HipHopOnDeck Interviews Dotzilla | @Arkutec @Dev3n

Emcee Dev3n and producer Arkutec are Kansas City, Missouri duo Dotzilla, presenting the Kendu-directed music video for “Vapors”, the new Domineko-assisted single from their debut album Equality, released today also featuring The Abnorm, Micah Flowers, Keeno, Annie D, Darius and Slayd. Arkutec has produced for French Montana, Fabolous and Chris Webby, and his most recent solo release isThe LPF Experiment (listen on Soundcloud). Arkutec met Dev3n on social media in 2010. “I was definitely listening to a lot of older progressive rock when I was making the beats for Equality,” says Arkutec. “Stuff my dad used to play, like Pink Floyd and Yes – also a lot of ELO and Genesis. I was also bumping a lot of Jake One, Dilla, and Madlib beats around the time – so I had to get some heavy drums and live percussions.” Also speaking on the album, Dev3n says “Going in to the project I had nothing. No ideas, no direction and no artists I was listening to that I could reference from. All I had was Arkutec presenting me with a partnership and the opportunity to make something great, which was what I’ve needed since I’ve started this. That alone guided me into my mind to tell my story.”

What's behind the name Dotzilla?

ARK: Dev used to go by the name Dot - he kind of still does to those who know him - and I've always been referred to as Teczilla in reference to DJ Hi Tek, so it was a natural choice. I originally suggested Devzilla but that wasn't as smooth. I think it's a pretty unique name and that helps us stand out from the crowd - as well as search results. SEO is important to us.

 How would you describe your sound to the uninitiated?

DEV: Long description short, I would say our sound is very relatable to a lot of the higher ranked musicians out today, because of the attention to detail and layers of comprehension. Though I also feel that our project has created a new light, lane and also standard for the region we’re from.

ARK: Our sound is a combination of spacy and soulful - with a huge attention to detail. It's subtle in a way that you can listen to a song once - then go back and listen again - and you'll notice something you didn't notice the first time. I think we're both just trying to make music that will stand the test of time - this is the album that people may go back 5 years from now and still throw in their CD player (or Spotify account) in the car.

 Arkutec, what's your preferred beat machines of choice and why?

ARK: Equipment is expensive - I had a bunch at one point but I found myself using more digital tools than hardware - so as of now my setup is very simple. I produced this entire album in Reason, which has been my go to software for the past four or five years. I have a simple studio thats centered around my computer - MPD 24, Alesis VI49, Rokit 6s, and of course a five-piece Pearl Export Series drumkit along with various percussive instruments. I have been looking into getting a Roland SP404 - I love the live DJ feel that thing has - but more people need to go buy EQUALITY for that to happen.

 How do you guys know when a song is ready?

DEV: I personally feel a song is ready when I can listen to it straight through without hearing any dull moments. 

ARK: As a producer I never know when a song is ready. I can go back 100 times through and hear 100 different things I could have done 100 different ways. I always like to take my time with music - I'll work on an instrumental on Tuesday - and maybe not go back to it til Friday - then finish it the following Monday. I have to hear things with a fresh mind because sometimes, especially after a 12 hour studio session, my brain is fried. 

Any shoutouts?

DEV: Shoutout to our team, Well Cultured, and shoutout to Jesus. 

ARK: I just want to thank everyone involved in the album firstly - all the artists featured and MAB our audio engineer who was the missing piece of this whole thing. Also all the people who purchased our album, it really means a lot - I don't want to get all sentimental - thanks for buying our album. 

 buy Equality | stream on Soundcloud | Audiomack
well-cultured.com | Twitter [@arkutec] | Twitter [@dev3n]
Soundcloud | Instagram [@dev3n] | Instagram [@teczilla]
Twitter [@imdomineko] | Twitter [@kendu56]