ACID CTRL is preparing to release his new Vaporwave/Chillwave project on June 16th (2017).

In this interview spotlight, we chat with ACID CTRL about influences, music consumption preferences, navigating the digital age and, of course, the upcoming release, Tear Elixir.

Full Q&A along with streams and links below. (We will be adding updated embeds for Tear Elixir when it becomes available to the public.)

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

I actually really hated Vaporwave/Synthwave and all of them subgenres, I was fully addicted to Metal, Punk and other genres similar to that. I got into underground rappers such as Pouya, Yung Lean and Lil Peep. After experiencing and listening to some Yung Lean tracks, I was addicted, the visuals or as people call the “aesthetics” were amazing to me. It was just really low-quality emo-rap kind of stuff. So if there was an influence, it was definitely Yung Lean’s visuals and lyrics. I then started to design Vaporwave-esque graphics on Photoshop and showing people, which I found really fun. I slowly got myself into the community of Vaporwave and “Sad Boys”, this was a major step in my music and life in general as it really got me interested. “Hey, maybe I can do something?”

What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?

So I created a song using Fruityloops and Audacity, thought it was ok, sent it around to some friends and they told me to make it public and make an EP. I think the main motivation is just the amount of support and love I get from people. I’ve had a lot of people say “Yo, your music got me into Vaporwave” – that shocks me. Doing something a few hours a day for a few months and then posting it actually got people’s attention. I think that’s crazy and the fans are amazing. They’re like family to me. They get me through a lot. I’m trying to get it on Spotify at the moment from a few requests.

Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?

As stated before, my influences were basically underground rappers and the Vaporwave community. I did a lot of experimenting and I think that’s what it mainly is. I’m not sure what to call it, Synthwave? Chillwave? Vaporwave? I don’t put labels on things, if people like it, that’s good enough for me. So of course, starting from the Metal and Punk roots and going into Cloud Rap, Underground Rap and Vaporwave is a very big difference but it’s opened my eyes and mind up to a lot of amazing people and music.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

The main goal was to create something that people would enjoy, maybe even helping someone out through a tough time. I just want to be there for everyone. I think the main goal is going to be and get 1k+ views on the EP. I’m working with some amazing people to create a great EP video for YouTube. I want ACID CTRL to be a counter-culture of mainstream thinking and clothing. Be what you want to be, don’t be pressured into others. I think, if I ever make another EP, I will collab with a good friend of mine who incorporates rap into his music. We’ve already got one track on the EP and it sounds amazing. His name is Crowbait and he’s been a reason I created this project in the first place. He has some really good tunes, feel free to check him out. For fans of Yung Lean and Lil Peep (https://soundcloud.com/crowbaitofficial)

Can you tell us about RedBubble and how you’re helping donate to charity (and tell us about the charity as well)?

I thought a good idea of getting some promotion would be to design and sell some shirts, I would love to see people model and generally wear T-Shirt with my creations on, but then I thought, I don’t even need the profit or money, so I’ll donate it to people that do. Yesterday, thanks to the supporters and donations I donated £15 to The National Autistic Society. This charity is very close to my heart as I’m autistic and luckily I had lots of support from family and others at a young age, sadly not everyone has the same. One in 68 in the US has an autism disorder. I hope to think my donation has helped one family trying to cope.

What was the last song you listened to?

Funny enough, it was the new Dragonforce single “Ashes of the Dawn” I’m a massive fan of Power and Speed metal and it always gets me going. I hope to see them live one day!

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

Vinyls! I have my own vinyl player and I have put so much money into vinyl. It ranges from The Beatles, Avenged Sevenfold, Creeper and Tyler, The Creator.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I used to love Apple Music, used it all the time but now I used Spotify only. I find it easier to navigate and cheaper. I think Spotify has a bigger community too, which helps with upcoming artists.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?

I find social media such as Twitter and Facebook really good with connecting to fans. Funny enough, I met my graphic designer on Twitter. His name is Yannic and makes really cool 3D models too. (https://twitter.com/xzbobzx). I think the hardest part is actually trying to get enough reach, although I’m doing well now, I feel that it will die down. I may have to branch off to different Social Medias, hopefully not yet though. I think a major problem is that not everyone likes Vaporwave! So it’s kind of a 50/50 chance someone will like what I make.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?

I think the most public and active place is my Twitter and Snapchat. That’s where most of the information and news comes from. I post actively on that and reply and message everyone that’s interested. That’s the place to go if you want to hear more.

Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?

I’ll just like to say thank you to Middle Tennessee Music for having me, it means a lot. My EP “Tear Elixir” comes out on the 16th of June! Massive thanks to everyone that has supported me through this adventure.