Music festivals are one of our favorite parts of summer. But let’s be honest, along with the infectious camaraderie, sick beats, and expressive fashion often comes stale porta-johns, dusty expanses, and subpar food. Enter Splash House, the festival that eschews deserts and swamps, opting instead for a luxurious poolside locale. Guests of this multi-venue party travel via shuttle across three hotel resorts in Palm Springs — allowing them to enjoy big name dance acts and DJ sets a short walk from fully air-conditioned rooms and critically lauded cuisine. It’s no wonder movers and shakers flock to the event.
With the second Splash House series of the season coming up next weekend, we caught up with Australian acts Yahtzel and Cut Snake before their killer sets at Splash House — to talk about their music and where they are looking for inspiration. Fans of the indie Australian music scene will know Yahtzel from his work as both a musician and a producer who broke big about five years ago and went on to score nods from Skrillex and Diplo and a #1 debut on iTunes AU for his work with Carmada, a duo he formed with mate L D R U.
Cut Snake also got a start Down Under — where founding members Paul “Fish” Fisher and Leigh “Sedz” Sedley got close by surfing together, before touring the globe together to compete in various contests. They toured the underground music scenes of the countries they visited and that eventually translated into their own infectious tech house cuts. Now, however, Fisher has left the duo, and Sedley is the totality of Cut Snake.
Read on to learn more about these musical powerhouses and why they are sought after for festival lineups across the nation. Plus, we packed this post with pics from the last Splash House poolside party. Say that five times fast.
Cut Snake interview:
Your new EP “Want It All” just came out on Desert Heart….can you tell us a little bit about that?
I’ve been mates with the Desert Hearts guys for about 10 years, and we had discussed putting out some of my records on the label for a fair while now. I didn’t know how people would react to those tunes prior to putting out this EP, though as it was a little bit different than my last batch of records, and I do get a little self-conscious putting music out there for people to critique. But it was nice to get some good feedback on the EP. I guess it’s given me some confidence to revisit a bunch of old records I’ve been sitting on that I’d put aside because I felt like they didn’t fit at the time or something.
Any other new music coming out soon?
I’ve been collabing with a bunch of talented artists and finishing up a bunch of records I’ve been sitting on. Hopefully, they’ll be flowing through your earholes very soon!
Aside from dance music, what do you listen to? Any other genres you’re interested in pursuing?
I never listen to dance music unless I’m making it or hunting for stuff to play on the weekends. Otherwise, I get too burnt out on it. I’ve been right into old afro funk lately and psychedelic rock. Pretty much whatever my missus shows me; she has really good taste in music.
What bands are you obsessed with right now?
Soul Juice! The guy is 21 and he sounds like he’s been making music forever. Extremely good psychedelic rock! Check it out.
Who inspires you?
Anyone out there making art, getting weird and creating cool shit really. Also, people doing good shit to protect the environment and animals.
Yahtzel interview:
As a musician, why did you chose dance/electronic as your main genre?
When I was around 16, I was experimenting with a whole range of genres and I was uploading them through a bunch of different avenues. By chance, one of the electronic songs I uploaded gained some traction online which was really the start of things for me.
Any other genres you are interested in pursuing?
Yeah! At the moment, I’ve been going back to my roots and have been experimenting with psychedelic guitars, synth sounds and live drums.
What/who inspires your music?
Artists who kill it in their field and stick to their vision.
You made a debut on ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective with “Someone Else ft. Savoi.” So impressive! Can you tell us more about this single?
Yeah! it was actually a bit of a slow burner. It kind of sat around on my computer for a year or so before I decided to finish it. Savoi had sent me some awesome vocals along the way, so that helped in getting me moving. When I found out Foreign Family were interested in putting it out, I was stoked!
How have you seen this impact your career?
I’ve been blessed to be able to put music out on such a cool platform. It has helped my music reach lots of awesome people who have made up some of the best audiences I’ve played to so far
Not only are you an accomplished DJ, but also perform live, shredding your electric guitar and even playing keys. This sets you apart from a lot of artists! Which style do you prefer?
I’d have to say playing live because that’s where my roots are, and I dig the stress! Haha.
