Musicians are undoubtedly influenced by the music they listen to. An artist's musical selection can sometimes even foretell what a next album might sound like. So if you've ever wondered what the artists who grace your stereo are getting funky to, here's your chance to find out. Every week, I'll ask traveling musicians -- as well as a few locals -- the fated question: What are you listening to right now?
Ben Samples is a Denver-based electronic producer, whose last name coincidentally falls in line with his knob-twisting, beat pad-tapping lifestyle. Samples recently swung through Bar 9 in Fort Worth, where we got the chance to talk with him about music, art and sound.
Currently Jamming: The Weeknd, Dark Sky, Amon Tobin and a little bit of Gladkill's Coachella mix
"I actually just released a remix of The Weeknd I did on my Chill Works Vol. 2 EP. It's some more mellow, sexier type music. I think maybe I'm in awe of Amon Tobin because his music is not dance music. It's listening music. It's super cerebral and that's what I'm into. I just really like hearing something different. This Dark Sky mix I downloaded is also really dope."
Pulls Inspiration From: Painting his Boba Fett helmet during recording breaks.
"I really love doing art projects. I started making music full time and I poured so much energy into it that sometimes it became overwhelming. I found myself doing things the same way over and over. It's not that I run out of ideas, but I get into habits. It's nice to be able to step away and paint for a while."
Where The Two Roads Meet: Authentic technologic innovation.
"On one of my new EPs a lot of the songs are composed of just sounds that I make. They're still pretty dance-friendly, but I want to really use the technology I have to create sounds you've never heard before. To me, that's what should be happening to music. All the melodies, all the compositions, all the samples -- they've all been done before. I'm trying to focus on utilizing technology to make sounds no one has been exposed to before. I definitely have a certain sound, but I don't think I have a certain style. I guess it comes from thinking music shouldn't be just one genre. If you make every type of music, then you have flexibility and versatility."
