOS (CARLOS STINCER)

What first got you into music?

I can definitely recall two pivotal moments at a young age which opened my ears to music. The first was in third grade, when I found myself going to the P.E. shelter before and after school to watch unsanctioned breakdance battles; but the sounds coming out of the boom box really got me, specifically Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force’s song “Planet Rock”. The next great discovery came to me in 7th grade when I spent the night at a friends house who had a serious Punk Rock older sister! The sounds blasting from her room prompted me to knock on her door and ask who was playing, she looked like she was about to kick my ass, but instead let me in and handed me an Adolescents/Social Distortion/Descendants mixed tape cassette, which I actually still have! What can I say except these two very different forms of music are part of my DNA.

Who inspired you to make music?

I started going to shows and parties in the early 90’s and by 95' there was a blossoming experimental electronic music scene in Miami. Local acts like Soul Oddity (later named Phoenecia), Push Button Objects, Prefuse73, and others from around the US and Europe such as Richard Devine and Aphex Twin had me immersed in other worldly sounds. I started thinking I need to learn how to make this type of music! So I bought my first device, a beat up Roland MC-303, terrible machine but it catapulted me into a music box fetish.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

If I had to categorize my music it would be experimental breaks.

What is your creative process like?

My process is essentially to not have a process, I mean there are some repetitive actions, but I try to keep it fun and try as many different paths of noise making and sound sourcing as possible. I typically begin in the computer with Ableton Live, then get to sampling external synths, and sometimes utilize field recordings (there is an aluminum fence down the street, which shows up often in my tracks).

Who would you most like to collaborate with given the opportunity? Visual or musical artist?

Man that is a tough one! Musically I Would love to collaborate with Autechre, Christian Marclay, Dynamix II, and The Orb. Art-wise I would love to collaborate with Julie Mehretu, Olafur Eliasson, and Cory Arcangel.

Who is your favorite visual artist?

I have so many favs dude! But I can tell you my top 3 are Olafur Eliasson, Mark Leckey, and Cory Arcangel.

How is making music different from creating fine art, or is it? Do you see them as separate?

The biggest difference for me is I studied art formally in school, music was self-taught. That being said I feel this certain pressure when beginning a visual art project, whereas with music it's more raw and untethered. I love making visual art, not that it's a stuffy process, but my lack of knowledge in formal music allows a more child-like/loose approach. I don’t care if I completely fuck up, and actually many times it's at those moments when something starts to jump out with more potential.

What is one message you would give to your listeners?

Keep an open mind! Always be open to others in kindness, especially if they have a different opinion.

What’s next for you?

Modular synthesis, it’s a crazy learning curve, but once certain concepts start to click mentally, then further exploration shows what is possible, and shit really starts getting wild.

I really enjoyed making this EP for Antilectual, especially since it became a sound/visual/branding experience. Moving forward I would like to make a full length album in a similar fashion, perhaps even including a sculptural element. Thanks for this opportunity and I look forward to perhaps doing another record for you guys in the future. Peace!