Funkadelphia: "Has Massachusetts always been your home?

How do you feel living in these places has inspired your music?"

Cheatcode: "I've lived all over the country, from the West Coast to South Jersey, but Western Mass will always feel like home to me. I think my music has been greatly influenced by Pioneer Valley and the people in it. Amherst/Northampton, Massachusetts has 5 colleges in it and it's surrounding areas, and has always had a vibrant and diverse music scene. My inability to pick a lane musically probably stems from the jambalaya of music I have been, and am, exposed to on a regular basis. I love music of all genres, truly."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "You pull samples from a lot of different music over a

large span of time. Who would you say are some of your biggest

influences and inspirations,whether they be electronic or not?"

Cheatcode: "Man, that's always a tough question. I can't pick favorites, I like way too much to be boxed in like that, and my list would probably be longer than this article. I will say I've sampled everyone from Pink Floyd to Nina Simone, Nas to Frank Sinatra. Every time I undertake the tedious process of picking apart one of those super classic records in an attempt to breathe some new life into it (without destroying it), I learn a whole bunch about music. Through sampling I've gotten 1 on 1 music lessons from some of the greats. At least, that's how I see it."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "With production and home studios as accessible as they

are today, a lot people are finding their way into the music scene,

even more so than ever before.With this going on, how do you

aim to separate yourself as an individual and unique artist?"

Cheatcode: "You know, at the end of the day, I make music because I love the process of creating. I think in making what I like, my individual style and sound is born."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Is there anything you hear in mainstream dance music that you think could use reexamination? How can we hope to improve the outlook on electronic music?"

Cheatcode: "On a personal level I would like to hear more organic elements in EDM. That's just my humble opinion as a fan, because I feel like I'm hearing a lot of artists use the same sample packs and presents... maybe more original sound design would also help the scene become less generic. I don't know. That being said, it's about what sounds good and rocking the crowd, regardless of the path to that point, so I'm not trying to dog that route if it works for certain artists. I just think for me, it's hard to sound original if I'm not using my original sounds. In my eyes, applying the classical techniques of yesterday's musicians and audio engineers to the technology of today will bring us to the next great music of tomorrow; but only if we are creative in tht process."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "So you've got this new album, 'Phantasmagoria', out. Can you tell us a bit about it. How did you approach it? How is it different from prior Cheatcode releases?"

Cheatcode: "'Phantasmagoria'- the new release- is its own beast. I only sampled vinyl for it and tried to chop most everything to a point of obscurity. I also brought a fair amount of musical friends in on the project, from the phenomenal beatbox artist Honeycomb to my good friend Deejay Theory killing the game on some cuts. I think with this album I truly embodied the Picasso quote: 'Good artists copy, great artists steal,' in the face that I could release this for sale and not get cease and desists. But it's FREE, so go download it now at soundcloud.com/cheatcodemusic."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "You'll also be performing at the upcoming Bella Terra Music Festival.

Any surprises you have in store for your performance there?"

Cheatcode: "Got at least a few. I'll be rocking Thursday night, 11PM to midnight on the Mystika Stage!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Are there any artists out there who you haven't had the opportunity to collaborate with yet, but that you'd like to work with?"

Cheatcode: "Yeah, but most of them are dead."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "There's a lot of discussion between what makes one person a producer and another a DJ. How do you think you fit into this spectrum?"

TyGr: "I see myself as a producer, being I only play my own stuff (overlooking the big samples) when I perform out live. I toured with hip-hop groups as an emcee for years and had to carry crates of vinyl, turntables, et cetera, for our DJ. Though I am mixing records live, it still feels strange to call myself a DJ while I'm using an S4. It's actually why I enlisted some of my hip-hop DJ friends to put cuts down on the new album, because I feel that's an element that is grossly missing in a genre that is primarily monopolized by the 'DJ'. That's just me though, once again, my own humble opinion. I hope I don't come off like too much of a hater."

 

 

Funkadelphia: "Thanks a lot. We'll see you soon at Bella Terra!

Any last words for the readers and listeners?"

Cheatcode: "Absolutely, and thank you Funkadelphia! I would like to close in saying: I have the utmost gratitude to all the people who've taken the time to listen to my music over the years. Without you, I probably would've lost motivation a long time ago. I can't express that appreciation enough! Thank's, y'all are such a source of inspiration. PEACE!!"