The White Electric
Boston-based artist & producer The White Electric unveils his new single “Currents”.
The electronic new single describes the moments out of our own control.
“Currents” is really just an expression of how I was feeling during this time last summer; incredibly happy. It was the first time, since leaving my band of 12 years, that I had felt confident in my sound. “Currents” took form by virtue of the moments in which we have no control,” explains The White Electric.
The White Electric first gained recognition after collaborating with Los Angeles based synth-pop artist NYIKO on their single “In The Middle” which was released on Kalani Hilliker’s “Moves & Grooves” compilation.
Signed to Trailing Twelve Records, the producer is designing an atmospheric and unique sound where he gets to explores his personal feelings.
“Currents” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Caleb Mayerson
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
Hello! I’m the White Electric. My friends call me Dan. I’m an electronic music producer currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. I was born and raised in a small town called Dublin, New Hampshire, and moved to Boston after graduating from college.
What's your story?
I’ve been playing music since I was a kid. I started by playing violin, drums, and piano - my family had a baby grand yamaha, and I was the only person who used it, or even knew how (except for my grandfather). I never took a lesson, I just used my ears and played what I thought sounded right to me.
Could you describe us your childhood a little bit? What were you passionate about?
Growing up in NH there wasn’t a ton to do outside of going to school and working a job. Filling my time always included music. Community was really important to me as well. My best friends were so important to my growth as a person and as an artist. I was at their houses every single day, bouncing ideas around and playing the same riffs over and over until they grew into something more. I’m so grateful for the time I got to spend with them.
If you had to say something to your younger self, what would you say?
I would say “Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. There is no right and there is no wrong to how this world works.”
How would you define yourself today?
I’m someone who wakes up every day excited to create. I don’t find it hard to wake up and feel motivated - I’m excited to achieve and create everyday. I wasn’t always that way, so I’m glad to be in a place where it is the least of my worries.
Who or what introduced you to the musical path?
One of my best friends, Ethan McBrien (of indie folk band Party of the Sun). I have fond memories of Ethan and I as young kids, recording late at night on my mom’s old white Macbook, and we didn’t have any interfaces or anything to record through - and we made such gold. We would have laughing fits about coming in at the right time because we had no idea how to do it. And there would just be these parts with us laughing in between takes because we didn’t know how to cut them. We were so young and so raw that I still feel like some of them could be beautiful now. I remember them.
When did you start making music? What was the biggest challenge when your first started?
I started making music in middle school. My biggest challenge was that I was self taught, so everything had to be from my ear or from YouTube, etc. Youtube wasn’t even really that big at the time when I was learning - like I could go on and learn what a ‘C’ chord was but mostly it was just from ear.
When did you decide to pursue music as a career?
Five years ago I left a band that I had performed with for 12 years. That’s when I realized it was something I wanted to pursue. I never realized that producing music at home could feel just as fulfilling as playing a show live. It wasn’t until I allowed myself the space to explore producing that I started to grow and realize my own sound.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
The principle of my Middle School, Temple Brighton. She is an incredibly bright and amazing human being - you would think she was literally a goddess. She was someone who from the first time she heard my musical talent, believed in me and told me to never give up on my dreams.
How would you define The White Electric, the artist? How did this name come about?
One of my favorite bands growing up was The Whitest Boy Alive. They managed to break down electronic music into real live instruments, while keeping a catchy, dance-vibe throughout. I create electronic music that is emotional and genuine, with sustained energy. The name ‘The White Electric’ is a nod to the influence of The Whitest Boy Alive as well as my love of creating electronic music.
You’ve just released your new single "Currents" - what's the story behind this song?
‘Currents’ is really just an expression of how I was feeling during this time last summer; incredibly happy. It was the first time, since leaving my band of 12 years, that I had felt confident in my sound. ‘Currents’ took form by virtue of the moments in which we have no control. The influence of Bonobo’s communication of emotion through sound, Dev Hynes’s (Blood Orange) dissonant electric keys and play with vocal sampling, as well as Whethan’s ultimately electronic feel, infiltrate each modulation within my newest single. The drums keep steady from one transition to the next, as the synth, keys and vocal samples fade in and out, creating unexpectedly pleasant and completely atypical stages of expression.
When did you start working on this track? Could you please describe us the production process for this particular song?
I started working on ‘Currents’ last summer. I started writing this song shortly after Blood Orange’s ‘Negro Swan’ came out. It was on repeat constantly. The instrumentation of ‘Currents’ is deeply influenced by the sounds of ‘Negro Swan’. In terms of the writing process, it all started with the dissonant electric keys, and the vocal samples. I knew I had something great right from the get-go. I wanted the drums to hit hard but also feel light and airy to give the song a somewhat happy feel, while having the emotion of the song still come from the tonality of the keys and vocals.
What made you want to name the track "Currents"?
I named the track ‘Currents’ because I was in the midst of a lot of very positive change in my life. There are no lyrics to the song, but the tonality of the song sustains to reflect that positive note. The tides were turning in my life and in a great way.
In your opinion, what makes a good production?
I can say with great confidence that I am absolutely in love with producing music and the process of musical production. I think I’m slightly addicted. Again, I never went to school for this or anything musically related, so I am continuously learning day in and day out. Which I love. I think my biggest breakthrough with music production was to not be scared while writing and to take risks with my mixing. I find that taking risks with sounds or direction of song can be incredibly rewarding. It’s that possibility of creating something different than what you had originally thought.
What do you like the most about creating music?
A final product. When you can take a step back and hear your own songs as if you had never heard them before, as a listener without any judgement, and to be able to smile at what you have created. It’s honestly one of the best feelings in the world.
What equipments and softwares do you usually use?
I use Logic Pro X with many native plug-ins, Ableton, and sometimes Reason, in terms of Software. For hardware, I have a Focusrite scarlett interface, I have an M Audio Oxygen Midi Keyboard, Korg Sv1 Electric Keyboard, and a Roland Juno 60 Synthesizer.
What advice would you give to young producers?
Like I said before, take risks and don’t be afraid play around for awhile to find your sound and who you are as an artist! I’m still finding my sound and I try my best to continue to grow everyday!
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
We as people are all here for a reason. We are all human. No one is better than anyone else. Show up, work hard, love, and stay humble.
What biggest lessons have you learnt as a human being and as an artist?
Believe in yourself! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Ignore the negative people out there and be a shining example of confidence and self love!
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