Bart Skils and Weska have reignited their long-running manufacturing partnership for a chic new two-tracker ‘Torn
Clouds’ on Drumcode. The pair first linked musically in 2019 for the superb ‘Polarize’ EP and ever since have
shared a powerful musical kinship. EDM Tunes spoke with them completely as they mentioned manufacturing heroes,
dream studio gear and the way they manifest their profession targets.
What do you want most about working with each other? What’s one thing distinctive that every brings to the collaborative undertaking?
Bart Skils: Cody (Weska) is nice with melodies and chord progressions – it really works extremely properly with my rolling grooves, and collectively we create loads of magic.
Weska: Bart is genuinely one of many nicest guys within the business, so working with him is at all times tremendous straightforward. It’s humorous, most of our work is completed remotely. I feel we’ve solely carried out a few periods in particular person, which makes collaborating very straightforward. We normally begin initiatives when one in all us already has an thought or path in thoughts, so we’re aligned from the leap. He’s wonderful at seeing the complete arc of an thought or a pattern, from tough sketch to closing product.
Do you go in with a plan or simply let issues circulation?
Bart Skils: Normally we waft – we will begin with a pattern or vocal and add melodies, bass, and drums, or we’ve a melody hook we work with and construct a groove round it.
Weska: We’re fairly good at going with the circulation, however we at all times have a tough plan or thought to begin. Our greatest tracks normally come from one in all us discovering a sick pattern or beginning an thought with a transparent vibe, after which we bounce it backwards and forwards till it’s carried out.
Who’re your manufacturing heroes?
Bart Skils: Sound design and productivity-wise through the years, I might say Luke Slater, Cari Lekebusch, and Mark Broom.
Weska: I really feel like I’m influenced by totally different producers each week, relying on the temper I’m in or the model I’m writing. However through the years, Eric Prydz has by no means left that listing. I’ve been listening to him since my teenagers and nonetheless discover myself impressed by every thing he places out. The French icons—Daft Punk and Justice—have additionally been core influences from the very starting. They’re all-time for me.
What’s a dream little bit of studio gear you’d like so as to add to your assortment?
Bart Skils: I’ve at all times labored with my Genelec 8050 displays, however not too long ago I’ve been serious about upgrading to the Genelec 8351BP. These displays are totally coaxial, and the calibration within the room is unimaginable from what I’ve heard.
Weska: I’d like to get my arms on the Shadow Hills mastering compressor. The digital model is already a beast, so I can solely think about how the unique {hardware} sounds. However truthfully, the true dream is only a studio with a window and a few daylight—easy issues, proper?
Do you set profession targets and attempt to manifest sure issues, or do you simply let issues circulation? If that’s the case, what would you want to realize in 2025?
Bart Skils: I primarily set targets per 12 months. I’ll plan a path I musically wish to go, take into consideration musical concepts, and do competition/occasion planning. Then on the finish of the 12 months, I mirror and see what may enhance or be higher structured.
Weska: Oh yeah—I’m huge on manifesting. I set targets originally of every 12 months and examine in each quarter to rebalance and keep on observe. It helps to work towards one thing tangible, particularly as a result of music isn’t ever “carried out”—simply “carried out sufficient” (at the very least for me). In 2025, I’d like to play some festivals and tour Latin America—it’s simply one in all my favorite locations to play. I additionally wish to discover the best properties for all of the music I’ve been engaged on.
Outdoors of music, what kind of hobbies or practices provide help to keep balanced?
Weska: Well being has grow to be an enormous focus for me—I’m truthfully obsessed. I ended ingesting virtually two years in the past (which feels wonderful), I practice commonly, meditate and do breathwork every day, and I’m actually into browsing. I don’t reside close to an ocean, although, so any journey I take normally turns right into a surf journey (shoutout to my girlfriend), and I really like taking part in gigs by the ocean. After I’m in Toronto, I surfskate loads. I attempt to get exterior and keep energetic as a lot as potential—working, biking, frisbee, tenting, snowboarding—regardless of the season permits. It helps me burn off vitality, focus higher, and simply really feel wonderful. Just a few years in the past, I began journaling each morning earlier than coaching, and it’s been an important begin to the day and a good way to settle my chaotic thoughts.
Share a musical suggestion you may’t cease listening to.
Bart Skils: I take heed to new stuff on a regular basis—one thing I’m ready on is the brand new Tame Impala album. It’s been 5 years for the reason that final one and he’s been leaning an increasing number of into the digital facet of music.
Weska: Justice – Hyperdrama
What’s arising subsequent when it comes to your subsequent collaborative undertaking?
Bart Skils: I’ve received a really cool undertaking arising on the finish of July that has been within the making for nearly two years. The observe is known as Candy Concord and originates from the godfather of home, Marshall Jefferson.
The standout piano hook and vocal had been revamped within the early ’90s by London group Liquid, and it took ages to get it cleared between all folks concerned.
Lastly, Marshall Jefferson heard the demo model—which he cherished—so we agreed to launch it as a collab collectively. I’m extraordinarily happy with the outcome.
Weska: I simply wrapped up a brand new collab with Enamour that turned out wonderful—I can’t wait to try it out for the primary time subsequent weekend. I’m additionally deep into a number of extra collaborations with some unimaginable producers and vocalists. Can’t say an excessive amount of simply but, however I’m actually enthusiastic about what’s coming.
What’s your most anticipated gig of the summer season followers ought to try?
Bart Skils: I’ve received a full run of nice festivals and occasions this summer season and amongst these are Awakenings, Fusion, 909, and a secret warehouse occasion in LA the place I’ll do the 3-hour closing. However normally, each weekend is filled with highlights in the mean time.
Weska: I’m heading to California subsequent weekend—taking part in Halcyon in San Francisco and Sound in LA. After all, I’ll be attempting to squeeze in some surf whereas I’m there. It’s the dream when your passions line up like that. In August, I’m engaged on some Latin America dates, and in September, I’m heading to Ibiza for Resistance at Amnesia. I haven’t been to the island in a number of years—stoked is an understatement.
The rest you’d prefer to share?
Bart Skils: I’m very grateful that I get to do what my ardour is, and all of you might be so supportive of my sound and grooves. I’ll by no means take it without any consideration and can carry on pushing the sonic limits and following my coronary heart.
Weska: There’s a lot good music popping out proper now throughout all genres. I really like the blurred strains—folks simply writing what they like and having enjoyable with it. It feels just like the sort of music that impressed me to begin producing within the first place, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Bart Skils & Weska ‘Torn Clouds is out now on Drumcode: https://drumcode.ffm.to/dc331
