For our Issue 20 Music Spotlight, we delved into the musical journeys of three local bands by combining the “then and now.”
We compared their musical inspirations, daily routines and goals to see what’s changed, what’s remained the same and why.
Read ahead to drift between the past and present, and get to know alternative rapper Dead Space Dash a little better.
Then
Dead Space Dash started pursuing music, first as a rapper, when he was 21.
Who are you listening to?
Blu, Ab-Soul, I listen to a lot of music that isn’t rap. Like M83, The Paper Kites, Coldplay, the wildest stuff actually.
What’s your day to day in terms of music making?
I pursue music to stay out of trouble and occupy myself. I don’t have a sense of direction and I’m not super confident in myself. I’m not sure what I’m really good at, but I want to stick with this.
What do you envision your future in music to be?
Just spit bars and be the best. I want to be the best rapper. I tried to squeeze out the best beats I can to make it happen.
Now
Since moving to Austin in 2018, he’s refined his craft as an artist and producer.
Who are you listening to?
Bjork, Mac DeMarco, Earl Sweatshirt, Lucki, Playboi Carti. I listen to a lot of underground guys. I think because I grew up around a hip-hop environment, mainstream music gets old for me fast because I understand the method. I want something fresh and raw. It comes from not wanting to make the same things over and over again.
“I’m only going to make music that I genuinely want to hear.”
What’s your day to day in terms of music making?
Now, my relationship with music is different. I finally understand when people talk about it being personal. It’s a part of me. I’m only going to make music that I genuinely want to hear. I like producing and rapping now. You can’t have lyrics without the beats, and vice versa. They have to be on the same level.
What do you envision your future in music to be?
My goals now are to just keep mastering my craft. To get to a point where I don’t have to work somewhere else and I can take care of myself and people around me. I want to help and inspire other artists as much as I can, even if it’s one or two. I don’t care about being popular as much. If 10 people really enjoy my music instead of 20,000 people that kind of like it, that’s enough.
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