“Hypnotizing synths with melodic twists”- A talk with Glitch Mob

The Glitch Mob is constructed of Joshua Mayer, Ed Ma, and Justin Boreta-best known by their stage names Ooah, Edit, and Boreta. Hailing from Los Angeles, they have traveled the globe touring and have created a trilogy of albums each one more innovative than the last. The trifecta is known for their glitch hop/ dubstep infused electronica, but still always manage to embody hypnotizing synths with a melodic twist in their records. In the electronic world, to find live instruments being played on stage is a rarity but one of the aspects that make this group unique is their live, mind-blowing performances.

Photographed by Mike Greene
Interviewed by Ashley Zucker

What emotions went into “Can’t Kill Us” off your 2014 album ‘Love Death Immortality”? (#1 on both the Independent Album and Dance/ Electronica Album charts and Sin City 2’s main theme song ).
“Can’t Kill Us” is pure, distilled badassery. Fearlessness. Grit. Determination.

Your latest (2015) album ‘Piece Of The Indestructible’ houses the incredible record “Better Hide, Better Run” featuring sultry vocals by Mark Johns. What recognizable changes have happened from one album to the next?
Thanks for the kind words. Our musical process comes from a sense of presence, when we’re in the studio. The goal is to not calculate, rather follow our collective creative intuition. The albums progress very much in the same way life does. Each work is a snapshot or diary piece of where we were at that point in time. The production techniques have changed and evolved as well, but the core of what unites us as artists is continuous.

What elements went into this track with talented newcomer Mark Johns? Do you see any bits of your younger selves in her?
She’s a gem. A truly brilliant artist and kind person. Working with her was a dream – she rides her intuition as well. When she heard the track, she jumped out of her chair and went outside to write all of the ideas down that were coming to her. Beyond that, her voice is incredible and unique.

How does playing live modify the way you connect with your audience? Describe your on stage set up.
The live show is the culimation of everything we do. Our stage show, The Blade, was custom designed in a way that allows us to perform electronic music in a way that’s particular to our music. It allows us to really get in the music, to immerse and feel the energy. We think of it like we are experiencing the music with everyone, not as much being on stage playing for people.

At your summer show at the iconic venue, Red Rocks, you effortlessly evoked hundreds of fans to howl at the moon moments before your performance of “Mind Of A Beast”. What is the magnitude of the influence musicians have on youth and how do you think they can use it for good?
We take our role very seriously as musicians and performers. We have a very close relationship with our fans, where we trade art and inspiration in a private Facebook group, as well as everywhere else online. Their stories that involve our music become the fuel for us to go back into the studio and write more music. It’s this real interaction and shared experiential gratitude that cuts through everything and gets us back close to everyone, like sitting around a campfire together telling stories.