#15: Interview w/ Zef" src="http://www.noisechannel.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/zef1.png" alt="" width="500" height="500" />

Power Player #15: Zef

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I’ve known Zef less than a year, but in that time I’ve grown to admire his talent and character. Not only is he a dedicated Christian, but he’s also a total thug in LSDJ. He headlined the main chiptune event at Nuit Blanche (Winnipeg), at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He placed 2nd in the CTUK LSDJ Showdown, and distributed his first official release, Ground Zero, here on NoiChan. He resides in Saskatchewan, Canada, and has recently added a bright red Ukulele to his instrument collection.

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Why did you get into chiptunes?

Strangely enough there’s no specific event that I can point to that got me into it; I started becoming interested in digital music through the ocremix.org remixing community and as a result bought a MIDI keyboard and FL Studio. I always aspired towards getting a video game remix posted onto OC Remix (and still hope to someday); but I was more drawn to composing original tracks instead. A couple years later I began to hear some modern chipmusic such as the works of halc, and the “Rockgirl” soundtrack by ARA. I eventually found my way over to 8bitpeoples and 8bc. After listening to Bit Shifter, SMILETRON, random, and she for a while I decided to try my own hand at it; I ordered my first cartridge from Kitsch (I highly recommend his shop: http://www.kitsch-bent.com) and received my first game boy colour as a graduation gift from a friend in the summer of 2010. That’s where it all started.

How many instruments do you play?

As many as I can get hold of really, I’ve always had a fascination with instruments and I love to pick up new ones whenever I have the chance. I’d say that piano is the only instrument I play well (I’m classically trained), but I dabble on guitar and bass and love to rock out on the drums for fun. I’ve also been spending entirely too much time playing flute since I first got my hands on one in early November. I also bought an Eigenharp Pico last summer and I’m enjoying figuring out how to use that crazy gadget (If you’ve never heard of it you’re in good company; eigenlabs.com). When I’m older I plan to be the grandpa who can play pretty much anything and has a basement full of random instruments. Cello is up next.

What’s the chiptune scene like in Saskatchewan?

Well, if I ever find it I’ll let you know, the scene doesn’t seem to be terribly present in Saskatchewan, though I suppose living in a small town doesn’t help much with that. I have yet to meet a single other Saskatchewanite who makes chipmusic, but I’ve heard of one or two others. Perhaps they’re living in caves or hiding in garages in the suburbs or something like that. Playing shows seems like a fairly vital part of the chiptune experience (and it’s certainly one of the best ways to get your name out there); unfortunately I haven’t really had many great opportunities yet; if you’re planning a show, fly me over there and I’d be love to play!

How did you like performing at Nuit Blanche?

It was fun, any musician loves the chance to blast their music over huge speakers to lots of people. I enjoyed connecting with other chip-heads too, though unfortunately none of them were fellow LSDJ’ers. I’d love to have some more opportunities to play like this. Watching people dance to your own music is really something else.

How’s the college life? Tell me about the university you attend.

It’s going fantastically right now. I’m currently in my second year at Bethany College and I’m looking forward to graduating this year with a diploma in biblical studies. It’s a small Bible college of about 120 students and I really love the atmosphere here. I’ll probably be heading off to a larger University next year or the year after, but I wanted to solidify my faith and educate myself about what I believe first.

How religious are you, exactly?

How religious? Well first I’ll start by saying that God is bigger than religion, but as far as how dedicated I am to my Christianity, the way I see it; if there really is a God out there that cares about us and has a purpose for us on earth (as I believe there is), then to put it lightly, it’s kind of a big deal. I don’t see how anyone could recognize this truth without fully dedicating their lives to it ; to do it halfway just doesn’t work (though unfortunately many people still try). I’ve done a lot of research into my faith, other religions, scientific facts and atheism in the past two years and everything I’ve found has affirmed and strengthened my Christianity. Without my faith the foundation of my life would be missing and I’d have to find a new purpose for my life, and chipmusic just wouldn’t cut it haha.

Any advice for future power players?

Well, I’ll spare you all the inspirational “you can do anything you set your mind to” speech because we get enough of that from Oprah as it is; I suppose I’d ask them what their drive to reach the top is; are you in it for the recognition? The fame and the money? Because if that’s the case you’re looking in the wrong spot, go pick up a guitar and learn a few Beatles songs or something. Chipmusic has a very casual air about it, do it if you like it; get involved, meet people, and dance like a maniac. If you want to get better at writing, then just do it, it’s that simple. If you want to get better and you work at it, then you will; “and that’s all I have to say about that.”

How did you get so good on the wav channel [in LSDJ]?

Mostly experimentation I suppose; ironically for my first month or so of LSDJ I avoided it like the plague because it was much more confusing than the pulse channels, but like any plague it’s infectious and it’s grown on me since then. My wave channel is kind of my trademark and it tends to set the foundation for my tracks. It’s very adaptable and now I use it for just about anything; my bass, samples, drum kits and kick drum are all done in the wave channel. Props to Johan for what he’s rigged up for us musicians to mess with. Actually some of my most distinctive and unique basslines have appeared just because I had to cram all of the notes and timing around my steady 4/4 dance kick.

Tell me about your philosophy when it comes to LSDJ .sav files.

Well I try to make most of my save files available to people who want to take a look at them. I suppose I’ve just seen a few too many elitists who protect their trade secrets with a passion for fear that someone else will use them and somehow show them up, or make a buck off of them or something. The way I see it, you can have my secrets so long as you use them to enhance your music and advance the chipmusic scene. Everyone’s got a unique style and so passing out a couple of my tricks won’t turn anyone into another Zef overnight. I’ve picked up a few tricks from other artists too; so I’ll probably keep making my .sav files available to those who want them, but please don’t steal all of my music and make millions with it; on second thought, do make millions with it, then write me a check.

You don’t seem to slow down. What’s next for Zef?

As far as chipmusic goes I’ll probably just keep writing for fun in my spare time. In the future I’d like to work on some tracks with a more “produced” vibe to them; some Electro or classical fusion mixed in there. As for my personal plans for the future I’ve always wanted to check out Europe and travel, so I figure that next year is as good as any. I’ll be touring around Europe with some friends from college. Should be sweet.

When does your next release come out?

I probably won’t get anything new together until closer to this summer; but I’ll continue to release single tracks when they’re finished. I’ve almost got enough material together for another release. For my Ground Zero EP I just kind of threw together some tracks that I had finished recently; I’d like to come at my next album (or maybe the one after that) with more of a holistic mentality and actually plan out the path of the album. If you can’t wait until summer for a new release then just head over to my bandcamp page, download the “Singles” album, then re-name it to something that you think sounds official (or use one of those random band name generators); and you’ve got a brand new Zef release.

Ever walked on water?

Yes actually, quite regularly; it’s freezing here, you’d have a hard time finding a lake that you can’t walk on.

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Zef’s latest release: Ground Zero

Zef’s banner contributions: 1 2 3 4 5

Zef at Nuit Blanche (Winnipeg)

Zef on bandcamp

Zef on NoiChan