If you were to ask me for the adjective that I think best describes leadenshrew's music, it would be crunchy. The tracks, always produced to the point, whether Bass-Music, Drum & Bass or Experimental, to name but a few, have all captivating instrumentation and mixing through a clear crispness that is second to (almost) none. It's hard to believe that he had little patience to invest his time in music before Audiotool because this sounds like the work of an experienced producer and that from the beginning of his career on Audiotool. We need your UK approach to Bass-Music alive. So pull yourself together and deliver!

Interview:

About Gabe aka leadenshrew

Hi, I'm Gabe. I’m 21, I live in the UK and I just finished my first year at university studying Television Production. I first heard about Audiotool at school from a friend who showed me a track he made, the next thing I did when I got back home was make an account and start making ketty tracks. I’ve gone by other names on Audiotool over the years but was never really proud of my output, I also feel some crippling embarrassment over how I used to act so I want to distance myself from that a bit, but I feel like as leadenshrew I've really found myself and I'm able to create music that's personal to me. Overall I’d say I’ve been on Audiotool for about 7 years. Also, since they asked, I’m partial to a meat feast pizza. Would recommend.

Describe the style of music you produce

I’d say I’m mostly known for my bass music, but I’ve been trying to branch out more. Whatever form that may take from trap, dnb, trance, I guess a common theme of mine is just making something really loud. I really enjoy making music that sounds like its about to fall apart at the seams.

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

I remember as a kid, my dad used to have a really old version of Cubase on his pc and I just thought it was so cool, so producing music has always been at the back of my mind. He was also the one to introduce me to Kraftwerk which cemented my love for electronic music in general. My mum could play piano and she tried to teach me, but I was always too impatient to slow down and practice. It was only until I found Audiotool that I took the time to sit down and start learning. Outside of Audiotool I picked up the bass guitar around 15 and started teaching myself but I doubt I’ll ever want to be in a band, I just enjoy playing some licks in my spare time.

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

I really can’t decide between the pulv and the heis. I love the noise on the pulv for obvious reasons, but messing with the ratio on a heis is always so much fun. Also tiny gain. Love that little guy fr.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

1trillionMPH introduced me to parallel compression and that’s been a complete game changer for me. It gives things more character and you can get some really punchy drums. I also strive for “movement” in my tracks. I can’t exactly describe what that means to me, but if I can’t get the movement right I usually throw out the draft.

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues?

I’m actually going through a pretty nasty block right now. My drive usually comes in bursts, but that hasn’t happened in a while. My advice would be to try and occupy yourself with something else creatively, for me that’s drawing and writing. Stuff like that could give you inspiration for a sound or an entire track, and you can also expand your talents in more areas.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

In short, an open mind. Having the widest range of music to draw from will help you out tremendously. I do that through Soundcloud stations and Spotify radio, as well as asking my friends and family for music recommendations. If I hadn't known withdecay I probably wouldn’t have ever listened to Deftones. Mashing everything you know into one weird amalgam always produces interesting results and something uniquely you.

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

I probably would have jumped to something like Ableton completely if it weren’t for the community aspect. I always enjoy speaking with people about Audiotool and having tracks open for remix is genius. If I were to add anything, I’d love it if there were some kind of pitch knob on the Audiotrack. Pitching a loop to the scale I’m working in would be a lifesaver.

Your message to the community:

Keep on keeping on, see you space cowboy, go Team Venture, etc. You guys are why I’m still here making music.

Social/Musical Links:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/leadenshrew

Edition Audiotool

Track #1:

egodeath w/ opi by looks and opi

About as gnarly as they come. This track is cemented in my mind as the best trap track on the website. That organ and piano make for an ethereal vibe but the bass and drums bring you crashing back down to earth. It really does capture that feeling of being so high you start getting a little scared.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/egodeath_w_opi/]]

Track #2:

why did i fade away by opaqity

One of the most evocative and heart-breaking tracks on the website. It's such a simple song but everything is so carefully constructed, especially the drums, that little rattling sample is so perfect. Nobody else does it like opaqity.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/why_did_i_fade_away/]]

Track #3:

abs x lux - peripherals by abstract and looks

Abstract has a habit of making the most infectious melodies I’ve ever heard. Abstract’s groove and looks’ hard-hitting chords make such a good combo, and the 808 breakdown in the last third never fails to give me the stank face. Perfect example of that mid-2010s Audiotool vibe.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/abs_x_lux_-_peripherals/]]

Track #4:

Fractals by Infyuthsion

The cool thing with this track is that instead of chips it all works with valves. One of the best synthwave tracks I’ve heard, about as wavy as you can go before you drift into the sun. Infyuthsion is probably the person I’m most grateful for in terms of my growth as a music producer. Their series on YouTube really helped me understand the basics when starting with Audiotool and production in general.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/fractals-3juepv/]]

Track #5:

im not gonna keep asking by withdecay

It feels like a song I’ve known all my life. The first half is one of the most haunting things I’ve experienced, yet the second half transforms into something euphoric and empowering, and the lyrics and vocal performance is nothing short of bone-chilling. This is my favourite song on Audiotool. I have a feeling it’s gonna stick with me for a long time.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/965ugbljb/]]

Track #6:

//AQUAMARINE by leadenshrew himself

I had a PS2 when I was growing up, and two of my favourite games were Metal Gear Solid 2 and Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. The music in those games were so iconic and stuck with me to this day. There was recently a boom in Y2K style music on Soundcloud, which brought all those memories back. It's a pretty personal track that a nine year old me would enjoy.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/41alihfxj79a/]]

Enjoy the full album in a row:

Edition Audiotool: leadenshrew

• a-records

25

about 2 years ago

1		egodeath w/ opi looks opi	looks opi	14046
2		why did i fade away opaqity	opaqity	31154
3		abs x lux - peripherals abstract looks	abstract looks	7564
4		Fractals Infyuthsion	Infyuthsion	9041
5		im not gonna keep asking withdecay	withdecay	2344
6		//AQUAMARINE leadenshrew	leadenshrew	2443