Image credit: Clara Hanssens
Listening to band Stavroz’s latest single ‘Wintergreen’ via Moodfamily, one is instantly hooked on its subtle trumpet infused start that fades into an upbeat deep house core. Consisting of IJsbrand De Wilde, Gert Beazar, Maxim Helincks and Pieter De Meester, each member brings their own fire and flavour to this live performing band that doesn’t compromise on funk-laden rhythms. Smooth and gentle on the brain with a danceable beat, Stavroz continue to relax and entertain their fans. We chatted with the dynamic band in this exclusive Q&A below.
Stream / Download:‘Wintergreen’ on Spotify – Itunes
Upcoming Tour Dates & Tickets here
What’s your “secret sauce?” What makes your sound stand out?
Sriracha. It’s spicy, just like how we want us to sound.
Define a successful day in your eyes.
No delayed flights, great performance, good sound, good food, good drinks.
What made you decide to pursue a musical career?
Freedom. Also, we didn’t really choose it. We just were the right guys, at the right time, with the right sound.
What would you be doing as a career if you never pursued music?
Trash collector, professional soccer player, teacher & professional procrastinator.
Pros and cons of the industry from your perspective?
Pro: Doing what you love in an environment you can’t really control.
Cons: Living at night.
What were some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
Radiohead – Kid A, Nicolas Jaar – Space is only noise & Pink Floyd – Meddle.
You incorporate jazz elements on this latest electronic release. What advice can you give to artists that are trying to incorporate varied elements into their sound?
Avoid going for the obvious choices, go beyond expectations, experiment. Twist the knobs further than you’d usually do. See what comes out, force yourself. Don’t care what anyone else might think. If you like it, then you can bet that there going to be someone else that likes it.
What key pieces of gear/software do you use to define your sound?
Ableton, Arturia bundle, some guitars, synths and a variety of horns as well as a chunky sample pack.
How do you prepare yourself mentally for performing or/and studio sessions?
Have a pee in the solitude of the bathroom.
How has music production changed your outlook on life?
It had a drastically positive influence, because of that we get to wake up in the morning and go and do what we love.
You previously made this comment about the track: “It was a track that sat on the shelf for quite some time as there was a definite hook to it that was too strong to ignore. It took a while to find the right environment for that hook.” What is your ideal environment to work in?
It can be anything that influences your mood before you’re working on a song. Noise, people around you, having no obligations and a free schedule, good health, and who knows perhaps some mind-altering helpers to expand the perspective. And nighttime. When the world is quiet, inspiration comes more often.
Tell us about your upcoming releases or projects
We’ve got our first album Mindibu set to release on May 13th! Our first single ‘Wintergreen’ is out now. You can expect the second single on April 22nd.
We’ve picked up touring with shows coming in the US, and Central America, Europe & the Middle East. You can catch quite a few songs from the album on our live shows.
Listen to ‘Wintergreen’ on HOUSE_GROUND.fm
Follow Stavroz:
Website – Facebook – Soundcloud – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify
