HYPETRAK Mix: Sebastian Sartor - Street & Lights

Remember when Pusha T‘s “King Push” came out and the whole world (including us) thought it was Joaquin Phoenix who was the mastermind that created the banging instrumental? Well, it turned out that the man responsible for one of the hottest instrumentals was NYC-based producer Sebastian Sartor. The 24-year old has been crafting new music ever since and is getting ready to share it with the world shortly. Until then, you can enjoy in his exclusive HYPETRAK Mix “Street & Lights” which marks a great blend of records that he is currently working on and songs he is currently enjoying.

“I wanted to make something a little different, in the mix there are a bunch of tracks I’m currently working on, some up and coming records from a few friends, as well as a mixture of tracks I like at the moment and some great classics! Hope you enjoy.”

How did you get started with production/music in general?
There was always a record playing in the house from my earliest memories. Later on, I picked up a bunch of instruments growing up, in school, I started recording stuff then, but it wasn’t until I took a few years break from music that the desire to make music really kicked in. It got to the stage where I would hear records and I would say to people and myself, I really wish I could be doing this myself! I would say I got started in music production as an outlet, I’ve always been enamored with music – it’s a powerful expressive avenue. I had gotten Reason from a kid in school and a few years later I started opening it up and just tried to make something!

Is there a specific moment/turning point when you realized that you wanted to take music as a serious profession/activity?
Yeah, it happened in early 2013 after I quit working full time (it wasn’t doing me any good!) – I set out to make it my focus.

How would you outline the exploration of your own signature sound? When does a producer know when he has found his own sound?
The crazy thing is, when I first started to make music I wanted to be so conscious of what I was making. It had to feel really comfortable for me to make it. I think I went through stages of trying to make something different, mess about and see what sounds right what you feel comfortable playing for people… It’s not like a singer or a guitar player who really sets out to master that one instrument and has mostly that single medium to work with – as a producer there are so many tools at your disposal.
And some time after that, you start to focus on something in particular and exploring what that does to you – how does it sound? Once I found my pocket I started making more tracks. But I must admit, the times where I felt most uncomfortable doing something, pushing myself, exploring what it felt to play outside of a rather intimate comfort zone, the results have been far more interesting. I think things flow a bit better when you let go of your safety net.

How did you approach the “King Push” beat? The drums are intense!
With “King Push” before it became “King Push” I just wanted to make something cool that was gonna excite me when I listened to it. I wanted to almost paint a picture with the music, marching band drums (amongst the rest), eerie choirs, and a mean bass and sweet vocals!

Can you talk about your next releases? What do you have lined up for 2014?
Been working with some great people, making tracks, and keeping busy in the studio. Staying hungry.

Do you have any creative activities/involvements outside of music?
I really like art too – but its mainly music. Got some other projects too that I hope come to fruition.

Although you are at the very beginning of your career, is there any lesson that you have learned already?
Put the work in, be hungry, strive, be open, stay humble and be patient.

What kind of legacy would you like to leave at the end of the day?
That’s a big questions man, I mean who doesn’t want to leave behind incredible records that will be heard in the future and still regarded? But I would say one is to bring people together through music.