This article is an instalment of the Songcards Spotlight series where we interview the humans that make it all possible. We recommend you start by clicking the play button above and reading whilst enjoying the artist's music.
Who is VOIDSCAN?
VOIDSCAN is an electronic music producer and multi-instrumentalist. Hailing from the Hawaiian Island of Oahu and currently residing in Wildlight, Florida. The name is derived from methods Void and Scan from the programming language C#. Yeah I know, nerd.
What is your origin story?
I had taken a break from music in 2012 to focus on family, education and career. In 2023 I found a hard drive that contained all my old music and got reinspired by going through and listening to it all. I would take a few hours each week and tinker with songs. After failing to raise enough capital to open a microbrewery and subsequently giving up on that dream after 10 years of brewing I needed a creative outlet. I turned that frustration into music. I compiled a few songs and sent them out into the world on an EP titled Impulse. But that was just to get the ball rolling, I had been working on a short story about humans fighting against AI set in a futuristic dystopian world. This became The Rubicon Saga, and I set out to create the soundtrack.I had originally envisioned the story as a movie. I didn't have the means to make it an actual movie, so I created the soundtrack to that movie and released it with an accompanying story.
I love to remix. The first one I ever did was New Order’s “Crystal” back in 2001. Since then I’ve done remixes for Static-X, NIN, the B-52’s, The Baldwin Brothers (not the actors) and many more. Recently I made remixes for Tides Away, Stonegood, SERRiTONE, SAlimer and other artists.
When did you realise you wanted to make music?
I played various instruments in elementary and middle school, like clarinet and baritone horn. It wasn’t until I got a guitar in 8th grade that I wanted to make music. After learning how to play one song by Green Day I started my first “band” with a group of friends in high school. I learned to DJ and did weddings and parties, even had some club gigs.I couldn’t stay with one instrument, I learned bass by joining a jazz band, learned drums and played in an industrial metal band. I’ve floated across genres from jazz to punk to metal to hip hop. I don’t want to just make one style of music. That is why I prefer to release albums as a soundtrack. It tells a story across genres.
Who are your long-standing influences?
Influences include NIN, The Prodigy, Fear Factory, Fatboy Slim, Blue Stahli, Jack Trammel, The Crystal Method, Orbital and many more. Recently I released my first ever cover, a cyberpunk influenced version of NIN “Survivalism” from the album Year Zero.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician?
Never stop learning, and screw anyone’s negative feedback. I don’t care if you don’t like it. If you have constructive feedback that is meaningful and useful I will listen otherwise I couldn’t care less.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on expanding The Rubicon Saga into a trilogy, working on the story and lore for the second and third parts, and creating the soundtrack to that story. With each sequel I want to go bigger and explore more genres.
What would you tell your younger self?
Younger self being me as an adult. I would have told him not to give up on music.I tried various creative outlets and none can hold a candle to the therapeutic ways of writing, recording and making music.
Which band or artist are you really excited about at the moment?
As a long time NIN fan I’m so hyped for the new album, tour and the Tron Ares soundtrack.
Where can people find your music?
You can find my music on all the major streaming platforms and digital stores, Bandcamp & Ampwall, and of course Songcards. The Rubicon Saga is available on CD and Vinyl at Elasticstage
What’s next for VOIDSCAN?
A remix album for The Rubicon Saga is set to come out this summer. I’m looking to expand my collaborations with other artists, both for music and visual art. I’m currently working with English singer/songwriter SAlimer and remixing her entire catalog.
