POLYSWITCH

What is your name and role within Polyswitch?

My name is Mouhcine and I play and produce music under my alias Polyswitch.

How did you start ? 

It all started in 2010, when I had my first DJ Gigs. After that I wanted to do my own thing and this is basically how I founded  « Lost Frequency », a monthly event which was dedicated to electronic music and focusing on the local Artists. Lost Frequency opened many doors. It definitely got the ball rolling as I had my first European gigs last year.

Where are you based?

I am based in Casablanca, Morocco.

Please give an example of your music writing process?

Based on an idea I often start by building a drum pattern using drum up samples or live drum kits sounds. I keep on working on the beat and messing with the keys until the right groove turns up, then the chords, a bassline and other elements will follow. If the ensemble feels and sounds good, i’ll probably spend hours of editing on it, so I can have all the pieces sitting together in one session and the first 8 or 16 Bar Loop can turn into a fully arranged track.

What are you working on right now?

At the moment I am recording new material for my second release which is due this year.

What is your gear setup?

When it comes to DJ’ing, I use two Digital Turntables and a pair of Vinyl Turntables.

Production-wise I’m using an Akai mpc 1000 as my main Sequencer/Sampler, a Yamaha CS-15 mono synth paired with a Korg SQ-10 which is an analog CV sequencer, a Waldorf Blofeld and a first generation Electribe ESX as well as a 01wfd digital synthesizer from Korg.

All these pieces of gear are hooked up to an analog mixer and going as separate inputs into Ableton Live, a Digital Audio Workstation I use to record, edit and mix/correct levels.

What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?

I actually cycle quite a lot. I also like to travel as it helps me to reconstruct ideas and gather new energy.

How would you describe your music genre?

I don’t like to put myself in a box. I see myself as a multifaceted artist with different approaches and styles.

Do you know any music theory?

I’ve gathered some basic knowledge, however I have never attended any music classes.

What are your plans for the future?

Producing more music. Pushing my limits and developing my musical skills and knowledge.

How did you start ? 

From early age I have been exposed to a heterogeneous selection of good music. While growing up in Morocco I was surrounded by ethnic rythms and grooves. Morocco is musically very rich and diverse and that influence is ingrained in me. As a teenager, I listened to lots of Hip Hop and other stuff from the golden era. It is actually during College time that music started to get a serious business for me. I used to dedicate most of my time to it. A couple of years later, I started using a computer and discovered a DAW software, which was a vital turning point that led me towards DJing. It really made me wanna dig deeper into the musical universe.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Currently, I am listening to those albums :

Karriem Riggins – Headnod Suite

Dam-Funk – Toeachizown 

Jay Daniel – Broken Knowz

King Sunny Ade – Juju Music

Madlib – Shades of blue 

Who are your top 5 influences and icons?

Sun Ra, J Dilla, Larry Heard, Herbie Hancock, D’angelo.

When are you playing next?

30 June / Essaouira

14, July / Casablanca

09, September / Rabat

17, September / Marrakech : OASIS Festival http://theoasisfest.com/info/polyswitch/

Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/Polyswitch

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/polysw_tch/

Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/polyswitch