In SOUND CHECK, we check in with some of our favorite musicians.
I was first introduced to the music of producer Charlie Yin, aka Giraffage, when I still lived in San Francisco and he was lighting up the local scene. Now almost two years later, he’s touring the world, breaking down his sample-based tracks and sultry beats for adoring audiences everywhere. We recently caught up with Charlie to talk music, travel, and his love for Pokémon.
My name is _____ and my sound is like _____.
My name is Giraffage and my sound is like dreaming while you’re awake.
What music did you listen to growing up?
I was into a very eclectic mix; I started listening to a lot of hip-hop and rap, and then segued into more indie and synth pop. I got really into electronic stuff midway through high school and started listening to Daft Punk and Boards of Canada. My taste is all over the place, which I really try to reflect in my music.
What were your first experiences making music?
I started playing guitar in my freshman year of high school, and there was a really rudimentary guitar tablature program that I started writing songs with. The program was really shitty but it worked. I started out playing indie-pop songs for the most part, but then I slowly started making electronic music, using Ableton and getting a few synths, about four or five years ago.
I know you record a lot of your own samples. What’s the oddest one you’ve created?
Umm… I slapped a butt once and used that as a snare. It was my girlfriend's butt so she was okay with it.
You’ve been touring non-stop. Any favorite locations or experiences?
I went to Australia for ten days, and that was really amazing. I was there for five shows in ten days, so every other day was an off day––which was awesome because I got to explore. We saw tons of cool shit, kangaroos, and everything.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve had on tour?
I tried fried crocodile when I was in Australia, and that was actually really good.
Your music has an awesome vibe. If it were a soundtrack to a movie, which one would it be?
That’s a tough question. Probably some weird martial arts movie. I don’t even know that it would fit that well, but it would be really cool.
You tweet a lot about Pokémon. Which character would you want to be?
I’m all about the original 150 Pokémon. I guess the obvious one would be Girafarig, but I also like Squirtle––the water ones are always my go-tos.
What’s next in the cards for you?
Right now I’m touring a lot, but I have a break in a month and I’m going to start working on a new EP. I’m just writing songs right now, trying to feel out what I want to release. Because I’ve been touring so much, I now have more of
I was first introduced to the music of producer Charlie Yin, aka Giraffage, when I still lived in San Francisco and he was lighting up the local scene. Now almost two years later, he’s touring the world, breaking down his sample-based tracks and sultry beats for adoring audiences everywhere. We recently caught up with Charlie to talk music, travel, and his love for Pokémon.
My name is _____ and my sound is like _____.
My name is Giraffage and my sound is like dreaming while you’re awake.
What music did you listen to growing up?
I was into a very eclectic mix; I started listening to a lot of hip-hop and rap, and then segued into more indie and synth pop. I got really into electronic stuff midway through high school and started listening to Daft Punk and Boards of Canada. My taste is all over the place, which I really try to reflect in my music.
What were your first experiences making music?
I started playing guitar in my freshman year of high school, and there was a really rudimentary guitar tablature program that I started writing songs with. The program was really shitty but it worked. I started out playing indie-pop songs for the most part, but then I slowly started making electronic music, using Ableton and getting a few synths, about four or five years ago.
I know you record a lot of your own samples. What’s the oddest one you’ve created?
Umm… I slapped a butt once and used that as a snare. It was my girlfriend's butt so she was okay with it.
You’ve been touring non-stop. Any favorite locations or experiences?
I went to Australia for ten days, and that was really amazing. I was there for five shows in ten days, so every other day was an off day––which was awesome because I got to explore. We saw tons of cool shit, kangaroos, and everything.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve had on tour?
I tried fried crocodile when I was in Australia, and that was actually really good.
Your music has an awesome vibe. If it were a soundtrack to a movie, which one would it be?
That’s a tough question. Probably some weird martial arts movie. I don’t even know that it would fit that well, but it would be really cool.
You tweet a lot about Pokémon. Which character would you want to be?
I’m all about the original 150 Pokémon. I guess the obvious one would be Girafarig, but I also like Squirtle––the water ones are always my go-tos.
What’s next in the cards for you?
Right now I’m touring a lot, but I have a break in a month and I’m going to start working on a new EP. I’m just writing songs right now, trying to feel out what I want to release. Because I’ve been touring so much, I now have more of