Mister Sweatband returns to Inner Shah with new EP
The Atlanta-based DJ & producer releases his 5th EP with originals on the label
ISR: Hi Greg! Hope you're doing great. We're very excited to host you once again on the label. You have a very distinctive sound when it comes to music production, yet often aligning inspiration from 80s and 90s genres. How did you get into music production and which bands and producers inspired your sound?
MS: I'm excited to be part of the label for another release and really respect the music Inner Shah puts out. I started playing guitar at a young age and bought my first synth, a Roland Mc505 Groovebox, when I was 19. I spent the next few months learning everything I could about synths. One of my early productions was bought by director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster). Early on, I was into trance artists like Sasha, Digweed, and Oakenfold, and I was also playing in a punk band in Athens, GA, which introduced me to American indie music. There, I also developed a love for 80s music, which has greatly influenced my productions. My musical background blends indie rock, 80s synthpop, and European dance music, with later influences from Aphex Twin, Johnny Jewel, Justice, Armand Van Helden, and Michael Mayer.
ISR: In “Past Midnight”, your first release on the label, and now “Stars Align”, your lead singles come with two alternative versions. At what point do you decide you can break the track idea into two projects?
MS: I wouldn't say it's a conscious decision; I simply enjoy creating two different versions of a track. I've always been a fan of remixes, and some of my favorite tracks are remixes. Plus, having two versions allows you to potentially appeal to two different audiences with the same track.
ISR: You often collaborate with your wife on the vocals, will you get the band back together at some point?
MS: Yes, my wife’s vocals are featured on many of my tracks, and I’ll continue to involve her in my productions. However, there are no plans to assemble a full band or perform live again. These days, I prefer to focus on producing rather than playing live. Organizing a band, booking shows, and adapting mostly electronic songs for live performances takes a significant amount of time and effort.
ISR: Do you have an element you always start your new tracks with to kick in the creativity?
MS: No, I start my tracks in different ways. Sometimes it’s a melody I create on guitar, other times it’s a bassline. I also like to use multiple DAWs—my main ones are Reason, Ableton, and Logic. I find that if I stick to the same setup, I can get bored and feel stuck.
ISR: Thank you for your time, Greg. Let us know if there’s any other exciting news or next steps on your project, and congrats on the amazing EP!
MS: Sure, no problem, and thanks! I have a bunch of demos that I plan to complete and release in 2025 or 2026 on my label. Hopefully, I’ll also be DJing a bit more in the Atlanta area.
