I normally start at the computer with something really simple like a four-bar loop of a drum sample or a bass line. And then I just start adding layers of synthesizers.

Washed Out

Categorized in : Like Start Something Simple

Obviously, I never want to make the same record twice. I want to keep moving forward. That's the real challenge, I think.

challenge think moving-forward moving

Texture is very important. Just the feel of everything. It's not always about recording everything in pristine quality and having everything mixed where it's absolutely perfect. It's more about a vibe.

feel quality important perfect

I try to be as optimistic as I can. I feel like that's the beautiful thing about art and music. It can take you places, and they can be a positive influence. A very soothing influence. Honestly, I feel like there's enough pain and terrible things that happen in life. That's beautiful thing in art, you can really idealize things.

music positive beautiful life

I never wanted to just press play on some DJ set and let the lights do all the work. I value old-fashioned performance a little more than that.

dj value lights work

When I look back at the record and listen to it, I can sort of see where I was at when I was making it - these brief little moments, different places I was at emotionally.

back look i-can moments

I definitely enjoy my time by myself - and that's kind of the weird thing about touring; you're kind of constantly surrounded by people - but I actually do enjoy going out and doing things and being around people.

myself you time people

It is easy to get an interesting loop to happen, but it becomes a collage when the song and loop are constantly changing.

happen easy song interesting

It's a weird dynamic - I guess there is a fine line between hope and sadness. Sometimes you can be feeling both at the same time.

you sadness hope time

For me personally, I'm always writing from what's happening in my emotional life. Even without thinking about it a lot of the time, it comes out in the songs that I'm writing.

me time life thinking

Escapism or nostalgia, for me, is not about having a terrible life and trying to get away via imaginary ideas or something.

me nostalgia life ideas

I'm very happy in my life, but I do feel that music has a power to transport you to places or to beautiful moments in your past.

you music beautiful life

One of the great things about music is how it can take you places.

great you great-things music

My parents live out in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of this peach orchard. It's actually Peach County, one of the largest peach-growing counties in Georgia. It's very rural, and there is nothing much going on, so I guess that's had a big influence on everything as far as just not having much to do.

live parents nothing influence

I do try to structure everything in a way that's very much like a pop song. I try to keep the arrangements really simple, just to make everything essential.

try simple song way

I want people to make sense of what I'm talking about.

sense want talking people

Over a year's time, I felt like I squeezed in five years of touring experience, which was a really huge help moving forward.

experience moving-forward time moving

I don't think I would change anything. I think we've done a fairly good job of remaining sane and making the right decisions.

job good think change

I personally love the record-making more than the actually performing and travelling. It's funny, the drastic shift in lifestyle that comes with it. It certainly satisfies my more adventurous side, but it leaves little time for contemplation and all of that.

lifestyle time love funny

I never want to make a complete, 180 reactional record. I wanted a connection to what I've done in the past but still move forward and evolve.

never done want past

I get very bored easily. I'm a child of the Internet or whatever; I want more and more of new and interesting things.

new child internet bored