#sertone

...and then you drank from outer space Sipping so slowly, you'll embrace The feeble pallor of my flesh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazK_XQ3z6c

This weeks entry is beat-maker, producer DJ, label boss and currently one of the dopest dudes in the electronic music scene from Liverpool, Sertone. His music is synth heavy and wavey, focussing on beats, hip-hop, trap and footwork influences.

He has developed in a big way over the years as a beat maker, focussing on experimenting, finding a perfect blend between those genres, moods, timbres and rhythmic feels to get to a trippy, sparse, free flowing yet driven sound. He has played with the likes of Lapalux, Starslinger, Ras G, Kidkanevil and has put out a load of music through Various labels dotted around the globe, such as Cosmonstro and Melted Music.

He has recently been making music that features the likes of They Call Me Raptor. Who we see as a UK rap scene game changer with his dark, edgy, sentimental, somewhat cheeky lyrics, hard hitting trappy & bassy sound that for us here at Misdigest sounds like the attitude and steez that grime represents, but with some more mature contemplation. Raptor is signed to Foreign Beggars label "Par Excellece". You can stream the stomping collaboration, "Superposition" below:

https://soundcloud.com/12in12/sertone-superposition-ft-they-call-me-raptor

Sertone's most recent single featured Maribelle a young singer from Australia who is definitely destined for greatness with her energetic & dynamic voice. They have created an absolutely beautiful track, something we see as definitely a sound track to summer and one to swoon to. It is synth heavy, rooted with a solid footwork rhythm, it also has light and swaying melodies that come together to create pure bliss. All these things create that aerie trippy feel that is signature SertOne. Stream "Lost + Found" below:

https://soundcloud.com/sertonemusic/lost-found-ft-maribelle

Over the past 4 - 5 years he has recently brought together a collective of aspiring electronic artists, DJ’s and Designers who share the same love for electronic music. They go by the name of  “Fly High Society”, who’s roster includes the likes of Iglooghost, Tehbis, Monto, Bolts & more talented producers. We here at Misdigest expect nothing but big things from them.

The collective focuses on electronic music loosely and every member has their own individual sound, however each members work ties in perfectly musically & aestethically. They have already established a firm base for branding, selling out on merchandise designed by members Alice Pardis, Mumptown & Iglooghost. Their DIY releases grab your sentimental side being hand crafted by the crew themselves.

Here we have the man of the hour, SertOne.

M: So how did you start making music and when was the moment all clicked this is what you wanted to do it for a living?

S: I started DJing first when I was eleven years old, I bought lots of types of music but the majority of it was hip hop and rap. In my teens I made beats with a view to working with rappers, after a while I started messing around making instrumental stuff that could stand as its own work without looking for an MC to finish the track. It never really click, its just been ongoing i’ve never thought about doing anything else so I’ve kinda just had to make it work for me.

M: What influences you to make the music you make and why?

S: Music is pretty much a constant in my place, from radio, listening to records, DJing and making music in my studio which is in my living room. I listen to a lot of stuff but it seems to come out as something vaguely dark and heavily influenced by rap and beats. I learnt a lot from people like Kutmah, Gaslamp Killer, J Rocc I think my most informative music years where around 06-08 when the whole key to the scene there was no name, no bpm, no rules. I think that sticks with me till this day whether its DJing or producing.

M: We have noticed you are really into trap music and using it as an influence in your music and self released a remix EP of trap anthems.

https://soundcloud.com/sertonemusic/sets/rap2

Does trap and drill morals/ way of life relate to your work ethic in some way?

S: I've always been into all different kinds of hip hop including rap and in particular a lot of southern rap stuff from Houston and Atltana. It appealed to me the same way that punk stuff did, it sounded and looked DIY, but in a good way. I liked the way they didn’t pretend to be nothing but themselves. I just like the way those artists have been able to use the limitations of their environment as an influence on the music, the music sounds honest.

M: How would a lab session begin for you, what it's the first thing you initially do before you start making a beat and how does the rest of the session pan out?

S: I like to clean up a little bit and make sure I know where every things at, I can be super messy at times but when am making music am a neat freak. Its different, some times I get into patterns for starting with samples, then sometimes I start with synths or drums. Theres not much rhyme nor reason, I don’t use a lot of templates or kits, most sessions start from scratch. It might mean it takes a little longer to do but I think it easier to learn more with a blank canvas every time.

M: When you're not making music and dealing with the label stuff, what is it you like to do for fun?

S: I spend time with my family, I love football, I spend a lot time of my ps4, netflix and with my record collection. I also destress via my cat.

M: So how did Fly High Society come about and what does it stand for to you?

S: I started as a monthly night ran by Bolts and myself in Liverpool back in ’11, we had Letherette, Illum sphere, Eclair Fifi plus we always had live beat showcases from Mump, Bolts, Josh G and myself plus whoever else was in town. After that any time when we got booked in other cities people would bill us as Fly High Society so we just went with it. Since last summer we have been active again with new members from across the UK and Ireland. We just like dope music and art and wanna showcase that. I feel super blessed so many talented artists as friends, some people I’ve known 7 or 8 years now so the time just feels right. Back in 2011 we used to say ‘nothing but us’ but it wasn’t a exclusive thing, its was inclusive, like we have people we have only got to see 3 or 4 times in the last 8 years but they are still part of the family.

M: We have noticed you have a strong connection with Liverpool, showing us really beautiful parts of liverpool in your most recent release' video. What makes Liverpool different from other cities in the UK for you?

S: I think its like a lot of port cities around the world like San Francisco, Venice, Stockholm, etc, when you have a history of people coming and going from around the world for a long time it means people become very tolerant. I've never been made felt unwelcome in my time here. When you have lots of different communities mixing you get to experience a lot of stuff you mightn’t seen before.

M: Favourite place in Liverpool?

S: Anfield Stadium

M: If you could work with anyone you wanted right this moment, who would it be?

S: I’d love to do a project with Freddie Gibbs, nightmare rave rap.

M: Favourite artist/ label right now?

S: Too many to name, basically everyone we tweet about (@flyhiso), everyone we play on flyhighradio.org and more stuff on our tumblr too (http://flyhighsociety.tumblr.com/)! There’s a lot of music out there.

M: Who should we be keeping our ears to at the moment?

S: Iglooghost who’s about to drop something on Activia Benz with this rapper called Yote, very dope.

Froyo Ma, he’s got something forth coming on Fly High Society.

M: Finally, Is there anything in the works that we should be looking forward to?