Heavy rain, majestic mountains and tech companies; these are the things that come to mind when most people imagine Seattle. However, the underground techno scene can just as easily join the others… So, what is it about the Seattle music industry that is starting to draw more music fans to the Emerald City? In past decades, the dark skies and close-knit community of Seattle have helped to make it the birthplace for many pivotal moments in American music, including the careers of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, the formation of punk rock bands like Alice in Chains and Nirvana and the grunge movement that dominated popular culture in the 1990s. These artist and bands started way underground and made their way to the commercial scene through the same demand that is pulling RIP Kenny from the shadows. The need for great new music. Lets dig in. RIP KENNY’s single “Don’t Come Home” from his AWAKENING EP

RIP KENNY’s genre is essentially EDM, but more specifically he combines the euphoric aspect of traditional trance with the modern vibe and production style of acid techno to create his own sound. Heavy bass and psychedelic effects are also a constant feature in his music.

Don’t Come Home bursts out of the speakers with a biting four-to-the-floor kick drum and low-end synth/sub bass, before the track starts to build with atmospheric trance sounds that crescendo to fever pitch with a lengthy riser. After a brief breakdown we launch back into the beat, with a mysterious female vocal floating into the mix.

Overall, RIP KENNY has forged his own unique signature style. This is impressive considering the difficulty of standing out in the dance music world. He’s already developed a size-able fan-base, and he has the potential to become the next big thing in the overall EDM scene.

Take a listen to “Don’t Come Home” on Soundcloud below. Also, continue reading to learn more about RIP KENNY in our exclusive sit down.

Don’t Come Home

Exposed Vocals Score 8.1/10

Exclusive Interview 

Exposed Vocals: What drew you to the music industry?

RIP KENNY: I don’t think it’s really the industry that’s appealing to me. The thing that drew me in was the music itself. The emotion that it brings out of you, the places you’re transported to while listening to it. Creating that journey is what got me into this whole thing. I’m sure I share that sentiment with a lot of producers.

Exposed Vocals: Who are you inspired by?

RIP KENNY: Linkin Park, Nero, My Chemical Romance, Zeds Dead — I love dark, brooding, almost desperate sounding chords & melodies coupled with big, distorted sounds and chunky guitar riffs.

Exposed Vocals: Please explain your creative process

RIP KENNY: I always start with chords. If I can write a progression that really tells a story by itself then I know the song will work. Every piece that stems from those chords acting to create & embellish that journey. If possible, I like to write the chords the night before a big session. Writing a captivating progression can sometimes take hours, so sitting down fresh the next morning with a whole day to write the story from that starting place always turns out more cohesive, more encapsulating stuff.

Exposed Vocals: What’s an average day like for you?

RIP KENNY: Well on a weekday I’m a slave to the corporate grind. Up a little after 5, work from 6a-2:30p, try to hit the gym on the way home and then music until bed. Sometimes it’s mixing, finishing songs, sound design, etc. and sometimes it’s teaching lessons. I’m lucky to have a really supportive significant other that wants me to succeed, so I’m able to focus a lot of time and energy on it.

On a weekend though, it’s 1 of 2 things. Working on music all day or waking up early to go do something in the mountains. Dirt biking, skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, those are really the things that provide inspiration for me and help provide balance in life. Plus they’re just about the most fun you can have as a human (IMHO). We’ve got a little cabin about an hour outside of Seattle that we spend a lot of time at recharging and resetting. It’s a great place to unplug from everything.

Exposed Vocals: Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?

RIP KENNY: No, not really. I like to think my music is more of an expression of my experiences. I’ve never really thought about using it as a vessel for hidden meaning or agenda, it’s really more of a soundtrack to my life than anything.

Exposed Vocals: Do you collaborate with others? What is that process?

RIP KENNY: Occasionally, mostly with vocalists when I do. This is one area of my production game I could really improve. I get so carried away when I start something I rarely stop and think about collaboration potential. With vocalists, it’s usually me giving them a draft of the song, then once the vocals are back weave them throughout. I’ve really focused a lot lately on figuring out creative ways to process vocals though, so getting vocals early in the process is crucial.

Exposed Vocals: Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans

RIP KENNY: Really the biggest thing for me is being genuine. My focus is always to just try and present the realest version of me and my life. There’s no filtered version of me just for artist/brand sake. If I don’t have something cool to post about, I just don’t post, because it’s the most accurate representation of me. I only speak up when I have something worth saying.

Exposed Vocals: What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? Why?

RIP KENNY: Creation is my favorite. Promotion is my least favorite. Creating music is such a rewarding experience. You feel this innate satisfaction from bringing something into existence from nothing. It’s like tapping into a spiritual well or something. I myself am just not as intrinsically motivated to do the promotional side of things — probably because I’m more of an introvert. Honestly that’s also part of why making music is so fun. It’s a more powerful voice. You learn to love the promo stuff though because it’s necessary.

Exposed Vocals: Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?

RIP KENNY: Oh yeah, of course. I think you’d be some sort of robot if you didn’t. Especially if there’s a large crowd.

Exposed Vocals: Tell me about your favorite performance venues

RIP KENNY: Well, being from Washington the obvious one is the Gorge, but the hype is real. The views and the sense of awe they create are just unmatched at any other venue I’ve been to. The other big one is The Farm at Shambhala. That place is just plain special on so many different levels, but especially the venue itself. You’re just immersed in nature the whole time. Probably the reason I like both those places so much, the outdoors aspect.

Exposed Vocals: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

RIP KENNY: Be true to yourself! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along this ride is that no one wants a watered down version of other artists, they want you. They want to know what YOU have to say. Your own unique perspective filtered through music. Don’t be afraid to make just exactly what your taste says, regardless of what other people are doing. The world needs more weird music.

More from RIP KENNY on SoundCloud