MetaphOracle has shown that you can write catchy comparisons with more than words.
“Whenever I put up a DJ mix, I always focus on connecting songs without like or as – I’m always one for wordplay.”
While he entered the music scene focused on hip hop, Josh Tjaden, as he’s known off stage, has expanded his repertoire in every direction, and is now recognized by his signature style of glitch hop beats fused with live trumpet.
“I’m trying to fuse the two, and I think it’s the direction maybe music will go with, kind of blending the electronic and the acoustic.”
After witnessing a similar instrumental integration during a Russ Liquid set at Shambhala two years ago, Tjaden said the idea to blend elements became stuck in his head. Half a year later, he began renting a trumpet for $13 each month, and has been practicing regularly ever since.
Mashing a brass instrument with the bleeps and bloops of electronic music suits his approach of taking a completely new angle.
“I try to not give into formulas that a lot of people use with music, and try to make something that I’m happy with at the end of the day.”
In wrapping up a 10-show tour across the province, MetaphOracle will be playing at the Mule on July 29 as part of the Watt’s Happening Wednesday’s.
He challenges those who think electronic music may not suit their taste – having DJ’d for a decade, he knows how to find something for everybody.
“It’ll appeal to a wide range of people through referencing older songs; Led Zeppelin, James Brown funk, over to Dr. Dre – it’s a wide selection and it’s all cohesive.”
However he is moving away from sampling, especially in light of recent clampdowns from music sharing websites.
“The majority is all original – I’ll design all the sounds myself. I just want to make original music and create something really unique.”
According to the Mule, “It’s hard to expect what this musician will drop next but you can expect it will be overflowing with his gangstalicious steeze… Taking you from a glitched out, deeper trip on to another journey through the hood-rich, krunky bass sound that he loves, attitude is definitely included.”
And opening for MetaphOracle will be his old roommate Dropline – a Kelowna DJ whose a transplant from Hamilton, Ontario. His distinctive sound integrates electronic with punk, pop, metal and classical.
“He’s a really great DJ who has a lot of really fun tracks and great energy,” Tjaden said.
The show starts at 10 p.m. and admission is by donation.
“It’s all about coming together and having fun.”