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Interviews

16 Bitz chats his immersive new album The Video Game

Earlier this month, when we first heard 16 BITZ‘ latest album The Video Game, we were immediately immersed in his sprawling sonic universe. Across the album, 16 BITZ (real name Alistair Wasywich) successfully re-created the experience of traversing through a video game.

So fresh off the album’s release, we caught up with the artist himself to chat about the concepts behind it, his experience living in South Korea, and what the future holds.

Fresh off the release of his new album The Video Game, we caught up with South Korea-based producer 16 BITZ for a chat.

HAPPY: Hey, how’s it going? What are you up to at the moment?

ALISTAIR: Hey man, I’m good – just kickin’ it in South Korea, getting amongst the sights and sounds. I’ve been in the studio a bit too.

HAPPY: We’re loving The Video Game! How does it feel having the album out there in the world?

ALISTAIR: It feels great. I’m so happy with how the album turned out, and stoked people are into it too.

HAPPY: Could you tell us a bit about the concept of the album?

ALISTAIR: The Video Game is an instrumental album that’s an ode to 90’s video games. I want to take the listener on a nostalgic journey of the 16-bit consoles that were popular in the 80’s and 90’s. Each track is designed to take you on a ride through a series of levels that are inspired by those games – think Golden Axe, Ghouls and Ghosts etc.

HAPPY: What drew you to the theme of video games for the album?

ALISTAIR: Yeah, I actually found myself going through this nostalgic period of watching Youtube videos of these old games I use to play back in the 90’s. Watching the videos brought back all these memories of being a kid. I wanted to try and replicate these types of emotions for the listener.

HAPPY: When you first started this musical project, did you always envision you’d be working with this kind of music? Or was it a sound you developed over time?

ALISTAIR: This was definitely a sound and concept that developed and evolved over time. I had been experimenting more with electro-synth sounds. I’m actually pretty limited in terms of my live instruments here in South Korea, so the album was mostly executed through my keyboard. My full studio is in New Zealand, which I’m looking forward to reuniting with come September. But yeah, this is a bit more electronic than my usual style for sure… it has led me down some interesting avenues which I will be channelling for my next album.

HAPPY: You’ve spent time in a variety of countries around the world… do you think your time living in various places influences the music you make at all?

ALISTAIR: I would say living in South Korea has absolutely influenced the development of the Video Game album. Everyone here lives in sky-scraper apartment buildings, it’s quite overwhelming. Sometimes you’re just surrounded by all these massive buildings or in underground malls and there’s literally nobody around… it feels post-apocalyptic. I feel this tension and airiness influenced much of the album.

HAPPY: Are there any particular artists you’re seeking inspiration from at the moment?

ALISTAIR: Hmm, that’s a hard one. It varies and is so eclectic really. Anything from Run The Jewels to Deltron 3030 and Kraftwerk, Sin Sin to Sonic Youth to name a few.

HAPPY: What’s next for 16 BITZ? Any other exciting plans in the works?

ALISTAIR: I have a new single Bonus Level coming out next month! The Video Game’s bonus track, like the bonus level in a video game. And beyond that, I’m in the lab experimenting with some new sounds for my next album.

HAPPY: Cheers for the chat!

ALISTAIR: All good!

The Video Game is available now. Listen above.