Interviews

CAVEM/\\N Bass [Interview]

April 27, 2016

11998959_10201112299126514_1130998503569475595_n — Tanner Heitz

Reppin\’ the 708 from Oak Park, IL, Gabe Cozzens or better known as CAVEM/\\N has been taking on the local EDM scene by storm. Opening for acts such as Getter, Herobust, and Protohype, Caveman has been making a name for himself throughout the past 3 years by DJing and seriously producing for 2 years. So without further adieu I give you the prehistoric producer, CAVEM/\\N!
1. How\’d ya get your name Gabe?
\”Haha that\’s funny you ask because everyone assumes it\’s because I \”look like a caveman\”. But it actually comes from Shia Labeouf\’s character in the movie Holes. That was my favorite movie growing up, and I guess part of me just always identified with Stanley Yelnats aka Caveman!\”
2. How did you get your start?
\”Honestly I got my start probably a year or so after I started DJing. I played at a small tapas bar for a show that my friend Nick Rohner put together. (shout out the homie Nick for booking me when no one else would) There were probably 20-30 people there by the end of my set and I remember it was the best feeling of my life. That\’s when I was like \”Yeah this is what I\’m going to do with my life\”\”
3. What was your first \”big\” show and how was it/when and where was it?
\”First big show I played was October 3rd two Octobers ago. I won a contest that got me to open up for Trollphace and Mantis which was huge for me. It was at the Riverside Complex in Chicago, and that show was what really opened up so many opportunities for me because I could say that I played with those big artists. It gave me some credibility.\”
4. What genre would you consider yourself?

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\”Oh man I don\’t even know if I\’d be able to peg myself with one genre at the moment. I\’ve been making heavy bass music lately like hybrid trap and dubstep, but also love making more chill/psychedelic/future type stuff. For now, Id just say bass music as a generalization.\”
5. Out of all the artists you listen to, which are the most influential to you?
\”My biggest influences at the moment are Herobust, NGHTMRE, Thriftworks, Emancipator, Minnesota, and Flying Lotus. Everything that Never Say Die records is putting out now is also fire and is pushing the envelope for the dubstep scene.\”
6. Are there any big plans in the making that we can expect in the future?
\”Oh yeah lots of big plans. I have so much new music in the works right now it\’s crazy. I\’ll be wrapping up a lot of projects and releasing them as soon as possible. Right now I\’m just focusing on finishing up these tunes. But there are definitely some big things coming so keep your eyes and ears open.\”
7. Throughout the years of DJing and producing, which is your favorite festival you\’ve played at?
\”I played at Backwoods Music Festival last year and it was absolutely amazing. The production was unreal, staff was friendly, and everyone I met was so cool and humble. It was a great experience. Hopefully lll be back there this year!\”
8. Producing EDM for two years you must\’ve run into a bunch of problems and roadblocks; are there any tips you can share with aspiring producers?
\”I have two tips. The first is a general one and simple one. DON\’T GIVE UP. You\’re not going to learn how to produce like your favorite artists in a day, or a year, or even two, or 3. Producing is a never ending learning process and it takes a long time and lots of hard work to get to a point where you\’re satisfied with your work. A lot of people don\’t get over that beginning period. But you can do it. Just stick with it and you\’ll get there I promise. Secondly, just a production and arrangement tip that I give 99% of aspiring producer: do whatever it takes to give your song forward motion. Transition effects (risers, fallers, impacts, reverse cymbals, reverse reverb), filter automation to bring elements in and out, and syncopated percussion can all create tension and release and can keep a song moving forward. It has to has movement and flow. Study classical musical for a good feeling of how they use tension and release. You can learn a lot from classical music. Find your flow. It\’s super important.\”
9. Aside from your own music, what\’s one song that you cannot get out of your head?
\”A song I\’ve been playing non stop lately is Tommy Trash – Luv U Giv (NGHTMRE Remix). Everything NGHTMRE puts out is fire. His production and song writing is so on point it\’s unreal.\”

There you have it! A quick peekaboo into the head the caveman himself. He might have a name from the stone age but his production is the exact opposite. By using psychedelic bass and melodic drops Caveman is an up and coming artist to keep an eye on. You can check his mixes out on his website, Soundcloud, and Facebook under the name CAVEM/\\N or in the links below. Make sure you stay tuned for his produced music being released in the upcoming months on all his social media outlets. In 2013 a caveman got his hands on music production software and in 2016 he\’s been creating nothing but fire.