After years spent on the street – performing in golf equipment from South Seaside to Scotland and carving out an identification the place versatility and dedication meet – mxguinness has re-emerged with a renewed deal with manufacturing. Bringing many years of musical exploration into his work, he’s now channelling a large tapestry of influences right into a daring new sonic chapter. Because the founding father of his personal label, Northscape, he’s constructing an area the place uncooked emotion and polished sound design coexist, and the place artistic autonomy takes centre stage.
Now, mxguinness joins us to mirror on his journey again into the studio, the philosophy behind his label, and the way he plans to maintain forging his path ahead.
Hello! How are you?
I’m good, thanks for asking! Life feels balanced proper now – household, music, and the self-discipline I really like bringing into each. I’ve stepped again from the scene in some methods, however that’s really sharpened my focus within the studio. I really feel extra intentional with what I create as of late.
What first sparked your curiosity in Digital Music, and which artists or moments performed a key position in shaping your early connection to the scene?
Truthfully, it wasn’t only one second. I grew up skating in New Jersey and round Philly, with associates who had been deep into Punk, Steel, and all of the uncooked stuff we’d play at skate competitions. Bands like The Remedy or Minor Menace formed that spirit of depth for me. Then Digital Music got here into the combo, Daft Punk, after all, and the Rave tradition of the early ’90s. DJs like Sasha and Digweed actually blew me away, particularly Sasha pioneering with Ableton Dwell and MIDI controllers afterward. That combination of underground grit and future-facing sound hooked me for all times.
Inform us a bit about your musical background – did you could have any formal coaching, or was your path extra self-taught and experience-led?
I had a combination. As a child, I used to be taught accordion and guitar, although I’ll admit I by no means grew to become a fantastic guitarist. Most of my path has been self-driven, although. I began experimenting with eJay, shopping for information in DC, Philly, and NYC, and slicing my tooth on Technics 1210s. Over time, I explored Cubase, Professional Instruments, and Logic, however when Ableton Dwell landed round 2001, it modified all the things. That non-linear session view felt prefer it was constructed for the way my mind needed to carry out and produce.
You spent a major a part of your early profession touring – what had been these years like, and the way did performing reside affect you creatively and technically?
These had been wild and childhood. I received to tour with unbelievable producers and DJs and performed all the things from iconic venues in main U.S. cities to seashore golf equipment, underground spots, and even some unforgettable nights within the UK and the US. Truthfully, I DJ’d nearly in all places – from a New 12 months’s Eve occasion surrounded by the Highlands of Scotland to reveals throughout the U.S. and Europe in huge cities. I used to be even featured on radio reveals abroad (facet word: there’s one other DJ on the market with my identify who’s superior too).
I went from huge essential phases in on line casino nightclubs to gritty golf equipment in Philly, New York Metropolis, Florida and numerous Digital Music occasions up and down the East Coast. Again then, I used to be additionally grinding in different methods – placing mixes up on Myspace, and later Soundcloud, burning combine CDs, and handing them out to big-name DJs after reveals, normally getting a well mannered “hey thanks man, lol.” I wouldn’t commerce these days for something.
I bear in mind handing out tracks I’d made earlier that very same day, hoping the right combination made it onto the units of those guys. One in every of my upcoming releases is definitely a nod to that entire period: after my debut EP, I’ve received a observe referred to as ‘1015 Half,’ which is an ode to a legendary nightclub that’s gone now, named Nations in DC, however left an enormous mark on me. Alongside the way in which, I received to play alongside unbelievable DJs I deeply revered for his or her sound design and manufacturing high quality, like Steve Duda and Deepchild.
Performing reside by means of all of that taught me self-discipline, spontaneity, and technical sharpness. You needed to learn the gang within the second and react immediately, and that formed how I strategy manufacturing at present – not forcing issues, simply letting the music unfold naturally. I additionally experimented with early setups, working Ableton on PC and laptop computer, even giving a Lemur MIDI controller a shot – one thing I credit score to that very same producer’s mastery.
Exterior of performing, have there been different artistic avenues that formed your creative identification or strategy to sound?
Yeah, for me it’s about residing absolutely. Skateboarding within the ’80s and ’90s and nonetheless now, really, BMX racing was in my blood, and I did that too, being open air in wild locations, my love for exploring, all of that filters into the music. I’m additionally huge on Taoist philosophy, seeing life with out getting caught in ego or continuity, and attempting to seize the purity of a second. That mindset shapes my music simply as a lot because the technical facet does. Principally, attempting to maintain younger at coronary heart and loving life absolutely.
What impressed your return to manufacturing, and why did this really feel like the proper second to return again to creating music?
It’s about self-discipline and readability. I’m a household man now with a superb son and an exquisite spouse, and I’ve received extra focus and drive within the studio than ever earlier than. I’m not chasing the scene; I’m chasing the craft itself – it’s the method that’s stunning to me. It felt like the proper time to return so absolutely as a result of my vitality and workflow are each robust, and I can lastly give music the polish and a spotlight it deserves.
How would you describe the sound you’re creating at present, and the way has it developed out of your earlier work?
I began in Tech Home after I was doing nightclubs and occasions, then I explored into Techno, Progressive Home and grew to understand Trance and Drum and Bass and at present, I really like mixing these influences. My newer productions carry that crossover: Midtempo grooves, heavy Techno edges, and even some Mainstage vibes. It’s about stitching collectively sounds from totally different many years and generations, nearly like constructing a bridge between eras. Some may name it “dated” at occasions, however that’s deliberate. It’s my method of honouring the roots whereas pushing ahead.
You’ve launched your personal label, Northscape – what does the imprint stand for, and how much sonic world are you aiming to construct by means of it?
Northscape is rooted in my philosophy that attracts from the panorama of the North, as it’s, and the inspiration I get from landscapes and pausing to understand them – the wild landscapes of distant locations, the grit of Glasgow, the vitality of looking of a NYC high-rise, and huge mountain ranges – that duality evokes me. The label is my house for artistic freedom, the place I launch by myself phrases with out compromise. It’s about emotion, self-discipline, and constructing a world the place polished manufacturing meets uncooked feeling. Dangerous, positive, however the confidence and freedom make it price it.
Has your course of within the studio modified over time – when it comes to mindset, workflow, or artistic path?
Completely.
Again then, it was a number of experimentation and spontaneity, which I nonetheless worth, however now I convey extra self-discipline and technical precision. I focus closely on sound design, selecting the best synths and equipment, refining particulars till the observe feels alive. My workflow is robust now; I can sit down, lock in, and produce an concept to life shortly with out second-guessing.
Lastly, what’s on the horizon for mxguinness? Can we anticipate new releases or collaborations within the close to future?
Undoubtedly. I’ve received a number of releases lined up that transfer throughout genres — Midtempo, Techno, even some crossover into Trance-inspired Mainstage tracks. I like what new artists are doing in that Midtempo house, and I’m exploring my very own model of that. I’ll even be utilizing my expertise to mix generations of sound, protecting issues unpredictable. Northscape would be the residence base for all of it.
Trying additional forward, I plan on making music for years to return. For me, it’s not nearly releases, it’s about repeatedly experimenting with sound design, pushing myself technically, and staying open to the place inspiration takes me. I don’t see myself ever stopping. Music has at all times been the thread working by means of my life, and so long as I’ve received the self-discipline and vitality to create, I’ll maintain evolving and placing concepts out into the world.
With new releases on the horizon and Northscape serving as each his artistic platform and launchpad, mxguinness is pushing ahead on his personal phrases – refining his voice by means of self-discipline, reflection, and a deep connection to the music that first moved him. As we wrap up our interview, we sit up for seeing the place he heads subsequent: a journey positive to be grounded in readability, intention, and the forward-looking perspective that continues to outline his creative path.
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