Porter Robinson talks to Skiddle about Tiesto, Skrillex, and Velociraptors

Ever heard of Porter Robinson? If not, you will have soon.

The 19 year old electronic music sensation from North Carolina has just released his debut EP Spitfire, and is rapidly scrambling up the ladder of the international DJ scene. Spanning Electro House, Dubstep, Moombahton and even Trance, the EP was released under Skrillex's label and includes remixes from Knife Party, Downlink, SkisM, Kill The Noise and Mikkas.

Jack Oughton caught up with the next big thing to talk about touring with Tiesto, working with Skrillex, and why dogs are better than cats. 

Hey Porter. Thanks for taking part in this here interview.

Of course!

How's the music business treating you - is it as bad as everyone makes out?

Hell no. For whatever reason, people are so cynical about music industry folks. But in my experience, they've been nothing but friendly and professional. I love music industry people. They're charming.

Has being epically famous sunk in yet or does it all still feel a bit crazy?

I'm definitely not epically famous! It most definitely feels crazy some of the time, but I think people are pretty elastic in that they can adapt to whatever situation they're given. I'm not perpetually blown away by being well known for the same reason as why rich people aren't necessarily much happier than the poor. Not to say that I'm not grateful - my lifestyle rocks!

What's the best and worst part of your job?

The best part of my job is having an ever-flowing stream of replies on twitter. The worst part of my job is the sleep deprivation.

What was it like performing with Tiesto?

One of the best things about touring with a megasuperstar like Tiesto is that everything is so professional and runs so elegantly. The crew just takes care of things. I get to play on the same stage every night with incredible lighting and production and sound every day. It's almost like a vacation. The shows have been just bonkers, too - Tiesto attracts a high-energy crowd. It's a great fit for the way I like to play.

When you put together a track, how does the process work from start to finish?

I usually make my songs chronologically. What I mean by that is that I write from intro to outro. I experience the song in same order as the listener. I start with the drums!

What's your ultimate goal for your music, where do you want to end up and where are you taking it?

It's hard to say. I just want to keep making the music that I love and I hope people continue to respond to it.

What's your relationship like with Skrillex? Purely professional or would you count him as a friend?

(Laughs), we are FAR from professional. Definitely friends first. We've performed together, we've toured together, and that pretty much utterly disintegrated the prospect of having a stuffy, pro relationship.

Porter takes a walk in the snow

If you could perform live with anybody, alive or dead, who'd you pick?

It would be an incredible honour to perform with Daft Punk. True legends.

The one piece of musical gear you've gotta have with you?

The Traktor Kontrol S4! It is perfect for my style of performance. It lets me load in songs really quickly and skip through sections while staying on the beat if something isn't working.

OK, prepare yourself for the ridiculous questions...

If your music was a breed of dog which would it be and why?

Petite Basset Griffen Vendeen.

No other reason than because that's what my dog is, and it'd be utterly disloyal to answer any other way.

If you were a mad scientist, what kinda stuff would you invent?

The ideal invention, the one to best prolong the conscious human lifespan, would be something that eliminates the need for sleep. How sick would that be?

Who has the best hair in showbiz?

Larry David.

If you were a Viking God which would you be, and why?

The only Viking God I know of is Thor, so him, out of necessity.

Do you think having a pet velociraptor would be a good idea? If you had one, what would you call it?

This is a stupid question and I won't dignify it with an answer. I'll just say this: of course it's a good idea and I'd call it Skiddle.

If you could be a woman for the day, with it having no effect on the normal life you lead (so perhaps a day in alternate reality), what's the first thing you'd do?

I'd order the sugary drinks I actually want at coffee spots and not feel embarrassed.

OK, now time for 'What's Better' - I give you two options, and you tell me which you prefer and briefly why you picked it.

So, whats better…

Potatoes or sweet potatoes?

Potatoes. French fries rule. USA USA USA

Cats or dogs?

Dogs. Cats can bite it

Tribute bands or remixes?

Remixes. No explanation needed.

Cigars or doobies?

Velociraptor.

Wine or beer?

I can't drink legally!

Night or day?

Night, it supports my livelihood

Windows or Mac? (Hi, I'm a PC…)

I was a hardcore PC fanatic for much of my life for basically no reason beyond that I'd never owned a Mac. Now that I own a Mac, it's the obvious choice.

Victorian style moustaches or wizard beards?

Victorian style moustaches. Wizards are whack and so are their sleeves.

Food fights or street fights?

I've never been in a food fight (or a street fight, I guess.) Food fights, probably, dunno.

Touring or being at home?

I have to give this one to being at home. DJing comes second to making music for me, and I can only make music at home.

Hoboes or professional Elvis impersonators?

Professional Elvis impersonators. Why are these in the same category?

Classical music or reggae?

I can't stand reggae. Classical music is melodically interesting.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars. I play the videogames and everything.

Hollywood or Bollywood?

Hollywood. I love California. Indian food rocks though.

Talking like a pirate or talking with a ridiculously strong Russian accent?

I'm quite skilled at the Eastern European accent, and "National Talk Like A Pirate Day" attracts a lot of irritating douchebags.

Cream cheese or cream soda?

Both are so good, but I have to give this one to cream cheese.

And the final question... How long is a piece of string?

As long as you want it to be, baby. ;)

Thanks for taking part and I wish you the best success in your career!

Thanks guys!

Interview: Jack Oughton

Listen to Porter's EP Spitfire below: 

Spitfire by Porter Robinson

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