DJ, musician and producer Maurice West is best known for the phenomenal collaborations he’s had with many top artists which include W&W, Tiësto, Hardwell, Steve Aoki, and KSHMR to name a few. Producing successful releases recognizable the world over, 23-year-old West has performed Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland and completed the SLAM! Studio Challenge where he was able to complete a full production in 60 munites. I had a chance to interview this talented artist and here’s what he had to say about music, his life and his career going forward in 2020.
Hello, this is RiMo from Fresh Music Freaks. I’m here with Dutch sensation Maurice West who just released his track “What The F?!” which is amazing. I watched your YouTube video “How I made What The F?!” and I loved how you broke down some of the dynamics you used to create the track. Can you please tell me how the idea of your first self-released track “What The F?!” came about? What inspires you to create a song?
It all started out with that Techno “ish” drop. I just started creating a song around that drop without playing by the rules, which is why I ended up with so many different styles merged together into one track. The project file was called “Techno EDM Trance Orgy”, which led to me making that vocal. I felt like the track really needed that gimmick to turn into a self-explanatory concept and not throw people off with all those different genres.
How would you describe your music?
It’s energetic, it’s melodic, it’s euphoric, it’s emotional… it’s “EUFORIKA“.
Tell me about your new solo direction, what made you start to feel that this was a course that you wanted to pursue?
I wanted to show everyone more of me. That’s why I decided to start releasing my music on my own. I’m trying to give more shape to the Maurice West vision and sound with a slightly new direction in music, my own artworks, a new show, and so on. The whole change has been giving me so much energy and joy and releasing my songs this way has been really really satisfying.
How many hours a week on average are you spending in your studio?
I suck at math. The only thing I know is that I should probably be outside more.
Explain your songwriting process, ex: do you have a set method, or does it vary?
Eighty percent of the time this is what happens; I’m on a plane, in the shower or doing any other activity where it’s super hard to hum a melody into my phone. AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENS!? A cool melody pops up into my head. Once I save that melody, I try to think of what kind of song I could make with it. I jam to it on the piano and eventually I turn it into midi on my computer. I try to find a chord progression for it combined with the right sounds and then I go from there. My workflow mostly revolves around a good melody.
What kinds of music do you like? What are you listening too?
I feel like this is the most cliché answer ever but, I listen to everything. I’ve never really cared for genres. Ever since I was a kid I just listened to anything that sounded good and made me feel something. I listen to Hip Hop, House, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Funk, Drum and Bass, Disco, cheesy Pop songs, Classical music, and the list goes on. A good song is a good song.
Looking at your successful career working with some of the most famous big room labels, what are some of the differences you are noticing as a solo artist if any?
I love working as a solo artist! It was really scary at first, but once you put out a track that you have worked really hard on AND it’s through your own platform it gives an insane amount of satisfaction. That being said I don’t plan on only releasing solo singles as I’m working together with some of my biggest inspirations at the moment.
2019 was a busy tour year for you. How was that experience?
It’s what I’ve always wanted and it’s so weird that this life I imagined is now real. I love being all over this planet, meeting new people, getting in touch with different cultures, and playing in these amazing places for amazing people. I can’t wait for all the shows in 2020.
How do you stay healthy as an artist?
I had some difficulties with always feeling comfortable and energized on tour at first. Then I started working out and tried to mostly eat the right stuff and now I feel great on tour. Working out has also really helped with my performance and moving around in my body more comfortably. I just want to give the people at my shows the very best I can.
What are you most excited about for 2020?
The music that I’m gonna share with the world and the shows that I will be doing!
What advice do you have for other young musicians out there?
Find your own sound, your identity, the thing that makes you stand out from the other millions of producers and DJ’s that are trying to make it. Find that and exploit it, make it yours, share it with as many people as you can. Oh, and don’t forget to work your ass off and don’t let anybody hold you down!
Listen to Maurice West’s new track “EUFORIKA 2000” HERE.
Maurice West is on his World Tour now! Grab your tickets here.
Check out Maurice West: Facebook | Spotify | Twitter | SoundCloud
*Featured Image of Maurice West Via Artist FB*
