Funkadelphia: "How much of your music, percentage-wise.

would you say is original production versus sampling?"

Ageless: "I'd say about thirty to forty percent [is sampling].

Sampling is a big part of my process and usually how I start a song."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Do you play any instruments yourself?"

Ageless: "I play drums and piano. I plan on adding more instruments to my shows in the future,

just trying to find the right balance."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Did you grow up in an artistically or musically-inclined household;

and with that, do you have any formal musical education?"

Ageless: "I was fortunate to grow up in a musical family. My grandfather played violin; my father plays guitar;; and my uncle plays traditional Russian music professionally. I took a few lessons growing up but never really wanted to commit to one instrument. I do have a degree in audio engineering, which I apply when mixing and mastering my music."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Ageless has been a pretty long-standing project now for numerous years- how do you think the project and its sound have evolved in that time period, if at all?"

Ageless: "I started this project as a hip hop producer and emcee, flipping records with analog samplers and drum machines. Back then it was more complimenting the vocalist and keeping a level of simplicity; but for the past six or seven years now, I’ve focused more on complex arrangements and intricate sound design. Even though the sound has evolved a lot, I still start a beat the same way: by digging through crates of old records looking for that perfect sample."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Were you born and raised in New York?"

Ageless: "Yup, born and raised in New York and have lived here pretty much my whole life. New York is full of people who talk about how they're ready to move somewhere else, but never actually do. I've been saying this for years."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Your music tends to have a heavy hip hop accent, while New York

has been home to a tremendous extent of hip hop history- do you

feel the city has had an influence on your sound? If so, how?"

Ageless: "I’m definitely influenced by the city and its hip hop history. Although it’s expanded to small towns around the world, hip hop was born in the buildings and parks a few miles from where I grew up; and it’s always at the core of my music."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funkadelphia: "What are you using- both hardware and software-

in the studio and for live performances right now?"

Ageless: "In the studio I use Propellerhead Reason 9, along with a few keyboards, MIDI controllers, and MPC’s. I have a 1970’s Trident channel strip, which I record through for sound coloration- that’s my favorite piece of gear.
For live performances I use Serato with a Pioneer controller and Korg Kaossilator. I’m always looking to further the improvisational aspect of my live sets, so I’ll switch things up occasionally."

 

 

 

Funkadelphia: "You released your last album, 'Perfect World',

about eight months ago- what's next for you in the studio?"

Ageless: "I’m currently putting the final touches on my new EP- I should have release details soon. I’ve been taking my time with this one, and I can tell you the sound design is turning out next level. The samples are mainly pulled from rare, hard-to-find records. I’m excited for it!"

 

 

Funkadelphia: "If you could produce the beats for an album for any emcee-

alive or dead- who would it be?"

Agless: "It may be a predictable answer, but I'd have to say Biggie. I'm curious what he would sound like in today's world. As far as someone living, probably Ghostface."