Contirbutor
Fresh off the back of two sublime house releases we caught up with 2LM as we digest his two track selection on Soundwav Records.
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MI4L – Let’s start with the name, 2LM. What’s the story behind it?
2LM – 2LM was the name of the crew I was a part of during the shuffling era. The name used to go by 2livemafia but after rebranding into a full music identity, the name tightened up to 2LM.
MI4L – You come from deep DJ and hip-hop roots in Los Angeles; vinyl, breakdancing, genre blending. How has that background shaped the way you approach house music today?
2LM – Growing up as a kid I used to breakdance/shuffle with my best friends every week , we’d always look for new tunes to show off to each other whenever we linked for sessions. These tunes varied anywhere from drum and bass, breakbeats, house, hardstyle, jungle , Latin house , anything that got a solid rhythm to it. Because of this I have a variety of ideas and my rule of thumb in production is if I can imagine breaking or shuffling to it then to me it’s authentic.
MI4L – Your latest EP is a two-sided journey with “Check It” and “Flores.” Why did you decide to release the tracks this way; one in May, one in July? Was it a strategic split or an artistic one?
2LM – It definitely was more strategic. This method gives every track the attention it deserves rather than making the side A and side B effect. It also promotes consistency in the algorithm.
MI4L – “Check It” has this punchy, underground vibe with chopped vocals and bass-heavy energy. What inspired the sound of that track? How did it come together?
2LM – The idea was started by my previous partner in raw form and I adapted to his sound without removing too much of the essence while adding my style. I feel that is an important part when collaborating to respect the original persons vision and enhance where you feel it will better the track, otherwise why would you want to collab if you didn’t trust their original version?
MI4L – “Flores” feels like a left turn, more minimal, atmospheric, even a little glitchy. What’s the story behind that one, and how does it contrast intentionally with “Check It”?
2LM – The contrast is Flores has actually been reproduced 3 entirely different times and by the end of it , each version was blended all together and this is the turn out. Sometimes you just gotta sit on a track and revisit it when the timing and era feels right for the track.
MI4L – You’ve had support from heavyweights like Steve Aoki, Deorro, and Lee Foss. What’s it been like getting recognition from such big names, and how has that influenced your momentum?
2LM – Honestly overwhelming, coming from a small town with no opportunity to having this and more is a huge stretch for people like me. I been going to raves since 2010 and saw these people as gods. After seeing major artists play my tracks and put me on their labels, it snapped my mentality to know this is more than just a hobby.
MI4L – Describe your typical studio process. How do you build out a track from idea to final bounce?
2LM – I set no rules to my process. It’s too stressful to know I’m limited of my creativity. Every studio day I have a different energy when I walk in. Some days I feel soulful, some days I feel soulless. It may be a new track I heard, an old song I remembered, or a melody I heard in my head that may have brought influence. But I let my ideas flow with no distractions and avoid following the trends.
MI4L – Your sound straddles hip-hop, house, and something uniquely your own. Who or what are your biggest creative influences right now, outside of the dance music bubble?
2LM – The influences lately has been more backdated more than anything. A lot of people are fighting to have the best remix nowadays from the same songs. My leverage is the knowledge of songs people don’t know but is familiar to newer and older generations.
MI4L – Beyond this dual single, what’s next for 2LM? We hear you’ve got more music coming with labels like Repopulate Mars and Konvict Muzik, can you give us a sneak peek?
These tracks are currently previewed on my instagram already. Now I’m just awaiting release dates and sample clearances.
MI4L – Finally, what does “This is more than music. This is 2LM.” really mean to you?
2LM – 2LM is my dichotomy. My duality of emotions. It is my unspoken soul that I can’t put in words, but I can express it through music.
2LM’s latest music is out now and available to buy here.