By Michelle Turk - Links: Twitter

Photo Credit: Dan Wright; WrightShots Photography

Behind The Scene Press: For people like myself who don’t normally listen to electronic music but do listen to pop music, what song of your’s would you recommend to convert us from your album coming out this summer?

Salt Ashes: The album is an electronic/pop album, I would say, with an electronic production but a lot of 'pop' hooks... But then what each person considers pop is different these days. I'd start you off on the lead single 'Save It' and let you explore from there.

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BtS: I have never interviewed a pop or EDM artist, but upon listening to your voice I was intrigued. It’s not like every other pop artist because you make use of the very tops of your vocal range. What is your key to vocal health as a performer and in the studio?

SA: It can be difficult to maintain good vocal health, especially if you like to party, as alcohol, smoking, dehydration and lack of sleep aren't good for your vocal chords. I try and keep healthy with good food, water and exercise which all helps as well as most importantly exercising my voice regularly which can be pretty tedious!

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BtS: The music video for Raided is full of different things that almost call out “stranger danger.” What is that song really about, lyrically?

SA: It's about escapism... I was people-watching in an underground club where everyone looked like they were in ecstasy and it made me wonder what they were getting so drunk and high for ... Were they trying to forget their problems? It's written from their perspective or, at least, what I thought it was.

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BtS: Your self-titled album has a nostalgia for 70s disco with your fantastic airy vocals and strings. It’s always a beautiful to hear something that brings up memories of songs we weren’t alive for. Would you say you’re a big fan of disco? Do you have any favorite disco songs?

SA: I'm very lucky to have worked with a great producer, Daniel Fridholm, for this record who is the genius behind the sounds you hear. We have similar influences within this genre which is really important so we’re on the same page with each track. But generally I would write a song, make a rough demo on logic and then send it to Daniel and we’d go from there together.

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BtS: What are your favorite keyboards and pads to use, live and in the studio? Do you use any vocal effects pedals?

“...always make the music you want to make, not what you think people want to hear.”

— Salt Ashes

SA: Come to think of it most of our gear is made by Akai.. I use the MPK mini controller which I trigger effects off of and play certain lead lines on stage. I also use two mics … 1 for a fairly dry tone and the other runs through a Voicelive Play vocal pedal which I trigger throughout different songs to affect my voice. It’s really cool as I can manipulate my voice quite a lot with it.

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BtS: What advice would you give to a DJ, vocalist, or musician who wants to get into writing the type of music that you do?

SA: Throw all of yourself into it... don’t be afraid.. and always make the music you want to make and not what you think people want to hear.

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Interview with Salt Ashes