Track Talk: LUCIANBLOMKAMP on “In Between” by 6LACK
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Track Talk: LUCIANBLOMKAMP on “In Between” by 6LACK

Australian producer LUCIANBLOMKAMP walks us through the process behind creating the track for 6LACK’s smash hit “In Between." Header Photo Courtesy of the Artist

6 mins read

Classically-trained, Melbourne-based LUCIANBLOMKAMP is one of Australia’s most idiosyncratic creative voices. Releases like Bad FaithPost Nature, and Sick of What I Don’t Understand reveal an introspective producer with a cinematic sound. It’s no wonder he consistently receives accolades from outlets like BBC Radio 1 and KCRW. Still, it’s his dynamic work with chart-topping supernova 6LACK that put LUCIANBLOMKAMP on the map globally. He walks us through 6LACK’s “In Between,” a track he began creating in bed. 

Collaborative Coincidence

How did you first begin working with 6LACK, and did you imagine the success the collaboration would yield?  

I got the opportunity through pure chance. Before FREE 6LACK came out, 6LACK’s team approached me as they sampled my track “From Afar” on “EA6.” Through this, I started talking to Trevor aka Singawd, whose idea it was to sample me for the track. Turns out he’d been following my music for a while. From there, Trevor and I made countless beats together. Some of those ended up making their way onto 6LACK releases.  

"I might go months at a time making everything super wonky, but then keep things very rigid."

Feels, Phases, and a Vintage Synth

You utilize what you describe as a “loose, unquantized” feel in the drum track. Is that something you favor in general?

Not necessarily. I seem to go through phases with most production and writing techniques. In this case, I might go months at a time making everything super wonky, but then for months at a time keep things very rigid. It’s like I forget how to make music every couple of months or something. 

What role did your vintage JUNO-6 play in tracking “In Between” by 6LACK ? 

I used it on the synth lead which is the only element that distinguishes the hook from the verses. It was the only element I didn’t have in the original draft I made from bed. 

"The only way I can get something down that’s even vaguely creative is if I roll with the motions and see what happens."

Writing for Artists Versus Solo Releases

When working on music, can you tell when a track is going to be for another artist or become part of a solo release? 

Yeah, most of the time. At least it’s really obvious when something is for me or for another artist. Ironically, I don’t tend to produce for people who make the music I typically put out as LUCIANBLOMKAMP. I don’t know how that came to be, but it keeps things interesting. 

I feel the only way I can get something down that’s even vaguely creative is if I roll with the motions and see what happens. Going in thinking, “I should make this for so-and-so” seems to be the kiss of death for me. Even outside of it being a creatively fulfilling process, I find that things I do make with a person in mind very rarely get used by the person I made it for.  

Obviously, the downside of this process is that 95% of what I do doesn’t end up getting used. The things I end up using for myself typically lack cohesion because I wasn’t considering how they would mesh together as an EP or something. I don’t mind though.  

Inside “In Between”

What was the story of how “In Between” came to be? 

As unconstructive as it may seem, I very rarely go into making anything with a person in mind, myself included. I definitely wasn’t thinking of 6LACK when I was making “In Between.” I sent it to Trevor and never would have assumed 48 hours later I’d be listening to a version with 6LACK and Banks on it. 

"I very rarely go into making anything with a person in mind, myself included."

From Bed to the Charts

You say you created this loop in bed. Does the MV-1 VERSELAB facilitate this kind of flow?

Completely. I think what I look for in any piece of equipment or software is a sense of flexibility. There are benefits to limitations, but switching up a workflow is a big part of what keeps making music fun for me. That element of being able to twist the MV-1 into what I need is important.  

It could be in the form of being able to make a full beat without a screen from bed. Or I can play it safe and import samples I’ve used a million times via the SD card. I can even use sounds that are new to me through Roland Cloud. It’s super malleable and a great hands-on alternative to staring at a screen for hours. 

Ari Rosenschein

Ari is Global Editorial Content Manager for Roland. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two dogs and enjoys the woods, rain, and coffee of his region.