This time on NAS 10 Questions, we get to know ZipZapZop, AKA Clark ov Saturn: producer, composer, artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. ZipZapZop is a stream of consciousness with minimal lyrics, and eclectic interests and roots. Influences include Aphex Twin, Daft Punk all the way through to Frank Zappa.
The track "ShakeYourDeuce" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I grew up in Iowa, lived in Colorado during the 90's, moved to New York and now live in Baltimore, Maryland, where I'm an administrator on the leadership team in the University of Maryland School of Social Work, in addition to parenting and making music :)
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Records, a record player, a guitar and a piano were easily available when I was a child. I picked up piano lessons at 5, saxophone at 10, self-taught guitar at 11, classical guitar lessons at 16, bass at 18 and have been in various bands off and on since I was in high school. It has just always been there as something I love to listen to and do with my time.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
My tastes are extremely eclectic, but I like a small sliver of each slice of the genre pie. Everyone from Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Daft Punk on the electronic side to Frank Zappa, Ween, Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Front 242, Sleaford Mods, Cheap Trick, and loads in between.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Currently my goal is to grow an audience, ideally an international audience so that I could eventually travel for musical performances. I love to travel and love to perform. If I can do both at once, even better. :)
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I employ a highly spontaneous, improvisational process that involves creating beats, textures and song parts and then adding in vocals inspired by the moment, letting the flow of the current moment dictate where they go. If you have read Rick Rubin's recent book, The Creative Act - the process he proposes is surprisingly similar to the methods I've been using. This is partially because it's how I like to work, but also, I'm extremely time limited - with a full time job, 2 teenage boys to haul around to social events and sports practices, and I"m an assistant baseball coach. So I often say I make music in 15 minute increments, an iterative process of small steps that build upon one another, each time taking it up a notch toward completion.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Boards of Canada - Telephasic Workshop. I just love this song, it's so evocative, luxurious, transcendent, emotional. Their sound, to me is like the Beatles of electronic.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
I really think it is Rick Rubin in his book The Creative Act, where he says not to worry about other people liking your music and first and foremost that the artist should love it, and the process, and finish things, put them out there, and keep moving on.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
I was in an electronic drum n bass duo in the 90's, pH10, and we toured Europe 23 dates over the course of a month, in seven countries. That tour was just so intense, deep and emotional, a real life changer and memory of a lifetime.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
I have this early memory in childhood of running out to the sidewalk in my underpants and some kids across the street laughing wildly. I wouldn't be nearly as embarrassed now. :)
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
In addition to the Europe tour in 1999, we played NXNE in Toronto and were interviewed on Much Music Canada. Low point would probably be playing shows where only a few people showed up and band tensions flared.
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You are only 2.5 hours away from me! Sadly I will be moving away in Oct.
Such a multi talented artist, playing all instruments at that age is a gift. nice to meet you zipzapzop.
I'm really enjoying following you and ur energising, futuristic sound. So fascinating to read about how u got to it. Thru the highs and the lows in the musical world ones genre is shaped by experiences which makes u a mind blowing explosion of creativity that has me begging for more. Good to get to know u and grow with u in ur exploration of dreams, self discovery and exceptional insight into music unexplored. U have stepped out of the mold and shattered it leaving shards of contagious particles that defy gravity. Ur journey has brought u to the centre of the earth, a great foundation for such an interesting steam pot of molten lava. Ur originality sets u aside…
An interesting read. I am not to familiar with Electronic music. It was very interesting learning about your touring days!
I really enjoyed learning more about ZipZapZop. I'm always in awe of multi instrumentalists! It sounds like he had a really cool experience touring Europe. I'm a fellow American and my touring was limited to Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan and a few other states 😎