In the ever-evolving world of experimental music, Anti Sucksess is without any doubt one of the most interesting artists of their generation. Known for redefining the boundaries of the Signalwave genre, this groundbreaking artist masterfully blends nostalgic audio fragments with modern production techniques, crafting immersive soundscapes that evoke a profound sense of time and memory.
By daring to incorporate trap elements into Signalwave, Anti Sucksess has introduced a fresh, dynamic layer to this niche genre, captivating listeners with their ability to fuse disparate eras and styles. With excellent releases such as Afterlife, Dreamstate, and their latest six-track project Derealization, Anti Sucksess continues to push the limits of audio art, making a bold statement in the experimental music scene.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into their journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind their remarkable discography.
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Anti Sucksess thanks a lot for being with us today! I really believe your sound, artistic approach to music creation, and artistic vision are truly outstanding and I am thrilled to know more about your artistic journey. Let’s start from the very beginning; Can you share some of the pivotal moments or influences in your early life that led you to pursue a career in experimental music?
My pivotal moment came from my lifelong passion for creating art. When my Instagram account got shadowbanned for posting mental art, I began exploring different music genres. That’s when I discovered signalwave. What I love about Signalwave is its lack of strict rules—you can truly find your own sound through experimentation.
My biggest influence would probably be Clams Casino. He revolutionized instrumental hip-hop by blending ambient textures with trap influences, creating a sound that feels both ethereal and grounded. My second major influence is Gab3, known for his distinctive aesthetic that seamlessly blends nostalgia with futuristic elements. One of his most notable contributions is his innovative use of VHS-style visuals, which stands out in a digital age dominated by high-definition content. In fact, he’s one of the key reasons I decided to buy a VHS camcorder to create videos of my own.
What drew you to the Signalwave genre, and how did you first become involved in this niche of the music scene?
I’ve always enjoyed listening to vaporwave, but after a while, I stopped making Phonk because the genre felt oversaturated, and it no longer brought me the happiness it once did. I wanted to express myself in a more artistic and personal way, so I started researching new genres. That’s when I stumbled across the vaporwave subreddit on Reddit, where I discovered a sub-genre called signalwave.
Curious to learn more, I joined their Discord server and started asking questions about how it all worked. I listened to a lot of their projects, sought advice, and was encouraged to find my own sound. From there, I began experimenting extensively. Today, every album I create has its own distinct aesthetic and sound, but it remains rooted in signalwave. It’s a unique artistic interpretation of the genre, shaped by my own creative vision.
How has your musical style evolved since you began your career, and what factors have influenced these changes?
Since the beginning of my career, I’ve been known for using repetitive loops, trap beats, and vocal chops, which give my tracks a unique and recognizable aesthetic. My music has evolved over time as I’ve constantly sought new ways of expression and experimentation.
In the beginning, I mainly focused on traditional forms within specific genres, such as phonk and trap. Later, I began exploring more experimental and artistic approaches, like Signalwave, which allowed me greater freedom in my creative process.
The influence of my audience and collaboration with other creators also played a significant role in my development, as I’ve learned new techniques and approaches from them. Today, I strive to make each project I create unique, while still maintaining the elements that define me—repetitive loops, interesting rhythmic structures, and emotional vocal arrangements.
You’ve been credited with incorporating trap elements into Signalwave. What inspired this fusion, and how do you approach blending these distinct genres?
My first album, Luminar, was a traditional Signalwave album, created using the classic approach—sampling television and radio broadcasts from the past, typically from the ’80s and ’90s. However, I eventually felt like it wasn’t quite what I wanted to express. I wanted to create something more unique and personal.
That’s when I released a new album called Not The End (which has since been deleted). For this project, I sampled scenes from my favorite TV series, Snowfall. One particular scene stood out to me, where a character says, “The game’s rigged; it ain’t made for people like us. So you know what? I’m rewriting the rules.” This moment gave me the inspiration to start developing my own sound. From that point onward, every album I created incorporated trap elements, allowing me to blend genres in a way that felt more aligned with my vision.
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Can you walk us through your typical process for creating a new track, from the initial concept to the final production?
My process for creating music is a bit unconventional. For example, if I make an album where the final track features a lot of vocal chops, the next album I create will have every song with vocal chops. However, the last track will always differ, creating a sense of predictability for the listener about what the next album will be like.
In terms of how I actually make the music, it’s quite simple. I start by listening to a particular artist, and then I find a loop that resonates with their style. I then take that loop and master it into a rawer, more unpolished sound. Some people refer to this as “Trillwave,” where the track sounds raw, unmixed, unmastered, and overall amateur—intentional qualities that I embrace. By “raw,” I’m referring to a muffled, retro sound, which helps to create that nostalgic feeling in my music.
Another key aspect of my sound is my signature VHS VCR INTENSE DISTORTION, which gives a distinct beep sound before every track. This can always be heard at the beginning of my songs and has become a recognizable element of my music.
Fantastic! And talking about your style, every one of your releases has a different mood and vibe to it, showing your great versatility. What themes or concepts did you explore in your album “Afterlife,” and what message did you aim to convey to your listeners?
Funny enough, when I created Afterlife, I wasn’t sure what kind of sound I wanted to use. I simply started experimenting and incorporating different sounds, and surprisingly, I didn’t use much mastering on any of the tracks. Despite that, people really seemed to connect with it, and it became one of my most popular and successful releases. It even gave me a significant boost within the signalwave scene.
As for the message behind the album, I just wanted to show listeners that anything is possible. My main goal was to evoke a nostalgic feeling in people, as many miss their childhood. Even though the title Afterlife doesn’t directly reflect the message, I still believe it’s a meaningful project for anyone looking to experience a bit of nostalgia.
How does “Dreamstate” differ from your previous works, both in terms of musical style and thematic content?
In Dreamstate, I wanted to explore a more muffled sound, almost as if you were in a bathroom at a party—distant, echoing, and slightly disorienting. The album was primarily an experiment with different sounds, pushing the boundaries of what I had done before.
The cover art also reflects a different aesthetic, drawing inspiration from styles like Frutiger Aero and Webcore, also known as Old Web. These influences are present not just in the music, but in the overall vibe of the project, which deviates from my previous works both musically and thematically.
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Your latest release, “Derealization,” came out on December 6, 2024. What inspired this project, and what can listeners expect from it?
The inspiration for Derealization came from a particular track by Clams Casino called I’m God, which I listened to almost every day. I was really moved by the way that track made me feel, and I wanted to create something with a similar impact but with my own twist. My goal was to evoke that nostalgic feeling in listeners, just like I’m God did for me.
That said, as time goes on and I listen to the album more, I feel like I could have done a better job with it. But I think that’s part of the creative process—always striving to improve. Even though I have mixed feelings about it now, I hope that listeners can still connect with it in their own way.
Signalwave often involves reimagining old media. How do you select the audio fragments you work with, and what role does nostalgia play in your music?
I have a particular affinity for using weather channel audio fragments in my work. I find that they can seamlessly fit with almost any kind of loop—whether it’s a melancholic or an upbeat one, the weather audio seems to complement the mood. The key to making it work, though, is solid mastering to ensure everything blends well together.
Nostalgia plays a significant role in my music, as I often aim to evoke a sense of familiarity and reflection in my listeners. The use of these vintage audio fragments is part of that, as they have the ability to transport people back to another time while still fitting into a modern sound.
How do you balance the use of vintage audio samples with modern production techniques to create a cohesive sound?
To balance everything and create a cohesive sound, I often start with a low-pass filter, which instantly gives the audio that vintage feel. I also incorporate elements like VHS sound effects, vinyl crackle, white noise, and glitch tape effects. When you combine these elements and place them in the right “direction,” they come together in a way that feels like it’s straight out of an older era, while still fitting with modern production techniques.
How have listeners responded to your innovative approach to Signalwave, particularly with the incorporation of trap elements?
A lot of people don’t fully understand what Signalwave is, as it’s such a niche subgenre with a relatively small following. When I promote my music, I usually create a VHS-style video and share it on Instagram. Sometimes, this approach receives criticism because it’s something new—something people haven’t encountered before. However, there are also listeners who appreciate the uniqueness of my work and the fact that I’m pushing boundaries by trying something different.
This response extends to the Signalwave community as well. Some people don’t resonate with my incorporation of trap elements into a genre that traditionally focuses on old media. Despite this, the feedback motivates me to continue refining my sound and making it more memorable.
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In what ways do you envision your music evolving in the future, and are there any new genres or styles you’re interested in exploring?
I definitely want to continue evolving my sound because I believe there’s still much more I can achieve, and I’m determined to build a stronger presence in the music world. My goal is to make Anti Sucksess some thing much bigger than just a Signalwave artist known for incorporating trap elements and using loops.
As for exploring new genres, I’m truly grateful to have found a space within Signalwave where I can express my artistic vision. I plan to stay in this genre for the long term, working to help grow and elevate it, and hopefully, make it more recognized than it is today.
Anti Sucksess it was such a pleasure having you with us today. Is there anything you would like to say to our readers and your fans?
Thank you for having me. To all the readers and my fans, I just want to say: Stay aware of what’s happening around you, follow your passions, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve something. Keep being true to yourself, stay focused on your goals, and everything you want will eventually come to you.
Check the links below, discover more about Anti Sucksess and their music, and remember to add their songs to your favorite playlists!
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