Awww yeah we’re back bay! It has been far too long since we’ve last been together, and for that we apologize. However, we are back and live as f*ck this week with an exclusive interview from on of LA’s finest movers and shakers within its thriving underground bass music community. I’m talking of course, about Padlock. Now if you haven’t heard of Padlock before you might also know him by his previous alias, Hogwash. Still not ringing a bell? Well chances are, if you live in LA, and you’ve been to a dirty sweaty underground dubstep show in the past 4 years, or have been to any of the more more eclectic trap/garage based shows of the past two years, you’ve seen this madman play, and you were most likely very impressed. You wouldn’t be alone either. Padlock has managed to garner support from, and studio time with some LA’s biggest and most underrated producers in the scene, and it definitely shines through in all of his production.
Stephen (Padlock) is one of those industry cats that was there when the ground swell started for all flavors of EDM, and has somehow managed to stay deeply involved and deeply relevant within the bass music community. No small feat considering the legendary fickleness of our lovely fanbase. 
This new alias, Padlock, takes the filthiness of Hogwash’s dubstep and applies it to some seriously absurd, house inspired, trap flavored jams that are guaranteed to rock those socks clean off.
That’s why we are so excited to be able to premiere this new one (above) for you all, alongside an eye opening interview into the world of Padlock and LA vibrant underground. This man knows the scene like the back of his hand, so if you live in LA, or plan to visit, listen up! And as always, stay tuned for more West Coast Wednesdays!
What have you been up too so far this year? Anything we can look forward too soon?
Well, I just wrapped Public Relations degree at Cal State Fullerton this last semester, so I’m finally back in the studio on a more consistent basis. You can expect some new music; originals, remixes, and collabs with some long overdue friends.
You’ve been a well known figure within the LA bass music community for quite some time; care to share a little insight about the dramatic evolution of the scene over the past three years?
Thank you, I guess I just see myself as someone who has watched the underground grow. I remember going to dubstep shows at Lucky Strike back in 2010, and now some of those guys are playing Ultra this week! Watching this whole rebirth of house music is pretty sweet, I started in the electronic music scene when bass was really becoming the focus of everything, dubstep was rising and it was all about who could make the best bass, then something amazing happened, everyone started to incorporate the new bass sounds into other genres, including house. I believe the most dramatic evolution of the scene in the past three years has been the breakthrough into the “mainstream,” between Jack U and this new catchy Destro tune, you can’t turn your radio on without hearing some form of electronic music, I think that’s awesome.
For people who are new to your sound, how would you describe your music?
I started off as a dubstep and drum ‘n’ bass dj, but I have released trap, hybrid, house, hip-hop, future bass… I guess the best way to describe it would be, West-Coast-Bass-Music. I have a very strong background in percussion and marching band, so you may find some horns or fun drums here and there. I really try not to limit myself to any one genre, and I love to explore and push new musical boundaries. If you listen to my music on soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/padlockmusic) you’ll get the picture.
Tell us a little bit about this new song we’re premiering today.
“High Five” is my first really solid shot at bass house. I am really new to this genre, but I’m having a lot of fun making this type of music. My little signature on this track is the 5 over 4 breaks that I put between the drop phrases. Like I said earlier, I like to switch up the cookie-cutter form a little bit.
Favorite VST?
I’ve been on FM8 and Massiv for a lot of my dubstep, but I just bought Serum, and toying around with it has been a lot of fun.
What’s your favorite way to get rid of writer’s block?
I’ve found 2 ways to mitigate my writers block, the first is to have several projects to work on, that way if you hit a wall or get over making a certain track, you can open another project and think a little differently. The second way I get rid of writers block is to take a break from the studio, not like a 5 minute break, or an hour food break, I mean, take a day of two out of the lab, take the cans off, and do something you haven’t done in a while. Most of the time after a few days of not making music, I get inspired and can sit down to a good session.
Who are some of your favorite artists right now?
I’m really on the future bass vibes right now, I can’t wait to see Wave Racer on his tour this month, Woolymammoth and AWE are constantly either in my sets or only my playlists, maybe I’ll make a future bass tune next.
Any advice for the up & coming industry cats out there?
The only advice I can really give is the same advice I was given when I started. “If it [music] is what you love, don’t let anyone take it away from you.” As long as you’re doing what you love, the rest is just small stuff.
Favorite place to get late night tacos in LA?
Oh man, I am a sucker for street tacos, so pretty much the first taco truck I see, but if we’re talking walk up, you can never go wrong with King Taco.
