Vibe Street Talks Tunes, Tour Grub, and Festie Kids [Interview]

If you like glitched-out and funky electro-soul, then you’ll definitely like Vibe Street. Reminiscent of artists like Pretty Lights, GRiZ, and Gramatik – Ben Davis AKA Vibe Street consistently dishes out some of the tastiest tunes that you’ll find coming in any speaker box.

With a sound that’s deeply rooted in glitch, funk, soul, and even bluegrass – Vibe Street claims a sound that’s all his own.

Playing sets at some of today’s top festivals, if you see Vibe Street on the bill – don’t miss the show. Trust us.

In light of Vibe Street’s recent addition to the Electric Forest 2015 lineup (he’s playing 5 sets!), we poked around and asked a few questions to dig a little deeper into the mind of the Colorado-based producer – this is what we got:

You’ve remixed songs from Bob Marley, Papadosio, Umphrey’s McGee, and Railroad Earth in addition to others – would you say that you listen to more “jam” style music than EDM or vise versa?

I’d say these days it’s a pretty solid mix. I definitely don’t listen to much mainstream EDM type stuff, but rather the more organic electronic music made by producers like Pretty Lights, Gramatik, Emancipator, etc. That’s the style I’m most often in the mood for, but I find myself delving into jammier stuff quite often as well. Depends on the time of day, where I happen to be driving, and how tired my ears are from shows and grinding in the studio.

How long have you been producing music and what is your writing process like?

I opened Ableton for the first time in January of 2011 – so like 4.5 years ago. The process these days generally starts with a sample or a melody or a concept in my mind, then once I get a short musical idea that can be repeated it’s time to add percussion, subs, synths and chops and then focus on the arrangement. Most of my tracks I can get fully arranged within one to three days of work – it’s the mixing and mastering process that I usually spend a few weeks or months on depending on the song.

What’s the best part about creating/playing music full-time?

Being able to give people the types of experiences that made me want to make music in the first place. I would (and still do) go to concerts and festivals to feel, to rage, and to connect with friends and make new ones. When people tell me that my music and shows have had that effect on them, it’s truly heartwarming.

Who are your top 3 favorite EDM artists/groups? Top 3 non-EDM bands/artists?

Pretty Lights -> Opiuo -> Gramatik

String Cheese -> Talking Heads -> Lettuce/The Motet (tied)

You’ve mentioned Vibe Street and the Future Folk band in the past; can you tell us a little more about that?

Ultimately I would like to include all sorts of instrumentation in my live show, bringing a total bluegrass jam feel to a heavy, funky, glitched-out electronic music experience. My show at Bar Standard last week was the first example of this when I brought out my drummer Greg Valley and Samuel Wexler on fiddle and mandolin. I plan on it being a constantly evolving aspect of the project and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Clubs vs. Festivals, what are favorite venues to play and why?

Festivals. I was a festie kid before I was a music producer. It’s what I live for, and the idea that people are paying me to go to festivals and be a part of that experience is a dream come true.

If you could record a track with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

Derek Vincent Smith. I’ve been trying to get inside his head since the day I started trying to learn production… Working with him in person would be the be-all-end-all of accomplishments for me.

What song or musical accomplishment of yours are you most proud of and why?

I’d have to say my most recent EP “She Makes Me Feel.” It was the first time that I was able to take a very vivid idea in my mind and turn it into something real and complete. It was incredibly tied into my emotions at the time and completing it was a huge part of my moving forward from that part of my life into brighter days. I’m excited now – because I have another vivid idea in my mind for the next project and I’m ready to get started on it!

Switching things up, what’s the best grub to grab on tour?

Whatever’s local. In Atlanta it was southern fried chicken. In New Orleans, po boys… In Texas, BBQ. I’m trying to take advantage of my travels to taste the best that each part of the world has to offer.

Lastly is there anything that you’d like to leave our readers with?

Just to thank everyone for listening and keeping their minds open to new, interesting types of music. I’ll see them somewhere around the country before too long!

If you don’t know Vibe Street’s music, now’s the time to check it out. His most recent album, the She Makes Me Feel EP, is a delve into the jammier side of electronic music. Blending bluegrass, folk, soul, glitch, and a heavy dose of bass – the album is an epic dance floor shaker that’s sure to get the vibes flowing. Did we mention that it’s free, too?

Check out Vibe Street’s She Makes Me Feel EP and grab the free download below.