Embark on an emotional journey with Somber, whose music transcends boundaries blending melodic dubstep with rock and metal elements. Each track he crafts resonates deeply and taps into raw emotions connecting listeners on a profound level. As we spoke with him, he revealed the inspiration behind his unique style and the challenges and rewards of pushing genre boundaries within electronic music. Join us as we explore his performances, musical identity, and the transformative power of his sound.
EDM Texas: On a profound level, your music is known for its emotional depth and ability to connect with listeners! How do you utilize melodic dubstep as a genre to convey emotion and establish that connection with your audience?
Somber: First off, thank you! that is a huge compliment for me because music, to me, is extremely emotional and allows for me to express my thoughts and feelings way better than words ever could. Melodic Dubstep will enable people to resonate with the music personally while still feeling that intense drop or super impactful chorus you can belt with your friends.
EDM Texas: Your style of melodic dubstep stands out for its distinctiveness. Can you highlight the key elements or techniques you incorporate into your music that set your style apart?
Somber: What helps me stand out is the lyrical aspects of chosen songs. When listening to music, I need that message in the song and the little story that plays out in my head while I’m listening to it. Being able to bring that imagery to others is something I crave with my music.
EDM Texas: Your music is also distinguished by its fusion of metal & rock elements! What inspired you to blend these genres, and how do you believe this fusion contributes to your unique identity as a DJ?
Somber: Rock and Metal is what I grew up on. As long as I can remember, I would listen to Mötley Crüe and Metallica with my dad. As I got older, I grew into the Emo scene more with bands like Motionless in White and Bring Me The Horizon. The impact their music made on me is something I want to continue to let influence me in my style and performances.
EDM Texas: Can you share some insights into the challenges when merging these diverse musical styles and what rewards you find in pushing genre boundaries within electronic music?
Somber: These two genres blend well but it depends on the crowd you're playing to mostly. Some people want to hear those heavy dubstep drops with the raging guitar in the background while the more melodic side might lend itself more to the pop side of music. Finding that song everyone resonates with makes me feel like I'm playing the music I love. The biggest challenge I run into is finding the right audience to allow my style to connect with, but when I do, the passion behind it for me and the crowd is worlds apart from any other style. The biggest reward I get is hearing those compliments from people saying that I made their night or they were having a bad day and I turned it around for them. It sticks with me and humbles me every single time.
EDM Texas: You’ve recently performed at prominent venues around Dallas like Shot Topic, Green Elephant, and Select Start! What are some notable moments or highlights that stood out during these shows?
Somber: Shot Topic is an absolute blast to play at and is, by far, my favorite gig. It allows me to keep in touch with those metal and emo roots I grew up with while still letting me sneak in some heavy dubstep with rock and seeing people go crazy over a remix of their favorite song they grew up with. My favorite moment from Select Start was the first gig - I was asked to play where I put on my mask for the first time, seeing people's faces and feeling like a completely different persona made me feel untouchable. One moment that sticks out to me was at Green Elephant for my first paid gig ever and I closed the night out and had an amazing time connecting with the audience. When it was done I was approached by a couple who said I inspired them to get into DJing and had them crying and raging with me while I played. Even as a new DJ, moments like that are all I could ever ask for and is the reason I got into this in the first place.
EDM Texas: What inspires you during the creative process and how do you translate those inspirations into your music?
Somber: During the creative process, what inspires me most is the songs I can put on when feeling a certain way throughout my day. Sad? I know just the song. Mad? Let's rage and get the anger out. Wherever my head is during that process is what I want people to feel when they hear me play. Emotion is absolutely the main driving factor in my creative process.
EDM Texas: What are some of the motivations and inspirations behind the sets you create and how do you channel these influences into your performances to create a memorable experience for your audience?
Somber: The biggest motivator for me when it comes to my sets is making sure that people feel something while I'm playing. EDM can get a bad rap sometimes where people think it's just the same beats over and over again but when I play I try to ensure that everyone in the crowd from the front to the back gets something out of watching me perform. My biggest inspirations are Excision, Seven Lions, Subtronics, Kai Wachi, and Sullivan King because they all have a huge dedicated fan base and the pure energy and emotion that they bring to their sets is something that I am constantly chasing in my own. I remember seeing Excision for the first time when I was 21 and raging the entire night and feeling like my body was hit by a truck by the end of it and I wouldn't have it any other way. They all make me feel something.
EDM Texas: How do you envision your music evolving and what steps do you plan to take to continue growing and pushing boundaries within the electronic dance music scene?
Somber: I want to get better at producing music; it's daunting because of the sheer amount of work and knowledge that goes into it, but I know it will pay off in the end. Collaborating with some of the bands I listened to when I was growing up would be an absolute dream of mine and bring their names to the EDM scene and show people more music they can fall in love with. Exploring more genres could help me stand out and grow in the music scene. I've been getting more into Drum and Bass and Melodic Techno because there's a lot of raw emotion from those styles but it still gives me that connection I crave with people. On a personal note, I'd love to come up with visual experiences similar to Black Tiger Sex Machine for myself, take people on a journey during their time with, me, and help them connect with the mask and Somber as a whole.
Whether you’re drawn to the blissful melodies or the thunderous beats, Somber’s music promises to take you on an unforgettable journey to discover the transformative power of his sound. You can follow his socials below: