Culture

GASP is a DJ and producer based out of Dunedin, and is set to support Raiza Biza and Jay Knight at Refuel on the 23rd of April. At just 17 years old, Eden Burns is making waves locally and internationally. With recognition from both Vice and Mix Mag, Critic caught up with him to check out what he’s been up to.

Critic: To start off, I’ll give you a topic and you decide if its over-rated or under-rated.
GASP: Sweet, let’s do this!

Critic: House music in New Zealand?
GASP: Under-rated. I mean some house gets some recognition (like that Disclosure shit), but 90s house is definitely under-rated here.

Critic: New Zealand producers?
GASP: Definitely under-rated — It’s beginning to change, but we have a lot of talented producers sitting in their bedrooms not getting the recognition they deserve.

Critic: Ralph Lauren Polo?
GASP: Hugely over-rated. It’s the Tyler the Creator, Supreme Cap thing again. When Tyler the Creator came on, everyone was wearing a Supreme Cap; Yung Lean’s been blowing up lately. Now everyone wears Polo caps.

Critic: I saw you did a remix for Brooke Fraser’s “Kings and Queens” last year. How’d that come about? You two are a weird combo.
GASP: Sony just hit me up for it. I had been talking to some of the Sony A and Rs, so that could have something to do with it.

Critic: So were you talking to Sony about a deal?
GASP: Na, it was just a talk really. I’ve also had meetings with Universal and Saiko who manage Lorde and Mount Eden, but again they were just talks. It’s cool that they know about me though.

Critic: Do you think it’s hard being only 17 in the music industry?
GASP: It’s kind of easier with the internet now. It can work both ways though; sometimes people will hear my stuff and be, like, “Wow, he’s only 17? This is good!” Other times they won’t give me a look because I’m so young.
I’ve also struggled with gigs. I’ve been kicked out of shows down here I was going to because I’m not 18. One time they’d booked me, but when I got there they said they didn’t know I was 16 and that I couldn’t play. Another time I had to wait outside for, like, three hours until my set, then as soon as I was done they kicked me back out. It happens a lot.

Critic: So are you looking forward to being able to go to gigs once you finally crack 18?
GASP: Yea definitely, especially Rhythm and Vines and stuff. I played at Rhythm and Alps and Rhythm and Vines … Well, actually, I missed my set for Rhythm and Vines. Peter Chin, the mayor of Dunedin, he had a heart attack on my plane so they had to turn it around.

Critic: Aw F**K!
GASP: Yea, I still went up and got to hang out, but, yea, it’ll be really good to go to the festivals and party a bit when I’m 18.

Critic: Do you think there’s a reason for the lack of a scene for your genre in Dunedin / the South Island in general?
GASP: There’s not really a scene anywhere — in New Zealand anyway. Especially the newer stuff. I mean, my older stuff was easier to get and understand, but my new EP’s a bit different, a lot more 90s house- and techno-influenced stuff. There’s just not really a scene here.

Critic: So you’re paving the way then?
GASP: Haha, I guess you could say that. There are a few people in Christchurch that I’m teaming up with, and they’re doing a similar thing.

Critic: You were a part of the secret club with Kamandi and Polo. How’d that come about?
GASP: Polo basically just told me he was starting up this collective and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it.

Critic: That would be sick. So I see you’re playing with Raiza Biza and Jay Knight in April. Have you played with any of the Young Gifted and Broke guys before?
GASP: I know Raiza Biza and also know Jay Knight fairly well. I’ve played a couple of shows with them, but none of the other YGB guys.

Critic: What artists influence you?
GASP: I’m really into Bambounou — he’s a DJ from Paris. I also really dig bands like the Smiths, the Cure, the Chills — that kind of older rock stuff. I really like all the guys from Flying Nun and what they did based out of Dunedin.

Critic: Any artists you’ve been working with or would like to work with?
GASP: I’ve been working with a guy called Daffy from Bristol England and Scheme from Christchurch. In terms of who I’d like to work with, I don’t know, to be honest. 50 Weapons would defs be the dream label to get a release on though.

CRITIC: What is coming up from you this year?
GASP: I’m currently working on my EP, which I’m hoping will be released on vinyl. Also my track, “Lagoons”, is appearing on a compilation album under Armader records.

CRITIC: We are looking forward to the release!