Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Olaf Lassche
Hey! My name is Olaf Lassche, and I’m a Bass House producer! I was born in Leiden, The Netherlands in 2005, and I study electronic music at the conservatory of Haarlem. I primarily focus on Bass House, but love making Trap and heavy Drum ‘n Bass as well. I started producing around 8 years ago at age 12, starting with genres like Future Bass and Future House, but later moving to the heavier genres I make now.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
One of the first impactful memories I have is one I created together with my family when I was young, and I remember it very clearly. I was travelling to Scandinavia together with my parents and my brother, and the whole trip we were blasting the latest album of Keane at the time. It really cemented music as an integral part of my life from the time in that car. “Somewhere Only We Know” remains one of my favorite songs of all time.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I have always had an urge for making music. I always sang along with songs on the radio, and started practicing on my granddads piano as soon as I could. The turning point came around 2013/2014 when I first heard mainstream EDM, with songs like “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, “This Is What It Feels Like” by Armin Van Buuren and “Animals” by Martin Garrix. From that moment on, I knew it. I wanted to pursue becoming an electronic music producer and DJ.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Since I started producing 8 years ago, I wanted to find the sound I really wanted to make. Trying to find the sound, I made a little bit of everything. I made Melbourne Bounce, Tech House, but also orchestral pieces and indie pop. In the last few years, I have found what represents myself the best. I want my music to create a sensation like being transported to another world, completely encapsulating the listener with massive sounds. I believe that music can create a feeling like no other, and that I have to share that feeling with as many people as I can.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My sound is all-encompassing, first and foremost. I like to play with heavy drums, massive basses and memorable leads. My sound is thick but sophisticated, and there are three main parts I focus on. First the drums: I want them to be powerful and bouncy. Secondly, the bass. My basses are very thick, and it’s not unlikely that they’ll have octave jumps and very hard-hitting transients. Lastly, my melodies and leads are very rhythmically inclined and not too complicated, so they’ll still be stuck in your head after a long time.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I started attending my study at the conservatory this past September, and I can definitely say it radically changed the way I view and make music (in a good way!). Not only have I learned a lot of technical skills from my teachers as well as my peers, it also changed my perspective on my own music. Before my time at the conservatory, I was constantly comparing myself to established artists and talking down on myself. Furthermore, I didn’t really see a clear path to take as an artist. I think I have grown so much since then. I know what goals I want to achieve and have a rough idea on how to achieve them. The most important thing, however, is that I’ve accepted that everybody, including myself, is on their own path and that all will come in due time. I make the music that I want because it’s my music, not someone else’s. If I can make other people happy with my music in the same way that it makes me happy, that would be the best gift I could give and receive.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I have a few tools that are essential to my workflow. My M1 Pro MacBook Pro is the beating heart of my setup. I saved up for a year to buy it with my own money, and even after more than 5 years it still does everything I want. My DAW of choice is Fruity Loops Studio. Even though I tried other DAWs (Logic Pro, Ableton, Pro Tools), I find that I can write down and work out my creative ideas best in FL Studio. I’m on the move a lot, so my primary headphones I produce music on are the AirPods Max. I love that they’re wireless, so I can put them on wherever I want, even on the train to work. Even though they don’t have the flattest frequency response, I love the way they sound. For mixing though, I use the Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro. They have a very clear and open soundstage, perfect for mixing and mastering. Some of my favorite plugins are Serum 2 (the best synthesizer in my opinion), Decapitator by SoundToys and Fabfilter Pro-Q 4. Without those, I don’t think I could create the music I make now.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’d have to give a shoutout to my fellow bass house artist and buddy Laeko. He made a bold switch in his sound lately, which I really love. He effortlessly mixes heavy bass house with energetic metal, which I think works perfectly together. His new track NEVERLEAVE is an amazing piece that inspires me a lot.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I studied musicology for two years at Utrecht University. The theoretical skills I have developed during that time, I directly put into use in my music, especially when I’m thinking about arrangement, chords or specific rhythms. My artistic vision became clear this year, when I joined the conservatory. My fellow students and good friends helped me get on the specific path I didn’t know I wanted to take.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
With my music, I hope to lift up the listeners of my music. When I make my music I get put into a trance of pure bliss and euphoria. My goal is to hand over that same feeling to the listeners. On top of that, I want them to let go of their negative emotions and dance to my rhythms and melodies.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music can teach you a lot, but for me there’s one thing that stands out. Music, for me, is the ultimate form of self-expression. Music can convey such a specific and powerful feeling or message that words from any language never can.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to play at Niteharts. The people who attend that festival are there specifically for the music, which creates such a beautiful feeling of cohesion and belonging. It’s an absolute dream of mine to help create an unforgettable experience in that place.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Avicii is one of the main factors I started pursuing music. The feelings his songs bring up aren’t like any other. To create a song together with him would be a dream come true, if only it were still possible. Knock2, on the other hand, got me hooked on Bass House. His songs bring forward such strong feelings of power and euphoria, which inspire me every day to create something even better than the day before.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://on.soundcloud.com/pYa4CeDGeAKBnbLDZM
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
For the next chapter of my career, I definitely want to showcase my songs to more people. I want to play more shows, both in The Netherlands and in other countries. To play in the US would be an amazing milestone for me. Furthermore, I want to keep creating and exploring my sound.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Bass House is my passion, but I also love making all kinds of music. I hope they get to listen to a vast array of different music that I will have made by then. Maybe they’ll see my music in a video game, on the radio or in a movie.
