The Nocturnal Times Exclusive Interview: RSAM

We sat down with RSAM from New York for an exclusive interview

New York/New Jersey based DJs, RSAM sat down with The Nocturnal Times for an exclusive interview ahead of their Haven Nightclub debut in Atlantic City. The local duo first met during a Pier of Fear event in NYC and have been playing gigs across the Tri-State area ever since. Find out some of their biggest musical influences, what their plans are for the future, and where they see themselves in five years from now.

The Nocturnal Times: How and when did the two of you meet? When did you each first begin exploring dance music?

RSAM: We both met through mutual friends, backstage at Pier 94 in NYC at one of RPM’s Halloween events with Major Lazer at Pier Of Fear. At the time I was a freelance photographer and Andrew was writing for EDMNYC. Both of us were DJs on the side and we knew of each other because in Jersey we only lived a town apart. Once we realized how similar our taste in music was, we started going to more shows together and DJ’d at home together for fun. When I had a date booked to open for Matthew Koma at Pacha, I asked Andrew to play back to back with me and we murdered it. No pre-planning our set or anything, just our ability to work off one another is what really made things interesting.

The Nocturnal Times: Who are some of your biggest dance music influences?

A: I have love for all music and when I was growing up most of my influences came from Hip Hop music.. I am a huge fan of artists of like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, The Game, Kanye West, Outkast and many more. Back in 2006 is where I got my first influence of dance music when I heard a remix to Kanes “Rain Down On Me” by Tiesto and I fell in love. Majority of my influences today come from Mark Knight, Kryder, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Prok & Fitch, The Cube Guys, & Hot Since 82.

R: Growing up I was always a rocker kid, deep into the Hardcore scene. Every weekend I was at a different show at Starland Ballroom in NJ, watching some of my favorite bands like Underoath, Circa Survive, From First to Last, and various other hardcore acts. I guess I really fell in love with electronic music when I found out the lead singer of one of my favorite bands at the time ventured off to start his own solo project, that being Skrillex. After attending some of the biggest festivals around the country as a fan and photographer I slowly realized I wanted to be on the receiving end of the lens. Not going to lie, Andrew really got me into the more underground drum driven records that we play and produce today.

The Nocturnal Times: Being that you are based in New York & New Jersey, how did the local nightlife scene and its culture effect you personally and now professionally?

RSAM: Being based in the Tri-state, at the time it was a given that Pacha was always our go to club. RPM was a huge part of our success, including the first show we played together, and also some our biggest gigs to date. That being said, us being at Pacha every weekend, we met and became friends with so many people involved in the industry who really helped steer us in the right direction.

The Nocturnal Times: Any new productions in the works? If so, which one are you most excited about, and why?

RSAM: Well without giving too many details away, we have a solid four original records just about finished along with two really big collabs that we’re super excited about. One massive record we are really excited about is a collab we are finishing up with our close friend Joey Camarda. (@camardaoffical) We’re so excited for this one because this track is really a step outside of our comfort zone and we experimented with sounds from instruments that are new to us and quickly rising in the scene.

The Nocturnal Times: We know you are heading to Atlantic City for your headline debut at Haven Nightclub next month. Will you be playing any of your new productions?

RSAM: Of course we’ll be playing several of our own IDs at Haven Nightclub and we can’t wait for the crowd’s reaction.

The Nocturnal Times: Do you have any plans for upcoming gigs during Miami Music Week?

RSAM: This year for WMC, we will definitely be attending and we have some BIG things in the works. Last year we had the opportunity to play at Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano’s Sexy By Nature party hosted at the Shelbourne Hotel. We already have some things planned for this year along with artists of the same caliber and we plan to be a part of multiple events during Miami Music Week.

The Nocturnal Times: What was your craziest gig experience?

RSAM: The craziest gig that we’ve played has to be NYE 2015. We had prepared for the night ready to close out Pier 94 for RPM’s event with The Chainsmokers, Nicky Romero, Ansolo and Travis Scott when just a few hours before that event started we got a phone call from RPM asking us to also open at Pier 36 for Rudimental, Future, and Funkflex. Closing Pier 94 was literally insane! We played for about 3,500 people and the energy was unreal.

The Nocturnal Times: What are some of your short-term goals for the near future?

RSAM: Some major short term goals we have are definitely getting a couple of our tracks signed to labels. We have some really particular ones in mind such as Sosumi, The Cartel, Juicy Music, and of course, Toolroom Records. Also being picked up and signed to a booking agency would be a major accomplishment for us.

 
The Nocturnal Times: Where do you see yourselves five years from now?

RSAM: In five years time we most definitely plan to have our first album finished and released along with an International tour, playing around the world to spread the sound of RS|AM globally.