The Cymbol Sound
The third single from Cymbol’s forthcoming debut album ‘Distractions,’ Burn Like Fire is released today and it’s the first track the producer and artist has released since taking up residence in Australia. The track that combines elements of moombahton, with a dance and pop vibe was mastered by American producer Mark Santengelo (Alicia Keys, The Weeknd) and is co-written by Alius (TMRW music). Burn Like Fire is the perfect mix of festival hands-in-the-air crowd-pleasing hooks and underground inventiveness and is sure to make Cymbol a household name here in Australia. We got the chance to ask Cymbol some questions about the new song, the purchasing of music and his decision to relocate to Melbourne.
For those that haven't heard your music before, how do you label your sound? What genre boxes do you put yourself into?
My music has predominantly been Future bass, Trap, Hip-hop and pop. I typically call myself an electronic music producer.
You have just released your first Australian-based track, Burn Like Fire. Tell us about your new song.
This track is a prime example of how melody and beat work in unison. It just wants to make you move, and that was my goal throughout producing it. The track also has a bit of sass in it which was delivered by the amazing vocalist Sally who is also a friend of mine. We both have written heaps of music with each other and have waited for this one to finally see the light after a few good years.
Where did the inspiration for the writing of Burn Like Fire come from?
I started this track a while back when I was really getting inspired by Diplo and Skrillex. I remember having a dream and for some weird reason, I had like a vocal loop in my head. I woke up around 1.30am and opened up my laptop to try and replicate that vocal loop that was in my dream. This sample work took me about a couple of hours to get right, then I went back to sleep and the rest was history. That vocal sample is the backbone of the melody and song, I guess I was just inspired by the music I was consistently hearing which was a lot of Diplo and Skrillex at that time. Over the years this song developed into something else and each time it got better. The framework of this song was always there and always meant to be one of my catchiest tunes, it was just a matter of finishing the production off.
“There are different versions of this song in the archives but this final mastered track was definitely the vision”
Did the song take on any metamorphosis during its creation, or is the final product what you had in your head from the beginning?
No, I think this song is one of those ones that I had a clear vision of what it should sound like, and although it developed over the years, the final master sounds like how I imagined when I first started making it. There are different versions of this song in the archives but this final mastered track was definitely the vision
Do you have a favourite line or part of Burn Like Fire?
I love the outro. Really enjoyed making that.
This track is co-written by Alius (TMRW music), how did this joining of forces come about?
It's been so long but I think Alius contacted or somehow we connected over Facebook and he liked the remixes I was putting out. I had this idea for this song and laid out a simple beat with melody and sent it to Alius and he wrote and sang the demo version which was really cool. We were bouncing ideas back and forth a few times till we got the core of the song.
Burn Like Fire was produced by Mark Santengelo. Do you help out with the production or do you leave it to whoever you have chosen to do the job?
Mark Santengelo actually mastered Burn Like Fire. He took my mix and made it sound like a million bucks in terms of the sonics of it. Mark also mastered one of my other tracks ‘Miss These Days’ featuring David Dallas which is also part of my album. I chose him to master my tracks as one of the mix engineers Lance Powell introduced and recommended me to him. Being the last stage in the production, this is when I had to let go and let Mark do his job and trust his years of experience. Tell you what, there have been no revisions with mastering it and comes back better than expected.
This is the third single from your forthcoming album, Distractions. Is there a release date yet for Distractions?
No hard date set yet but early 2023
“I think you can identify my signature sound from start to finish of this album. ”
What can fans expect from the new album?
A journey of the music I have made over the last 3 years and what my sound has developed to. I think you can identify my signature sound from start to finish of this album.
You are now basing yourself in Australia, what made you make the move? Do you find it an easier place to make music?
I’ve always wanted to live in Melbourne, got married recently, and wanted to tackle a big city. It just makes sense to be making music and growing fans here, I get inspired to be here and just like to put my head down and focus. There are all sorts of talent here and I have barely even started looking to collaborate as I’m in the finishing stages of my album!
You have had great support from Radio stations with previous songs. Do you still find this support is important for music's reach, especially in the age of streaming?
Yes, I think radio is important and I feel like it will continue to be for a while. Most of my success has been due to radio hits in New Zealand which lead to my streams going higher. I think it's important not to rule anything out because you want to have your music pretty much in front of everyone's ears in whichever way possible. It’s about building a story.
“over the last decade but now we’re headed into NFT’s and blockchain which means it’s like going back to owning physical CD’s but in digital tokens”
What are your thoughts on streaming services, are they helping or hurting the industry?
One way or another, anything that becomes more accessible to people, you want to be able to be on that. It's just the way of progressing and adapting. What is cool is that streaming services have been dominant over the last decade but now we’re headed into NFT’s and blockchain which means it's like going back to owning physical CD’s but in digital tokens. What I’m trying to say is artists like myself have to accept progress in technology and adapt. I think streaming actually saved a lot of people from illegally downloading tunes if you want to take one of the positives from it.
When did you decide I'm going to make music for a living?
When I took out the 2013 George FM Remix Competition
Do you remember the first album or song you bought or really inspired you?
Justin Timberlake - Future Sex Love Sounds. This was the era Timbaland and Justin were really killing it and I was inspired by the sound, at that time my mind expanded on what could be possible for me as a producer/artist.
Who do you credit as your musical influences now?
Timbaland, Dr.Dre, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Diplo, Skrillex, Fred Again, Flume, A.R Rahman, Pharell. The list goes on but those are some of the top ones
You have done collaborations with Alae, David Dallas, Sally, Alius, JANAYAH. Who else is on your Collab wish list?
Wish list. Damn. I think Torrenfoot, Hayden James, Jack Harlow, Fred Again, Timbaland, M.I.A, Troyboi, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Skrillex. There are too many on the wish list I can keep on going
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what do they do that keeps your world turning?
The Mrs. Puts food on the table when I’m going all in most nights on this, and keeps me focussed.
Also one more shoutout, Buz. Helps handle all my social media stuff and my bs!
“2023 will be full of music releases”
What's next for you? What can we expect with 2023 just around the corner?
I’m going to be releasing another song before I drop the album. You can expect me to play some festivals and gigs next year in AUS and NZ. 2023 will be full of music releases.
Watch the ‘Slipping’ Video Here!
Watch the ‘Best Friends’ Video Here!
For all social media platforms, go to: https://linktr.ee/cymbol
Interview by Michelle Symes
October 2022