Bass music artist Star Monster sat down with us to chat about his entry into electronic music, his 80-day album challenge, and what’s to come in 2024.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Phil Parhamovich is an experimental bass music artist creating a world of his own under the Star Monster moniker. Already having a significant relationship with music through years of playing the guitar and being part of a band, Parhamovich was no stranger to musical composition. He was drawn into electronic music after hearing dubstep at Burning Man for the first time, then the Star Monster alias was born, and bass music joined his long list of sonic outlets.
Star Monster went on to explore a variety of genres, finding his place on the spectrum of bass music. Within a few years, he’s amassed widespread support from listeners, creating his own growing community known as the Starfleet. His arsenal of releases has also catapulted his career, with multiple tracks finding homes on imprints such as Bassrush Records, LoFreq, The Dub Rebellion, and more.
Fans have seen Star Monster grace stages at major music festivals, including Burning Man, Electric Forest, and Toxic Summer, so we caught up with him to see what’s coming up next. Continue reading for our chat with Star Monster and bump his guest mix below!
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 409 || Star Monster on SoundCloud:
Hi, Star Monster. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today! We’re excited to share your story with readers. We see that you’re based out of Madison, Wisconsin but you’re originally from Cleveland, Ohio. What was it like breaking into the scene there? How did that help shape you as an artist?
I currently reside in Madison, but I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland was known for its strong blues and classic rock culture, especially since it was located in the Rust Belt. My father had an extensive blues record collection, and I discovered the early fife and drum blues through his vinyl collection. This genre of music had its roots in African dance music. Eventually, it evolved into rap and hip-hop. I was drawn to the groove and danceability of this type of music.
Later on, I formed a two-piece rock band called “The Dirt Bros,” where I wrote and recorded the songs, sang, and played guitar. Analog sound production and guitar were my passions, and I was obsessed with capturing classic rock sounds like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. I had a collection of over 300 vintage guitars and amps to create the perfect sound. Our band was managed by The Black Keys management.
It was my life for many years until I went to Burning Man and discovered dubstep, which changed my perspective on music. Now, Madison is a great town with fantastic EDM venues and a supportive scene. I love it here!
Moving to the present, your most recent release, “Dimensions,” is a spectacular low-end bass track and the name of your current nationwide tour. What was the production process like for that track?
That was a pivotal track for me because I just kept reworking all the elements to an insane degree. I really couldn’t find the sound design until I ended up just pretty much massacring the Vital (synth) patch I was playing with…I pushed a lot of the elements through frustration until I found something original.
Speaking of the tour, how has that been going? Have there been any specific standout shows so far?
The tour has been so much fun. The West Coast portion was incredible, and I have to thank Jalaya for really helping out with that. We had a blast together. However, Northern California is kind of like my second home. It’s where I got my start (thank you, Blaow!) and where all my producer friends live. It’s also where I’ve played most of my shows, so it feels like coming home when I’m there. The Reno and San Diego shows were probably the most enjoyable, and then the one this past weekend in Denver… man, I love Denver- they get Bass Music.
You’ve recently been posting on social media about starting a challenge of writing an album in 80 days. How is that going?
It’s going great – oops, I almost forgot to post today! It’s been cool to see the support coming from people and genuine curiosity about what I’m doing.
We talked a bit about your earlier influences. But today, you’ve come a long way in your career, from playing support for major artists, playing major festivals, and even your nationwide tour. How does it feel to reflect on how far you’ve come?
To be honest, I’m so driven and anticipating the future that it’s kind of hard to look back and see the whole picture. But … I’ve grown so damn much. To look at my mind state when I started and compare it to now… a child to somewhat of an adult.
What’s been the biggest struggle you’ve faced so far in your career? Have you been able to overcome it?
My biggest struggle has been just the workload of being a DJ in today’s world. From social media, branding, song releasing, making sure you are making the proper decisions, booking, performing, and the list goes on. I’m getting better at things, but it’s a full plate for sure.
Looking toward the future, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind with the Star Monster project?
This is an exciting question. I want to be known as the artist with one of the coolest immersive creative journeys through visuals and music….spreading light and a supportive positive outlook on believing in yourself and sharing love through your community of people. I’d love to leave my daughter a few hit songs as well.
Finally, what can fans expect from Star Monster in the rest of 2024?
OMG, lots! I’ve spent a lot of time planning this year. Dimensions Part 2 mix focusing on higher energy flips and original IDs. The rest of the Dimensions album. A new remix series. And a new downtempo project. Festival appearances. The release of the pilot of the new “Star Monster Show” cartoon – inspired by Midnight Gospel/Adventure Time.
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