Ocean Keys looks like a mix of Shaggy from "Scooby-Doo" and that of a body builder. He has that laid-back California look about him. The kind of guy you find lifting at midnight but digging through records by noon. Ocean Keys is just one of the many producers that makes up the Indy electronic dance music scene.
When did you begin producing music and why? Before electronic music did you play other instruments?
I started "producing," a year and a half ago. Started taking it seriously about a year ago. Been through some tough stuff and music has always been a great outlet. Been making "mashups" on programs like audacity for a while though. I play a few instruments. The one I'm really into right now is piano. Oddly enough, it's the one that makes the most sense.
How long have you been involved in this industry?
I started playing about three years ago as X:Ponent.
Musically wise, who has been your biggest influence? Either through mentoring or just inspiration? Non-musically, who has been an influence that also helped shape your style?
It's not so much "who," as much as it is time period and a genre; 90s R&B. My production sounds nothing like that though. I enjoyed the layering of sounds and the tracks just followed beginning to end. "Non-musically," are still "musically," lol. Jen, Ramsey, Indigo Child, NAP DNB, my #cuz Cam. The knowledge and freedom of expression musically that they've created for themselves in whatever capacity. #independence
What do you aim to achieve through music? Change the world or just produce art?
My goal isn't to change the world. If I could, I would. And if somehow my music gets to the point where that's an option... I would probably remind people that I make music first before giving my opinion. But obviously everyone's opinion wants to be heard.
In the past, EDM has been an umbrella term for underground electronic music. More recently it has became a very mainstream genre due to acts like The Chainsmokers. Do you feel it is still that umbrella term or another entity? And what are your thoughts on that?
That's a pretty super deep question! I have listened to so much music, read so many forums, asked so many people... my "conclusion"... and this is just mine... yeah. "EDM" has evolved into a more pop term of mainstream. It is what it is, it's not a bag thing! I feel it gets more people involved in the music scene initially, and that's when they start getting into understand the good stuff... and by that I mean the separation of genres and just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Lol.
For years there has been a somewhat "turf war," between DJs and producers. Some believe DJs that do not produce are inferior to DJs that also produce. Do you feel it is better to be both, and how has that helped you?
Nobody is inferior to anybody. Ever. On any level. I've DJed only, produced and DJed at the same time, and now I'm pretty much only producing... and it's not even about that specific progression. If you enjoy what you are doing, why judge the other for having another view of what they want to do musically? Doesn't matter what role you play, everyone keeps the scene alive and progressing. In all honesty, if "turf wars" ended it would probably help the music scene grow stronger. More knowledgeable.
There are many EDM blogs popping up online that mostly glorify the use of club drugs instead of promoting music. Some EDM artists feel that this is destructive to the scene and industry. This goes back to that mainstream vibe. In your opinion, do you feel that there needs to be more light shined on the actual music instead of just raves and festivals?
"Underground" music has come to the point to where it dominates festivals... at leas the roots of them... and along with it comes underground things... and even those aren't so "underground" anymore. Just bein' real. Don't think it came with the music though. "Raves" aren't real;y much of a thing anymore. If you take the light off festivals, you lose the underground sound... it takes the learning experience for the music away on so many levels.
Compared to cities like Chicago or Los Angeles, Indianapolis has not been a huge influence on music. But recently Indy has grown in the music scene, do you think it will be the next hub for music?
Next "hub" ... maybe, I hope so! I know some great producers in the Midwest that plan on putting out some pretty dope stuff this year!
Be sure to follow Ocean Keys and watch out for show updates as well as Defiant Productions!
You can find Ocean Keys at Altered Thurzdaze: Altered X-Mas presented by Indy Mojo on December 21.