Interview with J MadInfluence Meyers

March 11, 2012 | Posted by Vivian Murakami in DJ's, Interviews, Musicians No comments

J Mad – and I quote him now – is “a (single) father first and foremost”, but to his fans he is known as a successful producer, DJ, artist, graphic designer and owner of the label “Hyperformula Music”.

Since it’s not possible to cover all aspects of his career in one interview, we decided to concentrate this evening on “J MadInfluence Meyers” the DJ.

Was it always your dream to become a DJ, or did you slip into DJing by coincidence?

Music has always been a part of who I am… I can play any instrument and sing while playing them. It’s my talent you could say… but no, DJing was something I stumbled upon in the mid-nineties. And I wasn’t sure what to think at first…but eventually fell in love. There are many kinds of “DJs”… laptop DJs, Battle DJs, Radio DJs…

I’m all of the above. =)

I can play on turntables, CDJs (Cd mixers), midi controllers and laptops.

Do you prefer to compose your own music, or sample / remix other artists’ work?

I prefer to write my own stuff… I love remixes too but it is difficult as a solo artist to find ways to push the envelope and explore new ways to be original and interesting. I am currently forming a new project called “Hanzo” which will include other members.

I love to play (when I say “play” I mean DJ) my own tunes live for people. That was kind of the whole plan back in the day… When I first started…. be a DJ, and then make my own songs, and play them in clubs. Which is what I do now. Not exactly what I had in mind when I dreamed of being a musician. But hey, people really love what I do.

Most people think about hard techno beats when they hear the words “Dj” or “Remix”. Listening to your songs, you offer your audience a wide variety of genres from around the world…

Yes now you see why I am called “Mad Influence”…

Mad as in “A plethora of… influence”.

A lot of insane influence!!

Honestly, my heart is in metal… and EDM (Electronic Dance Music) but I play DnB, Dubstep, Drumstep, House, Electro, Breaks, Hip Hop, Industrial, Triphop, New Age, Pop and Rnb. =)

My remixes and original songs have all of those elements.

I am considered a “Multi-Genre” DJ… a turntablist that specializes in Bass Music and the same goes for me as a producer.

I’m an Experimental EDM Producer/Remixer Extraordinaire.
It’s complex, I know, lol, just call me an artist.

Let’s talk about your “A girl from Taipei stole my heart”. It’s definitely not what one would expect to hear at a club. What inspired you to compose the song and how did you come up with its unexpected ending?

Wow well… I fell in love with a beautiful woman from Taiwan. Everything was beautiful until one day, she just got up and left.

The melody you hear is an old Chinese Opera tune (I think) that I chopped up, re-arranged and added a beat to… The ending is the girl from Taipei’s favorite song, played backwards. I used the airport/airplane samples to represent her leaving for Taiwan… and never coming back to me… and she never did, haha.

Do you have a particular ‘DJ’ you admire and why?

Yes, there are a few but 1 stands out… 5 times world DJ champion ‘DJ Craze’… Some say he is a God among men, I just think he can rock a party proper, hahaha.

Since you are quite successful and well known in the DJ scene by now – do you have artists knocking on your door, asking to remix some of their work? =)

Well, I wouldn’t say I am well known… but I am known by the real EDM heads for what I do and what I represent and bring to the world of EDM. And yes, there are so many people, trying to get me involved with too many projects at times haha…

I just try to go with the flow, but I am picky about who I do work with though…

Tell me about your label, “HYPERFORMULA MUSIC”. Is it one of your goals to help promote new and upcoming artists?

Yes, our label is very diverse and different. I like to call ‘Hyperformula’ (www.facebook.com/hyperformula) a Multi-Media Company. We sell tunes, build artist portfolios, distribution on websites such as ITunes, Emusic, Trackitdown, etc. & we throw shows. (Thanks to two very important people: DJ Linoge and ROK SIX, without them… 95% of our shows, my shows, wouldn’t be happening!!)

So, we do many things…

I founded the company several years ago with the help of John Wooten aka Johnny Tang. Artists on our roster include -Taline Traxx (NYC), Trahma Selectah (San Diego), Nmesh (Lexington, Kentucky), etc. Including DJs, there are around 20 of us in all… working toward the goal of making music that makes people come together to dance & celebrate life and love. You know… “PLUR”. Peace, Love, Unity, Respect.

Btw, we are currently based in Charlotte, NC.

Finding artists that will help increase attention and capital into the company is imperative (obviously) so we DO help young artists, but we focus on artists that have a very special and unique talent. Marketable ones for sure… Not everyone can be a part of our crew.

Since mentioning “new and upcoming artists”, what advice would you give to an aspiring DJ, who’s fresh out of high school/college?

Practice ‘til your skills are like second nature… never give up, work hard. Learn all formats of DJing or turntablism… learn to scratch and transform the songs you play for people into an epic piece of music – ‘Turntablism’ in itself is an art form, which is why that debate is so heated over laptop DJs vs ‘Turntablists’. You see? It takes work to match the beats together on turntables, but on a laptop, you hit a button and all the beats are matched so mixing the songs together live is easier… Kind of like cheating one might say…

From our previous talks I know that you love your city, Charlotte, North Carolina for many various reasons, one of them being – and I quote you now – “the hottest music scene on the East Coast”. Who would’ve guessed?

Haha thanks, and check this out… proof that it is maybe the hot spot now?!?!? The most recent article from a local art scene paper http://clclt.com/charlotte/bass-for-your-face-is-charlotte-becoming-electronic-dance-music-central/Content?oid=2647653

BTW the guy in that article, DJ ODI? is the man that inspired me to buy my first turntables, and he just moved here… Hoping to play a set with him soon!! Dream come true? I THINK SO, hahah.

We have BASS Church ( a monthly Dubstep show), Konkrete (ODI’s crew), BASS Records, Hyperformula, Sugar Society, Shadow Council, Sound Council, Digital Rapport. All of these people are promoters that book shows constantly. There is somewhere to go out every night in Charlotte…. People come from all over to see shows here. As a matter of fact, we are working with others and bringing the famous ‘Breakbeat BBQ’ here in April… feat, many DJ’s and artists from LA!

Are you happy with the current DJ scene here in the USA, or do you think other countries are a step ahead?

I think the DJ scene is over-saturated with people that wanna be DJs that’s for sure. But I love all the technology that is available for DJs to use now w/ turntables etc.

We know you love composing, sampling and remixing – can you tell me three other passions that don’t have to do with music?

My first true passion is being a parent and caring for my daughter. I thought I was gonna lose her a couple of years ago… long story short?

I sold all I had, gave up many things and fought tooth and nail for her in a court room. I eventually won split custody, 26 weeks a year, and she is my reason for living! We are rebuilding slowly, but everyday together is a blessing.

My one passion was music UNTIL she came along… then everything changed.

Well, J Mad, I thank you for taking time to talk to me about your work and private life. It’s getting late; let’s close this interview by introducing 3 of your songs. I must confess, since being a huge echostream fan myself, I’m a little partial towards your “Just Kill Me” remix. =)