Atlanta duo Spaghetti J recently unveiled their latest release Don Q, a six-track EP instrumental EP. Best known for their work with Atlanta stars like Peewee Longway, Mulatto, Slimesito, and 645AR, the pair adapt and transform their production to fit different artists and styles. This versatility and attention to detail have made Spaghetti J a much sought after commodity, and Don Q only serves to highlight the group’s multifaceted approach and willingness to push past their own boundaries.
Spaghetti J – Don Q
Originally crafted in 2016, the beats capture the dynamic energy of the time period with an array of acoustic instruments and iridescent melodies. With a title and cover art that references the Western literary classic Don Quixote, there is an implied aura of adventure on the EP, a restlessness that keeps the listener consistently engaged. Rather than submitting to a single style or formula, Don Q finds the pair merging various iterations of rap, R&B, jazz, and techno into a sweeping canopy of sounds. For those new to the work of Spaghetti J, it’s an ideal starting point: the first in a series of EPs curating different evolutions of the duo’s sound.
Recently, Immersive Atlanta caught up with Spaghetti J in Atlanta for an exclusive interview that dives into the vision and inspirations behind Don Q.
Where were you musically when you were putting this project together in 2016?
We originally made the tracks in 2016 as beats for vocalists to record over, before becoming an instrumental EP. At the time, we were living together in East Atlanta. We had the whole middle of the house set up as a studio, and we lived in that studio. We were DJing weekly on Edgewood Ave mixing rap, dancehall, house, Baltimore club, and techno. This blend of club music — with more experimental ambient music and jazz we would listen to at home — all influenced the music on this project.
Technically speaking, what was used to record the music on Don Q?
A blend of cheap synths, hacked VSTs, bass, guitar, orchestral percussion sounds, 808 samples, and Ableton.
What inspired the production on the EP?
Trying to make rap beats with sound palettes and chord structures used in other styles of music.
What was the vision for the cover art?
We had been trying to think of the right mix of classic baroque themes and tropical imagery that would represent this music when our friend Mickey posted this on Instagram. We instantly knew it was the perfect fit.
How difficult or otherwise was sequencing the EP?
We pulled from tons of source material. We have a few thousand beats in a Dropbox folder we are constantly adding to. The original tracklist for this was around 12 tracks, before deciding to do a series of shorter EPs. Sequencing was simultaneously the easiest part and the hardest part of putting this tape out. When we finally listened to all these songs together, we were able to quickly put them together in the order that you hear them in on the tape. That being said, it took four years for us to finally put them all together.
Will we see music videos for this release?
Music videos are on the way.
How would you feel if artists put vocals on these now that they’re out?
It would be cool to hear other people put their own vocals on these tracks.
How do you feel about the state of instrumentals today?
It’s alright. A lot of the same sounds we have heard for years are being recycled by the bigger producers, but a lot of unique music is coming out of Atlanta’s underground. Artists like Stefan Ringer and Ryan Park’s label Harsh Riddims are constantly putting out dope music.
Stream Don Q below.
More Info
Facebook: @spaghettiJonthetrack
Instagram: @spaghetti_J
SoundCloud: @spaghetti-jay
Twitter: @spaghetti__J