If you’re looking for a new artist to check out, then you’ve come to the right place: in this edition of ‘Artist Spotlight‘, MendoWerks Magazine sat down with California-based multi-genre electronic music producer AYDO8.
After spending some time with his discography, I can honestly say that AYDO8 jumped very quickly into my “Top 5 Wave Artists That I Need To See Live ASAP”–especially for an all-original set. It’s just banger after banger after banger. One thing that’s most notable is that AYDO8 truly knows how to maximize the dramatic impact of his vocal samples, like in “To The Edge.” Most recently, he released “Buried (waiting for you)” on Alter/Ego. which also displays this expert use of samples. Another personal favorite is his 2022 DEKTORA release, “Lets Go“.
As a die-hard New Yorker, I have rarely felt envy for those on the West Coast–except for when I found out about AYDO8’s work with artshop.la. Working as a curator, AYDO8 not only used his platform to promote wave music in his local community, but he also arranged for three legends to come out and play shows: REMNANT.exe, SBU, and MAYKO. Swoon. Not only that, but AYDO8 also played a set these shows. I can only imagine how incredible those experiences were.
I suppose I’ll just have to continue to get lost in AYDO’s discography until he (hopefully) one day announces a show out East.
Join me while you read our Q&A with the artist:
Introducing… AYDO8! [Q&A]
AM: Hi! Thank you so much for connecting with us. Would you please take a moment to introduce yourself to our MendoWerks readers?
AYDO8: First and foremost, thank you for reaching out to me to do this interview. My name’s Alfredo, and I create music under the name AYDO8. I know a lot of people could classify me as a trap/wave producer, but I don’t shy away from venturing into other styles in an attempt to create something fresh and interesting. To name a few, genres such as DnB, house, techno–and production inspiration from the likes of Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Three 6 Mafia, are not off limits.
AM: How did you end up making the kind of music that you’re making right now?
AYDO8: I’ve been involved with music ever since I was young. I started playing the violin at the age of 9, [and] I stuck with it until the end of my high school years, performing live in concerts and orchestras. I entered college not really being involved in music… until my best friend introduced me to DJing electronic music, which would lead to me start producing in FL Studio (and eventually switching to Ableton).
At first I found my strengths in making melodic bass music with a lot of trance influence, but I had trouble being inspired with it. I knew I wanted to try something else, like getting more into bass music… but I felt I had not developed my skill and taste in sound design [enough] to be satisfied with my creations.
I did discover the term “wave” in Beatport, and that’s when that rabbit hole formed for me. It led me to discovering artists like Teneki, Heimanu, REMNANT.exe, Deadcrow, to name a few. They really got me inspired again.
It was somewhat easy entering the genre since I already had experience with trance-y synths. But I entered the genre with the same cutthroat approach that is more appropriate for clubs and festivals.
In other words, I made hardwave.
However, I’m really trying to expand my horizons beyond that wavey sound…especially as I get more experience making bass music, so I try to incorporate elements of that with wave.
As my tastes evolve beyond wave and bass music, I actually find more inspiration from dance & hip-hop records from the 90s and 2000s since it (dare I say) was the height of pure musical creativity that was free from the internet’s assimilation into the cultural zeitgeist.
AM: Do you have a specific goal in mind for this project?
AYDO8: This has evolved over time but at the most basic level, I just want to make people dance and engineer my music accordingly.
But to be deeper… something I hope to communicate with my project in the long term is to get people to be more mindful of our hyperreality.
I’ve always thought of wave music as the vehicle to explore these cool cyberpunk themes… some of which seem somewhat far-fetched… but what about our world in a similar context? Today is getting a little bit unsettling.
AM: Give us some news! What is something coming up that you’re looking forward to?
AYDO8: Well by the time this article is posted, I’ve dropped my record “Buried (waiting for you)” on Alter/Ego’s Third compilation, make sure to give it a listen!
AYDO8: I do have another label release lined up, but I can’t say too much about it. All I can tell you is that it’s a sunny combination of bass and hardwave–it’s probably the record I’m most excited to put out aside from my Alter/Ego release.
And lastly, I may or may not have plans for LA in the next couple of months 🙂
Keep up with AYDO8:
Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud
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Looking for more wave songs? Check out all issues of “Breaking Waves,” our efforts to document all things wave music, here.
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