Producer of electronic music for techies in Silicon Valley, Activ8te. He moved to the US for a PhD in computer science and has spent the last 20 years in California. He is originally from Northern Germany. Activ8te works as a security expert during the day, developing security infrastructure that guards against knowledgeable adversaries. He makes electronic dance music at night as a creative outlet and to maintain balance in his life.
Don’t miss this captivating audio experience that will fill your heart with warmth and joy. The brilliant collaboration of two musicians in “All We Do Is Shine” will have listeners basking in the light of love’s unstoppable power. Add it to your playlist now. Discover the magic of Activ8te and footleg’s collaboration, and let the spark of their combined light ignite your playlist! Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
ACTIV8TE: I originally hail from Northern Germany, where I didn’t know much about electronic music at all. I was more a classical music kind of person. After moving to the United States to pursue a PhD in Computer Science, I settled in California and have been living here for the last twenty years. By day, I work in the security space, helping to build security infrastructure to protect against sophisticated adversaries. The demanding nature of my work led me to seek a creative outlet, and first started by playing electric guitar. I then also began exploring electronic music production more seriously. I found that producing music provided the a good balance in my life, allowing me to express my artistic side while also maintaining a connection to my expertise in cybersecurity. Over time, I began collaborating with other artists and security researchers to create a series of tracks that touch on different security topics. My goal is to use the emotional connection created through music to inspire people to think about the importance of security and privacy in the digital age. The last track was a departure in that it was an indie electronica love song and not directly related to cybersecurity.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
ACTIV8TE: My journey in music production is a mix of formal training and self-teaching. I took two Berklee Online classes in composing and producing electronic music, providing me with a solid foundation in music production and composition. Additionally, I followed various online resources, with Jake Lizzio’s Signals Music Studio being particularly helpful. Apart from these resources, I’ve focused on self-improvement through experimentation, seeking feedback, and engaging with the music community. Participating in the Silicon Valley Music Production Workshop has been an invaluable platform for networking and exchanging ideas with other like-minded individuals, fostering growth and innovation in my music production journey.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ACTIV8TE’?
ACTIV8TE: In the space of electronic music, I enjoy the work by Skrillex, Tiësto and Zedd. However, I also have to say that Lady Gaga makes incredibly week produced tracks. I often listen to her music as inspiration for my own tracks. As for the name ‘Activ8te,’ it has its roots in my past. 25 years ago, I used the handle ‘Activ8te’ in hacker underground forums, and I chose to bring it back to represent the fusion of my passions for music and cybersecurity.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
ACTIV8TE: My music is a fusion of energetic EDM, innovative electronic elements, and powerful vocals that tell compelling stories. The elements that resonate with listeners are the engaging electronic sounds, emotive themes, and the incorporation of cybersecurity topics in tracks like “Teardrop Falling,” “Patch Your Network,” and “I Am Tracking You.” My project aims to educate and raise awareness about cybersecurity while getting people dancing and building a community that sparks curiosity and learning. However, “All We Do Is Shine” represents a departure from my usual cybersecurity-focused tracks, as it is an emotional love song. This india electronica track showcases a softer side of my music. Although it does not tackle cybersecurity, it maintains the core elements of my sound, creating an emotional connection with listeners that is central to my music.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?
ACTIV8TE: My journey towards originality began with a phase of learning and emulating others, as it does for most artists. I explored a wide variety of styles to learn music production, starting with trance, house, techno, trip-hop, and dubstep. During this phase, I immersed myself in the works of influential artists like Tiësto and Zedd, listenign to their techniques and approaches to electronic music. My own development has been an ongoing process of experimentation and refinement. By delving into different genres and styles, I improved my skills and gained a deeper understanding of producing electronic music. This learning process, combined with my passion for cybersecurity, eventually led me to create a unique fusion of EDM and security-related themes. While I would say that I am still on a journey to define my own style, it is driven by the desire to create music that connects with listeners on both emotional and intellectual levels.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
ACTIV8TE: I believe that music can serve as a powerful vehicle for all kinds of discourse and expression. By creating an emotional connection with listeners, we can build a connection with them through music, and this opens up opportunities to explore various themes and share important messages. I often incorporate cybersecurity topics that lean into politics. For instance, “Teardrop Falling” references the war in Ukraine, while “I Am Tracking You” touches on powerful spyware distributed by the NSO group to the highest bidder. These tracks aim to raise awareness and provoke thought about critical security issues in our increasingly connected world. However, not all of my tracks tackle such themes directly. “All We Do Is Shine” is an example of a track that celebrates love and showcases a different facet of my musical expression. Ultimately, I strive to create a diverse and engaging body of work that encompasses various themes and provides listeners with a rich and thought-provoking experience.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
ACTIV8TE: Creating music is a fulfilling journey, encompassing joyful discovery and hard work to reach the finish line. Each track I produce offers opportunities for growth and self-expression. However, one significant challenge I face is promoting my music to a larger audience in a market flooded with content, making it difficult for artists to stand out. In the future, I aim to find innovative ways to promote my music, connect with my audience, and make an impact through my unique fusion of EDM and cybersecurity themes. Embracing the challenges and rewards of growth and adaptation is an essential part of my journey as an artist, and I look forward to seeing where it takes me.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
ACTIV8TE: My creative process often begins with collaboration, as I believe that working with others creates a creative tension that ultimately leads to better music. I usually start with a theme in mind and begin crafting lyrics around it, which then serve as the foundation for shaping the track. Having a narrative or theme at the outset helps provide direction and focus for the rest of the creative process. Once I have the lyrics and theme established, I frequently look at reference tracks to capture ideas for emotion and structure. These references inspire me to experiment with different tunes and beats, gradually evolving the track into its final form. Throughout this process, I continue to collaborate with other artists, incorporating their unique perspectives and talents, which adds depth and diversity to the finished song. This approach to music-making ensures that the final product is a rich, multifaceted composition that resonates with listeners.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
ACTIV8TE: The most frustrating aspect of music production is the challenge of music promotion. Navigating the saturated market and finding effective ways to reach a larger audience remains an unsolved problem for me. With so much competition, standing out as an artist can be incredibly challenging.Each track I produce typically goes through a phase where it becomes difficult to finish. This can be a trying time, but I’ve learned that persistence is the key to pushing through these obstacles and ultimately completing a track. Despite these challenges, I remain dedicated to creating music that resonates with listeners and continually learning and growing as an artist.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
ACTIV8TE: A moment in my music journey so far was the inclusion of my track “Teardrop Falling” in the 30th anniversary soundtrack of DefCon. DefCon is one of the world’s largest and most well-known hacker conferences, bringing together cybersecurity professionals, enthusiasts, and researchers from around the globe. The event showcases cutting-edge research, demonstrations, and discussions in the field of cybersecurity. Having “Teardrop Falling” featured in the DefCon soundtrack was a great moment, as it not only allowed my music to reach a wider audience but also connected with the very community I aim to engage through my fusion of EDM and cybersecurity themes. This recognition served as validation for my approach to music and provided further motivation to continue exploring the intersection of these two worlds in my work.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
ACTIV8TE: Having a successful YouTube channel where I feature my blacksmithing work, such as forging swords or spears, has exposed me to the world of online criticism and haters for many years. Over time, you become used to encountering inappropriate comments and negative feedback, and it no longer surprises me. In terms of handling such negativity, I focus on the constructive aspects of criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. However, I also understand the importance of filtering out unproductive comments and not letting them affect my creative process or self-confidence. I believe that paying attention to valuable feedback while ignoring baseless negativity is crucial for any artist to thrive in the era of social media and maintain a healthy relationship with their audience.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
ACTIV8TE: I personally find the contemplative and meditative aspects of music production in a studio or home environment more exciting. This setting allows me to focus on the intricate details of my work and fully immerse myself in the creative process. The quiet, introspective nature of studio work helps me experiment with different sounds and ideas without distractions. While performing for a live audience can be exhilarating, I am not particularly drawn to large crowds. I prefer to invest my energy and time into crafting a unique sound and exploring various styles and themes in a more intimate and controlled environment
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
ACTIV8TE: While my tracks often contain references and meanings that may not be immediately obvious, it’s important to recognize that music is always an individual experience. Instead of expecting fans to understand the particular story driving each of my songs, I am more focused on making an emotional connection with my audience. I hope that listeners can find their own value and meaning in my music, interpreting it in a way that resonates with their personal experiences and emotions. This approach allows my music to become a shared journey, creating a unique bond between me as the artist and my audience, and enabling each listener to derive their own significance from the songs I create.
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