Rhythm Droid may have been raised in Southern California as Devon Hughes, but this performer has evolved into a cross-cultural music machine whose stylings are infused with an undeniable Tokyo flavor. Devin Curry‘s new mini-documentary profile of the musician, “MOODS,” (above) explores the artist’s multi-faceted inspirations and recording processes. As Rhythm Droid explains, “moods are something I’m constantly refining and adding detail to. I’m sort of addicted to moods.”The ever-increasing presence of stagetop laptops on the electronic music scene makes Rhythm Droid’s laptop-free set refreshing. His hardware-heavy set-up consists of synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines, homemade instruments resembling childrens’ toys and more colorful buttons, flashing lights, and bleep-inducing gizmos than an entire army of R2D2s. Most impressively though, what the laptop-free approach means is that Rhythm Droid’s sets are always live, never pre-recorded, and mixed in real-time.Rhythm Droid shows off one of his original gadgets.In an interview with Tashed last year, Rhythm Droid explained his unconventional instrumental choices: “I like to feel connected to my instruments, and I think viewers can participate in that connection along with me.” Droid’s approach and the effect it has on audiences has more in common with with traditional musicians than with his fellow DJs, allowing his audience to connect to the performance on a more physical level due the live nature of it.Fleshing out his performances even more fully, Rhythm Droid often includes improvisation in his live work. He explains in “MOODS” that his forthcoming album might offer a change of pace–music that’s perhaps better suited to solitary endeavors like walking and driving than it is to the dancehall. Though we’re sure that his upcoming recordings will have us bopping our heads regardless.
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Rhythm Droid's Analog Electronica Will Get You In The "Mood"
Watch as Rhythm Droid mixes and masters the musical flavors of Japan and Los Angeles.