An Interview With DJ and Producer DEE MASH!

DEE MASH, an aurally astonishing, DJ/Producer from Chicago, IL recently released his latest single, “City of Dreams”, featuring Lyon Heart, today with River Beats.

The Chicago-based, 23-year-old DJ/EDM prodigy DEE MASH started DJing at 8 years old. By the time he reached 17 years of age, he had opened for Kaskade, one of the largest names in dance music. DEE MASH blends his innovative brand of melodic synths & climatic basslines into each piece that he produces. DEE MASH, with his refined orchestral take on future bass and trap music, has garnered support from A-list global acts such as Galantis, Adventure Club, Krewella, R3HAB, & more. Crafting songs that are paradoxically paired with chaos and minimalism, yet injected with swathes of beauty, this DJ/Producer is on track to astound the world in 2019.

Connect with DEE MASH here:

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/deemashmusic

Twitter: @dee_mash

Instagram: @dee_mash

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeMashMusic

Learn more about DEE MASH in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Currently in the studio in Chicago, finalizing some finishing touches for an upcoming release.

Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have for yourself and your music this new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

2019 has been off to a great start. I had the opportunity to ring in the New Year by sharing a stage with Galantis for the second time. My ultimate goal is to release more music and not snooze too much. I did not make a resolution since I manage to break them within the next 14 minutes or so.

Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

It has always been there since I was very young. From downloading Virtual DJ on my Dad’s work computer and getting yelled at, to cutting classes in high school to work on music. Since the age of 8, anything I did revolved around music. I feel like it wasn’t really a choice to pursue music – I just did it because it was a part of me and it just stuck.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?

When things got tough and challenging, it was hard to balance things as an artist. If I weren’t a musician today, I  would probably find myself working within the music business, anywhere between branding and marketing to distribution.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

Getting heard, it’s both challenging and rewarding. So many talented artists go unnoticed due to the challenge of getting their music out there – it’s just as important as separating yourself as an artist.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?

Chicago is home to so many great artists who paved the way, from Kanye West to Kaskade, all of whose footsteps I’ve followed in shaping my philosophy behind my music. One of the best tips I gained from these Chicago artists is: “if you truly like what you’re making, then follow your heart.”

Photo Credit: David Chang

Let’s talk about your newest single called “City of Dreams.” What was the inspiration for this song? What was it like working with Lyon Heart on it?

I can’t say this enough, Lyon Hart is a lyrical genius! Working with him was very inspiring because as soon as I heard the first draft of his vocals, I was flooded with ideas. Inspiration wise, I wanted my first vocal track to be about something other than a love song or a heartbreak song. I was in LA when we were chatting about ideas for the track, and I sent back the phrase, “city of dreams”, and the rest fell into place.

When do you hope to release more new music? Are you working on new songs now?

Very soon! I have a tracking coming out late March and another one very close after that. I’m also finishing up another track with Lyon Hart that I’m sooo excited for!!!

Do you remember the first time that you opened for a big artist? What was that like for you? What has been the coolest performing experience so far for you?

Yes, I was very nervous even after it was over. I was 17 and opened up for a Kasakde afterparty here in Chicago after winning a contest. It was Chicago’s biggest nightclub at the time, and I had to be walked in since I was underage and walked out right away after my set. It was something I’ll never forget. My coolest performance has to be opening for Axwell /\ Ingrosso – their set was canceled due to poor weather conditions and the club filled up within minutes after doors opening and I ended my set with “Fade Into Darkness” as a tribute to Avicii and I’ve never heard the crowd sing so loud and in sync … I was overcome with goosebumps.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

It’s definitely a tedious task. I’ll often forget to stay up to date on Twitter, but I’m building a habit on just sharing more on there. My Instagram would be my favorite platform, since I share more than just music on there. My stories are full of my friends clowning around and making poor decisions.

You can witness it all at www.instagram.com/Dee_mash.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Steve Angello has, was, and will always be my long-term inspiration. Even though my music genre is nothing like his, he’s been the first and longest artist whose journey I’ve followed. Some other artists outside of EDM like Coldplay and Imagine Dragons have always been some of my all time favs.

There are so many I would love to work with – ZHU or Kaskade are two intriguing ones, since it would be on the other end of my scope.

Where can fans see you perform next? Do you have any kind of a 2019 tour scheduled yet?

As of now, cooking up some shows that I can’t share yet, as well as being a resident at PRYSM Nightclub Chicago – people can always dance their nights away here.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

Definitely something between the “Save The World” music video with effects like the “Sicko Mode” – Travis Scott video. Puppies and creative editing … can’t beat that in my opinion.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why?

Probably a vinyl player because the only times I’ve bought vinyls are for my absolute favorite albums – I would be stranded with my ultimate collection!

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

Ballers (Unless HBO reboots Entourage) or any films that take place in L.A. I feel like “City Of Dreams” would make a great track over cinematic aerial scenes.

Photo Credit: David Chang

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I hope they dance, knowing the best of their journey hasn’t even started yet.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

If you dislike my music, set it as your alarm like my mom does. You’ll stop snoozing and be up the second you hear it.