ill. Gates is the legendary glitch master. Creating massive tunes of all genres and consistently releasing other collaborations and remixes. This is a guy that can’t be stopped. He is even an ordained minister and is pushing for our wonderful music to recognized as a religion as it should be. We decided to catch up with him and due a little interview for you guys.
Dance & Romance: What’s your name and where are you from?
Ill Gates: Illiam B. Gates III, esq. and I’m from Toronto Canada. I live in San Francisco now though.
Dance & Romance: Favorite Color, Food, and Cartoon?
Ill Gates: Black (although I know it’s not a color!), Sashimi, Xavier: Renegade Angel
Dance & Romance: Describe your sound in 3 words?
Ill Gates: Glitchy Future Bass
Dance & Romance: Unlike many other prominent DJ’s. You actually share your knowledge with aspiring producers through conferences and workshops. Has teaching been something you always wanted to do, or this production knowledge something you always wanted to share?
Ill Gates: It’s something that I just sort of fell into because it came easily to me. Most people get in their own way and I happen to be really good at un-fucking them. I’d feel like a jerk if I let that talent go to waste!
Dance & Romance: What’s your inspiration to make music?
Ill Gates: The dynamics of nature and the mystery of consciousness. It’s endlessly fascinating and we will never get to the bottom of it. I do it all out of gratitude that I get to participate in this crazy beautiful thing we call life.
Dance & Romance: You have just released Ill Methodology. Not only is it such an awesome release, but you have over 20 tracks. How were you able to find the time and how was the process of producing all those tracks?
Ill Gates: I write music constantly. It’s like eating, sleeping, or growing a beard. It just happens wherever I am, whether I like it or not. Many of those tracks were collaborations I did on the road. Any time I had down time when I was touring I’d call up a local musician that I liked, go over to their place and JAM! I’m pretty good at finishing what I start, and finishing it within a day or two. Most of those tracks were one long session at a friend’s place.
Dance & Romance: What music Projects are you working on now?
Ill Gates: The main thing is the Church Of Bass. It’s an EP, a Tour, and a Religion!
The EP is different from The ill.Methodology in that it was nearly all composed in my own studio, and I took my time with things a bit more. It’s a lot more melodic than my past work, all instrumental, and I feel it is a bit more emotional than my other stuff. The response live has been awesome! I can’t wait until it drops on Nov 19!
The Tour is my first attempt at doing a full production routed driving tour. We are bringing pK bassbins, our own team, our own openers and this absolutely MENTAL 3d mapped video stage setup with tempo synched video content that took ages and ages to prep. Hopefully we don’t lose too much money and will be able to afford to do it again!
The Church Of Bass is also a real church. I’m a legally recognized minister and I’m trying to get music recognized as the legitimate religion it is. It gives us meaning, healing, community, meditation and a way to share our experiences with those we love. Why are musicians and music lovers so persecuted? It doesn’t make sense. We need to recognize music as a religion and get music the legal protection it deserves!
Dance & Romance: You have collaborations with dance music heavy weights like Bassnectar. Who else do you want to work with in the future?
Ill Gates: I’d love to work with Santigold. She is absolutely brilliant. Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus have been really doing it for me lately as well.
Dance & Romance: On this tour, is there a chance we can expect a collaboration with your tour mates?
Ill Gates: That’s a big part of the reason I invited them on the tour. They are both brilliant musicians so I’m hoping we can jam!
Dance & Romance: Anything you want to tell your fans out there?
Ill Gates: Keep the faith, spread the love, Church Of Bass! http://churchofbasstour.com
Dance & Romance: Final question,What do you carry in your DJ Bag?
Ill Gates: Other than stinky laundry and a toothbrush? I have a computer, an RME Babyface sound card (LOVE IT!) and my favourite controller is a Livid Ohm 64 RGB Slim.
Now it’s time to check out some tunes:
