BLOCKJ4NE Prepares ‘Better Way’, Believes In The Power Of Web3
‘Considering the current state of the music industry, what does anyone really have to lose by exploring digital collectibles?’
As she prepares to unveil her second release on MODA this month, Canadian DJ, producer and label owner, Blockj4ne shares with us the creative process and origins of her upcoming single. A staunch believer in the power of web3, and an early adopter of the technology, Blockj4ne’s new single is aptly titled ‘Better Way’.
With an old school house sound, Blockj4ne shares the unlikely origins of the upcoming single, and urges other artists to explore the world of digital collectibles. With ‘Better Way’ scheduled for release July 14th, we caught up with Blockj4ne to find out what we can expect from the upcoming single.
Hi Blockj4ne! So, how would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music?
Soulful Moody House Music.
How long have you been producing music for? And how did you get started?
My journey into music production began in 2007, experimenting with Fruity Loops and Reason. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that I began to explore Ableton, although my usage of it was inconsistent. It wasn’t until around 2018 that I started to take production more seriously and became more consistent. My curiosity for production stems from my passion for DJ-ing house and techno.
Better Way sounds like a classic house track. Were there any specific influences, either musical or otherwise, that contributed to its development?
When I began producing ‘Better Way’, I became more receptive to Gospel House, Soul and R&B. I started to delve into classics that I would play on my radio show. Artists like Kenny BoBien, Frankie Feliciano, and classic tracks from Aarron Carl and Sean McCabe Caught my attention. I believe that being open to all types of music is important. As far-fetched as this may sound, without Gospel & Soul music, we might not have the techno and house genres we enjoy today.
Can you talk about the creative process behind the writing, recording and production process of Better Way?
I’ve been experimenting with Loopcloud, slicing and mashing up different samples to create something new. Playing with samples is something that feels very organic to me, likely due to my background as a DJ. To add depth and flow to the track, I incorporated various instruments.
My goal is to create music that is both chill and uplifting, with lyrics that often reflect what I am going through at the time, even if I am not consciously aware of it.
Did you find yourself facing any challenges during the production of this release? If so, how did you overcome them?
To achieve my desired outcome, I seek out resources that align with my creative vision, carefully selecting sounds and pieces that harmoniously fit together to bring my idea to life. If I encounter obstacles, I experiment through trial and error, fine-tuning the elements until I am satisfied with the final result.
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What do you want listeners to take away from this release?
That the song evokes a sense of hopefulness, even in life’s most despairing situations and the chilled out vibes provide a sense of calmness yet joyfulness.
Why did you choose to release Better Way as a digital collectible?
Over the past few years, I have produced several tracks, and while my ultimate goal is to release all of them as digital collectables, there was a strong urge to release this particular track, as if it was something that needed to be expressed at the present moment.
What are your future plans? Do you have any upcoming shows, live performances or other things in the near future?
Currently, my focus is on improving my music production skills while simultaneously working on BlockJane Records, both the web2 and web3 sides. I DJ every Sunday from 4–6pm EST on dogglounge.com.
What would you say to other artists who may be skeptical of releasing music as digital collectibles?
Considering the current state of the music industry, what does anyone really have to lose by exploring Music3/digital collectibles? While the traditional music industry and web2 may be more predictable, there is limited room for growth. On the other hand, the possibilities for growth and innovation in web3 are far more abundant, providing greater hope for the future of music.
What do you hope the future music landscape looks like?
It is my hope that the future of the music industry will see a more balanced distribution of revenue between artists, labels and streaming platforms; coupled with increased transparency in the industry’s business practices. I am optimistic that the adoption of blockchain technology and NFTs will provide more revenue streams, visibility and ownership options for artists.
