Anthony Valadez funnels an aperture through west coast sunshine and demise. Laid back, washed out grooves inter-mix with spastic jazzy beats in his latest collection AUDIO/VISUAL. Documenting his experiences through auditory and visual offerings, Anthony produces music that traverses through the grit and grime of Los Angeles’ streets and the beauty in mid-night city skylines.  He draws inspiration from his surroundings and the simple instruments of life.

AUDIO/VISUAL combines live instrumentation, soulful vocals and electronic sound waves all in one. His focus- a celebration of the minimal. From flashing streets lights to the resonance of the freeway pass, Anthony exhibits a passion for the unrecognized and the unappreciated. Evil Monito had the opportunity to speak to Anthony about his musical ambitions and his perceptual visions.

EM: Where were you raised? And how did it shape your sense of self?

I was born and raised in Van Nuys and North Hollywood, California.  I really don’t think that Van Nuys or North Hollywood shaped me, but rather allowed me to gain a sense of exploration by taking public transportation as a kid around town. I loved bus rides.  I loved watching people come home after a long day of work. They all seemed burnt-out  and there I was with my giant sony cd walkman and headphones.  I think that shaped me more than anything. I was curious about people, their destinations, their lives, their stories.

EM: How did discover music?

I was curious. I used to listen to the radio when I was too young to go out to clubs. This was obviously non-commercial radio- it was public radio taking chances with obscure music programs that fused speeches of content with sounds, loops and beats. I began to make loops with tape cassettes and it was a real ghetto DIY method, but eventually I saved up for turntables and was convinced with every piece of gear I bought with my summer jobs, I would have everything I needed.  So I saved to purchase drum machines, drums, guitars, and other instruments.  I began DJing and producing  in ‘93, but I wanted to do more than just create loops. I wanted to make music that touched people.

EM: You mention that cities like L.A. and S.F are inspiring to you? How so?

It’s the architecture of homes and buildings, the rhythm of the hills, traffic and the people that inspire me.  It’s a movement and energy in both cities that have always drive me. I love going to SF to spin because its an entire new environment.  Once I get home from a SF gig, I immediately jump on my mpc and create sounds to recreate the mood and energy that I gathered from there.  And the same goes for a long day in LA. The city creates and captures so many moods.

EM: You’ve talked about how everyday people and even inanimate objects like city lights create a sense of rebirth.  It seems like you feed off things around you and that helps your creative process. Can you explain further?

For me, they are art objects. They are visual.  But I try to transcend that and turn it into audio. Hence, the title of my album, Audio/Visual.  Objects inspire me.  I think we as humans take for granted the wonderful elements that surround us- taco trucks, city lights, traffic, sunsets, clouds, light, dust. I try to manifest all of it into sonic energy.  It’s all a discovery process for me.

EM: What music do you find yourself dozing off to?

I try not to doze off to music. I can’t actually. Music keeps me up.  My brain tends to explore the sounds rather than resting to sounds.

EM: Other than music, what other activities are you involved with or invest your time in?

Music tends to control a lot of my daily activities. Whether its digging for music for my radio show, digging for music for my club residencies, or simply making music, its a part of my life.  Since I moved to Venice, I have tried to step away from music a bit by taking up surfing or bike riding. But once I am back home, I turn on the mpc. I think I might need a musical intervention?

EM: What have you been working on as of late- any current projects?

I am working on new material with my friend Novena of Babystone who is an amazing vocalist and funketeer in Los Angeles. I have new beats that I am producing that are different than the last album.  I also just recorded and remixed a project for Amoeba Records off a Ricky Ray Rivera song featuring Illa Jay (Delicious Vinyl), Rahshan Ahmad (Crown City Rockers) and Spinobi (Ozomatli).

EM: Please describe how this album came into fruition?

This album is my heart and soul. I always wanted to challenge myself musically so I brought in several musicians to come and help me
add some ambiance and life to the samples and sounds. I began by repeating a layering process and removing certain samples.  I also sampled live instrumentation which took on a new life. I had some amazing vocalists come through and bless the music. But it all began with late night sessions, fresh from an airplane ride right back home to LA.

EM: How would you best describe this album?

LA is known for having a beat generation scene that is respected across the world. I wanted to make something a bit different with live chords, changes, switches, bridges.  I love what is going on in LA, but I wanted to add texture to my sound. I wanted it to resemble the streets and the people who roam the streets at 2 am.   I used to have a radio slot right after the club, so I while I was flying across town, I would get felt inspired. In this album, I wanted to document how I felt in my core- in my soul.

EM: Any collaborative efforts on this album you’d like to mention?

Yes!  Kissey Asplund is featured on a song we recorded which is a beautiful, melodic number. Another vocalist, Wendisue, who is a singer songwriter
based in LA, blows me away with her vocals. On the instrumental tip,  we have Itai Shapira (Elevaters) on bass and guitar, Shaunte Palmer on the trombone, Dexter Story (Life Force Trio/ Build An Ark) on guitars and last but not least, Evan Lasry on keys, bass, drums. In so many ways, all of these musicians really helped me with the album.

EM: Lastly, any hidden gems or places of recluse in either L.A. or S.F. that you’d like to share?

PST w/ my man Sake One- great place for music!  Every time I go there, I feel the love.  But my favorite place to zone out, is on the radio, Monday nights, midnight – 3 am on  KCRW.  I love to come in, turn down the lights break out the records and just guide a mood or ambiance across the airwaves.

You can tune in to Anthony Valadez every single Monday night live on 89.9FM and worldwide @ kcrw. He also holds down several DJ residencies in the Los Angeles area.

Exclusive Evil Monito Mix courtesy of Anthony Valadez

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PLAYLIST:
Everything But The Girl – Before Today
Owusu & Hannibal – Caroline No
Quadron – Unpatience
Electric Wire Hustle – Perception
Adad – Sunday Morning
Sebastien Tellier – La Ritournelle
Carlos Nino – 9 Moons Full
Beirut – Nantes
Michael Jackson – Music & Me

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