When you think of dubstep what comes to mind? Powerhouse bass? Headbanging? Tons of energy? These are just a few things Riot Ten and Jessica Audiffred both love.
They also have both been taking the dubstep world by storm, releasing singles together and individually going on jam-packed tours that have sent them all over the globe.
We had the privilege of sitting down for an exclusive and electrifying back-to-back interview with Riot Ten and Jessica Audiffred where we discussed their insights, inspirations, and the pulse of their collaborative energy, get ready to uncover the stories behind the music that continues to shake the foundations of bass.
EDM Maniac: Can you tell us a little bit about the journey you guys when on when creating “Dale?”
Riot Ten: I had this idea, that had some Latin sounds in it with hip hop. Originally, I had a more heavily Spanish influence on the vocals so I sent it over to Jessica and she suggested a vocal change to make it a little more equal as far as language.
It now translates to both Spanish and English listeners. Then she made that second drop and was like “Oh god this comes out of nowhere, I love it.”
Jessica Audiffred: I think I posted it on my Instagram story when I was making it and you commented on it.
Riot Ten: See I didn’t even hear it first.
Jessica Audiffred: When we changed vocals I was vibing to a drop that was more like hard techno because I love hard techno, so I tried to rewind it to a dubstep drop which is more my style. I did two drops in one and I thought that added something really cool and special to the song.
EDM Maniac: If you had one piece of advice to give to someone who wants to be a producer what would you tell them?
Jessica Audiffred: Young producers have so many tools. Utilize them. But there are so many people trying to do it, so the main thing I would say to any producer is to maintain an identity of their own, make songs of their own, unique branding. That’s what you have to do if you want to make it.
Riot Ten: I think that’s a great point. Electronic music has gotten so big so it’s harder than ever to stand out. As far as like touring and being in the game I’d say always be nice to everyone, fans, venue workers, or talent buyers. Don’t give people special treatment just because they are paying you.
Also, you are going to get a lot of feedback from people good and bad and you just have to be confident in your sets and your music and take what people say with a grain of salt because some people hate just to hate.
I always give props to the female producers because of the amount of people who immediately say it’s ghost-produced just because they are a female producer. It’s crazy to me how negatively females get treated.
Jessica Audiffred: I know a lot of people look at female DJs and think “Oh, they ghost produce,” and I don’t know why but from the beginning I have never cared.
I never pay attention to it because I know myself and the work I put in. My mom has always said to me “You aren’t going to be loved by everyone” and that’s fine.
EDM Maniac: With both of you guys being heavier artists do you think there is a certain level of energy you have to bring to the crowd or do you think the crowd brings the energy and you feed off it?
Riot Ten: I think it has to be a mix. I used to get really nervous before shows. For some shows I still do, I just have to tell myself I’m going to go in there and do a good job, a certain level of confidence.
I definitely have to have a few drinks in me before, I get anxious with crowds I totally start focusing on people and think in my head “If they aren’t moving they aren’t vibing with my set,” so a few drinks definitely helps with that.
Jessica Audiffred: It has happened to me that I’ve drank too much and messed up an entire set so ever since then I know my limits, I may have a few before the set but I stay sober mostly until the end of my set then I’ll start drinking more.
Being around friends really helps me get my energy right. I feel like the crowd can sense the mood of the DJ, so I definitely think that the DJ has to bring the right energy.
Riot Ten: What’s a show where you drank too much that made you realize you didn’t want to do that anymore?
Jessica Audiffred: It was back in my DJ days in Mexico.
Riot Ten: Oh so it was a while back.
Jessica Audiffred: Yeah, it was a while back, what happened is I got so wasted I couldn’t even mix so my friend stood behind me and did the mixing which was so bad for me that I was like, “I can never do this again.”
Riot Ten: Yeah any time we’ve drank at shows you will definitely take some shots but never overdo it.
Jessica Audiffred: Exactly I know my limits, one day I ended up at a hospital.
Riot Ten: Wow, I’m glad you learned your limits! Okay, since you started touring in the US more recently, what’s been your favorite thing you’ve eaten?
Jessica Audifred: You are going to hate me for this, but Chipotle.
Riot Ten: I love Chipotle dude.
Jessica Audiffred: I mean in Mexico we eat beans and rice all the time and Chipotle just has something about it.
Riot Ten: It’s so fresh, they don’t have any freezers or anything, I love it. What’s been your favorite festival you’ve ever played?
Jessica Audiffred: Honestly it was just my first time at Tomorrowland and it was insane. I went to Disneyland Paris two days after and was like, “Dude Tomorrowland is way prettier.” Have you played Tomorrowland?
Riot Ten: No, but like three or four years ago Shaq invited me because I was there for Rampage at the same time. It’s a funny story actually, I was staying at the Sharton, in Brussels and I was walking downstairs and I saw Shaq and he was like, “Are you going to Tomorrowland I’m playing today.”
I told him no that I couldn’t get guestlist through Steve Aoki, so he told me not to worry about it, and he told his tour manager to get me two bands and they just walked up to someone right there in the lobby and got them from them.
My transportation was there in five minutes. He got me my own vehicle and everything. It’s something I’ll always remember forever. Core memory.
All photos courtesy of Riot Ten & Jessica Audiffred’s social media platforms
