What is your name and role within Polyswitch?
My name is Mouhcine and I play and produce music under my alias Polyswitch.
How did you start ?
It all started in 2010, when I had my first DJ Gigs. After that I wanted to do my own thing and this is basically how I founded « Lost Frequency », a monthly event which was dedicated to electronic music and focusing on the local Artists. Lost Frequency opened many doors. It definitely got the ball rolling as I had my first European gigs last year.
Where are you based?
I am based in Casablanca, Morocco.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
Based on an idea I often start by building a drum pattern using drum up samples or live drum kits sounds. I keep on working on the beat and messing with the keys until the right groove turns up, then the chords, a bassline and other elements will follow. If the ensemble feels and sounds good, i’ll probably spend hours of editing on it, so I can have all the pieces sitting together in one session and the first 8 or 16 Bar Loop can turn into a fully arranged track.
What are you working on right now?
At the moment I am recording new material for my second release which is due this year.
What is your gear setup?
When it comes to DJ’ing, I use two Digital Turntables and a pair of Vinyl Turntables.
Production-wise I’m using an Akai mpc 1000 as my main Sequencer/Sampler, a Yamaha CS-15 mono synth paired with a Korg SQ-10 which is an analog CV sequencer, a Waldorf Blofeld and a first generation Electribe ESX as well as a 01wfd digital synthesizer from Korg.
All these pieces of gear are hooked up to an analog mixer and going as separate inputs into Ableton Live, a Digital Audio Workstation I use to record, edit and mix/correct levels.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I actually cycle quite a lot. I also like to travel as it helps me to reconstruct ideas and gather new energy.
How would you describe your music genre?
I don’t like to put myself in a box. I see myself as a multifaceted artist with different approaches and styles.
Do you know any music theory?
I’ve gathered some basic knowledge, however I have never attended any music classes.
What are your plans for the future?
Producing more music. Pushing my limits and developing my musical skills and knowledge.
How did you start ?
From early age I have been exposed to a heterogeneous selection of good music. While growing up in Morocco I was surrounded by ethnic rythms and grooves. Morocco is musically very rich and diverse and that influence is ingrained in me. As a teenager, I listened to lots of Hip Hop and other stuff from the golden era. It is actually during College time that music started to get a serious business for me. I used to dedicate most of my time to it. A couple of years later, I started using a computer and discovered a DAW software, which was a vital turning point that led me towards DJing. It really made me wanna dig deeper into the musical universe.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Currently, I am listening to those albums :
Karriem Riggins – Headnod Suite
Dam-Funk – Toeachizown
Jay Daniel – Broken Knowz
King Sunny Ade – Juju Music
Madlib – Shades of blue
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Sun Ra, J Dilla, Larry Heard, Herbie Hancock, D’angelo.
When are you playing next?
30 June / Essaouira
14, July / Casablanca
09, September / Rabat
17, September / Marrakech : OASIS Festival http://theoasisfest.com/info/polyswitch/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Polyswitch
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/polysw_tch/
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/polyswitch