Indie 5-0 with Downupright
Downupright’s music is their passion and they veer across all genres for the sheer joy of making it. Though their core sound is a blend of industrial and hyperpop, they keep coming back to "non-commercial EDM." They’ve have been a musician since they were about eleven years old tinkering in Cakewalk Pro 8 (at the time). Of course, they've upgraded their rig a few times over the years, and now use Ableton. Their lyrics spring from their adult lifelong battle with depression, bipolar, and anxiety- making music to exorcise those feelings and put the sadness out into the world so they can be free of it. “I want people to feel like depression, anxiety, and bipolar are identifiable and conquerable things when they listen to my music,” shares Downupright. “I want them to feel like they are understood and not the only one who feels this way.”
Their latest project is something special because it carves out a unique sonic niche for itself- the blend of hyperpop vocals with industrial riffs and EDM core stylings. “All I want is for my music to connect with its intended audience. I don't need to be famous or play to stadiums. I want people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and bipolar to feel understood.”
We got the chance to speak with Downupright about their new album, Click Here To Prove You Are Not A Robot. So, without further ado, let’s dive in:
What artist has inspired and influenced your music?
The Faint, absolutely. I never heard a voice so distorted until I discovered their music in college. I had struggled with singing until discovering there was a way music could sound so good with so much vocal processing.
Your debut album, Click Here To Prove You Are Not A Robot, just dropped. How was that? What went into the release/writing of it?
A lot of fun but also a lot of pain. I struggle mightily with depression and anxiety and expressing that is always cathartic. Musically speaking, though, I had a blast. I had just bought powerful new drum, guitar, and bass plug ins and was excited to able to write convincing rock music electronically.
What can you share about your unique EDM, industrial, and hyperpop sound? What made you create it?
I evolved here with major influences from both hyperpop and industrial music. I used to make pretty standard electro-rock, but I went through an industrial phase in college that had me making industrial music. Then in my thirties I pivoted to EDM but by the time I started making my EDM faster and faster I discovered I was basically making hyperpop!
Of all the music in the world today, which song/album is your favorite and why?
I know the song I want played at my funeral is Nova by VNV Nation. But right now the song I can't stop listening to daily is Locust Laced by Sleigh Bells off their newest. It's so distorted!!!
If you could sit down and get to know any musician, dead or alive, who would it be, why, and what would you ask?
I think I'd like to get to know She Wants Revenge. They had such a clear and powerful vision for what their debut album would sound like and I would love to hear the personal journey that went into discovering that sound.
You can find Downupright via:
Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud // Apple Music
