We caught up with Tyvion Valentine forward of his gorgeous EP launch Thinkin’ About You which is ready to launch on Southpoint Records tomorrow. As nicely as discussing his return to the beloved Otherside Festival subsequent weekend, his inspirations, ideas on the long run and extra.
As one of the vital distinctive and compelling digital artists to return out of Dublin in latest occasions, Tyvion Valentine has rapidly constructed himself a repute as a clearly distinguishable producer and DJ by means of his emotional tackle trendy dance music. Releases on labels reminiscent of Part4, Plaza and W&O Street Tracks have attracted consideration from radio stations reminiscent of BBC Radio 1 and critiques in publications reminiscent of Resident Advisor.
Alongside this, Tyvion’s tracks have discovered common help from a wealth of esteemed dance music artists with productions which might be so variety to the ear and stuffed with emotion. His impeccable skill behind the decks has earned him profitable help slots for artists reminiscent of George FitzGerald, DJ Seinfeld, Mall Grab, Skin on Skin, salute, Effy and extra over the course of his comparatively quick however spectacular profession as a DJ and music producer. With his sound continually evolving and pulling in a fair keener dance music listenership, Tyvion Valentine is a reputation you need to be retaining a really shut eye on now and sooner or later.
Q: Hi Ty! Would you want to speak to us about the way you’re feeling forward of your upcoming EP Thinkin’ About You which releases tomorrow on Southpoint? How did you get to know the blokes behind this high quality imprint?
Yes, I’d like to. To date, positively the happiest, proudest and most excited I’ve been a few launch. I really feel like all 4 tracks actually embody my sound and what I’ve been attempting to attain when making music, and within the final 12 months, it’s all sort of come collectively. The EP has a definite sound and I really feel is recognizable as my sound. I can’t wait for everybody to listen to particularly after the response and help that ‘Baby’ acquired.
It was truly by means of my pal James, one of many Cortese members who put me in contact with the Southpoint boys after I requested for a contact to ship demos to. I’d been a giant fan of Southpoint since 2020 so once I received the e-mail again saying they had been within the EP It was a giant achievement.
As I mentioned above, I’m so blissful and excited to be releasing this challenge with Southpoint, each Josh & Jay are absolute legends and have given me a lot effort and time over the previous few months which has actually given me quite a lot of confidence for the remainder of the 12 months. Can’t thank them sufficient and am actually excited to work on extra tasks with them x
Q. What initially sparked your curiosity to start producing music? How way back was this and what DAW(s) have you ever used because you began?
‘I’m not precisely positive, I’ve performed guitar since round 7 and used to play in ‘bands’ all through secondary faculty so, I all the time liked taking part in and creating music. I used to be most likely round 14/15 once I first began listening to digital music and was so intrigued and interested by how sure sounds had been created and made. It was additionally the primary time I’d heard sure sounds and thru discovering completely different artists & DJs I preferred I received increasingly considering how these sounds had been created.
My first introduction to utilizing a DAW was the trial model of Ableton the place you may solely use round 7 channels and couldn’t save or export something. I used to make what I believed had been bangers and have my laptop computer on principally 24/7 so I wouldn’t lose what I used to be engaged on. That was I’d say 2016, I messed round with the trial for a number of months then kinda forgot about it. Then in 2019, I received Ableton 10 and that’s once I actually began studying use it. I used to be on Erasmus for a 12 months and just about spent daily between Ableton & YouTube attempting to determine it out as a lot as I may and making as many songs as attainable.’
Q: What does your studio setup look like?
‘My set-up may be very easy, I’ve simply received my laptop computer and Ableton, and that’s it. I had a number of synths however they confused me out and I by no means had the area for them so all the time ended up promoting them after a 12 months of not touching them.
Within Ableton, I exploit quite a lot of Ableton’s pre-sets which I’ve gotten off Ableton’s web site (free) Over the final 3 years, I’ve been capable of finding a great deal of pre-sets I like and know work nicely collectively. I additionally use numerous VST’s. Serum, Massive X and Hive can be my go too for sound design and the Pro-Q and Valhalla bundle for mixing are so so good. Then for including cool FX to sounds and vocals, I’d use Sound Toys rather a lot. I’ve solely been utilizing VST’s the previous 12 months, Ableton is so good for making no matter sound you need and the inventory plug-ins are nice. For instance, Ableton’s Operator for bass is all I exploit when making bass sounds.’
Q. In your opinion, what are all of the parts that make an general, full observe?
‘Ohhhh, it’s arduous to say, you sort of simply know once you’ve made one thing that basically clicks. All my favorite tracks I’ve made have been in a number of hours, after which typically I might be engaged on a challenge for per week or so after which deleting every part or, find yourself copy and pasting one thing into a brand new part and making one thing by chance after which from there having a observe made the next day, it actually relies upon. I discover having a superb tough combine when beginning to create a observe is so necessary, utilizing sounds that already complement one another so that you don’t even have to try this a lot mixing within the mixdown stage.
For instance, after you have a strong low-end, every part else falls into place and your observe will naturally sound balanced. After I’ve my drums and bass organized, I’ll go and discover some good pads to have within the background. This makes it simpler to seek out out what key you’re in. From there, it’s a lot simpler to write down a catchy melody or organize vocals. I discover utilizing pads helps carry the observe, so that you don’t get bored when attempting to give you new concepts and don’t get caught in a loop. I’d say between a strong low-end and a catchy vocal line, you’re off to a superb begin. Once you’re pleased with that, all different devices/sounds/noises will naturally fall into place and your observe will start to sound increasingly full.’
Q: Which artist is your greatest inspiration in relation to mixing and producing?
‘Definitely between George FitzGerald & Bonobo. As I mentioned, George FitzGerald’s ‘Fading Love’ album was what impressed me to obtain Ableton. I like the synth sounds and textures he makes use of and all the time attempt to sort of copy them in my very own productions.
Bonobo’s ‘North Borders’ album was additionally an enormous inspiration; I had all the time liked Bonobo’s music however once I began studying extra about manufacturing, I had a complete new appreciation for him. Also, artists like Jacques Greene, Eliphino, Midland, Leon Vynehall & Dauwd had been the primary sort of digital artists I began listening to again in round 2015.’
Q: Can you listing some artists that you just wish to collaborate with and why?
‘Yes in fact, just lately I’ve been listening to a great deal of Pretty Girl, I actually like her sound and manufacturing model, she all the time makes use of her vocals too which I additionally love. I may think about making a very nice observe collectively.
There are so many artists I’d like to collab with for therefore many alternative causes however for the time being my high few can be Jasper Tygner, Mr.Sosa, Clarcq, Kassian and Pagan ��’
Q: Your b2b with Pagan at Otherside Festival final 12 months was a standout set of the pageant’s first version. How are you feeling about taking part in with him this time round? Is there something particularly that we will anticipate?
‘Yes, for positive, that was nonetheless my favorite gig I’ve ever performed so you may think about how buzzed I’m for this 12 months. That stage is so particular and having the ability to play there once more for twice as lengthy goes to be twice as particular. I’ve a great deal of new music I’m dying to play out so you may anticipate quite a lot of unique tracks. I’ve a sense Pagan does too.’
Q: Have you ever spoken about making music with Pagan? How do you suppose a collaboration like which may sound?
‘We even have by no means spoken about it, however I’ve considered it so many occasions. Both of our tracks are fairly emotional and euphoric however by means of completely different kinds and sounds. I might completely like to work on a challenge collectively, so we’ll see what occurs over the subsequent few months.’
Q: Would you wish to share a number of the highlights of your musical journey thus far?
‘What involves thoughts first can be a number of the help slots I’ve been fortunate sufficient to play. Nights opening to your favorite DJs and producers are so thrilling and go away so many reminiscences.
Opening for Skin on Skin and Slither having Mall Grab as a visitor was particular, it was the primary time Truly and I performed collectively and it was such a buzz. Also taking part in earlier than Mall Grab in Index, it was my first time taking part in there and the place was packed the minute the doorways opened. Then again in index, opening for George FitzGerald final month was a dream come true ever since I first listened to him. I nonetheless can’t recover from what occurred, his Fading Love’ Album was the rationale I received the trial model of Ableton in order that night time was actually particular.
Overall, Otherside Festival’s Beneath The Trees Stage in 2022 was nonetheless essentially the most gratifying I’ve performed. It was the primary time Pagan and I performed collectively and we had solely met the week earlier than. We each didn’t know what to anticipate which is without doubt one of the causes it labored so nicely. There’s one thing about that stage that creates such a superb ambiance. Being in a position to share that have with Pagan is one thing we gained’t be forgetting anytime quickly.
In October the Human Error boys kindly received me and Pagan again collectively for one more b2b, opening
for DJ Seinfeld in Centre Point which was one other enormous spotlight during the last 12 months. Recently, I’ve lastly been in a position to launch music once more. Having signed to Southpoint this 12 months, label house owners Jay & Josh have given me a lot confidence and course so engaged on this challenge with Southpoint has been actually necessary to me and doubtless essentially the most important achievement to this point.’
Q: Where do you see your self in 5 years’ time?
‘Hmmmmmm, in 5 years I’d ideally wish to be doing this as a full-time job. Playing gigs most weekends and making music in the course of the week. Or a minimum of, have ticked all of the small targets I’ve like releasing on sure labels, taking part in in sure golf equipment, and dealing with sure artists. Doing all of this however not in Dublin.’
Q: Following on from my final query, I perceive that you just’re at the moment primarily based in Dublin. Are you cheerful right here or do you suppose it could be time for a change? If so, why and the place?
‘Recently, I actually need to transfer to London, I’ve upcoming releases with some London-based labels that I’ve admired for years so particularly just lately, I really feel like it will make a lot sense. Dublin will be nice, however it lacks alternative which London doesn’t. It’s all the time been at the back of my thoughts however actually within the final month or so, I’ve been fascinated with it much more.’
Q: Do you may have a lot deliberate for the remainder of the 12 months?
‘Yes sure sure, heaps extra thrilling issues to launch this 12 months. Have releases with some actually thrilling labels popping out. First in September, after which a separate launch in November which I nonetheless can’t imagine is occurring. Would wish to see myself on a number of extra pageant line-ups this summer season so we’ll see what occurs.’
You can take a look at this hyperlink for info concerning Tyvion Valentine’s Thinkin’ About You EP here forward of his launch on Southpoint tomorrow.
Additionally, tickets to Otherside Festival at Rock Farm in Slane, County Meath subsequent weekend will also be bought here.
