sharlitz web – Dark Places (Original Mix) + Interview

One of the names you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on for the rest of the year is sharlitz web. The Chicago native has a new ominous and enigmatic track out now on Liquid Stranger’s record label SSKWAN called “Dark Places”. The dark and foreboding tune from the Los Angeles based artist features eerie soundscapes and shadowy beats to go along with haunting vocals.

Read on for an interview with sharlitz web as she talks about how she would describe her sound in three animals, the story behind the lyrics in the song, producers and vocalists she’d like to work with, and more!

Hey sharlitz web, appreciate your time today! How have the first few months of 2021 been for you?

Well hello, the first few months of 2021 have definitely been better than the year 2020, I’m sure we can all relate to that haha. 2021 has been a lot about learning myself from the inside out and exponentially the growth has been absolutely amazing. I really have taken the time to manifest and meditate because I am a strong believer in the law of attraction. I think it’s so important for people to really know how powerful they really are when they are in a good state of consciousness. I’ve also been working out which has done wonders for my creativity and my inspiration and just my overall happiness. I think balance is really important and as producers it’s so easy to get caught up in sitting, slouching, not exercising, etc.. so I’ve been really trying to figure out my balance because I think it’s really important to listen to your body as well. I’ve neglected it for a few years and started to feel the long lasting effects of being a hermit which started to spill into my creativity.

How would you describe your sound in three animals, and why those animals (I feel like one of these may be pretty obvious…)?

My sound as an animal would definitely have to start with the obvious, you know, a spider. If I had to get particular it would be the black widow, the Latrodectus. I’ve always related to spiders and always found them as misunderstood. Some are scary I will say, but if you really get down to it …the spiders don’t want anything to do with you, ya know, we just coexist sometimes like everything else in the world. I definitely have a creepy sound and take pride in creating that in my music and I think the spiders are a perfect representation of it.

The second animal would definitely have to be a wolf. I grew up playing the flute and love incorporating that in my music as well as bringing in almost like tribal, ethnic vibes infused with some blues scales. It’s a long-term goal of mine to learn jazz flute, and to be able to improvise with a band I think would be so fun. I also think my music is perfect for spooky forest vibes on a full moon night.

The third animal would be hmmmm… a black cat. Growing up I always had an attraction to them that was almost comforting. When I see a black cat, something good will happen, not something bad. I strongly feel my sister when I see black cats and she was somebody who definitely went through all nine lives of hers. Sonically, I want my music to be dark and spooky, but also comforting like a black little kitten who just walked right up to you.

How did you get your start in producing? Any influences when it comes to your style?

It all started in high school when I was making CD mixes for myself when I first discovered Skream. I used to be a Bassnectar fan (but I’m not anymore for obvious reasons), but I started making the CDs for my car and my friends were like “what is this kind of music” and I was like “let me make you a CD”… so I started making some friends CDs. One day my friend was like “why don’t you make mixes” and the light kind of went off in my head, so very quickly bought a DDJ-SR and I learned how to DJ. Less than a year after that I wanted to start making music. I went to YouTube and started learning by myself, trying to make beats on GarageBand. Shortly after that I downloaded Ableton.

I’ve also always been a little weirdo fan for the weird bass music so my influences would have to be Charlesthefirst, REZZ, Liquid Stranger, Nosia, Zeds Dead, Of The Trees, Tsuruda, Dr. Derg (RIP). Outside of EDM, a few I can name off the top of my head – Grimes, Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Hans Zimmer.

Your new track titled “Dark Places” was recently released. What’s the story behind the lyrics and how it all came together?

The story behind that song is pretty much exactly what the lyrics say – I was living in a house in a small room, far away from all my friends, and working a job I hated because I needed money and wanted to stay living in LA. It became a very manipulative and entrapping feeling living there and honestly I wasn’t able to write much music but I wrote this one night. I found the sample and it was just so relevant to my life and made me feel so comforted because of what I was going through, I couldn’t believe it. I literally was in a very small room with my mind constantly going to dark places.

The song marks your debut on SSKWAN, a sublabel of Liquid Stranger’s Wakaan. How did you first get in touch with the imprint and decide they were the right fit for you?

Well first, I am so so, so, so grateful for them welcoming me onto the label. My manager pitched the songs because we felt it was a perfect fit for me. SSKWAN liked the tunes and were on board to help me build out the project more which is an absolute dream. WAKAAN has been on my vision board since day one and I always knew my project would fit perfectly with them, so it was just a matter of the right time and trusting the universe. Staying humble, working hard, and continuing to fuel my inspiration and creativity.

Can you tell us what the rest of the year looks like for you?

This year is looking very promising and I am extremely excited to finally be able to put music out. It’s a goal to stay consistent with continuing my growth and spirituality. It really feeds into my inspiration which helps with my creating. I have some cool news coming out in June and honestly I have so much trust in the universe at this moment that I’m just going with it, staying present, finding ways to keep myself inspired, and seeking out inspiration in my life experience.

Favorite song of 2020: This is such a hard question! You’re really putting my brain to work right now! Let’s seeeee… I’d have to go with “Save My Grave” by Zeds Dead, DNMO, and GG Magree. That track was on repeat for so long.

Best track to play at peak time: This mashup I found of “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar with “Orange” by Ivy Lab and Two Fingers – I have this edit on my computer, I can’t remember who made it but they mashed up those two songs and it’s fire.

Producer(s) and/or vocalist(s) you’d most like to work with: Dream collabs would be Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse (RIP). In the bass realm, I would love to work with Charlesthefirst, Of The Trees, Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger, Alison Wonderland, REZZ, Peekaboo, and GG Magree.

Upcoming artist(s) to watch for in 2021: Slang Dogs, CHOMPPA, Dank Frank, MYTHM, SuperAve., and HEYZ.

Take a listen to “Dark Places” below and give sharlitz web a follow!

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