NCM GUEST MIX 014: MAUDE VÔS
Maude Vôs (2021)
Utah has always been a second home to L.A.'s Maude Vôs who delivers our 14th guest mix comprised of all original productions.
A self-professed synth, drum machine, and gear fanatic she taught herself the ropes for years before going to school for recording production and media music. With a new studio built just in time for lockdown, Maude joined NCM from DTLA for our first live stream during the pandemic. From there she continued connecting with fans online through her videos and streaming appearances while working on her latest EP, "The Umbra".
Vôs is boss of the newly launched Delusional Records (with Marie Nyx) where they are carving new pathways for women and other underrepresented populations in electronic music.
How did you get into music to begin with and what led you further down into production?
Electronic music caught my ear in 2002 at my first party in DTLA at the legendary Orion. Previous to discovering electronica, I had made mixtapes for friends and loved exchanging music. After realizing how few female artists there were in the scene I began dabbling in mixing. Once I got further into DJing, I realized I wanted to create my own pieces of work. I was exposed to the instruments in friends' studios and then spent 5 or 6 years teaching myself. I decided to further my knowledge by going to school for formal training in recording production and media music.
Did you have any favorite bands or artists as a teenager?
My all-time favorite band is The Cure. Other notable favorites were Abba, Devo, Depeche Mode.
DJing or Production, which came first and/or how?
I played trumpet in middle and high school. DJing came first but very quickly after, I knew I had to get into production.
What is your connection to Salt Lake City and Utah?
Salt Lake has been my second home my entire life. My German father thought it was the closest thing to the Alps, so we visited multiple times a year to ski. Over time, I made friends and became integrated into the party community. I loved the SLC underground and was grateful to spend many years living full-time in Salt Lake City. Ultimately, I wanted to work full time in the audio industry, so I made the move back to Los Angeles 3 years ago. I still frequently visit Salt Lake.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not making music?
I love spending time with my lovely friends and family, usually at the beach or hot springs, hiking in the Hollywood hills, thrifting for vintage collectibles, and discovering all the exciting restaurants LA has to offer. I equally value my time at home with my cats and cooking new dishes.
As a former Utah resident, what do you miss about the scene here vs. California?
I truly miss all the connections I’ve made over the years. SLC has some of my favorite people around and since it is a smaller niche, the parties are much more intimate.
You have a beautiful space in LA with music, kitty, and sunsets views at your fingertips. What excites you about living there, and how did you survive quarantine, perform music, stay inspired, etc.?
I love living around and in a community of working artists. I’m constantly inspiring and collaborating with others! I think it’s also accountability in a sense.
I finished my studio a few weeks before quarantine which was all too perfect. I spent the first few months writing The Umbra, my latest EP. What kept me afloat was making videos and live-streaming. I was so grateful to kick off streaming with an NCM stream and it inspired me to continue my online presence. Streaming opened the opportunity for me to cultivate an online community. I am now meeting some of these people in real life and have their support in my in-person performances which feels like the silver lining in all of this.
You’ve just launched a new record label. What was the evolution and inspiration behind that and what is the future you see with it?
Delusional Records is my new imprint with Marie Nyx. For many months prior to the launch, we discussed the lack of representation of female, queer, gender non-conforming, POC, and underground artists in the industry. We decided to create our label to showcase up-and-coming talent but also promised to highlight the underrepresented population in electronic music. I think running a label as two women is also important in the aspect of visibility. Only 15% of record labels are women-owned. We are grateful to have the rest of the year booked with artists. Last month we released SLC OG, Siak PHD, and next month we have legendary femme modular artist Trovarsi. They have both played such a role in the evolution of my hardware set-up and knowledge.
What are your overall favorite pieces of equipment? Do you have staples you go back to?
My favorite pieces of gear... honestly my monitors (PMC Result-6). They were the game changer for me. I feel like I can work longer and more efficiently with the clarity and fidelity of their sound. As for synths, drum machines, and effects, my Volca rack and my vintage Roland synths and RE-301 are forever my staples. Lately, I have been lost in the modular sauce. I blame quarantine! I’m getting the most amazing happy accidents! I am still refining a live set on my eurorack, but I’m really enjoying the journey.
What life experience(s) helped you find and develop your talent and passion for music?
I think collaborating with other artists has helped and inspired me the most. When I first started producing, I would ask other artists to sit in on their sessions and for pointers on engineering techniques. It really inspired me to push myself to learn/hone my craft as a producer. I also love that there is always an opportunity to expand knowledge in production whether it’s at a convention, workshop, or panel. I am now grateful to give back to the community by mentoring women in production.
Do you have a favorite club, dance floor, or festival memory from over the years?
I think to this day playing What the Festival in Oregon was the best time I’ve ever had playing a set! Being surrounded by glaciers in the forest with stellar sound and the energy of the crowd was a magical experience.
What would you say to your younger producer self if you had the chance? What would your future self say to you now?
I feel as a female in the industry, I still to this day have imposter syndrome or second guess my work. I wish I could inject a bit of confidence into young Maude. My future self would say that art is subjective and to stop comparing your work to others. Be confident in what you are creating and stay true to yourself as an artist.
Where can we catch you performing/upcoming releases, what are you working on?
I just finished opening for Camea at Clinic Wednesdays in Hollywood and we threw an incredible rooftop release party for Siak PHD’s EP on Delusional Records.
I am currently working on an EP with Amber Cox of Slumber and the b-side to an EP with vocalist Ellie Kastes of Höemwrecker. I also have a track coming out on the Desert Hearts Black VA comp in the fall.
How would you describe the mix you made for NCM? Process, selection, etc. Anything in particular?
The mix I made for NCM is a compilation of all my original productions. This mix is a representation of my sound within all genres.
TRACKLIST:
1. Immortal Master by Maude Vôs
2. Opulence by Maude Vôs
3. ONLP by Amber Cox & Maude Vôs
4. Ame Damnee by Maude Vôs
5. The Evil Side of Love Ft Ellie Kastes by Maude Vôs
6. Luere by Maude Vôs
7. 2-20-20- Xelli Island by Maude Vôs Remix
8. Born to Synthesize by Todd Rundgren- Maude Vôs Bootleg
9. Acid Incantation by Maude Vôs
10. Lilith by Maude Vôs