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David Heartbreak - The Foundation (Interview + Album Review)
Today marks a huge milestone for David Heartbreak with the release of his new album, The Foundation, on OWLSA.
The multi-genre(vibe) LP is riddled with Heartbreak’s multifarious sound, combining reggae, dancehall, acid, aggro, dub, soul, hip-hop and more. The biggest success of this album, like all of Heartbreak’s music, is that you can’t pin it down or categorize it. There’s become such a ridiculous precedent in the electronic music community, demanding that music must be associated with this or that genre, that people seem to lose touch with its purpose completely. Thankfully Heartbreak remains one of the few producers in the game who has ditched genres completely, favoring production purely as it comes to him, in whatever form, tempo, or style that fits the track best.
The Foundation is riddled with diverse vibes, whether it be the mean-mugging ‘Yardcore Pressure,’ the chest-cracking ‘Boogie Monster’, or the soulfully driven ‘Heartbroken’. We had the opportunity to sit down with Heartbreak again to get some more info on his creative process and each of tracks that make up The Foundation. Check out the interview and full album stream below:
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I Can Give You House: First of all congratulations on releasing The Foundation. You’ve put out over 20 free EPs over the last couple of years, so tell us - why OWSLA, why now?
David Heartbreak: Thanks. The timing was just right, I’ve just been observing things and laying low perfecting my craft. OWSLA was the best situation for me creatively, they’re not about restrictions. They let the artist be themselves and that’s very important.
ICGYH: You’ve always promoted left-field, “genreless” music. How did that mentality carry over into making this album? Do you feel that there is a sense of cohesion linking together the whole album, or was your motivation to create a series of disparate tracks to demonstrate the full gamut of your sound?
DH: I stopped saying the word genre and started saying vibes, because the music I produce has a lot to do with my emotions. I listen to a lot of different types of music. I just wanted to express how I actually felt on a day-to-day and The Foundation captures that.
ICGYH: Now some questions on the album, track-by-track. ‘Heartbroken’ opens up The Foundation. We can definitely hear some of your signature LOC’D out sound. For those who are unfamiliar what is the LOC’D OUT rhythm?
DH: Loc’d out is a term that DJ Craze came up with. It’s basically dubstep at 95 bpm, but with a hip-hop swing. You have to move to it, whether you like it or not, because the placement of the high-hats just makes you groove, haha…
ICGYH: We’re loving ‘Yardcore Pressure.’ This is definitely the aggro side of Heartbreak. Where does this side of you come from? Where did you dig up the sample?
DH: ‘Yardcore Pressure’ is a tune for me.. sometimes I just want to make aggressive hood shit, and when I do, songs like this come out.. The sample is from Brother Culture. I used his vocals on a tune called ’Blaze Up’ two years ago. I just felt that it was fitting. That tune is just simple, it’s probably 9 to 10 tracks if that… Sometimes you just gotta do what comes and not fight it and overproduce tunes.
ICGYH: ’Raindrops’ boasts two huge names, Skylar Grey & The Partysquad. How’d you link up with them? This track seems to have a much more conventional “song” arrangement than your other work. How do you think your fans will react to this track?
DH: ‘Raindrops’ was a crazy tune that I had a vision for. I wanted to do something that was actually a song. Sometimes you want to hear songs and not just vibes. I hear people calling it a trap song, but it’s not. Just because there’s an 808 snare doesn’t make it trap… This is probably the only real mainstream song that I’ve done so far. Skylar is a beast, and one of the most talented singers I’ve have the chance to work with.
ICGYH: ’Acid Youths (Legalize It!!) is just pure insanity. What’s the most ridiculous show you’ve played at and why? Any wild on-the-road tales you’ve been dying to share?
DH: ‘Acid Youths’ is the vibe that you can expect from my live show.. I’m a chill and cool dude and I make a lot of chill stuff. But I when I play, I come for blood.. I just want to see people rage. ‘Acid Youths’ is all about contrast, and that’s what music is missing. Songs are either too happy or too hard.. sometimes you just need vibes..
ICGYH: Aptly titled, ‘Boogie Monster’ is terrifying. Give us a rundown of your studio setup. What kind of hardware/software went into making this monster?
DH: ‘Boogie Monster’ is just crazy, I can’t take credit for the growl, my boy Niccademass made the actually growl noise. That tune was an accident - it’s like dubstep meets hip-hop meets house… it’s that contrast thing again. Most of beats are created on Reason. I use the MPC a lot as well.. it depends on the vibe I’m going for, they each have their own strengths. I like Reason because it’s limited, sometimes less is more. Instead of always looking for the next big thing, you can create it and I like that.
ICGYH: ’Beast Mode (Get Ready For This)’ rounds out the album and leaves us with one question, what can we get ready for next? Will you be touring the album this year? Any tips on new projects/collaborations you’ve got coming down the line? Will there be more free music?
DH: Yeah I’ll be touring soon, gotta finish up a few projects first. Honestly, I’m probably going to take a production break for the summer - Ive been doing this 18 hours a day for 3 years. I’ve got bags under my eyes and shit… I need to start going outside again and find new inspiration. This album was fun, it was a combination of the past, present and future. The next one I’m going to really push the boundaries and see how far I can go. I honestly do this music thing, because this is all I know, so I gotta keep pushing and trying different things, and open doors for my homies, and other talented musicians.
ICGYH: Thanks so much for talking with us again. Any words of wisdom for your fans and/or aspiring producers?
DH: Don’t judge your success based off another man’s successes.
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Support great music. Purchase The Foundation on Beatport today!
“No boxes, no boundaries, no genres, just music.” - David Heartbreak
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