Today we’d like to introduce you to Noah Lipsey.
Hi Noah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Noah Lipsey, and I’m an electronic producer from Orange County. I’ve been producing in DAW’s since I was about 7, obviously starting off with the little Apple loop libraries on GarageBand and gradually integrating my own sounds and writing. I got really into Björk when I was at that age and I wanted to replicate her and become an artist of my own, and over the years have taken a liking to ambient music, IDM, techno, and various electronic genres which have rounded out my sound. I went to college briefly for film and video game scoring, which introduced me to Logic Pro X, which is what I’ve been producing on for the past five years now. In 2021 I made it a goal to never use midi, inspired heavily by the likes of Matmos and Matthew Herbert’s production techniques. I wanted to make sounds that no one else could replicate or repeat, so I’ve been on this drone-heavy, beat-oriented techno journey for a few years now. Most of my work at this point is sample based at this point, whether that is from other songs, the sounds of the world around me or simply me beatboxing or singing into a mic.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Music is likely one of the most difficult industry’s to work in, so it’s hard to call it smooth. I’m blessed with technology and resources to be able to self-release, but building the audience and staying consistent is an incredibly challenging process in which I’m still actively working. So perhaps not the smoothest of roads.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is primarily in the field of instrumental electronic music, in the vein of ambient, idm, techno, or experimental music. My sound is typically characterized by heavy drones, industrial percussion, and sample flipping, but I have my hand in number of collaborations which allow me to explore and challenge my abilities. I’m currently most proud of my 2021 album, “Nebulum”, which I feel currently displays my sound in its purity the best. I think my consistent passion for music and rehearsed ears have allowed me to master a sound that sets me apart and allows me to take parts of my favorite musicians and blend them into a cocktail of defining flavors. It’s not quite the downtempo nostalgic wizardry of Boards of Canada nor the techno mastery of Skee Mask or Daniel Avery. It’s a mix of it all. I try to learn from greats like Autechre and Tim Hecker and all of the others mentioned thus far and I believe to have mastered a unique blend that sounds only like me.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The pandemic taught me a lot about the restrictions of the current music industry. Although we live in a beautiful and blessed time where we are allowed to release music whenever and no matter the circumstances, being restricted to your home and not being able to commune or perform prevents a lot of the growth that would have existed prior, be it financially or commercially. Covid, as bad as it was, also helped me figure out what I really wanted to do with my sound. I was in process with working with a drumline, where I was singing, something I only really use as a creative tool now. I wanted to perhaps integrate myself as an avant-pop star, something I deeply regret since it kind of felt like a detour from the sounds I really wanted to create. Since then, I’ve allowed myself to deepen the styles and images I want to maintain. I released an ambient/noise project that felt really true to who I am and represents my versatile better, and I’m on the way to releasing a follow-up to Nebulum, which is likely my best work to date. So even though we’re still recovering from the awkward and distressing times of the pandemic, I think we’ve found new ways to integrate music and create community around it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://noahlipsey.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahlipsey/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/noahlipsey
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCTHXKjhYg1Dc0NxpIJAslSQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/39kmVOPdoeGDbCtqRkbLd0
