Oscar Escapa & Tiger Stripes both need music more than they need air, and connected by this primal craving these two separately evolving techno-organisms found a connection across mainland Europe, which resulted in the sounds that make up the “Trance Like State EP”. Joined together by electronic roots, feeding on the ones and zeros flowing through them, the symbiotic relationship is obvious from the first beat.
We spoke to Oscar Escapa & Tiger Stripes about their new EP ‘Feel The Music’ on Tiger Stripes own label Strange Idols Recordings. Enjoy the read!
First, congratulations on the new collaborative EP, what can you tell us about this promising release? The musical vision behind it and part of the process of working in the studio?
OE: I sent music to the Tiger Stripes Strange Idols label and he came up with some ideas and then it became a collaboration for me a great honor since he is undoubtedly one of the best producers in the world.
TS: Oscar sent me some music for my label Strange Idols and I had some ideas for the production Oscar was kind enough to let me try out. So after a while it got to the point of being a collaboration between us. But with that said, this is mostly Oscar’s EP. Such a nice and talented man, he is!
Now let’s talk a bit about your careers: how do you stay on top all these years, despite the changes of musical trends within the Techno genre and music in general?
OE: Now hard techno is in fashion, high bpm and old music also works very well since the new generations don’t know it and for them it becomes new music, so we have to reinvent ourselves or create something adapted that the new generations like
TS: I think it’s important to welcome those shifts and musical trends and let them inspire you to do your own take of what going on at the moment. I know I have through out the years. When a new trend is coming there is often a reason for it. It’s time for a change, people are feeling bored. Time to try something new or bring something even older back to life again, know what I mean?
Since the day your career began, you’ve watched the global dance music scene change, alter, and grow over the years! What do you think of these changes and their impact on the scene and its future?
OE: I really started producing late, at 34 years old, so I arrived almost as I have until now, although without depending as much on social networks. Sadly now the most important thing is social networks and then other values that do not go with me but hey I will try to do it my way without losing my essence.
TS: Same thing here, I try to do my version of social media or whatever. As long as I can be myself and it feels fun, I’ll give it a try. If not, then I rather be unsuccessful for a while rather than doing something that is not me.
After spending thousands of hours in the studio and producing countless tracks, is there a preferable working tool (synthesizer/instrument/working technique, etc.) that you were loyal to and that defined your sound stamp?
OE: For me, what has made me grow is being a music production teacher and experimenting a lot with both software and hardware and developing a method that allows me to work very quickly.
TS: The atmospheric, big sounding reverbs and delays is a big part of my sound through the years. Few things makes me more happy than adding a big delay on a great sound of any kind. I also enjoy vocals a lot. That’s where I come from, vocal stuff. Soul, disco, rock, indie etc.
Speaking of which, what’s currently cooking in the studio and what should we expect from you next?
OE: I’m working a lot on new music and trying a lot of crazy things, we’ll see what happens and how it ends.
TS: Speaking of vocals, right now I’m working a lot with a band project called Little Lies together with a fantastic singer called Anna Maria Espinosa. I love her voice so much and we have been working with this album a long time and now it’s finally coming out, later this year. We are sounding a bit like a more electronic Fleetwood Mac and I play a lot of guitars. I’m also working on new Tiger Stripes material of course. Equally excited about techno beats and guitars, always
Now let’s talk about your concerts, any memorable ones after all those years of touring the world?
OE: I loved it the first time I went to Bulgaria, I loved the energy of the public, it was also my first international gig and I was very excited.
TS: A trip to Tokyo is never ever wrong is it? Had such a great time there through out the years. Especially those times I had my wife going there with me.
Let’s spice it up a bit for the fans, we know crazy things happen at clubs and parties all the time. Can you tell us about one of the strangest and most memorable incidents that ever happened to you?
OE: Fun things always happen but they stay in the club 🙂
TS: Nah nothing too crazy really, just a lot of fun.
