From early tape experiments and Windows 95 crashes to refined ambient dub textures and collaborations with like-minded producers — Belgian artist ZeroA takes us through his unique musical journey. With a deep love for sound design, visuals, and experimentation, ZeroA talks about his production workflow, the importance of staying curious, his connection with Crossfade Sounds, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a longtime fan of the genre, this honest and insightful conversation is a must-read.
Hello! How are you today, and what have you been up to lately?
Lately, I’m in the mood for some musical experimentation and digging in bits and pieces of music I recorded, but didn’t work out. Also exploring new sounds in my soft synths to turn into ambient or dubby atmospheres.
Can you briefly share when you started producing music, your first piece of equipment or software, and reflect on your debut release?
I took my first steps in 1995 when I bought a Windows 95 computer and a Yamaha CS1x synth. It came with a free version of Cubase. Until then I was only making mixes on tape cassettes. The computer broadened the possibilities, although I was almost daily faced with the famous ‘blue screen of death’…
Then I started with Reason from Propellerheads and years later finally switched to Ableton, which was a revelation.
My debut was an obscure dub track on a various artists CD, that ultimately never made it into the shops. But in the nineties, I organized a few DJ gigs, together with some friends, that were quite successful.
My real debut was in 2021 on Spotify and Bandcamp with ‘Aruna’, a kind of ambient dub track.
Did you have a mentor or take any lessons, either offline or online, to enhance your skills?
Through SubmitHub I had a few contacts with Pheek (a Canadian music producer and teacher) who gave me valuable advice. Over the years I took a few courses, apart from some YouTube videos. For an absolute beginner the Udemy course on Ableton from Simon Stokes is very worthwhile. Other great courses are those of Anthony Thogmartin (Seed To Stage) and Yeuda Ben-Atar (Side Brain), two Ableton certified trainers. And of course, there’s Ned Rush on YouTube if you want to experiment with wilder things.
Do you have a preference between producing music and DJing?
DJing is over and out for me. But I remember the blissful feeling when people started dancing on music they never heard of. So now it’s producing. I just can’t help it.
What do you consider the highlight of your career so far, both as a DJ and a producer?
Recently that’s getting accepted by music publishers like Crossfade Sounds. I was also very happy when Francesco Tamburrano contacted me to publish on the Velvet Dub Collective label. The latter is a joint venture between Francesco and Seabra Monkey. Through them I got in contact with like-minded musicians like Deepdrome, Viktor Lopez and Substak, to name just a few.
Another highlight is remixing tracks from musicians I like and getting remixed by them. On this point Francesco is a gift from heaven…
How did you first learn about Crossfade Sounds, and could you mention some of your favorite releases on the label?
I discovered Crossfade Sounds a few years ago through their Spotify playlist and shortly thereafter I got in contact with Dominique while using SubmitHub. He gave me positive and constructive feedback.
A few of my favorite releases on Crossfade Sounds are:
• Tape from the Dub #1 – especially Rheinkalk ‘L’ Albatross’ and Madloch/Subnode ‘Closing Cycles’
• Music for Morning Baths from Martin Bartunek
• Scattered Repeat from Rheinkalk – with excellent remixes from Francesco Tamburrano and Alexander Bogdanov
• Time Zone by Seabra Monkey – including some great remixes
• The Open Circle – Second Life
When making a track, how do you typically approach the process? Do you spend more time on sound design, arrangement, or mixing? And how long does a remix usually take you from start to finish?
It depends, but more recently I’m focused on sound design. Although I still have to learn more about mixing, which can be a tedious job.
Generally, I work two to three days on a remix.
What is your main DAW, and can you name a few of your go-to VSTs, plugins, or tools you use when producing music?
Ableton Live is at the heart of my music production. Such a wonderful program with lots of elements I still have to discover. The recent updates on Roar and the Auto Filter are fantastic.
External soft synths I use a lot are Diva and Pigments.
Great effect plugins are Modnetic/Diffuse (Surreal Machines), FilterFreak and Crystallizer (Soundtoys), and ShaperBox (Cableguys).
Many artists have a signature sound or style. How do you balance staying true to your artistic identity while also experimenting and evolving as an artist?
Just balancing, I guess. My musical interests are quite broad. For me it’s necessary to keep in contact with various styles of music. Also, non-electronic ones like jazz or classical.
The music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with streaming platforms and digital distribution reshaping the landscape. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry, and how have these changes affected your career?
It’s ambivalent. On the one hand streaming services and digital distribution have opened many doors for starting music producers and it made more music easily available. As a youngster I had to spend all my savings on buying records…
On the other hand, services like Spotify are not really interested in discovering or promoting new talent, they only believe in big numbers. But so were the record labels in the past…
Anyway, they gave me the opportunity to present my music to a broader public. And through Bandcamp I can discover and access new labels.
By the way, Venus Theory did some great videos on the subject like:
What are some of your favorite record labels, and do you have a specific goal or aspiration to release your music on a particular label in the near future?
Besides Crossfade Sounds, I’m interested in Greyscale, HelloStrange, Superordinate, Techenie, Insectorama and of course Velvet Dub Collective.
What advice would you offer to your younger self, considering all the knowledge and experience you've gained in your career so far? Additionally, what advice would you give to aspiring artists who may be reading this interview?
Be aware of the Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). There’s no plugin or softsynth that will perform the magic they promise for you. I know one guy who has his house full of gear, but never finished a single track…
For aspiring artists: find a balance between jamming (and record everything that may be useful in the near future) and finishing tracks regularly (one a week or so).
Besides music, do you have any other passions or hobbies?
Yes, I love to fiddle around in Photoshop to make composites of all kinds of elements to create something new. Music and visuals go together for me. Furthermore, I like to travel, shoot photographs, and listen to podcasts (about history and art) on my daily walks.
Are there any books, documentaries, podcasts, or TV shows that you'd like to recommend to your fans and fellow artists?
I like the video talks of Cameron Gorham (Venus Theory) on YouTube. I was also hit by Moonage Daydream, a visually striking documentary about David Bowie.
Could you share some of your all-time favorite tracks or songs that have had a significant impact on your musical journey?
• Massive Attack – Safe From Harm
• Leftfield – Original
• Trentemöller – Moan
• Lulu Rouge – Melankoli
• Lee Scratch Perry – City Too Hot
What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
New tracks. And hopefully more collaborations with fellow music producers.
Follow ZeroA here: Instagram | Soundcloud
Stream / Download his latest EP here: https://go.protonradio.com/r/rlBtSBUf3K9J4
Tnx for your words. Much appreciated
Thanks for the kind words. Looking forward to the next collab!